Many golf enthusiasts decide not to pursue a career in the field because they are afraid there are not enough jobs available. However, the golf industry is quite large, and with such a variety of possible positions that no one who has chosen golf as a career need fear unemployment or underemployment. The possible positions listed below represent golf course jobs, only a small slice of what is available in the golf industry.
Golf course training and instruction: Golf is an incredibly popular sport, which means that there is always a wealth of aspiring golfers seeking instruction. Many golf courses keep several instructors on staff. Providing training right there on the golf course means convenience for customers, more money for the golf course, and, of course, more jobs for professional golf experts.
Clubhouse food service crew and management: One of the types of golf course jobs that no one ever thinks of is food service. However, restaurant-quality food and drink is often the cornerstone of a golf course clubhouse, as it offers refreshment and creates a comfortable atmosphere. Golf course jobs focused around clubhouse food service include the kitchen's crew, chefs, wait staff, and management.
Grounds care: The entire existence of a golf course is dependent on the condition of the grounds. Therefore, some of the most important golf course jobs are related to grounds care. Chemical technicians handle the fertilization and other chemical care of the grass, while irrigation specialists ensure that the grass is well watered. A turf manager or groundskeeper oversees all of the grounds care personnel.
Equipment operation and maintenance: The daily business of running a golf course requires the use and maintenance of many pieces of equipment. Golf course jobs usually include equipment operators, who are overseen by an equipment manager. A maintenance team, including crewman and a maintenance manager, keep the equipment in good working order and handle maintenance scheduling.
Golf merchandise sales and store management: A merchandise store is another important facet of any thriving golf course and clubhouse. An on-site store provides a convenient place for members to purchase equipment and clothing. Personnel needed to run the store usually includes sales associates and at least one manager.
Human Resources personnel: As you are no doubt beginning to see, a successful golf course represents a coming together of many different employees. As with any such workplace, a successful golf course usually includes a team of Human Resources personnel. These professionals handle tasks such as the hiring of new employees for available golf course jobs.
Public Relations or advertising personnel: As a thriving business, many golf courses must also manage a great deal of public relations interactions, such as advertising. Golf course jobs therefore include positions to handle the writing of advertisements and video scripts, the photographing of the grounds for colorful ads, and a spokesperson to handle all communications with the press.
Golf course management and ownership: A golf course is a well-oiled machine, but in order for all the moving parts to remain in good working order, there needs to be a manager to oversee it all. The manager may also be the golf course owner in some cases.
As you can see, there are many golf course jobs available. The careers described here are only the tip of the iceberg. The golf industry also includes areas such as pro golfing, tour planning and management, and luxury golf resorts. With the range of positions available throughout the industry, no one trained for a golf career need ever worry about not being able to find a job.
8 Types Of Golf Course Jobs For Career-bound Individuals
Posted on
Kamis, 30 September 2010 |
0
komentar
8 Reasons Why You As A New To Fly Fisherman Should Join A Club
Posted on
Rabu, 29 September 2010 |
0
komentar
I still remember watching my dad up to his waist in a rushing Colorado stream casting flies for trout. I was too young for that kind of fishing (although at the age of six I had caught a trout off the bridge in front of our home, using a spinning reel and a worm).
It fascinated me to watch the glistening line whipping repeatedly back and forth over his head as he sought to get enough distance to put the fly where he wanted it.
The memory of the heavy strikes and the subsequent fights with lunker trout (that we ate that night) drove me to fly fishing later in life, but I took it up with certain amount of trepidation.
I have to admit I was somewhat intimidated. Fly fishing took a lot of skill, I thought. More that I felt I had.
JUST A LITTLE MORE SKILL?
Arguably, fly fishing takes just a little more skill, or "know-how", as my dad might put it, than other forms of fishing.
Matching up your equipment is just the beginning, learning to cast takes practice, not just to get familiar with how the reel works as it spools off line, but to gain the dexterity to place the fly where it needs to go -- to drop it right in front of a lunker you suspect is lying in a pool behind that big rock.
Then comes fly tying -- not really necessary -- but a skill that puts you miles ahead of the fisherman that buys flies off the shelf, who can't "match the flies to hatch", or create them "on the spot".
More skill than you or I possess, you may ask? No, not necessarily. Not if you find and associate with the right people, those who already possess the skills, and are more than willing to impart them to you.
A SOLITARY SPORT?
At first glance, fly fishing seems a solitary sport. While you might see more than one fly fisherman wading in a stream or a lake, they appear to be pretty isolated from one another, not exactly like a bunch of golf buddies pulling a cart and shooting above par.
The fact is that that individual fly fisherman probably has a lot of "back-up" contacts and friends; you just can't see them because they're all part of the club he belongs to.
He as acquired many of his skills by associating with other people.
WHY JOIN A CLUB?
In our busy schedules, clubs take time away from other things we probably should be doing. In many cases, clubs are time wasters, put together by people who have an obsession with following "Robert's Rules of Order".
Fly fishing clubs, however, are close to a necessary item on the fisherman's menu -- that is if he also wants to include fish on that same menu.
There are many reasons for joining a club. By associating with enthusiastic fellow fisherman at a higher (and lower) experience level than your own, you can
-- discover more about your equipment.
-- learn how to choose rods, reels, line, and gear.
-- hone your basic skills. Get tips about such things casting, fly selections and determining "where the fish are" in a variety of environmental situations.
-- learn how make equipment. Maybe you'd like to make your own fly rod from a blank or discover what equipment and materials you need to tie flies.
-- uncover the best places to go to catch fish. Fly fishermen will divulge these things to friends they respect.
-- plan trips and vacations. A fishing trip is not a trip unless you take people you like and are as enthusiastic as you are.
-- help those less experienced. It's always good to impart what you know. It's said that a teacher best learns his own craft by teaching others.
-- experience the camaraderie that comes with getting together with like minded enthusiasts.
TYPES OF CLUBS
Fly fishing clubs can be national, regional, local, or ones that are strictly internet based. Many cater to beginners or focus on fly tying or other techniques.
Three notable National Clubs are
-- Federation of Fly Fishers
-- International Women Fly Fishers
-- Trout Unlimited
These clubs are dedicated to education and preservation of cold water species and habitats, and are great for educational opportunities.
Regional and local fly fishing clubs such as those indigenous to your state or city may provide a little more of the camaraderie you're looking for, as well as information that you can apply to waters you'll find where you live.
Internet clubs may be fun to join as well. You can post to forums and get tips by internet messenger or email.
Clubs you can find in your city or neighborhood may be the best for getting the kind of "hands on" experience you're looking for. Check with your local bait and tackle shops for information on what's available, and if you can't find one, start one. Those same bait and tackle shops will jump at the chance of posting fliers for you and recommending their customers.
NO LONGER ALONE
Each type of club caters to a different need, and you might find it beneficial to join more than one. By doing so, you'll find you're not alone.
Even if you're out in the stream by yourself, you're surrounded by your friends in the club. When you see that fish rise, when it slams into your fly, your ears will ring with their enthusiastic support --
"Now, don't horse him in, give him his head!"
"Keep your line tight."
"Okay, now he's tired, you can start bringing him in."
"Keep your rod tip up."
And finally,
"ALL RIGHT, NICE ONE! HOW BIG IS HE? I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT”
No, with your new-found club friends, you’re definitely no longer alone.
It fascinated me to watch the glistening line whipping repeatedly back and forth over his head as he sought to get enough distance to put the fly where he wanted it.
The memory of the heavy strikes and the subsequent fights with lunker trout (that we ate that night) drove me to fly fishing later in life, but I took it up with certain amount of trepidation.
I have to admit I was somewhat intimidated. Fly fishing took a lot of skill, I thought. More that I felt I had.
JUST A LITTLE MORE SKILL?
Arguably, fly fishing takes just a little more skill, or "know-how", as my dad might put it, than other forms of fishing.
Matching up your equipment is just the beginning, learning to cast takes practice, not just to get familiar with how the reel works as it spools off line, but to gain the dexterity to place the fly where it needs to go -- to drop it right in front of a lunker you suspect is lying in a pool behind that big rock.
Then comes fly tying -- not really necessary -- but a skill that puts you miles ahead of the fisherman that buys flies off the shelf, who can't "match the flies to hatch", or create them "on the spot".
More skill than you or I possess, you may ask? No, not necessarily. Not if you find and associate with the right people, those who already possess the skills, and are more than willing to impart them to you.
A SOLITARY SPORT?
At first glance, fly fishing seems a solitary sport. While you might see more than one fly fisherman wading in a stream or a lake, they appear to be pretty isolated from one another, not exactly like a bunch of golf buddies pulling a cart and shooting above par.
The fact is that that individual fly fisherman probably has a lot of "back-up" contacts and friends; you just can't see them because they're all part of the club he belongs to.
He as acquired many of his skills by associating with other people.
WHY JOIN A CLUB?
In our busy schedules, clubs take time away from other things we probably should be doing. In many cases, clubs are time wasters, put together by people who have an obsession with following "Robert's Rules of Order".
Fly fishing clubs, however, are close to a necessary item on the fisherman's menu -- that is if he also wants to include fish on that same menu.
There are many reasons for joining a club. By associating with enthusiastic fellow fisherman at a higher (and lower) experience level than your own, you can
-- discover more about your equipment.
-- learn how to choose rods, reels, line, and gear.
-- hone your basic skills. Get tips about such things casting, fly selections and determining "where the fish are" in a variety of environmental situations.
-- learn how make equipment. Maybe you'd like to make your own fly rod from a blank or discover what equipment and materials you need to tie flies.
-- uncover the best places to go to catch fish. Fly fishermen will divulge these things to friends they respect.
-- plan trips and vacations. A fishing trip is not a trip unless you take people you like and are as enthusiastic as you are.
-- help those less experienced. It's always good to impart what you know. It's said that a teacher best learns his own craft by teaching others.
-- experience the camaraderie that comes with getting together with like minded enthusiasts.
TYPES OF CLUBS
Fly fishing clubs can be national, regional, local, or ones that are strictly internet based. Many cater to beginners or focus on fly tying or other techniques.
Three notable National Clubs are
-- Federation of Fly Fishers
-- International Women Fly Fishers
-- Trout Unlimited
These clubs are dedicated to education and preservation of cold water species and habitats, and are great for educational opportunities.
Regional and local fly fishing clubs such as those indigenous to your state or city may provide a little more of the camaraderie you're looking for, as well as information that you can apply to waters you'll find where you live.
Internet clubs may be fun to join as well. You can post to forums and get tips by internet messenger or email.
Clubs you can find in your city or neighborhood may be the best for getting the kind of "hands on" experience you're looking for. Check with your local bait and tackle shops for information on what's available, and if you can't find one, start one. Those same bait and tackle shops will jump at the chance of posting fliers for you and recommending their customers.
NO LONGER ALONE
Each type of club caters to a different need, and you might find it beneficial to join more than one. By doing so, you'll find you're not alone.
Even if you're out in the stream by yourself, you're surrounded by your friends in the club. When you see that fish rise, when it slams into your fly, your ears will ring with their enthusiastic support --
"Now, don't horse him in, give him his head!"
"Keep your line tight."
"Okay, now he's tired, you can start bringing him in."
"Keep your rod tip up."
And finally,
"ALL RIGHT, NICE ONE! HOW BIG IS HE? I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT”
No, with your new-found club friends, you’re definitely no longer alone.
8 Important Steps To Achieve The Perfect Golf Swing
Posted on
Selasa, 28 September 2010 |
0
komentar
To people who are new to the world of golf but, nevertheless, are intending to play the sport, one factor that they should focus on is the perfect golf swing. To mention some other factors, there are a lot such as, the golf equipments, the direction of the wind, the golf ball and the player himself, but still, the precision of the swing is the causal factor on the success or flop of playing golf.
I'll get a few suggests that would help you to get your goal of becoming a professional in playing golf. These are the basics, but, where did Tiger Woods begin, anyway?
1. Know what your forces are. Can you attain a certain angle that would give you the perfect golf swing? Do you have a good balance? What about your playing stance? Do you have an agile and highly flexible body that could go with the force of your swing? These are just a few initial questions that you have to answer before you put up the sport.
2. Obtain help from professionals through coaching. Coaching does wonders. You could either have a one on one or you could start purchasing a few materials that are already available in the market. An example of this stuff is the Tac Tic Golf Trainer. The Tac Tic is much like a personal coach because it adjusts the inaccurate positioning that someone makes on a golf swing. It warns you of your incorrect grip by giving out a click so this would allow you to change the alignment of your wrist. Aside from wrist alignment, it as well betters your swing curve.
2. Practice, practice and practice again. The perfect golf swing is made only through constant practice. Tiger Woods was known to practice even in the worst weathers.
4. Aside from the Tac Tic, additional aids on training for the perfect swing admit videos and manuals that you could watch and study. But you have always to remember that only studying or watching would just give you the theory of achieving what you actually want to achieve. Practice would quiet be the key at the close of it all.
5. No training stuff or equipment is the most perfect for any individual. What you'd find to be helpful could be not of much help to somebody else. Take a manual or a training video that would fit you and begin practicing the skills that are taught there to finally achieve the perfect golf swing.
6. To have a good back swing, ensure that the force comes from your arms and not from your hands. It should be done in one, clean, sweeping movement.
7. The down swing, on the other hand, calls for precision in speed. A good advice on this is to pull your left arm coming from the top.
8. To make a successful sweep, the finish should be done high enough. The main key there is to transfer left. You can tell that you have made a good finish if your right knee is facing the target with your right foot up. Spikes of your shoe should be seen. Your hands should be high up very near your left ear.
Although it is often reported as the perfect golf swing, to have the perfect golf swing is quite mythical. Constant practice would just make you well-situated with a stance that you can eventually work with and are comfortable with. Anyway, it is really important, that you enjoy the golf sport and look forward to do it every time.
I'll get a few suggests that would help you to get your goal of becoming a professional in playing golf. These are the basics, but, where did Tiger Woods begin, anyway?
1. Know what your forces are. Can you attain a certain angle that would give you the perfect golf swing? Do you have a good balance? What about your playing stance? Do you have an agile and highly flexible body that could go with the force of your swing? These are just a few initial questions that you have to answer before you put up the sport.
2. Obtain help from professionals through coaching. Coaching does wonders. You could either have a one on one or you could start purchasing a few materials that are already available in the market. An example of this stuff is the Tac Tic Golf Trainer. The Tac Tic is much like a personal coach because it adjusts the inaccurate positioning that someone makes on a golf swing. It warns you of your incorrect grip by giving out a click so this would allow you to change the alignment of your wrist. Aside from wrist alignment, it as well betters your swing curve.
2. Practice, practice and practice again. The perfect golf swing is made only through constant practice. Tiger Woods was known to practice even in the worst weathers.
4. Aside from the Tac Tic, additional aids on training for the perfect swing admit videos and manuals that you could watch and study. But you have always to remember that only studying or watching would just give you the theory of achieving what you actually want to achieve. Practice would quiet be the key at the close of it all.
5. No training stuff or equipment is the most perfect for any individual. What you'd find to be helpful could be not of much help to somebody else. Take a manual or a training video that would fit you and begin practicing the skills that are taught there to finally achieve the perfect golf swing.
6. To have a good back swing, ensure that the force comes from your arms and not from your hands. It should be done in one, clean, sweeping movement.
7. The down swing, on the other hand, calls for precision in speed. A good advice on this is to pull your left arm coming from the top.
8. To make a successful sweep, the finish should be done high enough. The main key there is to transfer left. You can tell that you have made a good finish if your right knee is facing the target with your right foot up. Spikes of your shoe should be seen. Your hands should be high up very near your left ear.
Although it is often reported as the perfect golf swing, to have the perfect golf swing is quite mythical. Constant practice would just make you well-situated with a stance that you can eventually work with and are comfortable with. Anyway, it is really important, that you enjoy the golf sport and look forward to do it every time.
"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."
- Viktor Frankl
Attitude is everything. Yes, Everything.
It is more vital than events. It's more important than what's happened. Because attitude determines whether we are happy or unhappy, fulfilled or empty, the positive perspective assures us that we can never fail. A hopeful attitude guarantees internal success. Attitude- the altitude adjuster determines whether we fly high or low, crash or soar, glide or slide.
Anybody can have a positive attitude when things are going well. What really matters is its how you act when things are going badly that determines the strength of your character. An appropriate attitude means feeling hopeful in challenging times. Stop yourself. Count your blessings. Look for the good. Here are the magnificent 7 ways to improve your attitude:
1. Choose to be Enthusiastic
Corporate presidents voted it the most valuable personality trait. It's the biggest single factor in successful selling. Think enthusiastically. Talk enthusiastically. Become enthusiastic by acting enthusiastic. Your thoughts and actions establish your level of enthusiasm.
2. Be Alive to Everything You Do
Walk fast. Put a bounce in your step. A vigorous, hearty handshake indicates you are glad to be alive and happy to be with the other person. A good smile radiates enthusiasm. Put spirit into your speech by varying the tempo, raising and lowering the pitch, changing the tone and modulation. Force yourself to act with enthusiasm, and soon you will feel enthusiastic.
3. Broadcast Good News
No one ever made a friend or accomplished anything worthwhile by transmitting bad news. Good news, on the other hand, promotes good will and spreads enthusiasm. The message, "Hey! I've got good news" gets the attention of everyone. Take sunshine to school or work. Always aim to make the person you talk to feel better than they otherwise would.
