Thursday, August 23, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Golf Clubs On A Budget
Golf Clubs On A Budget
by: Eoin Kane
Having the right golf clubs and accessories can turn a good golfer into an even better golfer. But it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to get the equipment you need to perform well out on the golf course. Pre-owned golf clubs can be just as good as brand new clubs – and they cost half as much!
Purchasing the right kind of golf equipment does not have to be an expensive activity. There are many golf manufacturers that empty out their inventories by selling their equipment cheap to discount stores. There is nothing wrong with the equipment, it is just that they need to move it quickly so they reduce the price and sell it in bulk to large-scale discount stores.
There are also plenty of ways to purchase pre-owned and a pre-loved golf club, through local trading newspapers and on E-bay and other used goods websites on the Internet. Pre-owned golf clubs will give you the opportunity to save you money on what can be an expensive investment in a hobby. If golf is your primary hobby, then you deserve to have the best clubs to play with because they can make all the difference to your level of performance. Callaway, Ping, Titleist and Nike pre-owned clubs give everyone the opportunity to have the name brand clubs without having to spend a fortune.
These are the brands you will want to seek out. You will usually be able to pick up a full set of clubs for less than half price if you look around. And then you too can say you own a set of the best. As an example, Ping golf clubs are known worldwide as the choice in golf clubs. Ping golf clubs have been the prized possession of many a golfer for decades but because of the price many people opt for the pre-owned Ping clubs instead. Ping is now one of the most recognizable names in golf and this is largely because they make good quality equipment. But as with all name brand golf clubs, Ping clubs can be pricey. Ping golf clubs are generally among the most expensive of all the available brands.
They do excel in performance, but that does come at a price. So how can you obtain discount Ping golf clubs so you don’t break the bank? Ping golf clubs are usually custom fit and when you buy, Ping can get the clubs that best suit your game. They have a variety of different lines that are designed for each individual and indeed each individual’s game. But this is an expensive way to kit yourself out, so it is best to search out a pre-owned or discount set of clubs if you are a golf enthusiast rather than a professional player. But how can you do this? Easy.
There are two options for purchasing discount Ping golf clubs. Firstly, you can head to your local sports warehouse where they sell name brands at discount prices or you can let your fingers do the walking and purchase a set of clubs online – either pre-owned or brand new. If you do decide to purchase Ping golf clubs, you will simply fall in love with these clubs. They are of the highest quality. They will perform for you every time. Ping golf clubs are among the best in their class. These clubs are favorites all over recreational golf courses across the world.
by: Eoin Kane
Having the right golf clubs and accessories can turn a good golfer into an even better golfer. But it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to get the equipment you need to perform well out on the golf course. Pre-owned golf clubs can be just as good as brand new clubs – and they cost half as much!
Purchasing the right kind of golf equipment does not have to be an expensive activity. There are many golf manufacturers that empty out their inventories by selling their equipment cheap to discount stores. There is nothing wrong with the equipment, it is just that they need to move it quickly so they reduce the price and sell it in bulk to large-scale discount stores.
There are also plenty of ways to purchase pre-owned and a pre-loved golf club, through local trading newspapers and on E-bay and other used goods websites on the Internet. Pre-owned golf clubs will give you the opportunity to save you money on what can be an expensive investment in a hobby. If golf is your primary hobby, then you deserve to have the best clubs to play with because they can make all the difference to your level of performance. Callaway, Ping, Titleist and Nike pre-owned clubs give everyone the opportunity to have the name brand clubs without having to spend a fortune.
These are the brands you will want to seek out. You will usually be able to pick up a full set of clubs for less than half price if you look around. And then you too can say you own a set of the best. As an example, Ping golf clubs are known worldwide as the choice in golf clubs. Ping golf clubs have been the prized possession of many a golfer for decades but because of the price many people opt for the pre-owned Ping clubs instead. Ping is now one of the most recognizable names in golf and this is largely because they make good quality equipment. But as with all name brand golf clubs, Ping clubs can be pricey. Ping golf clubs are generally among the most expensive of all the available brands.
They do excel in performance, but that does come at a price. So how can you obtain discount Ping golf clubs so you don’t break the bank? Ping golf clubs are usually custom fit and when you buy, Ping can get the clubs that best suit your game. They have a variety of different lines that are designed for each individual and indeed each individual’s game. But this is an expensive way to kit yourself out, so it is best to search out a pre-owned or discount set of clubs if you are a golf enthusiast rather than a professional player. But how can you do this? Easy.
There are two options for purchasing discount Ping golf clubs. Firstly, you can head to your local sports warehouse where they sell name brands at discount prices or you can let your fingers do the walking and purchase a set of clubs online – either pre-owned or brand new. If you do decide to purchase Ping golf clubs, you will simply fall in love with these clubs. They are of the highest quality. They will perform for you every time. Ping golf clubs are among the best in their class. These clubs are favorites all over recreational golf courses across the world.
Choosing The Right Hunting Knife
Choosing The Right Hunting Knife
by: Wayne Foster
Choosing the right hunting knife can be a difficult challenge. If you choose wrong you end up with a paperweight that is more likely to end up in your junk-drawer than on your hip when you need it.
First ask yourself a few questions: What kind of hunting do you do? Do you go after big game or small? Do you trophy hunt or do you meat hunt only? What is the largest animal you envision using the knife on? The smallest? How often do you hunt, are you looking for a knife you can easily carry when you are not hunting?
Seems like a lot of questions but if you don't know what you are looking for, you will never find the correct one for your personal preferences.
Stainless versus Carbon Steel
This is far too short an article to get into the metallurgy of steel composition. Lets just say that some steels are too soft to hold an edge very well. Some are so hard as to be almost impossible to sharpen in the field. Do some research into the various steels and their grades. Sometimes the difference between a carrier and a drawer-sitter is the blade material.
Folding versus Fixed Blades
Let's look at the two basic knife styles: fixed and folding blade. A fixed blade knife is just that, fixed in place. Meaning that the blade is permanently fixed in the open position. Due to this design, these knives normally come with a sheath so they can be carried safely. These knives are normally stronger than the folding variety because the steel of the blade runs into or through the handle.
There are no moving parts with a fixed blade knife so they are very reliable. Several manufacturers also produce hunting knives that allow the user to change the blades very quickly.
Folding knives have a pivot point and lock mechanism which allows the blade to close into the handle. A folding knife without the lock should not even be considered for hunting. These are more for the occasional hunter who may also want to carry the knife for daily use. Folding knives are not as strong as a fixed blade by design. However, they are much easier to carry in a pocket or on the belt in a small sheath.
Blade Styles
The next issue we'll address will be blade style. The four main hunting blade designs are the drop point, clip point, skinning, and caping designs.
Drop Point
The drop point knife is an excellent design for the big game hunter. This design generally features a robust, curved blade of relatively thick steel. These features allow the user to cut the skin off the animal using the entire edge of the knife, rather than just the point. This allows for quick skinning and very little damage to the meat. The design of the drop point also allows for other field cleaning tasks such as gutting and the splitting of the rib cage or pelvis, although a saw or hatchet is the preferred method for the latter two tasks.
Clip Point
Another style of hunting knife is the clip point. The clip point has a somewhat thinner blade than the drop point and has a much more defined point. Most bowies are examples of clip point knives. The flatter blade is more utilitarian in nature and will fit the needs of the majority of hunters, especially those wishing to use the knife as a general duty work knife and not a dedicated hunting knife. The clip point design will perform all of the tasks the drop point will, only not as efficiently. For the occasional hunter this is the perfect design.