4. The Power of Visualization
Imagination powerfully influences successful outcomes. When imagination and willpower compete, the imagination always wins. Force of will never keep you striving for success, but proper visualization will. All peak performers visualize success. Before you try to do anything, close your eyes and visualize yourself doing it well.
5. Positive Self-Talk
What did you say to yourself today? Did you moan and groan about everyone at school or work? Did you complain about your parents to your best friend? What we think is 100% reflected in how we feel. If all we think about is negative thoughts, our actions will be negative. Remember "I'm a 10! I'm Healthy! Wealthy! Happy! I do what I ought to do, when I ought to do it, whether I want to or not! No Debate! I love me!"
6. Love Others
How can we become more loving? By bringing encouragement, optimism, and hope to all that we meet. By helping others feel comfortable in our presence. By spreading joy and goodwill. By being concerned about the wishes and desires of others. By understanding, caring, accepting, and forgiving. By becoming more concerned about helping others achieve their individual desires.
7. Never Miss 1 to 6 Above
I think, I need not tell you the importance of this point!
Go, choose your Attitude and choose your own way!
- Viktor Frankl
Attitude is everything. Yes, Everything.
It is more vital than events. It's more important than what's happened. Because attitude determines whether we are happy or unhappy, fulfilled or empty, the positive perspective assures us that we can never fail. A hopeful attitude guarantees internal success. Attitude- the altitude adjuster determines whether we fly high or low, crash or soar, glide or slide.
Anybody can have a positive attitude when things are going well. What really matters is its how you act when things are going badly that determines the strength of your character. An appropriate attitude means feeling hopeful in challenging times. Stop yourself. Count your blessings. Look for the good. Here are the magnificent 7 ways to improve your attitude:
1. Choose to be Enthusiastic
Corporate presidents voted it the most valuable personality trait. It's the biggest single factor in successful selling. Think enthusiastically. Talk enthusiastically. Become enthusiastic by acting enthusiastic. Your thoughts and actions establish your level of enthusiasm.
2. Be Alive to Everything You Do
Walk fast. Put a bounce in your step. A vigorous, hearty handshake indicates you are glad to be alive and happy to be with the other person. A good smile radiates enthusiasm. Put spirit into your speech by varying the tempo, raising and lowering the pitch, changing the tone and modulation. Force yourself to act with enthusiasm, and soon you will feel enthusiastic.
3. Broadcast Good News
No one ever made a friend or accomplished anything worthwhile by transmitting bad news. Good news, on the other hand, promotes good will and spreads enthusiasm. The message, "Hey! I've got good news" gets the attention of everyone. Take sunshine to school or work. Always aim to make the person you talk to feel better than they otherwise would.
4. The Power of Visualization
Imagination powerfully influences successful outcomes. When imagination and willpower compete, the imagination always wins. Force of will never keep you striving for success, but proper visualization will. All peak performers visualize success. Before you try to do anything, close your eyes and visualize yourself doing it well.
5. Positive Self-Talk
What did you say to yourself today? Did you moan and groan about everyone at school or work? Did you complain about your parents to your best friend? What we think is 100% reflected in how we feel. If all we think about is negative thoughts, our actions will be negative. Remember "I'm a 10! I'm Healthy! Wealthy! Happy! I do what I ought to do, when I ought to do it, whether I want to or not! No Debate! I love me!"
6. Love Others
How can we become more loving? By bringing encouragement, optimism, and hope to all that we meet. By helping others feel comfortable in our presence. By spreading joy and goodwill. By being concerned about the wishes and desires of others. By understanding, caring, accepting, and forgiving. By becoming more concerned about helping others achieve their individual desires.
7. Never Miss 1 to 6 Above
I think, I need not tell you the importance of this point!
Go, choose your Attitude and choose your own way!
Alot of us get inspired by movies to want to shoot great video with our video cameras - unfortunately there is a difference between want and being able to. Like photography, good videography requires a level of competence and artistic know-how. After all, there's more to shooting great footage than pressing the record button.
For good or bad, I learned the hard way how to shoot professionally. I'm not promising you'll get an oscar for your efforts but you'll avoid giving viewers that amateur-I-can't-hold-a-camera-steady look.
1. Be A Good Student
Just like any craft you need to know your tools. For example, if your filming your son's baseball game you need to increase the shutter speed to ensure your image is free of motion blur. If your shooting from a distance and you've zoomed to bring the subject closer you'll need to pay attention to the camera's focus and switch it to manual to avoid focus drift. It really comes down to reading the manual and learning the tools. At first it may seem daunting but if you tackle one concept at a time and apply yourself by shooting it will make sense and it will become second nature. To simplify things, I recommend keeping a cheat sheet handy if necessary.
2. Stay Prepared
Think of videography like camping, you always need a survival kit.
- Bring plenty of spare batteries - you never know when you'll need them.
- Extra blank tapes. The more quality footage you have the easier the editing process.
- A lens-cleaning cloth. You don't want to be stuck in a situation where you have a smudge and you have nothing safe to clean your glass with. This a situation where post-production will not help.
- Bring a tripod. Steady shots go along way in preventing motion sickness. You'll be surpised how much better your shots will look.
- A battery charger/power supply. Having the ability charge your batteries ensures minimal downtime and more content.
- Extension cords for long cable runs. You want to be prepared for the worst scenario. Often on jobs, I'll bust out the cables if a local receptacle is not available.
- Duct tape, for taping down the extension cord so people don't trip over it. You don't want a lawsuit on your hands.
- Lighting gear, lens filters, and microphones, and any other accessories you may need. These are your tools to quality videography. Unless your feeling lazy, don't leave home without them.
3. Say YES to a tripod
The majority of home videos end up looking shaky, which is a drag to watch. Even with a small investment of $30 on a tripod, your footage look will look professional and steady. Also, you'll have the ability to execute pans and zooms without trouble.
No tripod? Lean against a wall to minimize shakiness. OK, no wall you say? Putt your butt on the ground, bend your knees, and drop your elbows on them.
If your shooting an event where space is limited or you're on the constant go I recommend a monopod. These are a real lifesaver. Not only can you get rock steady shots, you occupy less space and can relocate in a matter of seconds.
4. Give me light
It doesn't matter how good your camera is. If you have crappy lighting, it will reflect (no pun intended) in your video. A quick solution to overcome lighting issues is to shoot outdoors preferably in the morning or late afternoon hours. Why? At these times of the day the light is less harsh and produces a more pleasant softer look on the video - no shadows over the eyes, squinting, or washed out skin tones.
If you must shoot indoors take notice of which way the light is directed in the room. Avoid shooting your foreground subjects close to bright windows behind them. You don't want your camera to expose for the background leaving your foreground subject dark. Certainly let as much light into the room as possible and try to have the light coming from behind you towards your subject. If the light levels are low, its good practice to disable autofocus or you will encounter problems as the camera attempts to focus properly.
5. Hi-Fi Audio
Many people don't notice good sound but they sure notice bad sound. Getting good sound does take some work but its do-able. The microphones built into most cameras are pretty basic and are not considered high-end. When your dealing with an uncontrollable environment it's always best to get as close as possible to the source as possible to ensure the cleanest recording. You must monitor your audio with headphones to ensure the best results.
6. Composition
Proper composition is everything when setting up a good shot. Professional videographers obey the "rule of thirds" and you should do the same. Imagine a tic-tac-toed board over your viewfinder. The lines interact in four spots. Your goal should be to frame the action using one or more of those spots.
Of course, art is subjective and you can break this rule if your feeling creative. But exercise restraint: you don't want to alienate your audience.
7. Shoot B-Roll
B-Roll is secondary footage that is used for cutaway shots to connect your primary shot. The cutaway of b-roll footage can also be used to hide unflattering shots or mistakes you may have made while shooting. If your filming a wedding, you might take shots of the church, the invitation, and the little bride and groom atop the cake. When its time to cut your movie, you mix in the footage to cover up mistakes and add variety.
There are no hard rules. Anything can become B-Roll. If you study television shows or news stories you'll see a constant use of B-Roll. It's basically the glue to connect and link scenes together. As you gain experience you will be able to visualize your edit and what shots you need before you even shoot. As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect.
For good or bad, I learned the hard way how to shoot professionally. I'm not promising you'll get an oscar for your efforts but you'll avoid giving viewers that amateur-I-can't-hold-a-camera-steady look.
1. Be A Good Student
Just like any craft you need to know your tools. For example, if your filming your son's baseball game you need to increase the shutter speed to ensure your image is free of motion blur. If your shooting from a distance and you've zoomed to bring the subject closer you'll need to pay attention to the camera's focus and switch it to manual to avoid focus drift. It really comes down to reading the manual and learning the tools. At first it may seem daunting but if you tackle one concept at a time and apply yourself by shooting it will make sense and it will become second nature. To simplify things, I recommend keeping a cheat sheet handy if necessary.
2. Stay Prepared
Think of videography like camping, you always need a survival kit.
- Bring plenty of spare batteries - you never know when you'll need them.
- Extra blank tapes. The more quality footage you have the easier the editing process.
- A lens-cleaning cloth. You don't want to be stuck in a situation where you have a smudge and you have nothing safe to clean your glass with. This a situation where post-production will not help.
- Bring a tripod. Steady shots go along way in preventing motion sickness. You'll be surpised how much better your shots will look.
- A battery charger/power supply. Having the ability charge your batteries ensures minimal downtime and more content.
- Extension cords for long cable runs. You want to be prepared for the worst scenario. Often on jobs, I'll bust out the cables if a local receptacle is not available.
- Duct tape, for taping down the extension cord so people don't trip over it. You don't want a lawsuit on your hands.
- Lighting gear, lens filters, and microphones, and any other accessories you may need. These are your tools to quality videography. Unless your feeling lazy, don't leave home without them.
3. Say YES to a tripod
The majority of home videos end up looking shaky, which is a drag to watch. Even with a small investment of $30 on a tripod, your footage look will look professional and steady. Also, you'll have the ability to execute pans and zooms without trouble.
No tripod? Lean against a wall to minimize shakiness. OK, no wall you say? Putt your butt on the ground, bend your knees, and drop your elbows on them.
If your shooting an event where space is limited or you're on the constant go I recommend a monopod. These are a real lifesaver. Not only can you get rock steady shots, you occupy less space and can relocate in a matter of seconds.
4. Give me light
It doesn't matter how good your camera is. If you have crappy lighting, it will reflect (no pun intended) in your video. A quick solution to overcome lighting issues is to shoot outdoors preferably in the morning or late afternoon hours. Why? At these times of the day the light is less harsh and produces a more pleasant softer look on the video - no shadows over the eyes, squinting, or washed out skin tones.
If you must shoot indoors take notice of which way the light is directed in the room. Avoid shooting your foreground subjects close to bright windows behind them. You don't want your camera to expose for the background leaving your foreground subject dark. Certainly let as much light into the room as possible and try to have the light coming from behind you towards your subject. If the light levels are low, its good practice to disable autofocus or you will encounter problems as the camera attempts to focus properly.
5. Hi-Fi Audio
Many people don't notice good sound but they sure notice bad sound. Getting good sound does take some work but its do-able. The microphones built into most cameras are pretty basic and are not considered high-end. When your dealing with an uncontrollable environment it's always best to get as close as possible to the source as possible to ensure the cleanest recording. You must monitor your audio with headphones to ensure the best results.
6. Composition
Proper composition is everything when setting up a good shot. Professional videographers obey the "rule of thirds" and you should do the same. Imagine a tic-tac-toed board over your viewfinder. The lines interact in four spots. Your goal should be to frame the action using one or more of those spots.
Of course, art is subjective and you can break this rule if your feeling creative. But exercise restraint: you don't want to alienate your audience.
7. Shoot B-Roll
B-Roll is secondary footage that is used for cutaway shots to connect your primary shot. The cutaway of b-roll footage can also be used to hide unflattering shots or mistakes you may have made while shooting. If your filming a wedding, you might take shots of the church, the invitation, and the little bride and groom atop the cake. When its time to cut your movie, you mix in the footage to cover up mistakes and add variety.
There are no hard rules. Anything can become B-Roll. If you study television shows or news stories you'll see a constant use of B-Roll. It's basically the glue to connect and link scenes together. As you gain experience you will be able to visualize your edit and what shots you need before you even shoot. As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect.
7 Essential Tips For Buying The Best Fishing Reel For You
Posted on
Sabtu, 25 September 2010 |
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komentar
Buying a fishing reel isn't difficult, but it does require a little bit of thinking and consideration about what you will be using the reel for exactly. Different kinds of fishing and different kinds of fish require different reels. This article will give you 7 key pointers on buying your next reel so that you get exactly the one you need.
1) good grips You want to be sure that the are non-slip grips on both the hand-crank and on the arm of the reel (where you non-cranking hand rests). This ensures that when your hands get wet (which they will), you can still have solid control over the reel and don't have to worry about it slipping out of your hands.
2) ball bearings Ball bearings are one of the most important parts of any reel you buy. Basically put they control 2 things, 1) the smoothness of the retrieve, and 2) the stopping speed of the reel. Essentially, the more ball bearings you have in the reel, the smoother the retrieve will be. Two is common in low end reels, 3-4 in mid-range reels, and 5 or more in top end reels. The other factor that ball bearings influence is how much the reel spins backwards after you stop winding in your line. You want this to be as little as possible since it affects your control over the line and lure. One simple test is to simply reel in a little line, and let go of the crank handle. Now pull line out of the reel. If the handle turns backwards, you will have less control. More ball bearings means that this 'unwinding' is reduced - which is very important.
3) line capacity You need to check the line capacity of any reel for 2 key bits of information. First, the maximum lb. test the reel will hold, and then how many yards/metres of line can be put on the reel. You want to have a reel that is designed for the line weight you are going to use. Trying to put 20 lb. test line on a reel designed for 6 lb. test will only give you headaches.
4) type - level wind (baitcaster) or spinning
The type of reel you use affects the type of fishing you will be doing. Reels are designed for different purposes and produce different effects on the lures and bait that you use. If you are fishing large plugs and bait style lures, which are commonly used with bass fishing, a baitcasting (or levelwind) reel is probably what you're looking for. These reels don't produce too much action in the lure, and allow very accurate casting control. Spinning reels on the other hand are designed to transfer action into the lure from the reel, and are used commonly with trolling, and casting spoons and spinner type lures.
5) type of fishing/size of fish
This relates back to point #4. They type of fishing you plan on doing is important, but so is the size and type of fish you are going after. Different species are not only different in size, but also in their overall strength and fighting attitude. Basically a 3 lb. musky will react differently than a 3 lb. smallmouth bass and as a result different reels could or should be used. Likewise if the areas you fish are loaded with underwater hazzards and structures that will snag hooks, you may want to get a sturdier reel than if you always fish in open, clear waters.
6) Size and weight
This isn't overly critical as most reels are within a few ounces of each other in weight. However if you're going to be out casting all day long on a regular basis a lighter reel can be a reel blessing. The same holds true if you're buying a reel for your children. Be sure to try it out on a rod in the store to see how it feels. Then make sure that it feels comfortable and you are able to reach the casting mechanisms and tension controls easily and without having to make awkward stretches.
To learn more about fishing reels and especially Penn Fishing Reels, take a moment and visit our site at http://www.penn-fishing-reels.com
1) good grips You want to be sure that the are non-slip grips on both the hand-crank and on the arm of the reel (where you non-cranking hand rests). This ensures that when your hands get wet (which they will), you can still have solid control over the reel and don't have to worry about it slipping out of your hands.
2) ball bearings Ball bearings are one of the most important parts of any reel you buy. Basically put they control 2 things, 1) the smoothness of the retrieve, and 2) the stopping speed of the reel. Essentially, the more ball bearings you have in the reel, the smoother the retrieve will be. Two is common in low end reels, 3-4 in mid-range reels, and 5 or more in top end reels. The other factor that ball bearings influence is how much the reel spins backwards after you stop winding in your line. You want this to be as little as possible since it affects your control over the line and lure. One simple test is to simply reel in a little line, and let go of the crank handle. Now pull line out of the reel. If the handle turns backwards, you will have less control. More ball bearings means that this 'unwinding' is reduced - which is very important.
3) line capacity You need to check the line capacity of any reel for 2 key bits of information. First, the maximum lb. test the reel will hold, and then how many yards/metres of line can be put on the reel. You want to have a reel that is designed for the line weight you are going to use. Trying to put 20 lb. test line on a reel designed for 6 lb. test will only give you headaches.
4) type - level wind (baitcaster) or spinning
The type of reel you use affects the type of fishing you will be doing. Reels are designed for different purposes and produce different effects on the lures and bait that you use. If you are fishing large plugs and bait style lures, which are commonly used with bass fishing, a baitcasting (or levelwind) reel is probably what you're looking for. These reels don't produce too much action in the lure, and allow very accurate casting control. Spinning reels on the other hand are designed to transfer action into the lure from the reel, and are used commonly with trolling, and casting spoons and spinner type lures.
5) type of fishing/size of fish
This relates back to point #4. They type of fishing you plan on doing is important, but so is the size and type of fish you are going after. Different species are not only different in size, but also in their overall strength and fighting attitude. Basically a 3 lb. musky will react differently than a 3 lb. smallmouth bass and as a result different reels could or should be used. Likewise if the areas you fish are loaded with underwater hazzards and structures that will snag hooks, you may want to get a sturdier reel than if you always fish in open, clear waters.
6) Size and weight
This isn't overly critical as most reels are within a few ounces of each other in weight. However if you're going to be out casting all day long on a regular basis a lighter reel can be a reel blessing. The same holds true if you're buying a reel for your children. Be sure to try it out on a rod in the store to see how it feels. Then make sure that it feels comfortable and you are able to reach the casting mechanisms and tension controls easily and without having to make awkward stretches.
To learn more about fishing reels and especially Penn Fishing Reels, take a moment and visit our site at http://www.penn-fishing-reels.com
We’ve heard it many times before… practice makes perfect. And for good reason-it’s the truth! The best way to get better at anything is to practice; bowling is no exception. However, how you practice will mean the difference between slowly improving and supercharging your game!
Bowling Tip #1: Use the right tools
In any sport, using the correct equipment for the job you have to do improves your performance. In bowling, the ball is the most important piece of equipment you will use, so choose the right one for the job! Be sure to try out many, and select one that’s the right weight, material and finger-grip fit.
Bowling Tip #2: Are you bowling enough?
To progress at bowling, you need to bowl at least once or twice a week. The most economical way to get this amount of practice in is by joining a league. Usually, the more experienced players show up before the game to practice. This is when you can learn the most, from people committed to the sport.
Bowling Tip #3: Learn to walk the walk
While professional bowlers tend to use a 5-step approach, that’s just not suitable for someone just learning the sport. Beginners are usually more comfortable with a 4-step approach. You can practice your approach without throwing a single ball. Keep your shoulders square to the front, your head up, arm swing smooth, and your pace consistent and even.
Bowling Tip #4: Let ‘em roll
Spend time rolling the ball. A bowling ball should never be thrown. How do you tell the difference? A thrown ball will land with a loud “clunk” and then slide a few feet before beginning to roll. A rolled ball lands quietly and quickly rolls down the lane. If you find that you’re in the habit of throwing the ball, simply slow down. Try taking a slow, deep breath or two before bowling to settle any anxiety. You will hit more pins with a rolled ball than with a thrown one.
Bowling Tip #5: What you think is what you do
Spend time visualizing and analyzing your shots. Visualize your movements and your shots before you do them. If your ball goes consistently too far right, begin a little further left. You will learn to “feel” when you’ve bowled a good ball. When you do, write it down before you forget. What did you do? How did the ball feel? Where did the ball hit? Keep it for future reference so you can do it again.
Bowling Tip #6: What if I can’t be at the alley enough to practice?
Any smooth surface with a long, clear distance is suitable for practicing your approach. It’s not safe to practice the release, however, as a bowling ball will easily roll straight through walls if you miss your target! Not to mention you’ll ruin the surface of your ball. When practicing at home, mark your foul line and arrows in masking tape or other material that will not damage your floor. Also mark where your toes need to be for each step. Practice your approach until it’s second nature.
You can practice your arm swing outdoors with a bucket of water with a small hole at the bottom. The water drops on the ground will mark the path of your arm and the direction the ball would go. It’s a good way to see if you arc around your body when you bowl and which direction your arm is going. This can be a very enlightening experience.
Bowling Tip #7: Don’t spare yourself the trouble
It’s a very good idea to practice picking up your spares. A bowler who can consistently pick up his spares can easily hold a 180 average without getting any strikes. It’s especially useful to practice bowling at the 7-or 10-pins by aiming at them and bowling across the strike zone (the “x” on the lane) from the opposite side of the lane.
By practicing these bowling techniques on a regular basis, you’ll be honing the skills that will help you improve your bowling game!
Bowling Tip #1: Use the right tools
In any sport, using the correct equipment for the job you have to do improves your performance. In bowling, the ball is the most important piece of equipment you will use, so choose the right one for the job! Be sure to try out many, and select one that’s the right weight, material and finger-grip fit.
Bowling Tip #2: Are you bowling enough?
To progress at bowling, you need to bowl at least once or twice a week. The most economical way to get this amount of practice in is by joining a league. Usually, the more experienced players show up before the game to practice. This is when you can learn the most, from people committed to the sport.
Bowling Tip #3: Learn to walk the walk
While professional bowlers tend to use a 5-step approach, that’s just not suitable for someone just learning the sport. Beginners are usually more comfortable with a 4-step approach. You can practice your approach without throwing a single ball. Keep your shoulders square to the front, your head up, arm swing smooth, and your pace consistent and even.
Bowling Tip #4: Let ‘em roll
Spend time rolling the ball. A bowling ball should never be thrown. How do you tell the difference? A thrown ball will land with a loud “clunk” and then slide a few feet before beginning to roll. A rolled ball lands quietly and quickly rolls down the lane. If you find that you’re in the habit of throwing the ball, simply slow down. Try taking a slow, deep breath or two before bowling to settle any anxiety. You will hit more pins with a rolled ball than with a thrown one.
Bowling Tip #5: What you think is what you do
Spend time visualizing and analyzing your shots. Visualize your movements and your shots before you do them. If your ball goes consistently too far right, begin a little further left. You will learn to “feel” when you’ve bowled a good ball. When you do, write it down before you forget. What did you do? How did the ball feel? Where did the ball hit? Keep it for future reference so you can do it again.
Bowling Tip #6: What if I can’t be at the alley enough to practice?
Any smooth surface with a long, clear distance is suitable for practicing your approach. It’s not safe to practice the release, however, as a bowling ball will easily roll straight through walls if you miss your target! Not to mention you’ll ruin the surface of your ball. When practicing at home, mark your foul line and arrows in masking tape or other material that will not damage your floor. Also mark where your toes need to be for each step. Practice your approach until it’s second nature.
You can practice your arm swing outdoors with a bucket of water with a small hole at the bottom. The water drops on the ground will mark the path of your arm and the direction the ball would go. It’s a good way to see if you arc around your body when you bowl and which direction your arm is going. This can be a very enlightening experience.
Bowling Tip #7: Don’t spare yourself the trouble
It’s a very good idea to practice picking up your spares. A bowler who can consistently pick up his spares can easily hold a 180 average without getting any strikes. It’s especially useful to practice bowling at the 7-or 10-pins by aiming at them and bowling across the strike zone (the “x” on the lane) from the opposite side of the lane.
By practicing these bowling techniques on a regular basis, you’ll be honing the skills that will help you improve your bowling game!
In my game I have adopted the simplest possible swing and have insisted that as many shots as possible should be played with fundamentally the same movements. Now that I have outlined the idea of teaching by feel you will better understand why I attach such importance to this point.
Now these four points together make up the top of the swing, and I was talking about the waggle—which is the bottom of an imaginary swing! But do not think I was digressing. I was not, the two are linked together. And why? Because unless you feel the whole of the swing in your waggle, your waggle is failing in its purpose.
This controlling feel is built up through the constant repetition of the correct movements. We do not know just where in the system it resides, but whether it is muscular memory, or the wearing of certain grooves or channels in the mind, or—as is probable—a combination of the two, it is obvious that the more often the same succession of movements can be repeated the clearer the memory will be. Also, and this is most important, it is highly desirable that the memory should not be confused by the frequent or even occasional introduction of other and different movements—as happens when the swing is fundamentally changed for certain shots.
It is mainly for this reason that I teach and preach and practice that every shot from the full drive to the putt should be played with the same movement. Of course in the drive the movement is both more extensive and bolder than for the shorter shots, but fundamentally it is the same. The result must be a feeling of "in-to-out" stroking across the face of the ball—played not at the ball, but through it. The "in-to-out" refers to the relation of the feel of the path of the club head to the desired line of flight of the ball.
The only shots in golf which I have been unable to play or to teach as sections of the fundamental "in-to-out" swing are certain shots which call for cut pulled under and across the ball.
But for ninety-nine out of every hundred shots a golfer must play, the swing is the movement necessary. So to clear the ground I will list what I consider to be the essentials of the swing:
1. It is essential to turn the body round to the right and then back and round to the left, without moving either way. In other words this turning movement must be from a fixed pivot.
2. It is essential to keep the arms at full stretch throughout the swing—through the back swing, the down swing, and the follow through.
3. It is essential to allow the wrists to break fully back at the top of the swing.
4. It is essential to delay the actual hitting of the ball until as late in the swing as possible.
5. It is essential not to tighten any muscle concerned in the reactive part of the swing (movement above the waist).
6. It is essential to feel and control the swing as a whole and not to concentrate upon any part of it.
In a sense this last point is the most vital. The swing must be considered and felt as a single unity, not as a succession of positions or even a succession of movements. The swing is one and indivisible.
Now I consider that our golf is liable to go wrong if we lose sight of any of these essentials. There are of course innumerable incidentals that could be added that are important enough to have a considerable influence on one's game, but I will go so far as to say that if you have these six essentials well embedded in your system and if you have developed some conscious control of your swing by getting the feel of the right movements—your game will rarely or never desert you.
Of course the comfortable, reliable, right feel is not a thing that comes all at once. For instance, it takes years—though not if your teacher teaches by feel—to
feel nicely set and comfortable before the ball; weight between the feet, perfectly free and active and yet firmly planted.
Then the waggle. About the waggle a whole book could be written. Every movement we make when we waggle is a miniature of the swing we intend to make. The club head moves in response to the body and the body opposes the club head. It is a flow and counter flow of forces with no static period, no check.
There is no check anywhere in a good swing. There is no such thing as the "dead top" of a swing—there are four points each one of which might be so considered if it were not for the other three! They are: (1) When the pivot (feet to shoulders) has reached its top, the arms are still going up. (2) When the arms have reached their top, the body is on its day down. (3) When the arms begin to come down, the wrists have still to break back, and (4) When the wrists break
To put the lesson of the concept of control by feel as briefly as possible, we must give up thinking about our shots. In place of thinking there must be conscious control, obtained by building up (by constant repetition of the correct action) a comfortable and reliable feel, a feel that will tell you infallibly through appeal to your muscular memory, what is the right movement —and which will remain with you and control your shots whatever your mental state may be. Not being a matter of thought, this control stands outside the mental state.
Now these four points together make up the top of the swing, and I was talking about the waggle—which is the bottom of an imaginary swing! But do not think I was digressing. I was not, the two are linked together. And why? Because unless you feel the whole of the swing in your waggle, your waggle is failing in its purpose.
This controlling feel is built up through the constant repetition of the correct movements. We do not know just where in the system it resides, but whether it is muscular memory, or the wearing of certain grooves or channels in the mind, or—as is probable—a combination of the two, it is obvious that the more often the same succession of movements can be repeated the clearer the memory will be. Also, and this is most important, it is highly desirable that the memory should not be confused by the frequent or even occasional introduction of other and different movements—as happens when the swing is fundamentally changed for certain shots.
It is mainly for this reason that I teach and preach and practice that every shot from the full drive to the putt should be played with the same movement. Of course in the drive the movement is both more extensive and bolder than for the shorter shots, but fundamentally it is the same. The result must be a feeling of "in-to-out" stroking across the face of the ball—played not at the ball, but through it. The "in-to-out" refers to the relation of the feel of the path of the club head to the desired line of flight of the ball.
The only shots in golf which I have been unable to play or to teach as sections of the fundamental "in-to-out" swing are certain shots which call for cut pulled under and across the ball.
But for ninety-nine out of every hundred shots a golfer must play, the swing is the movement necessary. So to clear the ground I will list what I consider to be the essentials of the swing:
1. It is essential to turn the body round to the right and then back and round to the left, without moving either way. In other words this turning movement must be from a fixed pivot.
2. It is essential to keep the arms at full stretch throughout the swing—through the back swing, the down swing, and the follow through.
3. It is essential to allow the wrists to break fully back at the top of the swing.
4. It is essential to delay the actual hitting of the ball until as late in the swing as possible.
5. It is essential not to tighten any muscle concerned in the reactive part of the swing (movement above the waist).
6. It is essential to feel and control the swing as a whole and not to concentrate upon any part of it.
In a sense this last point is the most vital. The swing must be considered and felt as a single unity, not as a succession of positions or even a succession of movements. The swing is one and indivisible.
Now I consider that our golf is liable to go wrong if we lose sight of any of these essentials. There are of course innumerable incidentals that could be added that are important enough to have a considerable influence on one's game, but I will go so far as to say that if you have these six essentials well embedded in your system and if you have developed some conscious control of your swing by getting the feel of the right movements—your game will rarely or never desert you.
Of course the comfortable, reliable, right feel is not a thing that comes all at once. For instance, it takes years—though not if your teacher teaches by feel—to
feel nicely set and comfortable before the ball; weight between the feet, perfectly free and active and yet firmly planted.
Then the waggle. About the waggle a whole book could be written. Every movement we make when we waggle is a miniature of the swing we intend to make. The club head moves in response to the body and the body opposes the club head. It is a flow and counter flow of forces with no static period, no check.
There is no check anywhere in a good swing. There is no such thing as the "dead top" of a swing—there are four points each one of which might be so considered if it were not for the other three! They are: (1) When the pivot (feet to shoulders) has reached its top, the arms are still going up. (2) When the arms have reached their top, the body is on its day down. (3) When the arms begin to come down, the wrists have still to break back, and (4) When the wrists break
To put the lesson of the concept of control by feel as briefly as possible, we must give up thinking about our shots. In place of thinking there must be conscious control, obtained by building up (by constant repetition of the correct action) a comfortable and reliable feel, a feel that will tell you infallibly through appeal to your muscular memory, what is the right movement —and which will remain with you and control your shots whatever your mental state may be. Not being a matter of thought, this control stands outside the mental state.
Go to any bowling alley across the country or even around the world on regular league nights and there's one thing that's sure to stand out from all else. That thing? The bowling shirt.
Created to help differentiate one team from another, the bowling shirt does along with this sport as much, and sometimes even more, than the balls, shoes and even the lanes themselves. The importance of a great bowling shirt design should not be discounted.
Coming up with the perfect shirt and the perfect design for a new team or even an older one that wants a more updated look can take some time and study. The effort should include a little bit of fun and maybe some whimsy, too.
The things to consider when setting bowling shirt design styles include:
Pricing: Some custom designed shirts can get rather expensive. Before deciding upon a $75 jersey with a custom design fee that will be tacked on, consider what team members now, and perhaps in the future, can afford. There are some great options on the more affordable market.
Materials: The standard, retro bowling shirt of days gone by was made out of polyester. Offering a full collar and often a button-up design, these shirts remain en vogue today, as well. Still, some teams prefer cotton shirts that provide for better breathing or even special jerseys. Plain old T-shirts of 100 percent cotton often work well, too.
Colors: Every team should have its set colors. Before picking ones for your shirts, try and find out what other teams on the same league have used. If at all possible, come up with a different combination to help your team and its shirts stand out a little from the crowd.
Logo: This doesn't have to be terribly fancy, but it can be a fun addition. Consider the team's name, obviously, being in the design with something bowling related. Or, just go with a neat design for the team name. Pay attention to how many colors are used in the logo. The more colors, the more expensive the end design will be in all likelihood.
Style: This goes beyond the cut and material of the shirts. The style might be the background material coloring. Some teams really enjoy bold, bright, colorful patterns. No one says a great bowling shirt can't be a whimsical paisley or Hawaiian design with the team's logo on it.
Reprint ability: If team members will be come in and out or new shirts might be needed, make sure the design set is one that can be remade when it is needed. If it's a special design, keep the art work or ask the shirt printer to do so.
A great bowling shirt design can help a team really feel like a team. This bowling league tradition is one that can be a lot of fun for those who get into creating the official design, but remember there are some major decisions that will need to be made along the way. From the price down to the colors and logo design, pay attention to details to obtain the best possible shirts to make team pride really stand out.
Created to help differentiate one team from another, the bowling shirt does along with this sport as much, and sometimes even more, than the balls, shoes and even the lanes themselves. The importance of a great bowling shirt design should not be discounted.
Coming up with the perfect shirt and the perfect design for a new team or even an older one that wants a more updated look can take some time and study. The effort should include a little bit of fun and maybe some whimsy, too.
The things to consider when setting bowling shirt design styles include:
Pricing: Some custom designed shirts can get rather expensive. Before deciding upon a $75 jersey with a custom design fee that will be tacked on, consider what team members now, and perhaps in the future, can afford. There are some great options on the more affordable market.
Materials: The standard, retro bowling shirt of days gone by was made out of polyester. Offering a full collar and often a button-up design, these shirts remain en vogue today, as well. Still, some teams prefer cotton shirts that provide for better breathing or even special jerseys. Plain old T-shirts of 100 percent cotton often work well, too.
Colors: Every team should have its set colors. Before picking ones for your shirts, try and find out what other teams on the same league have used. If at all possible, come up with a different combination to help your team and its shirts stand out a little from the crowd.
Logo: This doesn't have to be terribly fancy, but it can be a fun addition. Consider the team's name, obviously, being in the design with something bowling related. Or, just go with a neat design for the team name. Pay attention to how many colors are used in the logo. The more colors, the more expensive the end design will be in all likelihood.
Style: This goes beyond the cut and material of the shirts. The style might be the background material coloring. Some teams really enjoy bold, bright, colorful patterns. No one says a great bowling shirt can't be a whimsical paisley or Hawaiian design with the team's logo on it.
Reprint ability: If team members will be come in and out or new shirts might be needed, make sure the design set is one that can be remade when it is needed. If it's a special design, keep the art work or ask the shirt printer to do so.
A great bowling shirt design can help a team really feel like a team. This bowling league tradition is one that can be a lot of fun for those who get into creating the official design, but remember there are some major decisions that will need to be made along the way. From the price down to the colors and logo design, pay attention to details to obtain the best possible shirts to make team pride really stand out.