Skinning
The skinning knife is designed to aid in the removal of the skin of big game animals. They tend to have a highly sweeping blades that are designed to effortlessly separate the flesh from the skin. A dedicated skinning knife can be a real time saver for those big game hunters that do the butchering themselves. An added bonus is that the skinning knife can do most of the other game cleaning chores as well as the clip point or the drop point designs.
You will be able to view more information at http://www.gamebird-hunter.com/hunting-knife.html
Caping
A knife that is often overlooked is the caping knife. It is used for "caping" big game animals for mounting. When preparing a trophy for the taxidermist, it is important that the hide be preserved for a neck or shoulder mount. Some beautiful trophy animals have been ruined by a hunter using the wrong knife to prepare the animal. Caping knives are dedicated to this task. They are a relatively small knife with a very fine blade.
A note about caping is in order. Do not wait until you have an 1100 pound 6 by 6 elk down to attempt caping for the first time. Practice on smaller animals before you try it on your trophy. It would be a shame to have to to to an antler or skull mount because you messed up. Caping is not difficult, but to do it well requires practice.
Gut Hook Variation
One of the variables you will see in blade design is the gut hook pattern. The gut hook is used by making a small incision with the main blade and then by using the hook to cut open the abdomen. The hook prevents the hunter from "paunching" the animal and possibly affecting the quality of the meat. They do work and it is strictly a matter of personal preference as to the need for one. In the event that you do want the added security that the gut hook provides, they are very similar in price to non-gut hook knives. Be careful when using the gut hook for field dressing. A slip upwards on the handle is an occasion for stitches.
An alternative to purchasing a knife with a gut hook blade is to purchase a separate unit. Some manufacturers offer relatively inexpensive, easily transported units with replaceable blades.
Handle Material
Many hunters put a lot of thought into the blade design of their hunting knife, but put very little thought into the material of the handle. The classic wood, bone, or leather handles are very functional and appealing to the eye. However, don't overlook the newer handle materials, although not as pleasing to the eye, rubber and other composites merit a look. The newer handle materials offer greatly enhanced control in adverse conditions offering the hunter a greater degree of safety.
Sheath Material
After the blade material, blade design, and handle material are decided, we now move on to the sheath or scabbard. Again, traditional leather is very functional and pleasing to the eye, however, in damp or wet conditions the man-made materials are much more durable. The chemicals used to tan leather will stain most carbon steels and some stainless steels. If you opt for leather, do not store your knife for long periods in the sheath.
Final Thoughts
Your choice of a hunting knife is a very personal one. That being said, you may decide a single knife will not do everything you need to do on your hunt. You might opt for one of the multi knife packs offered by some manufacturers. These are an option bearing in mind that you will have to carry them with you to be of any service.
Happy Hunting!
by: Wayne Foster
Choosing the right hunting knife can be a difficult challenge. If you choose wrong you end up with a paperweight that is more likely to end up in your junk-drawer than on your hip when you need it.
First ask yourself a few questions: What kind of hunting do you do? Do you go after big game or small? Do you trophy hunt or do you meat hunt only? What is the largest animal you envision using the knife on? The smallest? How often do you hunt, are you looking for a knife you can easily carry when you are not hunting?
Seems like a lot of questions but if you don't know what you are looking for, you will never find the correct one for your personal preferences.
Stainless versus Carbon Steel
This is far too short an article to get into the metallurgy of steel composition. Lets just say that some steels are too soft to hold an edge very well. Some are so hard as to be almost impossible to sharpen in the field. Do some research into the various steels and their grades. Sometimes the difference between a carrier and a drawer-sitter is the blade material.
Folding versus Fixed Blades
Let's look at the two basic knife styles: fixed and folding blade. A fixed blade knife is just that, fixed in place. Meaning that the blade is permanently fixed in the open position. Due to this design, these knives normally come with a sheath so they can be carried safely. These knives are normally stronger than the folding variety because the steel of the blade runs into or through the handle.
There are no moving parts with a fixed blade knife so they are very reliable. Several manufacturers also produce hunting knives that allow the user to change the blades very quickly.
Folding knives have a pivot point and lock mechanism which allows the blade to close into the handle. A folding knife without the lock should not even be considered for hunting. These are more for the occasional hunter who may also want to carry the knife for daily use. Folding knives are not as strong as a fixed blade by design. However, they are much easier to carry in a pocket or on the belt in a small sheath.
Blade Styles
The next issue we'll address will be blade style. The four main hunting blade designs are the drop point, clip point, skinning, and caping designs.
Drop Point
The drop point knife is an excellent design for the big game hunter. This design generally features a robust, curved blade of relatively thick steel. These features allow the user to cut the skin off the animal using the entire edge of the knife, rather than just the point. This allows for quick skinning and very little damage to the meat. The design of the drop point also allows for other field cleaning tasks such as gutting and the splitting of the rib cage or pelvis, although a saw or hatchet is the preferred method for the latter two tasks.
Clip Point
Another style of hunting knife is the clip point. The clip point has a somewhat thinner blade than the drop point and has a much more defined point. Most bowies are examples of clip point knives. The flatter blade is more utilitarian in nature and will fit the needs of the majority of hunters, especially those wishing to use the knife as a general duty work knife and not a dedicated hunting knife. The clip point design will perform all of the tasks the drop point will, only not as efficiently. For the occasional hunter this is the perfect design.
Skinning
The skinning knife is designed to aid in the removal of the skin of big game animals. They tend to have a highly sweeping blades that are designed to effortlessly separate the flesh from the skin. A dedicated skinning knife can be a real time saver for those big game hunters that do the butchering themselves. An added bonus is that the skinning knife can do most of the other game cleaning chores as well as the clip point or the drop point designs.
You will be able to view more information at http://www.gamebird-hunter.com/hunting-knife.html
Caping
A knife that is often overlooked is the caping knife. It is used for "caping" big game animals for mounting. When preparing a trophy for the taxidermist, it is important that the hide be preserved for a neck or shoulder mount. Some beautiful trophy animals have been ruined by a hunter using the wrong knife to prepare the animal. Caping knives are dedicated to this task. They are a relatively small knife with a very fine blade.
A note about caping is in order. Do not wait until you have an 1100 pound 6 by 6 elk down to attempt caping for the first time. Practice on smaller animals before you try it on your trophy. It would be a shame to have to to to an antler or skull mount because you messed up. Caping is not difficult, but to do it well requires practice.
Gut Hook Variation
One of the variables you will see in blade design is the gut hook pattern. The gut hook is used by making a small incision with the main blade and then by using the hook to cut open the abdomen. The hook prevents the hunter from "paunching" the animal and possibly affecting the quality of the meat. They do work and it is strictly a matter of personal preference as to the need for one. In the event that you do want the added security that the gut hook provides, they are very similar in price to non-gut hook knives. Be careful when using the gut hook for field dressing. A slip upwards on the handle is an occasion for stitches.
An alternative to purchasing a knife with a gut hook blade is to purchase a separate unit. Some manufacturers offer relatively inexpensive, easily transported units with replaceable blades.
Handle Material
Many hunters put a lot of thought into the blade design of their hunting knife, but put very little thought into the material of the handle. The classic wood, bone, or leather handles are very functional and appealing to the eye. However, don't overlook the newer handle materials, although not as pleasing to the eye, rubber and other composites merit a look. The newer handle materials offer greatly enhanced control in adverse conditions offering the hunter a greater degree of safety.
Sheath Material
After the blade material, blade design, and handle material are decided, we now move on to the sheath or scabbard. Again, traditional leather is very functional and pleasing to the eye, however, in damp or wet conditions the man-made materials are much more durable. The chemicals used to tan leather will stain most carbon steels and some stainless steels. If you opt for leather, do not store your knife for long periods in the sheath.