6 Common Doubts That Most Beginners Of The Martial Arts Experience
Posted on
Selasa, 21 September 2010 |
0
komentar
The martial arts offer a very valuable journey of self-discovery. There are different stages within this journey all the way from beginner to black belt and beyond. At each stage there are different challenges and obstacles. This article will look at the common doubts that most beginners of the martial arts experience on their journey.
1.Is this really for me?
This is a big question at the beginner stage and also at the intermediate stage. In fact this question will need to be answered on numerous different occasions all the way up to black belt, and maybe even then too!
Self-doubt is not a bad thing, it is a way for you to take a step back from your training and logically ask yourself if karate is still for you. Only you can answer this question but to make sure that you continue to give karate a chance I recommend that you focus on three things: why did you get started in the first place; what has karate done for you so far; and what do you still hope to get out of your karate practice?
If you still feel that karate has a lot to offer you then your answer to question #1 should be a resounding “yes”!
2.Do I have the potential to become a black belt?
Yes! Yes! Yes! Everybody has the potential to do anything they want. The question you should ask yourself is, “Will I allow myself to reach my potential of becoming a black belt?”
3.Can Karate really help me to defend myself?
Yes and no. After three months of training the chances are that you will not be able to defend yourself unless you are taking a specific and intensive self-defense course that is solely focused on street survival. You are probably taking a mainstream martial arts class in which case you should expect to gradually develop self-defense skills over a significantly longer period of time. If your primary goal is self-defense then take a course that deals with that specifically and also read and learn about basic awareness tactics for going about your everyday life.
4.Is all of this talk about ethics and spiritual values really true?
At first it seems as if punching and kicking don’t really match the values of discipline and respect and I can’t blame you for thinking that especially after picking up your daily newspaper and reading about the latest mugging, rape or local school violence. However the fact of the matter is that self-awareness leads to a greater appreciation of truth in your life and what it means to you specifically. By practicing martial arts you learn about your own strengths and weaknesses and through hard physical training you learn how to break through previous limitations and take yourself to the next level in your growth and self-discovery.
This usually translates into higher moral and spiritual values which in turn lead to greater self-discipline and respect for our fellow citizens. I believe that all of this is true but it obviously takes time, effort and commitment to make any kind of lasting behavioral change.
5.Will I ever get these techniques and drills right?
The more you practice, the more likely you are to get the techniques and drills right. Your ultimate success in karate is in direct proportion to your effort, focus and persistence. The more that you focus on the fact that you are not getting the drills right, the more you will become frustrated. Change your focus, keep it positive, and suddenly you will get the techniques right.
6.Doesn’t everyone get hurt in sparring?
Everybody gets minor bumps and bruises in sparring even if when are wearing protective gear. This is part of martial arts training. Don’t believe anybody who tells you differently. However, very few practitioners experience serious injuries while training at a reputable school that takes every precaution necessary for the safety of its members. The use of safety gear is one reason for this, but a more important reason is the care and knowledge of a competent instructor who knows how to gradually introduce sparring drills that are both age-appropriate and rank-specific. A competent and caring instructor is more important than any piece of safety gear.
These are some of the common doubts in the early stages of martial arts training and there are obviously many more.
If you need more help with this or any other karate subject, please be sure to download my FREE Report “Beginners Guide to Karate”. You will find out how to download it at http://www.freekarateinformation.com/beginner.html
Good luck and best wishes on your journey in karate.
1.Is this really for me?
This is a big question at the beginner stage and also at the intermediate stage. In fact this question will need to be answered on numerous different occasions all the way up to black belt, and maybe even then too!
Self-doubt is not a bad thing, it is a way for you to take a step back from your training and logically ask yourself if karate is still for you. Only you can answer this question but to make sure that you continue to give karate a chance I recommend that you focus on three things: why did you get started in the first place; what has karate done for you so far; and what do you still hope to get out of your karate practice?
If you still feel that karate has a lot to offer you then your answer to question #1 should be a resounding “yes”!
2.Do I have the potential to become a black belt?
Yes! Yes! Yes! Everybody has the potential to do anything they want. The question you should ask yourself is, “Will I allow myself to reach my potential of becoming a black belt?”
3.Can Karate really help me to defend myself?
Yes and no. After three months of training the chances are that you will not be able to defend yourself unless you are taking a specific and intensive self-defense course that is solely focused on street survival. You are probably taking a mainstream martial arts class in which case you should expect to gradually develop self-defense skills over a significantly longer period of time. If your primary goal is self-defense then take a course that deals with that specifically and also read and learn about basic awareness tactics for going about your everyday life.
4.Is all of this talk about ethics and spiritual values really true?
At first it seems as if punching and kicking don’t really match the values of discipline and respect and I can’t blame you for thinking that especially after picking up your daily newspaper and reading about the latest mugging, rape or local school violence. However the fact of the matter is that self-awareness leads to a greater appreciation of truth in your life and what it means to you specifically. By practicing martial arts you learn about your own strengths and weaknesses and through hard physical training you learn how to break through previous limitations and take yourself to the next level in your growth and self-discovery.
This usually translates into higher moral and spiritual values which in turn lead to greater self-discipline and respect for our fellow citizens. I believe that all of this is true but it obviously takes time, effort and commitment to make any kind of lasting behavioral change.
5.Will I ever get these techniques and drills right?
The more you practice, the more likely you are to get the techniques and drills right. Your ultimate success in karate is in direct proportion to your effort, focus and persistence. The more that you focus on the fact that you are not getting the drills right, the more you will become frustrated. Change your focus, keep it positive, and suddenly you will get the techniques right.
6.Doesn’t everyone get hurt in sparring?
Everybody gets minor bumps and bruises in sparring even if when are wearing protective gear. This is part of martial arts training. Don’t believe anybody who tells you differently. However, very few practitioners experience serious injuries while training at a reputable school that takes every precaution necessary for the safety of its members. The use of safety gear is one reason for this, but a more important reason is the care and knowledge of a competent instructor who knows how to gradually introduce sparring drills that are both age-appropriate and rank-specific. A competent and caring instructor is more important than any piece of safety gear.
These are some of the common doubts in the early stages of martial arts training and there are obviously many more.
If you need more help with this or any other karate subject, please be sure to download my FREE Report “Beginners Guide to Karate”. You will find out how to download it at http://www.freekarateinformation.com/beginner.html
Good luck and best wishes on your journey in karate.
With the increasingly popularity of golf, the demand to fill related careers is also on the rise. Many amateur golfers turn to a golf instructor to help them develop their techniques, so teaching golf is a viable career choice for many golf enthusiasts. Teaching golf isn’t for everyone, though. See if you have what it takes to make your living as a golf instructor.
You know everything (or almost everything) there is to know about golf. You have to know a subject extremely well if you are going to be able to teach it. Although you may be counting on having only beginning students whose knowledge of the sport is next to nil, you will most likely have intermediate and advanced students too, and they will look to you to help them hone their skills. Before you pursue a career as a golf instructor, ask yourself honestly if you have enough expertise on the sport to assume the role of an expert.
You’ve played golf, taught golf, and/or worked in other areas of the industry. Part of knowing golf is playing it regularly. If you don’t play golf regularly, you probably don’t have what it takes to teach the sport. Also, it is very helpful if you have previously taught golf or worked in the industry. If you have, you are more likely to know a lot about it. Remember, as a golf instructor you are sending the message that you are an expert on the sport, so make sure you know your golf before you take the job.
You know the techniques and theories of teaching. Simply knowing a lot about a subject does not mean you will be a competent teacher. If you don’t believe this, think back on how many teachers you had in school that were really knowledgeable, but still failed to inspire their students. In order to be an effective golf instructor, you must understand basic teaching techniques. After all, you will need to be able to communicate with students of every skill level, from the most bumbling beginners to the most assured intermediate and advanced students.
Your supply of patience runs exceptionally deep. Patience ought to be a prerequisite for any teaching job. Any time you are trying to teach knowledge or skills to someone who has next to no clue what they are doing, you are bound to run into a multitude of frustrations. A golf instructor who does not have a deep well of patience is likely to feel overwhelmed by stress and frustration every time he or she has a lesson with a truly clueless golfer.
You truly love the game of golf. You would think that a true appreciation for the game of golf would be a given for anyone looking for a job as a golf instructor, but that isn’t always the case. Other features of the job may attract prospective instructors: the flexibility of the hours and scheduling, a laid-back work atmosphere, or the nontraditional aspect of the job. However, if you don’t feel passionately about the sport you intend to teach, you will not last very long. A good golf instructor needs to be able to eat, drink, and breathe golf without getting sick of it.
Being a golf instructor may sound like an easy, fun job, but it takes a special kind of person to fill those shoes. A successful golf instructor needs to have not just one or a few of these characteristics, but all of them. Knowledge, experience, skill, patience, and passion are all necessary ingredients in the formation of an expert.
You know everything (or almost everything) there is to know about golf. You have to know a subject extremely well if you are going to be able to teach it. Although you may be counting on having only beginning students whose knowledge of the sport is next to nil, you will most likely have intermediate and advanced students too, and they will look to you to help them hone their skills. Before you pursue a career as a golf instructor, ask yourself honestly if you have enough expertise on the sport to assume the role of an expert.
You’ve played golf, taught golf, and/or worked in other areas of the industry. Part of knowing golf is playing it regularly. If you don’t play golf regularly, you probably don’t have what it takes to teach the sport. Also, it is very helpful if you have previously taught golf or worked in the industry. If you have, you are more likely to know a lot about it. Remember, as a golf instructor you are sending the message that you are an expert on the sport, so make sure you know your golf before you take the job.
You know the techniques and theories of teaching. Simply knowing a lot about a subject does not mean you will be a competent teacher. If you don’t believe this, think back on how many teachers you had in school that were really knowledgeable, but still failed to inspire their students. In order to be an effective golf instructor, you must understand basic teaching techniques. After all, you will need to be able to communicate with students of every skill level, from the most bumbling beginners to the most assured intermediate and advanced students.
Your supply of patience runs exceptionally deep. Patience ought to be a prerequisite for any teaching job. Any time you are trying to teach knowledge or skills to someone who has next to no clue what they are doing, you are bound to run into a multitude of frustrations. A golf instructor who does not have a deep well of patience is likely to feel overwhelmed by stress and frustration every time he or she has a lesson with a truly clueless golfer.
You truly love the game of golf. You would think that a true appreciation for the game of golf would be a given for anyone looking for a job as a golf instructor, but that isn’t always the case. Other features of the job may attract prospective instructors: the flexibility of the hours and scheduling, a laid-back work atmosphere, or the nontraditional aspect of the job. However, if you don’t feel passionately about the sport you intend to teach, you will not last very long. A good golf instructor needs to be able to eat, drink, and breathe golf without getting sick of it.
Being a golf instructor may sound like an easy, fun job, but it takes a special kind of person to fill those shoes. A successful golf instructor needs to have not just one or a few of these characteristics, but all of them. Knowledge, experience, skill, patience, and passion are all necessary ingredients in the formation of an expert.
Many people's first introduction to model railroading is with a simple circle or oval on a sheet of plywood. No scenery, no landscaping and maybe not even any buildings or vehicles.
It doesn't take long, however, to get the urge to start adding accessories to the railroad to make it more realistic. For many people, this become a lifelong endeavor, and can grow to very large proportions.
Every layout is different and everyone has their own favorite accessories, but the following 5 items are some of the most common accessories that add a level of realism and interest to your model railroad.
1. Train Station
This is one of the first buildings most people add to their layout. It gives the railroad a starting and ending point and often serves as the basis for an entire town or city to be built up around it.
2. Lighting
There are many forms of lighting for railroads. There can be background lighting to give a backdrop a degree of realism or street lights to add to the ambiance of a city. These may be strictly for decoration, or they may actually light up at night to give the streets a realistic glow.
3. Rail Cars
The locomotive usually gets the most attention when setting up a model railroad, but there are many choices for railcars as well.
4. People and Animals
A city or rail yard isn't complete without people as part of the design. And if your layout travels through mountains or countryside, animals add a touch of realism to the design.
5. Landscaping
There are many options for landscaping a railroad. You can add things like grass, trees, lakes or rivers alongside the track. Or you can get a little more in depth and add hills and valleys for your train to travel through, and tunnels through the mountains.
It doesn't take long, however, to get the urge to start adding accessories to the railroad to make it more realistic. For many people, this become a lifelong endeavor, and can grow to very large proportions.
Every layout is different and everyone has their own favorite accessories, but the following 5 items are some of the most common accessories that add a level of realism and interest to your model railroad.
1. Train Station
This is one of the first buildings most people add to their layout. It gives the railroad a starting and ending point and often serves as the basis for an entire town or city to be built up around it.
2. Lighting
There are many forms of lighting for railroads. There can be background lighting to give a backdrop a degree of realism or street lights to add to the ambiance of a city. These may be strictly for decoration, or they may actually light up at night to give the streets a realistic glow.
3. Rail Cars
The locomotive usually gets the most attention when setting up a model railroad, but there are many choices for railcars as well.
4. People and Animals
A city or rail yard isn't complete without people as part of the design. And if your layout travels through mountains or countryside, animals add a touch of realism to the design.
5. Landscaping
There are many options for landscaping a railroad. You can add things like grass, trees, lakes or rivers alongside the track. Or you can get a little more in depth and add hills and valleys for your train to travel through, and tunnels through the mountains.
It was Michael Tyson's second day at our Kung-Fu school and I took a hard look at him. He was built like King Kong, was as hairy as King Kong, sported Mr. T's hairstyle, but he had Oprah Winfrey's puckered lips and Michael Jackson's kohl-lined eyes. This made me a wee bit suspicious of his intentions, but I was in full concentration mode as I began teaching him some basic Shaolin Kung Fu tips.
"Tyson, in Shaolin Kung Fu, the Chi (breath) must unite with the Li (force). Do not lose focus, because the brain must coordinate with the heart, the heart must coordinate with the mind and the mind must dictate the way you breathe. Persevere and you will be rewarded." I began educating Tyson.
"Man, you just sound like my Grandma when she's chanting hymns at the church! Ha, ha!" Tyson guffawed, his lips vibrating, his eyes filled with merriment. Hmm, Tyson was a casual customer.
I smiled back, "Thanks for that, Tyson. In Shaolin Kung Fu, it is necessary for the body to be agile, swift and packed with energy. The movement of all parts of the body must be coordinated and you must focus on your body movements. If you move forward one step, your hand should move, too, in rhythm. Even when you strike, do not focus on your fist or the force you put behind it – just concentrate on your body rhythm. Understood?"
"Dude, is this a ballet school or what? Ha, ha!" Tyson laughed, his lips puckering even more. A little bird flew inside my brain and told me Tyson was an irreverent type.
"Thanks again, Tyson. Now, pay attention: In Shaolin King Fu, the five elements of nature – wood, fire, earth, metal and water form a unique fusion during a fight. You must observe them and the arrangement of the universe around us. When you practice Shaolin Kung Fu, you will one day understand that your Chi (breath) can influence these five elements. When you reach that level of realization, you will be able to move very heavy objects with one movement of your hand or foot. Shaolin Kung Fu is that powerful, Tyson.
"Hey, buddy, I came here to be a fighter – I don't wanna be no weight-lugging porter, my friend!" Tyson continued his rocking and rolling.
Well, it was my Shaolin Kung Fu training that helped me maintain my cool. Otherwise, Michael Tyson would have been toast by now with a lot of jam on him, "Tyson, please pay attention – So far, you have learned that in Shaolin Kung Fu, you have to focus on your breath and your body movements while observing and connecting with the five elements of nature. Now here's the fourth tip: Shaolin Kung Fu requires you to be an expert in fist work. You must move your arms in such a way that the enemy cannot get sight of your fist. Your arms and fists must move at the speed of light and for that to happen, you will have to train your sinews in such a way that when you punch, your arm must glide like a bird landing on a lake."
"Sure, leg movements are important too: In fact, there are seven kinds of leg movements in Shaolin Kung Fu, but we'll come to them later on." I continued.
"Got any cool underarm movements, eh, Balboa boy?" Tyson sniggered, looking at me with come-hither eyes. I wished he'd get pregnant and go away.
"Okay, Tyson, this is your last tip for the day: In Shaolin Kung Fu, your eyes, ears and heart must be in perfect rhythm. Your eyes must follow the enemy's movements and your ears should be sharp enough to detect the slightest of sounds – this, while your heart is steady, cool and calm. If you are able to achieve this state, you will not make mistakes. That's enough for today Tyson, class over. Now join me for a round of Shaolin Kung Fu sparring."
"Hey Balboa, whatever you say! Hee, hee" Tyson said grinning ear to ear, not knowing what was coming at him.
That was the last time Tyson ever fooled around in Kung Fu class. And in case you are wondering, no, I didn't kill him – but that's another story.
"Tyson, in Shaolin Kung Fu, the Chi (breath) must unite with the Li (force). Do not lose focus, because the brain must coordinate with the heart, the heart must coordinate with the mind and the mind must dictate the way you breathe. Persevere and you will be rewarded." I began educating Tyson.
"Man, you just sound like my Grandma when she's chanting hymns at the church! Ha, ha!" Tyson guffawed, his lips vibrating, his eyes filled with merriment. Hmm, Tyson was a casual customer.
I smiled back, "Thanks for that, Tyson. In Shaolin Kung Fu, it is necessary for the body to be agile, swift and packed with energy. The movement of all parts of the body must be coordinated and you must focus on your body movements. If you move forward one step, your hand should move, too, in rhythm. Even when you strike, do not focus on your fist or the force you put behind it – just concentrate on your body rhythm. Understood?"
"Dude, is this a ballet school or what? Ha, ha!" Tyson laughed, his lips puckering even more. A little bird flew inside my brain and told me Tyson was an irreverent type.
"Thanks again, Tyson. Now, pay attention: In Shaolin King Fu, the five elements of nature – wood, fire, earth, metal and water form a unique fusion during a fight. You must observe them and the arrangement of the universe around us. When you practice Shaolin Kung Fu, you will one day understand that your Chi (breath) can influence these five elements. When you reach that level of realization, you will be able to move very heavy objects with one movement of your hand or foot. Shaolin Kung Fu is that powerful, Tyson.
"Hey, buddy, I came here to be a fighter – I don't wanna be no weight-lugging porter, my friend!" Tyson continued his rocking and rolling.
Well, it was my Shaolin Kung Fu training that helped me maintain my cool. Otherwise, Michael Tyson would have been toast by now with a lot of jam on him, "Tyson, please pay attention – So far, you have learned that in Shaolin Kung Fu, you have to focus on your breath and your body movements while observing and connecting with the five elements of nature. Now here's the fourth tip: Shaolin Kung Fu requires you to be an expert in fist work. You must move your arms in such a way that the enemy cannot get sight of your fist. Your arms and fists must move at the speed of light and for that to happen, you will have to train your sinews in such a way that when you punch, your arm must glide like a bird landing on a lake."
"Sure, leg movements are important too: In fact, there are seven kinds of leg movements in Shaolin Kung Fu, but we'll come to them later on." I continued.
"Got any cool underarm movements, eh, Balboa boy?" Tyson sniggered, looking at me with come-hither eyes. I wished he'd get pregnant and go away.
"Okay, Tyson, this is your last tip for the day: In Shaolin Kung Fu, your eyes, ears and heart must be in perfect rhythm. Your eyes must follow the enemy's movements and your ears should be sharp enough to detect the slightest of sounds – this, while your heart is steady, cool and calm. If you are able to achieve this state, you will not make mistakes. That's enough for today Tyson, class over. Now join me for a round of Shaolin Kung Fu sparring."
"Hey Balboa, whatever you say! Hee, hee" Tyson said grinning ear to ear, not knowing what was coming at him.
That was the last time Tyson ever fooled around in Kung Fu class. And in case you are wondering, no, I didn't kill him – but that's another story.
5 Reasons Why European Championship Failure Is Good For You
Posted on
Jumat, 17 September 2010 |
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komentar
This time last year in the Search Travel Online offices, we were looking at our calendars and predicting a sales lull around the time of June and July 2008. Why? Because of the European Championship in Switzerland and Austria. It was a foregone conclusion that England would take their rightful place amongst the final 16 teams – after all, England had an easy looking group with the likes of Russia, Croatia and Israel. It would take a major slip up for England not to make the finals, and as we currently don’t sell holidays to Switzerland or Austria we expected little business with everyone staying home and helping pub landlords around the country make a tidy profit.
Fast forward 12 months, and the picture has turned on its head. England faltered in their group, failing to make the impression they should have done and being all but out in November, relying on Israel to beat Russia to give them a chance of qualifying. Israel did the impossible and beat Russia, only for England to throw it away by losing to Croatia. This led to Steve McClaren being sacked, and England once again looking for a new manager. Alongside this, Scotland just lost out to giants Italy and France in their group, despite beating the latter twice, Wales failed to battle their way out of their group and Northern Ireland didn’t quite have the quality in the end, despite breaking the record for goals scored by a single player – David Healy with 13.
So, this leaves none of the UK’s football fans with any strong commitments come June next year, so what’s the alternative to bitterly watching the other nations compete in the European Championship? Well, one option we’ve seen selling well in the office is cheap holidays to Tenerife. A Tenerife holiday package has everything you could hope for when looking to escape England – while we were suffering floods this year, Tenerife holiday makers were enjoying the glorious sunshine, and while nobody expects a repeat of the unusual weather that dogged Britain last year, it’s nice to go somewhere where sunshine and good times are guaranteed!
In fact, in many ways a cheap holiday to Tenerife highlights the futility of watching the big summer sporting event – just take a look at the following contrasts:
1) European Championships: Annoying mascots and endless opening ceremony “entertainment”
The over-the-top opening ceremonies at international football tournaments are uniformly dull, and the irritating country mascots don’t help to brighten proceedings, despite their shamelessly attention seeking antics.
Tenerife: Real wildlife and plentiful entertainment
Why bother with men in animal suits, when you can see real exotic animals’ fascinating behaviour instead? Loco Park, Tenerife, has the biggest dolphin habitat in Europe, along with a huge aquarium that houses over 20,000 fish and marine animals which can be seen through an underwater tunnel. Elsewhere, the park has gorillas, tigers and jaguars ensuring an entertaining day out for wildlife lovers.
2) European Championship: Pub snacks
Imagine for a second that England or Scotland had qualified, and you’re at your favourite watering hole and your stomach is rumbling. Do you risk the bar nuts you’re sharing with your less-than-hygienic pub colleagues, or chance a stomach pump with the ‘traditional pub food’ they’re serving?
Tenerife: Delicious delicacies
Food on your Tenerife holiday is very tasty and sure to give you something to smile about in the absence of a trophy for England. Tapas are Spain's appetizers, delightful local delicacies flavoured with garlic, chillies or paprika, cumin, salt, pepper or saffron. It often comes with seafood such as anchovies, sardines or mackerel in olive oil with tomatoes and sometimes peppers or olives. Better than another bag of pork scratchings, any day of the week.
3) European Championship: Artificially expensive pints
As per usual, come the quarter final (inevitably as far as England get, if recent form is to be believed) the local pub is bound to up the prices of pints to take advantage of the huge influx of customers coming to gawp at their big screen. And that’s just going to make the disappointment of England losing on penalties that bit more expensive to forget.
Tenerife: Cocktails by the pool
On a Tenerife package holiday, you can take a break from the standard fare of pints and ales, by enjoying some of the exotic (and intoxicating!) local cocktails. The fresh fruit makes them taste fantastic, and with no sporting event to drive up the prices, having a good time needn’t break the bank!
4) European Championship: Screaming at the referee
It’s easier to blame the referee than the players’ incompetence, so you can bet that if England had qualified, your throat would be hoarse from screaming obscenities.
Tenerife: Screaming to the tunes in some amazing clubs
A far more enjoyable way to give yourself a sore throat, this. If you’re going to wreck your vocal cords, why not do it on an unforgettable club night in some of Tenerife’s top party resorts – Playa de Las Americas or Los Cristianos? The bars stay open til’ 4 in the morning, and the clubs until 6am - no package holiday to Tenerife is complete without a night on the tiles!
5) European Championship: Drowning your sorrows
When England, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales eventually leave the competition, the time has come to drown your sorrows, discuss missed opportunities and discuss the best plans for the future of the team. All in all, it’s rather depressing and not the highlight of anyone’s year.
Tenerife: Splashing around at Aqualand or Aquapark
Between the two of these fabulous water parks, you’re bound to have to great memories. Both of them boast a varied number of slides and attractions bound to keep children as young as 5 (and as old as 60!) happy. No miserable walk home in the rain here, either. The sunny weather inevitable on a cheap holiday to Tenerife is just perfect for these fun water parks!
And by the time the European Championship is over and you’re returning from your cheap holiday package to Tenerife with a healthy looking tan and a heap of great memories, the future of our international football will be looking healthier too. England will have found themselves a new manager who, let’s face it, can’t do much worse! Scotland just have to go that extra inch next time around and will probably be seeded for the World Cup groups after their stunning performance making qualification that bit easier. Wales are moving in the right direction after drawing 0-0 with Germany in their last game, and Northern Ireland managed to break the record for top scorer in the European Championship qualifiers with David Healy, laying them great foundations for the next few years. So, you get your holiday, the footballers get the summer off to reflect on their performance and can look to coming back stronger next time – everybody wins.
Fast forward 12 months, and the picture has turned on its head. England faltered in their group, failing to make the impression they should have done and being all but out in November, relying on Israel to beat Russia to give them a chance of qualifying. Israel did the impossible and beat Russia, only for England to throw it away by losing to Croatia. This led to Steve McClaren being sacked, and England once again looking for a new manager. Alongside this, Scotland just lost out to giants Italy and France in their group, despite beating the latter twice, Wales failed to battle their way out of their group and Northern Ireland didn’t quite have the quality in the end, despite breaking the record for goals scored by a single player – David Healy with 13.
So, this leaves none of the UK’s football fans with any strong commitments come June next year, so what’s the alternative to bitterly watching the other nations compete in the European Championship? Well, one option we’ve seen selling well in the office is cheap holidays to Tenerife. A Tenerife holiday package has everything you could hope for when looking to escape England – while we were suffering floods this year, Tenerife holiday makers were enjoying the glorious sunshine, and while nobody expects a repeat of the unusual weather that dogged Britain last year, it’s nice to go somewhere where sunshine and good times are guaranteed!
In fact, in many ways a cheap holiday to Tenerife highlights the futility of watching the big summer sporting event – just take a look at the following contrasts:
1) European Championships: Annoying mascots and endless opening ceremony “entertainment”
The over-the-top opening ceremonies at international football tournaments are uniformly dull, and the irritating country mascots don’t help to brighten proceedings, despite their shamelessly attention seeking antics.
Tenerife: Real wildlife and plentiful entertainment
Why bother with men in animal suits, when you can see real exotic animals’ fascinating behaviour instead? Loco Park, Tenerife, has the biggest dolphin habitat in Europe, along with a huge aquarium that houses over 20,000 fish and marine animals which can be seen through an underwater tunnel. Elsewhere, the park has gorillas, tigers and jaguars ensuring an entertaining day out for wildlife lovers.
2) European Championship: Pub snacks
Imagine for a second that England or Scotland had qualified, and you’re at your favourite watering hole and your stomach is rumbling. Do you risk the bar nuts you’re sharing with your less-than-hygienic pub colleagues, or chance a stomach pump with the ‘traditional pub food’ they’re serving?
Tenerife: Delicious delicacies
Food on your Tenerife holiday is very tasty and sure to give you something to smile about in the absence of a trophy for England. Tapas are Spain's appetizers, delightful local delicacies flavoured with garlic, chillies or paprika, cumin, salt, pepper or saffron. It often comes with seafood such as anchovies, sardines or mackerel in olive oil with tomatoes and sometimes peppers or olives. Better than another bag of pork scratchings, any day of the week.
3) European Championship: Artificially expensive pints
As per usual, come the quarter final (inevitably as far as England get, if recent form is to be believed) the local pub is bound to up the prices of pints to take advantage of the huge influx of customers coming to gawp at their big screen. And that’s just going to make the disappointment of England losing on penalties that bit more expensive to forget.
Tenerife: Cocktails by the pool
On a Tenerife package holiday, you can take a break from the standard fare of pints and ales, by enjoying some of the exotic (and intoxicating!) local cocktails. The fresh fruit makes them taste fantastic, and with no sporting event to drive up the prices, having a good time needn’t break the bank!
4) European Championship: Screaming at the referee
It’s easier to blame the referee than the players’ incompetence, so you can bet that if England had qualified, your throat would be hoarse from screaming obscenities.
Tenerife: Screaming to the tunes in some amazing clubs
A far more enjoyable way to give yourself a sore throat, this. If you’re going to wreck your vocal cords, why not do it on an unforgettable club night in some of Tenerife’s top party resorts – Playa de Las Americas or Los Cristianos? The bars stay open til’ 4 in the morning, and the clubs until 6am - no package holiday to Tenerife is complete without a night on the tiles!
5) European Championship: Drowning your sorrows
When England, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales eventually leave the competition, the time has come to drown your sorrows, discuss missed opportunities and discuss the best plans for the future of the team. All in all, it’s rather depressing and not the highlight of anyone’s year.
Tenerife: Splashing around at Aqualand or Aquapark
Between the two of these fabulous water parks, you’re bound to have to great memories. Both of them boast a varied number of slides and attractions bound to keep children as young as 5 (and as old as 60!) happy. No miserable walk home in the rain here, either. The sunny weather inevitable on a cheap holiday to Tenerife is just perfect for these fun water parks!
And by the time the European Championship is over and you’re returning from your cheap holiday package to Tenerife with a healthy looking tan and a heap of great memories, the future of our international football will be looking healthier too. England will have found themselves a new manager who, let’s face it, can’t do much worse! Scotland just have to go that extra inch next time around and will probably be seeded for the World Cup groups after their stunning performance making qualification that bit easier. Wales are moving in the right direction after drawing 0-0 with Germany in their last game, and Northern Ireland managed to break the record for top scorer in the European Championship qualifiers with David Healy, laying them great foundations for the next few years. So, you get your holiday, the footballers get the summer off to reflect on their performance and can look to coming back stronger next time – everybody wins.
When you come to move into college it can be an exciting and some testing time, especially if you are serious about your weight training and bodybuilding. As you'll no longer have access to your favourite gym or all the healthy food you'd normally be able to have at home and you'll probably find that sharing fridges and kitchens can be a headache.
You'll need to be dedicated and motivated
It might take you a week or two to get settled in and it can be daunting starting at college, however once you find your feet, if you have high levels of commitment and drive you'll have no problems keeping in shape and getting that perfect toned body. However there are a number of essentials tips that'll help you on your way.
Set goals and plan ahead
Before you start college it is essential that you set out clear and specific goals and devise a training program for the year and make a commitment to stick to it. Don't forget this includes your nutrition and diet as well as your workouts.
Get the right nutrition
If possible try and stay in self catered accommodation so that you can have maximum control over your nutrition and ensure that you're eating the right foods. If not you are going to have more of a difficult job, as college food in catered accommodation is average at best and most certainly not ideal for packing on muscle and burning off fat. If you find yourself in this situation don't over do your eating on the college food, especially if its food your body isn't used to, instead save up for a small fridge for your room. Budget for some healthy food week and stock up your fridge with good nutritious food which your body will thank you for.
Stock up on protein shakes and healthy snacks
Before you go to your lectures or classes each day, make up a healthy lunch for yourself so that you can avoid the canteen, take some protein shakes or snakes as well to ensure you don't go hungry and your body stays fuelled. If you have to go into the canteen, don't be tempted by the unhealthy food, it'll just undo all the good work you've been doing down the gym. Try to stick to the food options you'd normally go for such as chicken, eggs, pasta, tuna, salads and cottage cheese.
Find your local gyms
As soon as you get there spend some time orientating yourself with the area you are staying, find the local gyms, have a look around and see which ones are best suited to your needs. Speak to some of the instructors and find out the best routes for running so you can get your cardio training in. Don't forget to check the opening times of the gyms and their prices, many will give you a student discount on membership, so make sure you ask.
Form good habits and avoid the booze
Watch your habits and try and form good ones, make sure you get enough sleep and organise your time so that you get your work and training done, as well as making the most of the social activities. Try to avoid the drinking as you'll be throwing your training away; if you are just bodybuilding for fun and to look and feel good don't feel bad about having a few drinks at the week end, but remember drink in moderation and be responsible. If you are bodybuilding for competition then there is no way any alcoholic drinks should be getting past your lips. As alcohol lowers your testosterone, dehydrates and will cause you to put on fat. Abstain from drinking and your friends will soon respect your for discipline and commitment.
You'll need to be dedicated and motivated
It might take you a week or two to get settled in and it can be daunting starting at college, however once you find your feet, if you have high levels of commitment and drive you'll have no problems keeping in shape and getting that perfect toned body. However there are a number of essentials tips that'll help you on your way.
Set goals and plan ahead
Before you start college it is essential that you set out clear and specific goals and devise a training program for the year and make a commitment to stick to it. Don't forget this includes your nutrition and diet as well as your workouts.
Get the right nutrition
If possible try and stay in self catered accommodation so that you can have maximum control over your nutrition and ensure that you're eating the right foods. If not you are going to have more of a difficult job, as college food in catered accommodation is average at best and most certainly not ideal for packing on muscle and burning off fat. If you find yourself in this situation don't over do your eating on the college food, especially if its food your body isn't used to, instead save up for a small fridge for your room. Budget for some healthy food week and stock up your fridge with good nutritious food which your body will thank you for.
Stock up on protein shakes and healthy snacks
Before you go to your lectures or classes each day, make up a healthy lunch for yourself so that you can avoid the canteen, take some protein shakes or snakes as well to ensure you don't go hungry and your body stays fuelled. If you have to go into the canteen, don't be tempted by the unhealthy food, it'll just undo all the good work you've been doing down the gym. Try to stick to the food options you'd normally go for such as chicken, eggs, pasta, tuna, salads and cottage cheese.
Find your local gyms
As soon as you get there spend some time orientating yourself with the area you are staying, find the local gyms, have a look around and see which ones are best suited to your needs. Speak to some of the instructors and find out the best routes for running so you can get your cardio training in. Don't forget to check the opening times of the gyms and their prices, many will give you a student discount on membership, so make sure you ask.
Form good habits and avoid the booze
Watch your habits and try and form good ones, make sure you get enough sleep and organise your time so that you get your work and training done, as well as making the most of the social activities. Try to avoid the drinking as you'll be throwing your training away; if you are just bodybuilding for fun and to look and feel good don't feel bad about having a few drinks at the week end, but remember drink in moderation and be responsible. If you are bodybuilding for competition then there is no way any alcoholic drinks should be getting past your lips. As alcohol lowers your testosterone, dehydrates and will cause you to put on fat. Abstain from drinking and your friends will soon respect your for discipline and commitment.