Final Thoughts
Your choice of a hunting knife is a very personal one. That being said, you may decide a single knife will not do everything you need to do on your hunt. You might opt for one of the multi knife packs offered by some manufacturers. These are an option bearing in mind that you will have to carry them with you to be of any service.
Happy Hunting!
Wild Boar – Good For Environment?
Wild Boar – Good For Environment?
by: Peter Jaeckle
Environmental Benefits of Wild Boar in California
Let's face it: Wild pigs all over the world have a bad reputation not only for being mean but also for the considerable damage they can afflict on protected cash crops and the land in general. After all, even a small herd of wild pigs can root up entire crop fields in one night and plow grasslands and hillsides in search of roots and tubers. Small mud holes become huge pig wallows and well watered fields new mud holes.
Yet in the Californian oak lands, there is a beneficial side to all this rooting in the Oak lands that ring the Central Valley.
Careful observation of grassy areas rooted up by wild pigs shows that native perennial grasses are coming back very fast after rooting by wild boar. This very rapid regrowth of the perennials suppresses annual grasses.
The Spanish Missions in California introduced many of the annual grasses, flowers and brushes around their Missions. From there, the annuals invaded the grasslands in the Oak lands around the Central Valley suppressing native perennial species and gradually replacing them.
Rooting wild pigs dig up the annuals. Now, fast growing perennial native grasses, flowers, shrubs and brushes can reclaim their place in the grasslands and brush belts. And they do so quickly and decisively. Bunch grass comes back, native flowers, shrubs and brushes flourish and acorns grow very, very fast.
This positive effect of wild boar on the environment of Oak lands in California may not apply to all environments and to all parts of California. But where it does, it is an important and good reason to keep wild pigs.
True, the boar can devastate crop fields in one short night; true, they can cause severe damage to hillsides, trails even to the fences of farmers protecting their fields. True, they can cost farmers money for protecting their high yield cash crops.
Yet, their activities favor native plants and help restore original balances in their habitats. Countless other species of animals and plants reap the benefits of these activities.
Moreover, wild boar also bring a lot of money into the coffers of the State and the local economy of cities in the pig belt of California. Where does that money come from? From hunters like you! Let us not forget that in our conversations with opponents of hunting and foes of wild pigs.
by: Peter Jaeckle
Environmental Benefits of Wild Boar in California
Let's face it: Wild pigs all over the world have a bad reputation not only for being mean but also for the considerable damage they can afflict on protected cash crops and the land in general. After all, even a small herd of wild pigs can root up entire crop fields in one night and plow grasslands and hillsides in search of roots and tubers. Small mud holes become huge pig wallows and well watered fields new mud holes.
Yet in the Californian oak lands, there is a beneficial side to all this rooting in the Oak lands that ring the Central Valley.
Careful observation of grassy areas rooted up by wild pigs shows that native perennial grasses are coming back very fast after rooting by wild boar. This very rapid regrowth of the perennials suppresses annual grasses.
The Spanish Missions in California introduced many of the annual grasses, flowers and brushes around their Missions. From there, the annuals invaded the grasslands in the Oak lands around the Central Valley suppressing native perennial species and gradually replacing them.
Rooting wild pigs dig up the annuals. Now, fast growing perennial native grasses, flowers, shrubs and brushes can reclaim their place in the grasslands and brush belts. And they do so quickly and decisively. Bunch grass comes back, native flowers, shrubs and brushes flourish and acorns grow very, very fast.
This positive effect of wild boar on the environment of Oak lands in California may not apply to all environments and to all parts of California. But where it does, it is an important and good reason to keep wild pigs.
True, the boar can devastate crop fields in one short night; true, they can cause severe damage to hillsides, trails even to the fences of farmers protecting their fields. True, they can cost farmers money for protecting their high yield cash crops.
Yet, their activities favor native plants and help restore original balances in their habitats. Countless other species of animals and plants reap the benefits of these activities.
Moreover, wild boar also bring a lot of money into the coffers of the State and the local economy of cities in the pig belt of California. Where does that money come from? From hunters like you! Let us not forget that in our conversations with opponents of hunting and foes of wild pigs.
Improve Your Body and Watch Your Swing Transform
Improve Your Body and Watch Your Swing Transform
by: Mike Pedersen
Improve your body to maximize your swing. This may sound like an oxymoron, but I can speak for over 10,000 golfers worldwide who have done it. Through my online golf performance membership site, dvds and books, I’ve heard back from over 10,000 golfers the past 6 years who have seen dramatic improvements in the their swing and game.
I have been preaching the theory of “improve your body, to improve your swing” for over 10 years now…and golfers from all over the world are finally believing it!
Turn on the television while a professional tournament is on and you’ll hear the commentator mentioned golf fitness within 5 minutes. All the pros are doing it, so why wouldn’t you?
Your body dictates your golfing ability! Period! Try to prove me wrong.
This may sound like a bold statement, but a physically limited body will have no chance at optimal swing mechanics that are repeatable for 18 holes. How many times have you been paired up with a senior golfer who couldn’t make a full backswing; or stay in his golf swing?
It’s a rampant problem!
As golfers get older, their body’s decline rapidly. With this decline in both strength and flexibility comes a huge loss of distance with all the clubs; and a game that gets more inconsistent the more you play it.
I can guarantee you 100% that if you improve your body, your swing will take care of itself. No more band aid swing fixes. No more gimmicky training aids. And not as many lessons are needed to see dramatic improvement in your swing.
Your power and consistency will be the most notable improvement by improving your body and your swing.
I’m not talking about hours a day in a sweaty gym!
I’m talking about 30-40 minutes 2-3 times a week in your home, with minimal equipment.
That’s it!
Nothing more, nothing less!
So don’t hesitate! Improve your body and your swing will be awesome!
by: Mike Pedersen
Improve your body to maximize your swing. This may sound like an oxymoron, but I can speak for over 10,000 golfers worldwide who have done it. Through my online golf performance membership site, dvds and books, I’ve heard back from over 10,000 golfers the past 6 years who have seen dramatic improvements in the their swing and game.
I have been preaching the theory of “improve your body, to improve your swing” for over 10 years now…and golfers from all over the world are finally believing it!
Turn on the television while a professional tournament is on and you’ll hear the commentator mentioned golf fitness within 5 minutes. All the pros are doing it, so why wouldn’t you?
Your body dictates your golfing ability! Period! Try to prove me wrong.
This may sound like a bold statement, but a physically limited body will have no chance at optimal swing mechanics that are repeatable for 18 holes. How many times have you been paired up with a senior golfer who couldn’t make a full backswing; or stay in his golf swing?
It’s a rampant problem!
As golfers get older, their body’s decline rapidly. With this decline in both strength and flexibility comes a huge loss of distance with all the clubs; and a game that gets more inconsistent the more you play it.
I can guarantee you 100% that if you improve your body, your swing will take care of itself. No more band aid swing fixes. No more gimmicky training aids. And not as many lessons are needed to see dramatic improvement in your swing.
Your power and consistency will be the most notable improvement by improving your body and your swing.
I’m not talking about hours a day in a sweaty gym!
I’m talking about 30-40 minutes 2-3 times a week in your home, with minimal equipment.
That’s it!
Nothing more, nothing less!
So don’t hesitate! Improve your body and your swing will be awesome!
Dalton's Law and Diving
Dalton's Law and Diving
by: Jakob Jelling
Dalton's law refers to the effects which partial pressure might have on divers. This law says that the pressure of mixed gases is equal to the pressure produced by the individual gas. It can also be explained by saying that the total pressure of a mixture of gases equals the sum of the partial pressures of gases which are part of it.
This means that the number of molecules present in the total volume of a gas is proportional to the number of molecules present on each one of the gases which compose it. This way, while the total gas pressure increases as a diver goes deeper into the water, the partial pressure of each gas involved increases as well, and the effects which might cause on the divers body also increases with it.
For example, air is a mixture of gases which contains about 80% of nitrogen and 20% of oxygen although it also includes small amounts of other gases as well. According to Dalton's law, the partial pressure exerted by the nitrogen and by the oxygen which make the air will be equal to the total pressure of the air; and they will increase simultaneously.
A specific case in which the effects specified by Dalton's law should be seriously considered by divers is regarding nitrogen. Whenever there is an increase of the partial pressure of nitrogen, this would cause a higher nitrogen concentration dissolved in the diver's blood, and this could cause him to suffer a nitrogen narcosis. This, among many other situations which might arise due to the facts stated by Dalton’s law, should be prevented by a proper planning of the diving activities which a diver intends to practice.
The effects which a gas might cause on a diver are based on the pressure which such gas exerts on his body. This explains why Dalton's law is so important for divers and why they should understand it and prevent the effects it explains. Partial pressure related problems can affect the human body in several ways, such as causing nitrogen narcosis or ear canal damage among others, and therefore divers should pay attention to these dangers and take the necessary precautions.
by: Jakob Jelling
Dalton's law refers to the effects which partial pressure might have on divers. This law says that the pressure of mixed gases is equal to the pressure produced by the individual gas. It can also be explained by saying that the total pressure of a mixture of gases equals the sum of the partial pressures of gases which are part of it.
This means that the number of molecules present in the total volume of a gas is proportional to the number of molecules present on each one of the gases which compose it. This way, while the total gas pressure increases as a diver goes deeper into the water, the partial pressure of each gas involved increases as well, and the effects which might cause on the divers body also increases with it.
For example, air is a mixture of gases which contains about 80% of nitrogen and 20% of oxygen although it also includes small amounts of other gases as well. According to Dalton's law, the partial pressure exerted by the nitrogen and by the oxygen which make the air will be equal to the total pressure of the air; and they will increase simultaneously.
A specific case in which the effects specified by Dalton's law should be seriously considered by divers is regarding nitrogen. Whenever there is an increase of the partial pressure of nitrogen, this would cause a higher nitrogen concentration dissolved in the diver's blood, and this could cause him to suffer a nitrogen narcosis. This, among many other situations which might arise due to the facts stated by Dalton’s law, should be prevented by a proper planning of the diving activities which a diver intends to practice.
The effects which a gas might cause on a diver are based on the pressure which such gas exerts on his body. This explains why Dalton's law is so important for divers and why they should understand it and prevent the effects it explains. Partial pressure related problems can affect the human body in several ways, such as causing nitrogen narcosis or ear canal damage among others, and therefore divers should pay attention to these dangers and take the necessary precautions.
Do You Make These Mistakes Loading Your Horse Into A Trailer?
Do You Make These Mistakes Loading Your Horse Into A Trailer?
by: Andy Curry
Mistake #1:
"Here, Kitty Kitty..."
Unless they have been educated, new horse owners often think a horse is like a cat or dog. They figure if they tap their thighs and say, "C'mon,...C'mon,...C'mon..." the horse'll will simply jump right in the trailer like a happy dog or cat.
Mistake #2:
"Using Food As Bait"
Putting hay, grain, apples, or whatever at the front of the trailer to tempt a horse to step in and eat almost never works. If it did, it would be a fluke. I've seen horses lean forward to try and eat the food but wouldn't step into the trailer if their life depended on it.
Mistake #3:
"Forgetting To Hook The Trailer To The Truck"
Don't forget to hitch the trailer to the truck before getting a horse to go in the trailer. If a horse steps into a trailer that moves around unforgivably, you will have a harder time getting that horse in later. He'll remember it - especially if this is the horse's first time.
Mistake #4:
"The Classic Tug Of War"
Here's the scene. Man (or woman) pulls lead rope to desperately drag their horse into the trailer. Horse weighs 10 times more than man or woman and has far more strength than the man or woman. Final score of this battle is: Human - Zero...Horse - Won
Mistake #5:
"Going Trail Riding Before Horse Is Good At Loading In A Trailer"
I've seen it time and time again. People go trail riding and when the ride is over the horse won't get back in the trailer. Amusingly, the horse owner comments, "Dang horse, he got in their last month". Remember to get your horse to practice this so it gets fixed on his brain.
It seems there will always be at least once a horse owner cannot load his horse into a trailer. But the secret is to teach a horse sending signals so he knows what you want him to do. It's partly how man and horse communicate.
If you ever find yourself frustrated with your horse because he won't get in, here's a quick solution.
Get a long rope and loop it over his rear and let it slide down to about the top of his back legs. Let the rope hit around his back legs and note his reaction. (Be holding this rope in your right hand and hold his halter with your left hand) He may kick at the rope on his back legs or he may not. If he doesn't, it means he's likely okay with the rope being back there.
If he kicks at the rope then he needs to get used to it. Just let the rope kind of hang there and touch his back legs. The horse may get jumpy and try to move from it. He may move forward or in a circle. While holding his halter stiffen your left arm a bit and make him go around you while holding the rope and halter. You, the handler, are acting as an axis.
Fairly quickly the horse will realize the rope isn't hurting him and you can move to the next step.
Pull on the rope to get the horse to move with you. When he moves forward from your pull, release the pressure. The idea is for him to move when you exert the pressure. He should catch on pretty quickly to what you want.
Now lead him to the trailer and guide his head into the trailer if necessary. With the lead rope attached to his halter, pull on the lead rope while pulling harder on the "butt rope".
Your horse may or may not jump in the trailer but chances are he will. Also, be careful doing this because he may pop in the trailer very quickly and you could get hurt.
by: Andy Curry
Mistake #1:
"Here, Kitty Kitty..."
Unless they have been educated, new horse owners often think a horse is like a cat or dog. They figure if they tap their thighs and say, "C'mon,...C'mon,...C'mon..." the horse'll will simply jump right in the trailer like a happy dog or cat.
Mistake #2:
"Using Food As Bait"
Putting hay, grain, apples, or whatever at the front of the trailer to tempt a horse to step in and eat almost never works. If it did, it would be a fluke. I've seen horses lean forward to try and eat the food but wouldn't step into the trailer if their life depended on it.
Mistake #3:
"Forgetting To Hook The Trailer To The Truck"
Don't forget to hitch the trailer to the truck before getting a horse to go in the trailer. If a horse steps into a trailer that moves around unforgivably, you will have a harder time getting that horse in later. He'll remember it - especially if this is the horse's first time.
Mistake #4:
"The Classic Tug Of War"
Here's the scene. Man (or woman) pulls lead rope to desperately drag their horse into the trailer. Horse weighs 10 times more than man or woman and has far more strength than the man or woman. Final score of this battle is: Human - Zero...Horse - Won
Mistake #5:
"Going Trail Riding Before Horse Is Good At Loading In A Trailer"
I've seen it time and time again. People go trail riding and when the ride is over the horse won't get back in the trailer. Amusingly, the horse owner comments, "Dang horse, he got in their last month". Remember to get your horse to practice this so it gets fixed on his brain.
It seems there will always be at least once a horse owner cannot load his horse into a trailer. But the secret is to teach a horse sending signals so he knows what you want him to do. It's partly how man and horse communicate.
If you ever find yourself frustrated with your horse because he won't get in, here's a quick solution.