Whitewater rafting can be fun and exhilarating. It can also be scary and dangerous if you venture out by yourself in an area that's rated way above your experience level. But, are there rafting trips which offer fun and excitement, but still mild enough for beginners and children? Absolutely. Here are a few you might consider.
1. Little Gore Canyon – Near Denver, Colorado
With a rating of Class I to III, the Little Gore Canyon section of the Colorado River offers mild yet exciting whitewater suitable for beginners and families with children. You can enjoy Little Gore Canyon in a raft, kayak, inflatable kayak or a canoe.
Companies which offer rafting trips for families in Little Gore Canyon include:
Bill Dvorak's Kayak & Rafting Expeditions
Providing expeditions since 1969, Dvorak's was Colorado’s first licensed outfitter. They offer 2-day family expeditions in Little Gore Canyon, with meals included. For more information, call them at 800-824-3795.
Rancho Del Rio
Offers half and full-day trips with lunch included, as well as an overnight and three-day trip with choice of three meal plans. Call them at 970-653-4431 for more information.
2. San Miguel River – Near Telluride, Colorado
A rafting trip along the San Miguel River near Telluride, Colorado will provide you with Class II and occasional Class III rapids, along with spectacular scenery of red rock cliffs and alpine terrain. This trip is great for beginners and families with children over 10 years of age.
Companies which offer rafting trips for families along the San Miguel River include:
Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Trail Tours, Inc.
Trip leaders average 3,000 river miles (the state of Colorado requires 750), and they offer shuttles around rapids for kids and elders. Mild to Wild offers 1-day, 2-day or 3-day trips down the San Miguel River, including meals on the river and in camp.
Bill Dvorak's Kayak & Rafting Expeditions
They offer 1 to 5-day family rafting expeditions along the San Miguel River, with meals included. For more information, call them at 800-824-3795. If you wish longer trips of 6 to 12 days, you can combine a trip on the San Miguel River with a trip on the Dolores. are available by combining the San Miguel with the Dolores.
3. Upper New River – South Central West Virginia
Beginners will appreciate the "beginner-friendly" rapids of the Upper New River, rated I to III in difficulty. An added feature is the incredibly beautiful scenery and the belief by some that the New River is the world's 2nd oldest river.
Companies which offer family rafting trips on the Upper New River include:
Rivermen
Offers a 1-day family rafting trip package on the Upper New River which includes 2 nights lodging, 1 breakfast buffet, 1 lunch buffet and 1 dinner buffet. You have many different types of lodging to choose from, including cabin, RV, camping, cabin tent or the Quality Inn. If you want more adventure to go with your rafting, Rivermen also offers multi-sport, multi-day adventure packages, such as a rafting and climbing package, a rafting, climbing and jetboat package, or a rafting, climbing, jetboat and horseback riding package. Call them at 800-545-7238 for more information.
4. South Fork of the American River – near Sacramento, California
The South Fork of the American River is a favorite in California, rated a Class II and III and suitable for beginners and children ages 7 and above. The 3-mile, Class II "Coloma to Lotus" stretch of the South Fork is a perfect place for novices to try out rafting. You will also enjoy the scenery of oak and pine forests.
Companies which offer family rafting trips on the South Fork include:
O.A.R.S.
Has been in business for over 30 years and offers a 2-day rafting trip on the South Fork, which includes lunch and dinner and overnight camping at River’s Bend Resort in Coloma, as well as breakfast the next morning. Call them at 800-346-6277 for more information.
American Whitewater Expeditions
Offers half, full and 2-day trips on the South Fork, as well as family midweek specials of 1 and 2-day trips. For those of you in Southern California, American Whitewater Expeditions has a special 2-day South Fork trip with round trip deluxe bus from Orange County, Los Angeles or San Fernando. And for those family members or friends who don't wish to raft but wish to camp at the company's campsite, they have a special of 2-nights camping and 4 meals for $69. Call 877-825-3206 for more information.
5. Upper Main Salmon River – near Sun Valley, Idaho
This section of the Salmon River in the Sawtooth Wilderness Area provides mild Class II rapids with some thrilling Class III rapids to provide the beginner and veteran alike with a very enjoyable rafting adventure.
Companies which offer beginner and family trips on the Salmon River include:
White Cloud Rafting Adventures
Offering half and full-day Class II and III trips suitable for beginners and children. Half-day trips include a snack, full-day trips include lunch. They also offer half-day scenic float trips for those who want an even milder trip down the Salmon River. This trip is a smooth and easy float with Class II rapids. Call them at 800-571-RAFT for more information.
Whichever river and outfitter you choose, do remember to apply sunscreen and wear water shoes or tennis shoes (no flip-flops), and bring a change of clothes. And do be careful, whitewater rafting can be addictive.
1. Little Gore Canyon – Near Denver, Colorado
With a rating of Class I to III, the Little Gore Canyon section of the Colorado River offers mild yet exciting whitewater suitable for beginners and families with children. You can enjoy Little Gore Canyon in a raft, kayak, inflatable kayak or a canoe.
Companies which offer rafting trips for families in Little Gore Canyon include:
Bill Dvorak's Kayak & Rafting Expeditions
Providing expeditions since 1969, Dvorak's was Colorado’s first licensed outfitter. They offer 2-day family expeditions in Little Gore Canyon, with meals included. For more information, call them at 800-824-3795.
Rancho Del Rio
Offers half and full-day trips with lunch included, as well as an overnight and three-day trip with choice of three meal plans. Call them at 970-653-4431 for more information.
2. San Miguel River – Near Telluride, Colorado
A rafting trip along the San Miguel River near Telluride, Colorado will provide you with Class II and occasional Class III rapids, along with spectacular scenery of red rock cliffs and alpine terrain. This trip is great for beginners and families with children over 10 years of age.
Companies which offer rafting trips for families along the San Miguel River include:
Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Trail Tours, Inc.
Trip leaders average 3,000 river miles (the state of Colorado requires 750), and they offer shuttles around rapids for kids and elders. Mild to Wild offers 1-day, 2-day or 3-day trips down the San Miguel River, including meals on the river and in camp.
Bill Dvorak's Kayak & Rafting Expeditions
They offer 1 to 5-day family rafting expeditions along the San Miguel River, with meals included. For more information, call them at 800-824-3795. If you wish longer trips of 6 to 12 days, you can combine a trip on the San Miguel River with a trip on the Dolores. are available by combining the San Miguel with the Dolores.
3. Upper New River – South Central West Virginia
Beginners will appreciate the "beginner-friendly" rapids of the Upper New River, rated I to III in difficulty. An added feature is the incredibly beautiful scenery and the belief by some that the New River is the world's 2nd oldest river.
Companies which offer family rafting trips on the Upper New River include:
Rivermen
Offers a 1-day family rafting trip package on the Upper New River which includes 2 nights lodging, 1 breakfast buffet, 1 lunch buffet and 1 dinner buffet. You have many different types of lodging to choose from, including cabin, RV, camping, cabin tent or the Quality Inn. If you want more adventure to go with your rafting, Rivermen also offers multi-sport, multi-day adventure packages, such as a rafting and climbing package, a rafting, climbing and jetboat package, or a rafting, climbing, jetboat and horseback riding package. Call them at 800-545-7238 for more information.
4. South Fork of the American River – near Sacramento, California
The South Fork of the American River is a favorite in California, rated a Class II and III and suitable for beginners and children ages 7 and above. The 3-mile, Class II "Coloma to Lotus" stretch of the South Fork is a perfect place for novices to try out rafting. You will also enjoy the scenery of oak and pine forests.
Companies which offer family rafting trips on the South Fork include:
O.A.R.S.
Has been in business for over 30 years and offers a 2-day rafting trip on the South Fork, which includes lunch and dinner and overnight camping at River’s Bend Resort in Coloma, as well as breakfast the next morning. Call them at 800-346-6277 for more information.
American Whitewater Expeditions
Offers half, full and 2-day trips on the South Fork, as well as family midweek specials of 1 and 2-day trips. For those of you in Southern California, American Whitewater Expeditions has a special 2-day South Fork trip with round trip deluxe bus from Orange County, Los Angeles or San Fernando. And for those family members or friends who don't wish to raft but wish to camp at the company's campsite, they have a special of 2-nights camping and 4 meals for $69. Call 877-825-3206 for more information.
5. Upper Main Salmon River – near Sun Valley, Idaho
This section of the Salmon River in the Sawtooth Wilderness Area provides mild Class II rapids with some thrilling Class III rapids to provide the beginner and veteran alike with a very enjoyable rafting adventure.
Companies which offer beginner and family trips on the Salmon River include:
White Cloud Rafting Adventures
Offering half and full-day Class II and III trips suitable for beginners and children. Half-day trips include a snack, full-day trips include lunch. They also offer half-day scenic float trips for those who want an even milder trip down the Salmon River. This trip is a smooth and easy float with Class II rapids. Call them at 800-571-RAFT for more information.
Whichever river and outfitter you choose, do remember to apply sunscreen and wear water shoes or tennis shoes (no flip-flops), and bring a change of clothes. And do be careful, whitewater rafting can be addictive.
Montana is known as one of the best places to camp. The land is full of wide open areas with plenty of wildlife and beautiful areas to explore. There are plenty of camping options to choose from.
Salmon Camp is a state park that allows visitors to camp overnight. This is a great facility for those who enjoy being outdoors but love the comforts of a hot shower as well. There are plenty of marked trails for a day of hiking. There are specified water areas for fishing and swimming, and boating docks.
The most popular camping location in all of Montana is located in Fort Smith, called Bighorn Canyon. This area offers miles of open land to camp on in your tent, RV, or you can rent a beautiful cabin. There is plenty of wildlife to observe as well as some of the biggest fish swimming in the waters there.
If you plan to camp with children consider Jellystone Park in Missoula, home of Yogi the bear himself! There is plenty of area for hiking, fishing, hunting, and exploring. There is also a ghost town with mines only a few minutes away. There are also games, crafts, and activities for children of all ages to enjoy.
Yellowstone Park is a National Park that offers camping, horseback riding, wildlife observation, and beautiful scenery. You can choose to go hiking on the various trails by foot or rent a horse to ride for the day.
Another wonderful National Park to visit in Montana is Gallatin. This National Park is located in the Western Park of Montana. Plenty of large wildlife roam the area here. You will love camping in the open spaces and listen to the different animals throughout your explorations.
Montana is the place to be if you enjoy camping. There are so many different areas to choose from. You can pick one based on location, the terrain, the wildlife, or the camping accommodations. Regardless of where you choose to camp in Montana, I am sure you will have a great time relaxing in the great outdoors.
Salmon Camp is a state park that allows visitors to camp overnight. This is a great facility for those who enjoy being outdoors but love the comforts of a hot shower as well. There are plenty of marked trails for a day of hiking. There are specified water areas for fishing and swimming, and boating docks.
The most popular camping location in all of Montana is located in Fort Smith, called Bighorn Canyon. This area offers miles of open land to camp on in your tent, RV, or you can rent a beautiful cabin. There is plenty of wildlife to observe as well as some of the biggest fish swimming in the waters there.
If you plan to camp with children consider Jellystone Park in Missoula, home of Yogi the bear himself! There is plenty of area for hiking, fishing, hunting, and exploring. There is also a ghost town with mines only a few minutes away. There are also games, crafts, and activities for children of all ages to enjoy.
Yellowstone Park is a National Park that offers camping, horseback riding, wildlife observation, and beautiful scenery. You can choose to go hiking on the various trails by foot or rent a horse to ride for the day.
Another wonderful National Park to visit in Montana is Gallatin. This National Park is located in the Western Park of Montana. Plenty of large wildlife roam the area here. You will love camping in the open spaces and listen to the different animals throughout your explorations.
Montana is the place to be if you enjoy camping. There are so many different areas to choose from. You can pick one based on location, the terrain, the wildlife, or the camping accommodations. Regardless of where you choose to camp in Montana, I am sure you will have a great time relaxing in the great outdoors.
After seeing the system in action, I decided to write this 5 Minute Racing System review. In this brief review, I'll go over the viability of the program in detail. From how much you can realistically expect to make to whether or not you can actually make the systems work for you in as little as five minutes per day, by the time you're finished reading you'll be well versed in what 5 Minute Racing System really has to offer, and if it's something you should look into on your own.
There are around ten zillion betting systems on the market today, each one promising unparalleled results and ease of use. Unfortunately for those who have fallen victim to the empty promises, the only thing you can count on with these systems is that they won't work on a consistent basis. This is why I was skeptical when my attention was turned to John Timmons' 5 Minute Racing System.
The first thing I like to look at when reviewing these systems is the skill level required to master them. I was immediately impressed by 5 Minute Racing System in this arena. It turns out, if you can do simple basic math, the program does all of the other work for you. In fact, by having third grade math mastered, you can pick horses that win money more than 90 percent of the time.
Now that accuracy and ease of use have been addressed, the only other thing left to look at was the time investment required. Is five minutes really enough time to make money betting? After reading over the testimonials, I found that five minutes is more than sufficient. It turns out, after you've worked with 5 Minute System for awhile you only need a minute or two to pick a winning horse! As a result, I have been more than amazed by what 5 Minute Systems can do and I wholeheartedly recommend the program to anyone who wants to consistently place winning bets.
There are around ten zillion betting systems on the market today, each one promising unparalleled results and ease of use. Unfortunately for those who have fallen victim to the empty promises, the only thing you can count on with these systems is that they won't work on a consistent basis. This is why I was skeptical when my attention was turned to John Timmons' 5 Minute Racing System.
The first thing I like to look at when reviewing these systems is the skill level required to master them. I was immediately impressed by 5 Minute Racing System in this arena. It turns out, if you can do simple basic math, the program does all of the other work for you. In fact, by having third grade math mastered, you can pick horses that win money more than 90 percent of the time.
Now that accuracy and ease of use have been addressed, the only other thing left to look at was the time investment required. Is five minutes really enough time to make money betting? After reading over the testimonials, I found that five minutes is more than sufficient. It turns out, after you've worked with 5 Minute System for awhile you only need a minute or two to pick a winning horse! As a result, I have been more than amazed by what 5 Minute Systems can do and I wholeheartedly recommend the program to anyone who wants to consistently place winning bets.
1. Always use same swing pose every time you shift the ball from sand bunker.
Every time you have to shift the ball from the sand bunker, always use same swing pose, then adjust only the position of the ball, and also consider to adjust the weight of down swing whether it should be harder or lighter, in order to estimate the distance to the target. Unless you are in the really difficult situation such as the ball sinks into the sand , or in any circumstances that normal approaches could not be applied, then will use special techniques. Normally, the factor use to decide how deep the sand you should dig into is depends on individual experience in sand bunker shifting, but the basic approach is addressing openly , keep the putter floating a bit above the sand, then swing down to the same line where you are addressing. It is also useful to keep in mind that you should hit the ball on the left and slices from outside reach in and the power must come from the upper part of the body while your feet buried into the sand and do not be afraid to hit the sand.
2. Your swing must be smooth and continuous.
There are so many people who see a friend can drive far more than oneself , then try to follow his approach by trying to use as much power as they can , as a result , they won't be able to control the ball's direction. The one of important thing for golfer is to maintain equilibrium between the body and the swing and keep it stable. Up swing with gentleness , not fast and jerk, then transfer the weight to right leg, when down swing, transfer the weight down to your hip while your eyes still watch at the ball , and hit the ball to the desired direction. The most important thing is you must maintain your position the speed of the swing at the same level every time.
3. When shifting...the head must be still.
One important cause that affect to the changing direction of the ball is tottering head when shifting , which will change the balance of your body. Therefore, to do effective shifting you must keep your head still and stable throughout the process. the basic approach when doing shift is stand open, lay the ball close to the right leg, maintain the weight to the left leg, hold the grip in short figure and do the stroke like when you are putting. About which size of putter should be used is really depends on individual experience and expertise. You should get much training enough to decide which size of putter suit you the most.
4. When up swing, make sure that your left shoulder aligned with the right foot.
Address in correct posture when up swing will bring the most effective and powerful to the hit. You must always remember that when up swing turn left shoulder to align with the right leg. This pose will draw the power from muscles between the shoulder and the waist while full speed of the swing being generated. The enough and proper training will develop you swing very quickly.
5. Find the focal point where the putter hit the ball.
The technique that many pros use to find the proper focus to hit the ball is to keep putter a bit away from the ball and leave the small gap between the ball and the putter. This gap will allow you to know where the putter will hit the ball, as a result, you can decide the right focus.
Every time you have to shift the ball from the sand bunker, always use same swing pose, then adjust only the position of the ball, and also consider to adjust the weight of down swing whether it should be harder or lighter, in order to estimate the distance to the target. Unless you are in the really difficult situation such as the ball sinks into the sand , or in any circumstances that normal approaches could not be applied, then will use special techniques. Normally, the factor use to decide how deep the sand you should dig into is depends on individual experience in sand bunker shifting, but the basic approach is addressing openly , keep the putter floating a bit above the sand, then swing down to the same line where you are addressing. It is also useful to keep in mind that you should hit the ball on the left and slices from outside reach in and the power must come from the upper part of the body while your feet buried into the sand and do not be afraid to hit the sand.
2. Your swing must be smooth and continuous.
There are so many people who see a friend can drive far more than oneself , then try to follow his approach by trying to use as much power as they can , as a result , they won't be able to control the ball's direction. The one of important thing for golfer is to maintain equilibrium between the body and the swing and keep it stable. Up swing with gentleness , not fast and jerk, then transfer the weight to right leg, when down swing, transfer the weight down to your hip while your eyes still watch at the ball , and hit the ball to the desired direction. The most important thing is you must maintain your position the speed of the swing at the same level every time.