Get a long rope and loop it over his rear and let it slide down to about the top of his back legs. Let the rope hit around his back legs and note his reaction. (Be holding this rope in your right hand and hold his halter with your left hand) He may kick at the rope on his back legs or he may not. If he doesn't, it means he's likely okay with the rope being back there.
If he kicks at the rope then he needs to get used to it. Just let the rope kind of hang there and touch his back legs. The horse may get jumpy and try to move from it. He may move forward or in a circle. While holding his halter stiffen your left arm a bit and make him go around you while holding the rope and halter. You, the handler, are acting as an axis.
Fairly quickly the horse will realize the rope isn't hurting him and you can move to the next step.
Pull on the rope to get the horse to move with you. When he moves forward from your pull, release the pressure. The idea is for him to move when you exert the pressure. He should catch on pretty quickly to what you want.
Now lead him to the trailer and guide his head into the trailer if necessary. With the lead rope attached to his halter, pull on the lead rope while pulling harder on the "butt rope".
Your horse may or may not jump in the trailer but chances are he will. Also, be careful doing this because he may pop in the trailer very quickly and you could get hurt.
Mountain Bikes
Mountain Bikes
by: James Brown
Mountain biking is so much more than a mere sport. It is an enriching experience in itself. Along with great exercise for you comes the added element of visual gratification if you are riding your bike across scenic wooded paths. It gives you the pleasure of knowing that you are doing something good for your body while immensely enjoying the activity. It comes as little surprise thus that mountain bikes are always so much in demand. And the technology with which these mountain bikes are being made nowadays is becoming more and more advanced. The quality is always improving and the extreme competitiveness in this segment makes sure nothing is compromised in the production of these mountain bikes.
A mountain bike is also known as an ATB or an All Terrain Bicycle. These are meant for rough use on rugged roads and built much more sturdily compared to the normal bicycles. Depending on the suspension, mountain bikes can be mainly categorized into hard tail, soft tail and dual suspension bikes. The speed of these bikes will also vary as they come with different speeds with the most common ones being 21 speed and 24 speed. There are also bikes that have 27 speed or 30 speed.
As the technology used in producing mountain bikes has seen several progressive changes over the years, it has in turn been becoming increasingly possible to ride these bikes on rougher and rougher terrain. And that is just one reason why they are called All Terrain Bicycles in the first place.
Another unique feature in the mountain bikes that separate them from the normal every day bikes are their tires. The first thing that you would notice is that mountain bikes have much fatter tires. Given their bigger size, these tires are afforded far more durability on rough roads or mountainous paths than their normal counterparts. Mountain bikes normally have wheels that are 26 inches thick but other sizes are also commonly used like 21 inch wheels.
A lot of modern mountain bikes also come equipped with disc brakes. These have proven to be of significant assistance especially to mountain bikers who are participating in a race or a rally. These disc brakes give you the option of braking fast and the strength of their braking is also quite powerful compared to the mechanical brakes. All in all, whether it is for the racing professionals or casual office-goers looking for some exercise, a good mountain bike could be a very smart purchase.
by: James Brown
Mountain biking is so much more than a mere sport. It is an enriching experience in itself. Along with great exercise for you comes the added element of visual gratification if you are riding your bike across scenic wooded paths. It gives you the pleasure of knowing that you are doing something good for your body while immensely enjoying the activity. It comes as little surprise thus that mountain bikes are always so much in demand. And the technology with which these mountain bikes are being made nowadays is becoming more and more advanced. The quality is always improving and the extreme competitiveness in this segment makes sure nothing is compromised in the production of these mountain bikes.
A mountain bike is also known as an ATB or an All Terrain Bicycle. These are meant for rough use on rugged roads and built much more sturdily compared to the normal bicycles. Depending on the suspension, mountain bikes can be mainly categorized into hard tail, soft tail and dual suspension bikes. The speed of these bikes will also vary as they come with different speeds with the most common ones being 21 speed and 24 speed. There are also bikes that have 27 speed or 30 speed.
As the technology used in producing mountain bikes has seen several progressive changes over the years, it has in turn been becoming increasingly possible to ride these bikes on rougher and rougher terrain. And that is just one reason why they are called All Terrain Bicycles in the first place.
Another unique feature in the mountain bikes that separate them from the normal every day bikes are their tires. The first thing that you would notice is that mountain bikes have much fatter tires. Given their bigger size, these tires are afforded far more durability on rough roads or mountainous paths than their normal counterparts. Mountain bikes normally have wheels that are 26 inches thick but other sizes are also commonly used like 21 inch wheels.
A lot of modern mountain bikes also come equipped with disc brakes. These have proven to be of significant assistance especially to mountain bikers who are participating in a race or a rally. These disc brakes give you the option of braking fast and the strength of their braking is also quite powerful compared to the mechanical brakes. All in all, whether it is for the racing professionals or casual office-goers looking for some exercise, a good mountain bike could be a very smart purchase.
Caddie Tips For The Beginner
Caddie Tips For The Beginner
by: George Gabriel
Caddying for a golfer is not a lot of work, and could be quite enjoyable, especially if you hook up with a good golfer. Like the old saying goes. Watch and learn. There are 8 main job tasks that a caddie must do. We will try and take a look at them briefly.
Carrying golf clubs
This task could very well be the toughest of the eight, especially if the golf bag is heavy. Knowledge is not a factor hears, but carrying them properly is. Try resting the golf bag on the small of your back, may be the most comfortable position. Adjust the strap of the bag to accomplish this position. When you carry a golfer’s clubs, you should hold the irons steady with your hand. Try to prevent them from clanging together by placing your wrist at the edge top of the bag and reaching over them with the palm of your hand.
Placing the golf bag down around greens, fairways, and tee boxes, should be done gently. By doing this routinely, will prevent noise of the clubs around golf greens, tee boxes, and other players. Do not drop clubs.
Washing players golf clubs
This is a fairly simple task, but you have to stay on top of it. Keep a wet towel with you at all times. You may want to keep half of it dry, if you want to carry it with you. Make sure the golfer’s clubs are clean and dry at all times. Do not hand your golfer a dirty club. Keep a tee in your pocket to clean the grooves of the clubface and wipe clean with the towel. Make sure golf clubs are dry and clean before every hole. When the golfer is finished with the club. Clean them right away and place in golf bag gently. If you do not put them back in the bag right away, you may forget them on the ground, and find out later the golfer may need that particular club. When you happen to remember leaving one behind. Mention it to your golfer immediately. He or She will give you instructions on what to do.
Washing players golf ball
Ask the golfer well in advance, if he or she would like their golf ball cleaned. Do not wait until the last minute before their shot. Have other golf balls clean and ready, just in case they decide to change golf balls. Do not pick up your golfer’s ball, when on the tee box, fairway, bunker, rough, and green to clean it. The ball must be cleaned before the tee shot, and after the ball is marked on the green. The golfer will know the playing rules. Let them give it to you to clean.
Replace golfer’s divot
Typically you will find divots on fairway shots. That is not always the case. Sometimes they will have to be replaced on tee boxes. Wait for all golfers to finish their shot, if they are behind you. When everyone starts to march out to his or her next shot. Simply run out and pick up the turf and place back in divot hole, and pack down with foot. Replace a couple of divots, if you have time.
Repair ball marks on green
The golfer should do this task. The golfer may ask you to repair the ball mark, if he or she is lining up their putt. Simply prop up the grass around the hole with a tee and pack down with a flat surface, such as a putter or sole of foot.
Tending the flagstick
Wait for the golfer to ask you to either pull the pin, or tend it. Be nearby to keep play up to speed. Stay off of all golfers’ lines to the hole, and keep the flag from waving in the wind if holding the flagstick for the golfer. Also keep your shadow away from golfers's line. Make sure the flagstick is pulled when the ball is rolling towards the hole. The golfer may occur a penalty stroke, if they hit the pin when putting. The golfer has the option to leave the flagstick in when off the green. Some golfers like it out. Wait for instructions when another player is off the green. Try to stand still when a golfer is putting. After all golfers are finished putting, replace the flagstick and check for golf clubs left behind.
Club selection advice
This particular task is for the experienced caddie, and or caddie that has been with the same golfer for a while. Try to memorize the distance of your golfer’s shots and what club he or she used. They may ask you for advice on what club to use on any given hole. You may surprise them with your choice of clubs. Let’s hope it’s a good surprise. If your not sure, do not guess. Just remember. It’s only advice. When your not sure of the distance and club selection, encourage them on making the right decision.
Keep sight of golfer’s ball
When your golfer and other golfers are taking a golf shot, always watch where the ball lands. Always keep a marker, like a bush or particular size tree when it lands. This particular task is very important. Your responsibility is for the golfer you are caddying for. Try to look out for other players as well. This could be the single most important task. No golfer wants to lose a golf ball. When you can always find the golf ball, the golfer will almost always want you to caddie for them again.
by: George Gabriel
Caddying for a golfer is not a lot of work, and could be quite enjoyable, especially if you hook up with a good golfer. Like the old saying goes. Watch and learn. There are 8 main job tasks that a caddie must do. We will try and take a look at them briefly.
Carrying golf clubs
This task could very well be the toughest of the eight, especially if the golf bag is heavy. Knowledge is not a factor hears, but carrying them properly is. Try resting the golf bag on the small of your back, may be the most comfortable position. Adjust the strap of the bag to accomplish this position. When you carry a golfer’s clubs, you should hold the irons steady with your hand. Try to prevent them from clanging together by placing your wrist at the edge top of the bag and reaching over them with the palm of your hand.
Placing the golf bag down around greens, fairways, and tee boxes, should be done gently. By doing this routinely, will prevent noise of the clubs around golf greens, tee boxes, and other players. Do not drop clubs.
Washing players golf clubs
This is a fairly simple task, but you have to stay on top of it. Keep a wet towel with you at all times. You may want to keep half of it dry, if you want to carry it with you. Make sure the golfer’s clubs are clean and dry at all times. Do not hand your golfer a dirty club. Keep a tee in your pocket to clean the grooves of the clubface and wipe clean with the towel. Make sure golf clubs are dry and clean before every hole. When the golfer is finished with the club. Clean them right away and place in golf bag gently. If you do not put them back in the bag right away, you may forget them on the ground, and find out later the golfer may need that particular club. When you happen to remember leaving one behind. Mention it to your golfer immediately. He or She will give you instructions on what to do.
Washing players golf ball
Ask the golfer well in advance, if he or she would like their golf ball cleaned. Do not wait until the last minute before their shot. Have other golf balls clean and ready, just in case they decide to change golf balls. Do not pick up your golfer’s ball, when on the tee box, fairway, bunker, rough, and green to clean it. The ball must be cleaned before the tee shot, and after the ball is marked on the green. The golfer will know the playing rules. Let them give it to you to clean.
Replace golfer’s divot
Typically you will find divots on fairway shots. That is not always the case. Sometimes they will have to be replaced on tee boxes. Wait for all golfers to finish their shot, if they are behind you. When everyone starts to march out to his or her next shot. Simply run out and pick up the turf and place back in divot hole, and pack down with foot. Replace a couple of divots, if you have time.
Repair ball marks on green
The golfer should do this task. The golfer may ask you to repair the ball mark, if he or she is lining up their putt. Simply prop up the grass around the hole with a tee and pack down with a flat surface, such as a putter or sole of foot.
Tending the flagstick
Wait for the golfer to ask you to either pull the pin, or tend it. Be nearby to keep play up to speed. Stay off of all golfers’ lines to the hole, and keep the flag from waving in the wind if holding the flagstick for the golfer. Also keep your shadow away from golfers's line. Make sure the flagstick is pulled when the ball is rolling towards the hole. The golfer may occur a penalty stroke, if they hit the pin when putting. The golfer has the option to leave the flagstick in when off the green. Some golfers like it out. Wait for instructions when another player is off the green. Try to stand still when a golfer is putting. After all golfers are finished putting, replace the flagstick and check for golf clubs left behind.
Club selection advice
This particular task is for the experienced caddie, and or caddie that has been with the same golfer for a while. Try to memorize the distance of your golfer’s shots and what club he or she used. They may ask you for advice on what club to use on any given hole. You may surprise them with your choice of clubs. Let’s hope it’s a good surprise. If your not sure, do not guess. Just remember. It’s only advice. When your not sure of the distance and club selection, encourage them on making the right decision.
Keep sight of golfer’s ball
When your golfer and other golfers are taking a golf shot, always watch where the ball lands. Always keep a marker, like a bush or particular size tree when it lands. This particular task is very important. Your responsibility is for the golfer you are caddying for. Try to look out for other players as well. This could be the single most important task. No golfer wants to lose a golf ball. When you can always find the golf ball, the golfer will almost always want you to caddie for them again.
The Golf Ball Shag Bag – Making Practice Fun Again, Guaranteed!
The Golf Ball Shag Bag – Making Practice Fun Again, Guaranteed!
by: John Bolt
Any golfer looking to improve needs to get a golf ball shag bag. It doesn’t matter if you have a driving range at your home course or not you still need to practice your approach shots and short game around the greens. This little innovative piece of equipment makes things a lot easier to pick up and store the golf balls you use during practice.
These great little bags are skinny and cylindrical in shape. They stand about two feet tall and have a small little tube (usually metal) that runs the full way down the center of the bag. It’s just a little wider than a golf ball and has three or four flexible little metal teeth at the bottom or one end so the balls don’t fall out. The top part of the tube is covered with the actual bag part of this tool that holds the golf balls in it. There is a small zipper that runs down the side of the bag so you can empty the balls out when you’re ready to use them.
What about the balls you ask? Well, just use the old balls in your bag or the ones you’ve found around the course. Golfers will often refer to a found ball that is in bad shape as a “shag ball” and will use it in their shag bag. You can also go to any store and get some refurbished golf balls really cheap to put in the bag if you don’t have enough old ones kicking around.
What you do with the golf ball shag bag is pick up your golf balls after you’re finished practicing or hitting them. The top part of the bag will have a handle that you hold on to as you walk around picking up your balls. You simply go over to one of your balls, position the bottom of the tube on top of the ball, and simply push down slightly until you hear the ball click and go into the tube. Go over to the next ball and do the same thing until they’re all picked up. It’s as easy as that, no effort or bending over to gather them up. The balls will start piling on top of each other and climbing up the tube. As they reach the top of the tube they’ll flow over the top and down into the bag.
Golf ball shag bags are very simple to transport as they aren’t very heavy. They hold about 50 golf balls on average depending on what size bag you get. They fit easily into the trunk of your car, or the bottom of your locker (if you’re lucky enough to have one) at your golf club. So golfers will even keep them with their clubs if they have club storage at their respective clubs. Since a lot of golf clubs (specially the older ones) don’t have a driving range these little practice bags come in real handy for practicing short irons or your short game. They’re also great if you just want to warm up by hitting a few balls before a round without having to go to an offsite range.
Simply put these golf ball shag bags are great to have around. They will make your practice sessions easier and quick so you don’t waste any time. After all, every one has so little time to practice it’s important to use your time wisely. If you don’t have one of these bags yet, go out and get one and watch your game improve with practice.
by: John Bolt
Any golfer looking to improve needs to get a golf ball shag bag. It doesn’t matter if you have a driving range at your home course or not you still need to practice your approach shots and short game around the greens. This little innovative piece of equipment makes things a lot easier to pick up and store the golf balls you use during practice.