3. When shifting...the head must be still.
One important cause that affect to the changing direction of the ball is tottering head when shifting , which will change the balance of your body. Therefore, to do effective shifting you must keep your head still and stable throughout the process. the basic approach when doing shift is stand open, lay the ball close to the right leg, maintain the weight to the left leg, hold the grip in short figure and do the stroke like when you are putting. About which size of putter should be used is really depends on individual experience and expertise. You should get much training enough to decide which size of putter suit you the most.
4. When up swing, make sure that your left shoulder aligned with the right foot.
Address in correct posture when up swing will bring the most effective and powerful to the hit. You must always remember that when up swing turn left shoulder to align with the right leg. This pose will draw the power from muscles between the shoulder and the waist while full speed of the swing being generated. The enough and proper training will develop you swing very quickly.
5. Find the focal point where the putter hit the ball.
The technique that many pros use to find the proper focus to hit the ball is to keep putter a bit away from the ball and leave the small gap between the ball and the putter. This gap will allow you to know where the putter will hit the ball, as a result, you can decide the right focus.
The holiday season can be exciting and fun, but it can also be exhausting or lonely for some. Retirees need to keep in mind some simple but helpful tips for making the season more enjoyable and less stressful.
1.Keep your focus on the reason for the season. The holiday season – no matter what your religious faith – is a time of celebration and spiritual refreshment. The beginning of a new year can be a time of new commitments, new beginnings and new opportunities. The season offers a reminder and a chance to reorder our priorities and make the most of each day. Adjusting our perspective in light of spiritual teachings can bring brightness and hope into our daily lives throughout the coming year.
2.Pace yourself. Many people arrive at the actual holiday too exhausted from preparations to actually enjoy the day. Many people find it helpful to limit the amount of time and energy spent on any part of the preparations for the holiday at a given time. Some people structure their days to shop for two hours, then rest for one hour, and then do another task. It is also important to pace yourself in terms of activities and events. Sometimes, what we need most is control over our time and activities. If you are becoming overwhelmed by the array of events and activities and you find that your schedule is filling rapidly, you might do well to make some choices. Limiting your activities to the most important events might help you pace yourself and prevent the exhaustion that can drain the fun from everything.
3.Don’t be alone unless you want to be. The holiday season can be very sad and depressing for those who find themselves alone. If you don’t have family or friends nearby with whom you plan to spend part of the holiday, you can still spend the day with others. Check in your community for gatherings of others who would otherwise be alone. Or – better yet – find a community opportunity to help others on the holiday. Most communities have programs that offer meals to the homeless and needy. You can be with others and feel wonderful about the way you spend the day by volunteering to help with preparation and serving of the meals.
4.Don’t lose sight of the budget. Overspending during the holidays is very easy. But it can create a lot of stress in January when the bills start to arrive. It is so much fun making purchases of gifts for children and grandchildren that the budget can easily be forgotten. Be honest and realistic about what you can afford to spend on gifts and entertaining. Then stick to the budget. Keep in mind that a modestly-priced gift that fits the recipient can mean more than the most expensive new thing available. Some families manage spending by setting clear limits on the cost of gifts for the adults in the family. This allows them to spend more on the younger children. Be creative in thinking about holiday spending and try to keep your focus on the right gift for each individual rather than the most expensive.
5.Don’t lose sight of your dietary needs. Many of us have special dietary needs as we grow older. Whether we are just eating smart or we are watching sugars, fats and cholesterol, many of us need to maintain a healthy diet – even during the holidays. In most cases, it is okay to splurge a bit at a holiday dinner or party if we adjust our diets during the rest of the day to keep our overall diet within bounds. Remember that making yourself sick by ignoring your dietary needs will not make the holiday more enjoyable for you or those around you.
I hope these very practical tips will help you get the greatest possible enjoyment and renewal from the holiday season. By keeping things in perspective and monitoring spending and diet, you will probably enjoy the holidays more. Pacing yourself and keeping a view to the meaning of the season in your belief system will help you avoid exhaustion and renew yourself as the New Year begins.
1.Keep your focus on the reason for the season. The holiday season – no matter what your religious faith – is a time of celebration and spiritual refreshment. The beginning of a new year can be a time of new commitments, new beginnings and new opportunities. The season offers a reminder and a chance to reorder our priorities and make the most of each day. Adjusting our perspective in light of spiritual teachings can bring brightness and hope into our daily lives throughout the coming year.
2.Pace yourself. Many people arrive at the actual holiday too exhausted from preparations to actually enjoy the day. Many people find it helpful to limit the amount of time and energy spent on any part of the preparations for the holiday at a given time. Some people structure their days to shop for two hours, then rest for one hour, and then do another task. It is also important to pace yourself in terms of activities and events. Sometimes, what we need most is control over our time and activities. If you are becoming overwhelmed by the array of events and activities and you find that your schedule is filling rapidly, you might do well to make some choices. Limiting your activities to the most important events might help you pace yourself and prevent the exhaustion that can drain the fun from everything.
3.Don’t be alone unless you want to be. The holiday season can be very sad and depressing for those who find themselves alone. If you don’t have family or friends nearby with whom you plan to spend part of the holiday, you can still spend the day with others. Check in your community for gatherings of others who would otherwise be alone. Or – better yet – find a community opportunity to help others on the holiday. Most communities have programs that offer meals to the homeless and needy. You can be with others and feel wonderful about the way you spend the day by volunteering to help with preparation and serving of the meals.
4.Don’t lose sight of the budget. Overspending during the holidays is very easy. But it can create a lot of stress in January when the bills start to arrive. It is so much fun making purchases of gifts for children and grandchildren that the budget can easily be forgotten. Be honest and realistic about what you can afford to spend on gifts and entertaining. Then stick to the budget. Keep in mind that a modestly-priced gift that fits the recipient can mean more than the most expensive new thing available. Some families manage spending by setting clear limits on the cost of gifts for the adults in the family. This allows them to spend more on the younger children. Be creative in thinking about holiday spending and try to keep your focus on the right gift for each individual rather than the most expensive.
5.Don’t lose sight of your dietary needs. Many of us have special dietary needs as we grow older. Whether we are just eating smart or we are watching sugars, fats and cholesterol, many of us need to maintain a healthy diet – even during the holidays. In most cases, it is okay to splurge a bit at a holiday dinner or party if we adjust our diets during the rest of the day to keep our overall diet within bounds. Remember that making yourself sick by ignoring your dietary needs will not make the holiday more enjoyable for you or those around you.
I hope these very practical tips will help you get the greatest possible enjoyment and renewal from the holiday season. By keeping things in perspective and monitoring spending and diet, you will probably enjoy the holidays more. Pacing yourself and keeping a view to the meaning of the season in your belief system will help you avoid exhaustion and renew yourself as the New Year begins.
5 Fun Watersports You Can Enjoy On Your Next Lake Vacation
Posted on
Jumat, 10 September 2010 |
0
komentar
Lake vacations offer numerous activities for those who have a passion for water fun. From merely lounging around on the shores to enjoying serious water sports, lake vacations are not for the water shy.
Of course, the most obvious of water sporting enjoyments is swimming. Many lakes offer competitive swimming events for those who appreciate the benefits of swimming. Most lakes also offer boating and sailing packages. Look into daily sailboat and/or powerboat rentals and spend the afternoon on the water, or haul your own boat to the vacation location. Some lakes even offer paddle boating rentals for those who enjoy a slower pace. And, more and more locations are adding canoeing, kayaking, and even jet skis to their equipment rentals.
Large and small lakes appeal to the fisherman in many vacation seekers. Smaller lakes entice the early morning fisherman out onto the water to enjoy the peace and solitude of waiting for that fish to bite. Larger lakes offer fishing boat rentals for the enjoyment of a pair of fisherman who enjoy the competitiveness of the sport and some larger lakes offer guided fishing charters for both small and large groups.
Many lakes also offer water ski, wakeboard, wakeskates, and wake surfboard activities. Included in these activities is personal instruction for the novice skier and equipment rental for all ages and skill levels. And for the high-flying adventurer, the lake vacation also offers parasailing. From equipment rental to guided instruction, lakes are adding parasailing to their water activities to provide complete water fun packages for all ages. Lake vacations are great locations for all varieties of water fun and activities. Take advantage of a lazy day on a rowboat or a soaring parasailing adventure or even skimming the water with a fast-paced and energetic ski outing. There is something for everyone on a lake vacation.
Of course, the most obvious of water sporting enjoyments is swimming. Many lakes offer competitive swimming events for those who appreciate the benefits of swimming. Most lakes also offer boating and sailing packages. Look into daily sailboat and/or powerboat rentals and spend the afternoon on the water, or haul your own boat to the vacation location. Some lakes even offer paddle boating rentals for those who enjoy a slower pace. And, more and more locations are adding canoeing, kayaking, and even jet skis to their equipment rentals.
Large and small lakes appeal to the fisherman in many vacation seekers. Smaller lakes entice the early morning fisherman out onto the water to enjoy the peace and solitude of waiting for that fish to bite. Larger lakes offer fishing boat rentals for the enjoyment of a pair of fisherman who enjoy the competitiveness of the sport and some larger lakes offer guided fishing charters for both small and large groups.
Many lakes also offer water ski, wakeboard, wakeskates, and wake surfboard activities. Included in these activities is personal instruction for the novice skier and equipment rental for all ages and skill levels. And for the high-flying adventurer, the lake vacation also offers parasailing. From equipment rental to guided instruction, lakes are adding parasailing to their water activities to provide complete water fun packages for all ages. Lake vacations are great locations for all varieties of water fun and activities. Take advantage of a lazy day on a rowboat or a soaring parasailing adventure or even skimming the water with a fast-paced and energetic ski outing. There is something for everyone on a lake vacation.
There is nothing like being young. And there is nothing like being young and bored on a Saturday night. Especially when you are in college, and get together with your buddies who are also bored on a Saturday night. That is usually a formula for life long memories that will be anything but boring!
When you are in college, it is pretty inevitable that you will find yourself strapped for cash. That's not to say that you won't still find yourself drinking, playing poker, or both! It's funny how it works out that you will not have money to eat or play in a real cash poker game, but you will always find some liquor in the house. (Or will somehow scrape together enough money for a 12 pack of beer.)
During times of strife like this, my friends and I would play a game called 5 Card Poker Shots. The game involved no money, but did include shot glasses for each person. The rules of the game were very simple. Every one gets dealt 5 cards. You are allowed to trade up to 3 cards when it is your turn. Every one except the person with the winning hand has to do a shot.
I recall one night where vodka was the drink of choice as host Tommy had 2 bottles of it in his kitchen (or so we thought). My roommate Jimmy was with me that night, which always makes for an entertaining evening. Jimmy loves to play poker, but loves even more to drink. He is always the guy that you can find doing a keg stand or doing a beer bong. He is also the instigator of the group, known for calling you a pansy (along with all sorts of other names I will refrain from), if you can't hold your liquor.
On this night, Tommy sat right next to Jimmy and said he would be pouring the drinks if someone else would deal. Little did I know that Jimmy was about to be taken for a ride. On the ensuing hand, the glasses were filled as Jimmy said "Drink up losers" and downed his shot. As everyone else drank, they all had a puzzled look on their face while Tommy made a face to all at the table except Jimmy. Jimmy also began blurting "I wonder which one of you pansies is going to puke first, sure won't be me," as he laughed and checked his cards.
Understanding the look that Tommy had secretly given us, everyone kept drinking and playing cards making small talk as the bottles began to empty. After an hour or so, Jimmy started to rock back in his chair making odd breathing noises as well as spitting. Halfway through his 15th shot or so he began to vomit all over himself complaining that he did not feel well. Stumbling over to the couch he passed out while Tommy got out a couple of pens and his digital camera.
You can pretty much put together what happened. Turns out Tommy had filled one of the bottles with water and had been pouring the vodka only in Jimmy's glass. This night everyone knew which pansy was puking first.
When you are in college, it is pretty inevitable that you will find yourself strapped for cash. That's not to say that you won't still find yourself drinking, playing poker, or both! It's funny how it works out that you will not have money to eat or play in a real cash poker game, but you will always find some liquor in the house. (Or will somehow scrape together enough money for a 12 pack of beer.)
During times of strife like this, my friends and I would play a game called 5 Card Poker Shots. The game involved no money, but did include shot glasses for each person. The rules of the game were very simple. Every one gets dealt 5 cards. You are allowed to trade up to 3 cards when it is your turn. Every one except the person with the winning hand has to do a shot.
I recall one night where vodka was the drink of choice as host Tommy had 2 bottles of it in his kitchen (or so we thought). My roommate Jimmy was with me that night, which always makes for an entertaining evening. Jimmy loves to play poker, but loves even more to drink. He is always the guy that you can find doing a keg stand or doing a beer bong. He is also the instigator of the group, known for calling you a pansy (along with all sorts of other names I will refrain from), if you can't hold your liquor.
On this night, Tommy sat right next to Jimmy and said he would be pouring the drinks if someone else would deal. Little did I know that Jimmy was about to be taken for a ride. On the ensuing hand, the glasses were filled as Jimmy said "Drink up losers" and downed his shot. As everyone else drank, they all had a puzzled look on their face while Tommy made a face to all at the table except Jimmy. Jimmy also began blurting "I wonder which one of you pansies is going to puke first, sure won't be me," as he laughed and checked his cards.
Understanding the look that Tommy had secretly given us, everyone kept drinking and playing cards making small talk as the bottles began to empty. After an hour or so, Jimmy started to rock back in his chair making odd breathing noises as well as spitting. Halfway through his 15th shot or so he began to vomit all over himself complaining that he did not feel well. Stumbling over to the couch he passed out while Tommy got out a couple of pens and his digital camera.
You can pretty much put together what happened. Turns out Tommy had filled one of the bottles with water and had been pouring the vodka only in Jimmy's glass. This night everyone knew which pansy was puking first.
4 Tips For Betting At Horse Racing. Horse Racing System And Top Betting Strategies That Do Win
Posted on
Rabu, 08 September 2010 |
0
komentar
Let's face it beating the bookie is tough.
It's a scandal... They collect the money, and then drop the odds seconds before the race starts, leaving you and the rest of the punters, out of pocket or short changed... even if you did pick the winner! In This Article, I show you tips on how to win at every bet.
Margins are usually tight enough without giving away your hard earned cash to greedy bookmakers or self appointed guru's for "insider information" with no proof or guarantee the horse will actually win... It's easy to run up a £100 phone bill calling a tipster every day for one or two winners a week.
Sound familiar?
Statistically around 30 to 40 percent of all favourites usually win, yet still the bookies rake in more cash than most of the punters put together... they just don't care if the favourites win or lose!
What if you could bet like a bookie?
Betting on horses is something that many people have done at one time or another, but most people don’t know a great deal about the ins and outs of horse racing handicapping. Here are the tips you should use.
1)Begin by looking at the racing form. These forms are available at the track, at newsstands, and are now available online. The best place to begin when handicapping the horses is to look at the trainer and jockey. Some people also look at the past performances, but for the most part, it is too difficult for you to gain too much out of past races. You can, however, easily pick up on trainer and jockey percentages. This can eliminate a great many horses from your handicapping process and is the first place You should begin.
2 ) Next, Look at recent form. Here, you don’t need to look to far. The past three races are your best indicator of how a horse is likely to perform in the current race. You can look at the finishing position and the speed figures. The speed figures are listed in the racing form and are based on how the horse did in his or her last race on a particular track and against the field he or she faced. You can take the speed figures of the last three races of a horse and judge those numbers against the rest of the field. This should give you a decent idea of how the race shapes up.
3) Always go a little bit more in depth and look at horses that are suited to a particular course or a particular surface. Some horses run better on grass than they do on dirt and some horses are suited to a particular distance. This last part is really true, as some horses are bred for stamina while others are bred for speed.
4) Finaly, you should look beyond the obvious favorites and search for value. Betting the horses successfully is about finding value. You can’t consistently bet favorites and win. You also aren’t likely to find longshots that always win. You have to be somewhere in the middle. You can also incorporate exotics into your horse betting, and that may be your best bet of all. But that is a subject all on its own and deserves its own discussion.
It's a scandal... They collect the money, and then drop the odds seconds before the race starts, leaving you and the rest of the punters, out of pocket or short changed... even if you did pick the winner! In This Article, I show you tips on how to win at every bet.
Margins are usually tight enough without giving away your hard earned cash to greedy bookmakers or self appointed guru's for "insider information" with no proof or guarantee the horse will actually win... It's easy to run up a £100 phone bill calling a tipster every day for one or two winners a week.
Sound familiar?
Statistically around 30 to 40 percent of all favourites usually win, yet still the bookies rake in more cash than most of the punters put together... they just don't care if the favourites win or lose!
What if you could bet like a bookie?
Betting on horses is something that many people have done at one time or another, but most people don’t know a great deal about the ins and outs of horse racing handicapping. Here are the tips you should use.
1)Begin by looking at the racing form. These forms are available at the track, at newsstands, and are now available online. The best place to begin when handicapping the horses is to look at the trainer and jockey. Some people also look at the past performances, but for the most part, it is too difficult for you to gain too much out of past races. You can, however, easily pick up on trainer and jockey percentages. This can eliminate a great many horses from your handicapping process and is the first place You should begin.