These great little bags are skinny and cylindrical in shape. They stand about two feet tall and have a small little tube (usually metal) that runs the full way down the center of the bag. It’s just a little wider than a golf ball and has three or four flexible little metal teeth at the bottom or one end so the balls don’t fall out. The top part of the tube is covered with the actual bag part of this tool that holds the golf balls in it. There is a small zipper that runs down the side of the bag so you can empty the balls out when you’re ready to use them.
What about the balls you ask? Well, just use the old balls in your bag or the ones you’ve found around the course. Golfers will often refer to a found ball that is in bad shape as a “shag ball” and will use it in their shag bag. You can also go to any store and get some refurbished golf balls really cheap to put in the bag if you don’t have enough old ones kicking around.
What you do with the golf ball shag bag is pick up your golf balls after you’re finished practicing or hitting them. The top part of the bag will have a handle that you hold on to as you walk around picking up your balls. You simply go over to one of your balls, position the bottom of the tube on top of the ball, and simply push down slightly until you hear the ball click and go into the tube. Go over to the next ball and do the same thing until they’re all picked up. It’s as easy as that, no effort or bending over to gather them up. The balls will start piling on top of each other and climbing up the tube. As they reach the top of the tube they’ll flow over the top and down into the bag.
Golf ball shag bags are very simple to transport as they aren’t very heavy. They hold about 50 golf balls on average depending on what size bag you get. They fit easily into the trunk of your car, or the bottom of your locker (if you’re lucky enough to have one) at your golf club. So golfers will even keep them with their clubs if they have club storage at their respective clubs. Since a lot of golf clubs (specially the older ones) don’t have a driving range these little practice bags come in real handy for practicing short irons or your short game. They’re also great if you just want to warm up by hitting a few balls before a round without having to go to an offsite range.
Simply put these golf ball shag bags are great to have around. They will make your practice sessions easier and quick so you don’t waste any time. After all, every one has so little time to practice it’s important to use your time wisely. If you don’t have one of these bags yet, go out and get one and watch your game improve with practice.
AMAZING Kung Fu Martial Arts HISTORY
AMAZING Kung Fu Martial Arts HISTORY
by: Peter Sundbye
The term 'Kung Fu' does not relate to any specific form of martial art, but rather translates as 'skill' or 'ability'. Scholars believe that the use of Kung Fu to describe the Chinese martial form originated in Hong Kong and Kwangtung province. There are records of the Jesuit priest, Pere Amiot, writing of the 'peculiar exercises' practised by the Taoist priests of his region which he called 'Cong Fou'.
Need a kung fu training machine to practise your attacks and defenses on? http://www.martialarm.com
Wu Shu is traditionally the term widely used to describe the traditional Chinese martial arts, though other descriptions such as Kuo-shu, Kuo-chi, Chien-shu and Tao-fa have also been used from time to time. (Wu Shu is the term currently used for Chinese martial arts by the People's Republic of China).
Exactly when Kung Fu first sprouted is unknown, with historians stating that Chinese martial forms most likely predate recorded history. Since the dawn of time there have been battles between man and animal, warring tribes, etc. during which conflicts combative techniques were executed and accumulated and passed down from generation to generation.
What is particular about the Chinese martial forms is that many schools or styles were created by imitating the fighting techniques of animals such as monkeys, lions, tigers, snakes, bears, etc. The adaptation of animal techniques stems from a belief that in order to survive in their harsh natural environment, all animals (even birds and insects) were naturally endowed with skills for fighting.
Hence techniques were born from the tiger's pounce, the eagle's sharp claws and the elusiveness and unpredictability of the monkey. Still, it is difficult to attach a precise date to the true birth of Kung Fu. Some traditional historians date it as far back as the Shang Dynasty (16th century BC). Others place it in the period of the Contending States (475 - 221 BC) and the Yellow Emperor, Huang Ti. Indeed, it would appear that modern Kung Fu has adapted and evolved from the warring experiences of China's past, with distinct traces of Mongolian, Tibetan, Indian and other cultural ideologies exhibited in many styles. If there is one common reference point in tracing Kung Fu's history, it is the Shaolin Temple and the journey of Buddhism from India to China.
Buddhism reached China during the period of the Eastern Han Ming Emperor (58 - 76 AD) and soon flourished. It is estimated that by 500 AD there were more than 10,000 Buddhist temples in China and many emperors became devout Buddhists. In 495 AD the Shaolin Temple was constructed by the order of Emperor Wei Xiao Wen (471 - 500 AD). The Temple was built to house the teachings of a Buddhist monk named Batuo, who came to China for Buddhist teaching in 464 AD. As such Batuo can be considered the first Shaolin Temple monk, though there is no record of how or what (471 - 500 AD). The Temple was built to house the teachings of a Buddhist monk named Batuo, who came to China for Buddhist teaching in 464 AD. As such Batuo can be considered the first Shaolin Temple monk, though there is no record of how or what Batuo passed down by way of religious Qigong practice, just as there is no record of how or when he died.
The most influential person in the study of Kung Fu's history through the Shaolin Temple is an Indian monk named Da Mo (or Ta Mo). Da Mo, also known as Bodhidarma, had been a small prince of a Southern Indian tribe. He followed the Mahayana school of Buddhism and was revered as a bodhisattva - and enlightened being who had renounced nirvana so as to save others. The legends of Da Mo in Chinese mythology are elaborate, to say the least. One legend has Da Mo sitting in a cave where he stared at the wall for nine years in meditation. After accidentally falling asleep, he became so angered with himself that he tore off his eyelids and threw them on the ground. Tea shrubs grew from the ground beneath the discarded eyelids and monks have used tea ever since to deter sleep.
Dao Mo was invited to China by the Emperor Liang Wu. He arrived in Canton in 527 AD but when the emperor disliked his preaching. Da Mo withdrew to the Shaolin Temple. Upon arriving at the Temple, Da Mo found many of the monks to be sick and weak. He pondered this problem for nine years (his nine year seclusion) and when he emerged wrote two classics: Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic) and Xi Sui Jin (Marrow/Brain Washing Classic). The classics taught the priests how to build their Qi to an abundant level and use to it improve their health and change their physicality to one of super strength. When this training was combined with martial forms, the priests found a marked improvement in the strength and power of their martial techniques.
It is believed that Da Mo may have authored the series of 18 exercises contained in a manuscript, the I-Chin-Ching, outlining the Shaolin method of Chinese boxing. The method that emerged from the Shaolin Temple, which is representative of the northern Chinese styles in general, was called wai-jya (wai-chia) or external family of Chinese boxing. Shaolin strove the increase speed, strength and elasticity. It was vigorous and calisthenic and became the basis from which Karate in Okinawa and the Korean martial arts were derived. The Xi Sui Jin was hard to learn and as such was passed down secretly only to a few disciples in every generation. Sadly Da Mo passed away in the Shaolin Temple in 536 AD but what he had started would live on for centuries.
Very quickly the Shaolin Monks would become revered for their fighting prowess. During the period between the Sui dynasty and the Tang dynasty, in the 4th year of Tang Gao Zu Wu De (621 AD), Qin King Li Shi-Ming had a momentous war against Zheng King Wang Chi-Chong. With Qin King in trouble, 13 Shaolin monks came to his assistance against Zheng. When Li Shi-Ming later became the first emperor of the Tang dynasty (618 - 907 AD) he rewarded the Shaolin Temple with approximately 600 acres of land. He also granted the Temple the right to train its own soldiers.