2 ) Next, Look at recent form. Here, you don’t need to look to far. The past three races are your best indicator of how a horse is likely to perform in the current race. You can look at the finishing position and the speed figures. The speed figures are listed in the racing form and are based on how the horse did in his or her last race on a particular track and against the field he or she faced. You can take the speed figures of the last three races of a horse and judge those numbers against the rest of the field. This should give you a decent idea of how the race shapes up.
3) Always go a little bit more in depth and look at horses that are suited to a particular course or a particular surface. Some horses run better on grass than they do on dirt and some horses are suited to a particular distance. This last part is really true, as some horses are bred for stamina while others are bred for speed.
4) Finaly, you should look beyond the obvious favorites and search for value. Betting the horses successfully is about finding value. You can’t consistently bet favorites and win. You also aren’t likely to find longshots that always win. You have to be somewhere in the middle. You can also incorporate exotics into your horse betting, and that may be your best bet of all. But that is a subject all on its own and deserves its own discussion.
Minnesota is full of beautiful country that is perfect for camping. However, you may find it difficult to choose the right spot to camp in since there are so many options. Here are 4 great places to go camping in Minnesota that you really should visit. If you enjoy horseback riding, then Ann Lake is the perfect camping location for you. There are plenty of trails and fishing holes to be found here as well.
Bear Lake State Park is a great place for family camping. It is a very simple structure so that it is hard to get lost. There are plenty of picnic areas for families to enjoy while hiking. There is also a very inviting swimming area that isn’t very deep but offers plenty of fun. Bear Lake State Park offers show facilities as well for the camper who doesn’t quite like that part of getting back to nature!
Cadotte Lake offers more than 20 miles of camping ground for you to enjoy. The camping spots are very private so that is a nice change from what most of them offer. It is said some of the best fishing in Minnesota takes place here. You can fish from the shores or take your boat as there are plenty of great boating ramps for you to use. The swimming area is a nice place to take some time to relax on a hot afternoon.
Fenske Lake is the place to go if you enjoy wildlife. There is plenty to be observed from this particular campground area. You will find marked trails for hiking as well. Other activities include boating, fishing, and swimming. Regardless of which one of these 4 places to go camping in Minnesota that you choose, you will have a wonderful time enjoying the outdoors. Happ[y camping and enjoy your trip!
Bear Lake State Park is a great place for family camping. It is a very simple structure so that it is hard to get lost. There are plenty of picnic areas for families to enjoy while hiking. There is also a very inviting swimming area that isn’t very deep but offers plenty of fun. Bear Lake State Park offers show facilities as well for the camper who doesn’t quite like that part of getting back to nature!
Cadotte Lake offers more than 20 miles of camping ground for you to enjoy. The camping spots are very private so that is a nice change from what most of them offer. It is said some of the best fishing in Minnesota takes place here. You can fish from the shores or take your boat as there are plenty of great boating ramps for you to use. The swimming area is a nice place to take some time to relax on a hot afternoon.
Fenske Lake is the place to go if you enjoy wildlife. There is plenty to be observed from this particular campground area. You will find marked trails for hiking as well. Other activities include boating, fishing, and swimming. Regardless of which one of these 4 places to go camping in Minnesota that you choose, you will have a wonderful time enjoying the outdoors. Happ[y camping and enjoy your trip!
Grab your skis and get out here!
Those seven words were the start of the most epic adventure of my life. They came in the form of a phone call from a remote lodge in Eastern British Columbia.
“Man you will not believe what the last 2 days were like. It hasn’t stopped snowing here for 42 hours. Dude it is almost waist deep. We signed up for another 4 days. There is one spot left. Grab your skis and get out here.
“I am in” I hastily declared not quite sure how I was going to get away from work.
When it is waist deep I can always find a reason for getting out of work. I was buzzing. It has been a long time since I have gone skiing in the back country. I quickly threw a couple changes of clothes into my pack, gloves, helmet, goggles, in also. Transferred some money around and I was on my way to the adventure of a lifetime, literally.
I was going to Golden BC to enjoy some great snowcat skiing about 80 north of the small mountain community. Some guys I knew from Calgary were up on a 3 day tour at Chatter Creek and called me after their second day in waist deep powder. The excitement in their voice (and probably a bit of alcohol as well) had me vibrating within seconds of hearing the words “waist deep”.
Of course with a lot of snow falling in the past several days the mountain pass between Golden and neighboring Revelstoke was treacherous to say the least. Traffic had been getting through intermittently between closures for avalanche control.
Getting into Golden was a relief since the helicopter flight to the lodge was in just under an hour. I had just enough time to stop at 7-11 for gum and other junk food, get to the airport, sign a waiver and board the chopper.
The 22 minute flight was something else. We skirted up the valley from Golden with the Selkirks on the left and the Rockies on the right. A final quick jump over the Kitchen Range and we were into the Chatter Creek Drainage. I could see the blue roofing of the lodge appear like a sapphire in the green and white of the surrounding terrain.
The first night of the trip was a blur of food, booze and faces. 35 other people with the same crazed look of powder that I had. It was hard to get to sleep the first night but before long I was woke up by my watch. First thing was to look out the window to see how much new; 22cm on top of the 96 cm that fell in the last 4 days.
The morning continued with breakfast at 7:30 followed by a safety briefing about the snowcats and more importantly avalanche safety and the use of transceivers. This was followed by boarding the cats for a 15 minute ride to the East Ridge.
Running almost east to west for 7 km, the East Ridge is 2200 vertical feet of north facing trees and south facing cut blocks.
The snowcat stopped at the top of a run called Bad Boys. The top 1/3 of the run in the alpine and continued down through old growth spruce and larch. Bad Boys certainly looked great. Our group of 12 got out, the cat roared off to the bottom to wait for us. We all got geared up and followed our guide to where we would drop in. The guide said to stay center and stop at the tree line. With that he turned and disappeared into a cloud of white.
I sliced my way past a couple of my buddies and dropped in. The first turn took me by surprise. It was like there was no bottom. By turn three I was able to get a glimpse of where I was and pointed to where I needed to go. With that the most epic 4 days of powder skiing began.
Those seven words were the start of the most epic adventure of my life. They came in the form of a phone call from a remote lodge in Eastern British Columbia.
“Man you will not believe what the last 2 days were like. It hasn’t stopped snowing here for 42 hours. Dude it is almost waist deep. We signed up for another 4 days. There is one spot left. Grab your skis and get out here.
“I am in” I hastily declared not quite sure how I was going to get away from work.
When it is waist deep I can always find a reason for getting out of work. I was buzzing. It has been a long time since I have gone skiing in the back country. I quickly threw a couple changes of clothes into my pack, gloves, helmet, goggles, in also. Transferred some money around and I was on my way to the adventure of a lifetime, literally.
I was going to Golden BC to enjoy some great snowcat skiing about 80 north of the small mountain community. Some guys I knew from Calgary were up on a 3 day tour at Chatter Creek and called me after their second day in waist deep powder. The excitement in their voice (and probably a bit of alcohol as well) had me vibrating within seconds of hearing the words “waist deep”.
Of course with a lot of snow falling in the past several days the mountain pass between Golden and neighboring Revelstoke was treacherous to say the least. Traffic had been getting through intermittently between closures for avalanche control.
Getting into Golden was a relief since the helicopter flight to the lodge was in just under an hour. I had just enough time to stop at 7-11 for gum and other junk food, get to the airport, sign a waiver and board the chopper.
The 22 minute flight was something else. We skirted up the valley from Golden with the Selkirks on the left and the Rockies on the right. A final quick jump over the Kitchen Range and we were into the Chatter Creek Drainage. I could see the blue roofing of the lodge appear like a sapphire in the green and white of the surrounding terrain.
The first night of the trip was a blur of food, booze and faces. 35 other people with the same crazed look of powder that I had. It was hard to get to sleep the first night but before long I was woke up by my watch. First thing was to look out the window to see how much new; 22cm on top of the 96 cm that fell in the last 4 days.
The morning continued with breakfast at 7:30 followed by a safety briefing about the snowcats and more importantly avalanche safety and the use of transceivers. This was followed by boarding the cats for a 15 minute ride to the East Ridge.
Running almost east to west for 7 km, the East Ridge is 2200 vertical feet of north facing trees and south facing cut blocks.
The snowcat stopped at the top of a run called Bad Boys. The top 1/3 of the run in the alpine and continued down through old growth spruce and larch. Bad Boys certainly looked great. Our group of 12 got out, the cat roared off to the bottom to wait for us. We all got geared up and followed our guide to where we would drop in. The guide said to stay center and stop at the tree line. With that he turned and disappeared into a cloud of white.
I sliced my way past a couple of my buddies and dropped in. The first turn took me by surprise. It was like there was no bottom. By turn three I was able to get a glimpse of where I was and pointed to where I needed to go. With that the most epic 4 days of powder skiing began.
If you are a fan of UFC, here are three upcoming fights that you need to watch:
UFC 67 (February 3rd)
Silva vs. Lutter-Anderson Silva will be defending his Middleweight Champion title against Travis Lutter. Although Silva is coming into the fight with more fights under his belt (nineteen), Lutter has fewer losses on his record (two, in comparison to Silva’s four). Both fighters are almost equal in age and size, but each fighter has their own unique style. Silva relies heavily on his striking abilities, while Lutter has an extremely strong background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
UFC 68 (March 3rd)
Sylvia vs. Couture-The headlining fight of UFC 68 will be Tim Sylvia defending his title as Heavyweight Champion against none other than Randy Couture. Couture, who has been in retirement for almost a year, has not fought as a heavyweight since 2002. On paper, Couture is at a disadvantage in almost every area. Physically, Sylvia is seven inches taller and sixty pounds heavier than Couture. Additionally, Couture is thirteen years older than Sylvia. However, this extra experience could actually work in his favor. Finally, when it comes to past wins and losses, there is really no comparison. Sylvia boasts twenty-four victories and only two losses, while Couture has eight losses in comparison to his fourteen victories. Even though Sylvia has an obvious advantage on paper, once the fighters step into the Octagon, none of that will matter. This fight will definitely be one for the books!
Lytle vs. Hughes-Although it is not a championship fight, the bout between Chris Lytle and Matt Hughes will be an extremely exciting one. Matt Hughes, the former welterweight champion, has an impressive record of forty-one UFC victories and only four losses. Although Lytle’s record is not nearly as clear cut (18-12-5), Matt has already admitted that Lytle is a very tough guy and that this fight will be a challenge.
UFC 67 (February 3rd)
Silva vs. Lutter-Anderson Silva will be defending his Middleweight Champion title against Travis Lutter. Although Silva is coming into the fight with more fights under his belt (nineteen), Lutter has fewer losses on his record (two, in comparison to Silva’s four). Both fighters are almost equal in age and size, but each fighter has their own unique style. Silva relies heavily on his striking abilities, while Lutter has an extremely strong background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
UFC 68 (March 3rd)
Sylvia vs. Couture-The headlining fight of UFC 68 will be Tim Sylvia defending his title as Heavyweight Champion against none other than Randy Couture. Couture, who has been in retirement for almost a year, has not fought as a heavyweight since 2002. On paper, Couture is at a disadvantage in almost every area. Physically, Sylvia is seven inches taller and sixty pounds heavier than Couture. Additionally, Couture is thirteen years older than Sylvia. However, this extra experience could actually work in his favor. Finally, when it comes to past wins and losses, there is really no comparison. Sylvia boasts twenty-four victories and only two losses, while Couture has eight losses in comparison to his fourteen victories. Even though Sylvia has an obvious advantage on paper, once the fighters step into the Octagon, none of that will matter. This fight will definitely be one for the books!
Lytle vs. Hughes-Although it is not a championship fight, the bout between Chris Lytle and Matt Hughes will be an extremely exciting one. Matt Hughes, the former welterweight champion, has an impressive record of forty-one UFC victories and only four losses. Although Lytle’s record is not nearly as clear cut (18-12-5), Matt has already admitted that Lytle is a very tough guy and that this fight will be a challenge.
3 Tips To Choose The Camping Backpack That's Right For You
Posted on
Sabtu, 04 September 2010 |
0
komentar
When asked about the right camping backpack, most people who do not have any experience in camping will say that it is just a bag. The kind of back one chooses is not a small issue to people who have experience in camping. You will never be grateful for a good backpack until and unless you have bad experience with a bad one.
For instance, a trekker who went on a trip to Appalachians in the year 1994 went back home broken and bleeding from the heaviness of a bad backpack which caused his hips to be injured. Ten years later, he was a lot wiser and experienced than he was before; he took a better backpack and had a better and much more fun-filled experience.
Since we have decided the necessity of a good pack, given below are few tips that will help you choose a good backpack for your camping trip:
1. Recognize your requirements- The preferences of trekkers and campers are different. Some people take as minimum instruments as possible on their trips where as some take more.
Whatever that is that you may take with you, it will be a basis for what kind of backpack you will require. Assess your space requirements. In fact, most of the capable sales persons can assist you choose the right pack with the amount of space you need. While you are on this, try measuring the instrument that you may want to take for the longest trip that you intend to go.
2. Is the pack comfortable- When selecting a backpack, this is possibly the most essential point that you should keep in mind. Every person who intends to go camping would like to get a pack that can take most amount of weight with only a slight effort or difficulty.
When you have a good pack, it allocates the weight evenly and effectively. As a result, you do not face any problem while carrying it. In order to know how a pack can help in this, you will have to check out the pack yourself. Usually most camp stores have sand weights to put in the pack. You can examine how this pack can hold the weight and before deciding to buy it, make sure that the pack is comfortable.
The most important point that you should remember is that shoulder strap should carry about three-tenth of the weight where as the rest of the weight should be carried by the hips. While you are examining the pack, ensure that the shoulder straps are comfortable. It would be advisable to move about with the pack in order to determine how much mobility the pack can provide.
Usually most pack have sternum strap with them and these strap helps in stabilizing the pack. These straps are usually situated below to collar bone to guarantee comfort and steadiness.
Hip belts should not restrict your respiration nor should it be too broad that it hinders in the way of your steadiness.
The designs of the backpack will always be different and the backpack companies will always claim to have a new and improved pack for the purpose of camping. In order to know how good they are, just try them out.
3. Select your frame- You can choose between internal and external frames. The frames that are thinner and that hug your body closer are internal frames. These frames are perfect for hard paths as they are easily maneuvered and do not restrict the movements. However, these frames are a little difficult to load.
External frames are usually perfect for the beginners as they are not difficult to pack but they are a little stiff and may restrain the movements. This is the best kind of pack for children and the starters.
4. Miscellaneous- While you are buying your backpack, ask if the pack is well-suited to the different kinds of weather in order to protect your pack. You should also think about how the other attachments can be adjusted with it. Usually pack rings and snap-on(s) permit accessories to join together with the backpack.
Conclusion
Ultimately what matters the most is a good backpack. Selecting a good pack will certainly improve your camping experience. Remember to choose cautiously as your backpack will be your most trusted companion. Have a great trip!
For instance, a trekker who went on a trip to Appalachians in the year 1994 went back home broken and bleeding from the heaviness of a bad backpack which caused his hips to be injured. Ten years later, he was a lot wiser and experienced than he was before; he took a better backpack and had a better and much more fun-filled experience.
Since we have decided the necessity of a good pack, given below are few tips that will help you choose a good backpack for your camping trip:
1. Recognize your requirements- The preferences of trekkers and campers are different. Some people take as minimum instruments as possible on their trips where as some take more.
Whatever that is that you may take with you, it will be a basis for what kind of backpack you will require. Assess your space requirements. In fact, most of the capable sales persons can assist you choose the right pack with the amount of space you need. While you are on this, try measuring the instrument that you may want to take for the longest trip that you intend to go.
2. Is the pack comfortable- When selecting a backpack, this is possibly the most essential point that you should keep in mind. Every person who intends to go camping would like to get a pack that can take most amount of weight with only a slight effort or difficulty.
When you have a good pack, it allocates the weight evenly and effectively. As a result, you do not face any problem while carrying it. In order to know how a pack can help in this, you will have to check out the pack yourself. Usually most camp stores have sand weights to put in the pack. You can examine how this pack can hold the weight and before deciding to buy it, make sure that the pack is comfortable.
The most important point that you should remember is that shoulder strap should carry about three-tenth of the weight where as the rest of the weight should be carried by the hips. While you are examining the pack, ensure that the shoulder straps are comfortable. It would be advisable to move about with the pack in order to determine how much mobility the pack can provide.
Usually most pack have sternum strap with them and these strap helps in stabilizing the pack. These straps are usually situated below to collar bone to guarantee comfort and steadiness.
Hip belts should not restrict your respiration nor should it be too broad that it hinders in the way of your steadiness.
The designs of the backpack will always be different and the backpack companies will always claim to have a new and improved pack for the purpose of camping. In order to know how good they are, just try them out.
3. Select your frame- You can choose between internal and external frames. The frames that are thinner and that hug your body closer are internal frames. These frames are perfect for hard paths as they are easily maneuvered and do not restrict the movements. However, these frames are a little difficult to load.
External frames are usually perfect for the beginners as they are not difficult to pack but they are a little stiff and may restrain the movements. This is the best kind of pack for children and the starters.
4. Miscellaneous- While you are buying your backpack, ask if the pack is well-suited to the different kinds of weather in order to protect your pack. You should also think about how the other attachments can be adjusted with it. Usually pack rings and snap-on(s) permit accessories to join together with the backpack.
Conclusion
Ultimately what matters the most is a good backpack. Selecting a good pack will certainly improve your camping experience. Remember to choose cautiously as your backpack will be your most trusted companion. Have a great trip!
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