Such were the riches of the Shaolin Temple that martial arts training became a necessity to protect its wealth from bandits. The responsibility of defending the Temple was given to the soldier monks known as Seng Bing. For three hundred years the Shaolin Temple enjoyed a golden period in which it legally owned its own martial arts training organisation. The Temple also remained open to outside martial influences, absorbing what it could and incorporating these techniques and training methods into its own system. During this period one of the most famous Shaolin monks was Jueyuan. He travelled the country learning martial arts techniques and working with other famous martial artists. When in Lan Zhou he met the famed martial artist, Li Sou, who in turn introduced him to, Bai Yu-Feng and his son. Later all four men returned to the Shaolin Temple and studied together. After ten years, Li Sou left the Temple but Bai Yu-Feng and his son stayed on and became monks. Bai Yu-Feng's name changed to Qiu Yue Chan Shi and, according to the book of Shaolin Temple record, it was he who developed the then 18 existing Buddha Hands techniques into 173 techniques. He also compiled the existing techniques contained with Shaolin and wrote the book The Essence of the Five Fist, which discussed the methods and applications of the Five Fist (Animal) Patterns. This is proof that animal patterns had already existed for some time in the Shaolin Temple.
The Shaolin Temple would also be responsible for spreading the Chinese martial arts to Japan. In the year 1312 AD the monk Da Zhi came to the Shaolin Temple from Japan. He studied the Shaolin martial arts (barehands and staff) for 13 years and returned to Japan to spread Shaolin Gongfu to Japanese martial arts society. In 1335 AD a Buddhist monk named Shao Yuan ventured to Shaolin from Japan. During his stay he mastered Gongfu and returned to Japan in 1347 AD.
The golden era of the Shaolin Temple ended when Manchuria took over China and became the Qing dynasty. In order to prevent the Han race (pre-Manchurian) Chinese from rebelling against the government, martial arts training was outlawed between 1644 and 1911 AD. In order to preserve their teachings, the Shaolin techniques were passed onto layman society. Martial arts training in the Temple was carried out in secrecy and the Shaolin monk soldier decreased in number from thousands to a couple of hundred. In 1911 the Qing dynasty fell in a revolution led by Dr Sun Yat-Sen. The value of Chinese martial arts was re-evaluated and for the first time the secrets of Chinese martial arts were permitted to be openly taught to the public.
During the Chinese civil war, Chiang Kai-Shek tried to unify they country. The battle spilled into the Shaolin Temple in 1928 and the Temple was burned for the last time by Warlord Shi You-San's soldiers. The fire lasted forty days, destroying all major buildings and priceless books and records. In order to preserve the Chinese martial arts, President Chiang Kai-Shek ordered the establishment of the Nanking Central Guoshu Institute at Nanking in 1928. The traditional name Wushu was renamed Zhong Guo Wushu or simple Guoshu. For the first time in Chinese history, by rule of the government, all the major martial arts powers in China came together to share their knowledge. Unfortunately, at the commencement of World War II, all training discontinued. China was taken over by Communists following the Second World War. All religions and all Shaolin training was prohibited under Communist rule. Wushu training was established at the National Athletics Institute. However this was not pure Wu Shu, but rather performance based with major portions of martial training and technique application eradicated by the government to discourage possible unification of martial artists against the government. It was not until the 1980s (unfortunately after several of the traditional masters had died) that the Chinese government realised the value of traditional martial arts training and so encouraged it. KFS
by: Peter Sundbye
The term 'Kung Fu' does not relate to any specific form of martial art, but rather translates as 'skill' or 'ability'. Scholars believe that the use of Kung Fu to describe the Chinese martial form originated in Hong Kong and Kwangtung province. There are records of the Jesuit priest, Pere Amiot, writing of the 'peculiar exercises' practised by the Taoist priests of his region which he called 'Cong Fou'.
Need a kung fu training machine to practise your attacks and defenses on? http://www.martialarm.com
Wu Shu is traditionally the term widely used to describe the traditional Chinese martial arts, though other descriptions such as Kuo-shu, Kuo-chi, Chien-shu and Tao-fa have also been used from time to time. (Wu Shu is the term currently used for Chinese martial arts by the People's Republic of China).
Exactly when Kung Fu first sprouted is unknown, with historians stating that Chinese martial forms most likely predate recorded history. Since the dawn of time there have been battles between man and animal, warring tribes, etc. during which conflicts combative techniques were executed and accumulated and passed down from generation to generation.
What is particular about the Chinese martial forms is that many schools or styles were created by imitating the fighting techniques of animals such as monkeys, lions, tigers, snakes, bears, etc. The adaptation of animal techniques stems from a belief that in order to survive in their harsh natural environment, all animals (even birds and insects) were naturally endowed with skills for fighting.
Hence techniques were born from the tiger's pounce, the eagle's sharp claws and the elusiveness and unpredictability of the monkey. Still, it is difficult to attach a precise date to the true birth of Kung Fu. Some traditional historians date it as far back as the Shang Dynasty (16th century BC). Others place it in the period of the Contending States (475 - 221 BC) and the Yellow Emperor, Huang Ti. Indeed, it would appear that modern Kung Fu has adapted and evolved from the warring experiences of China's past, with distinct traces of Mongolian, Tibetan, Indian and other cultural ideologies exhibited in many styles. If there is one common reference point in tracing Kung Fu's history, it is the Shaolin Temple and the journey of Buddhism from India to China.
Buddhism reached China during the period of the Eastern Han Ming Emperor (58 - 76 AD) and soon flourished. It is estimated that by 500 AD there were more than 10,000 Buddhist temples in China and many emperors became devout Buddhists. In 495 AD the Shaolin Temple was constructed by the order of Emperor Wei Xiao Wen (471 - 500 AD). The Temple was built to house the teachings of a Buddhist monk named Batuo, who came to China for Buddhist teaching in 464 AD. As such Batuo can be considered the first Shaolin Temple monk, though there is no record of how or what (471 - 500 AD). The Temple was built to house the teachings of a Buddhist monk named Batuo, who came to China for Buddhist teaching in 464 AD. As such Batuo can be considered the first Shaolin Temple monk, though there is no record of how or what Batuo passed down by way of religious Qigong practice, just as there is no record of how or when he died.
The most influential person in the study of Kung Fu's history through the Shaolin Temple is an Indian monk named Da Mo (or Ta Mo). Da Mo, also known as Bodhidarma, had been a small prince of a Southern Indian tribe. He followed the Mahayana school of Buddhism and was revered as a bodhisattva - and enlightened being who had renounced nirvana so as to save others. The legends of Da Mo in Chinese mythology are elaborate, to say the least. One legend has Da Mo sitting in a cave where he stared at the wall for nine years in meditation. After accidentally falling asleep, he became so angered with himself that he tore off his eyelids and threw them on the ground. Tea shrubs grew from the ground beneath the discarded eyelids and monks have used tea ever since to deter sleep.
Dao Mo was invited to China by the Emperor Liang Wu. He arrived in Canton in 527 AD but when the emperor disliked his preaching. Da Mo withdrew to the Shaolin Temple. Upon arriving at the Temple, Da Mo found many of the monks to be sick and weak. He pondered this problem for nine years (his nine year seclusion) and when he emerged wrote two classics: Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic) and Xi Sui Jin (Marrow/Brain Washing Classic). The classics taught the priests how to build their Qi to an abundant level and use to it improve their health and change their physicality to one of super strength. When this training was combined with martial forms, the priests found a marked improvement in the strength and power of their martial techniques.
It is believed that Da Mo may have authored the series of 18 exercises contained in a manuscript, the I-Chin-Ching, outlining the Shaolin method of Chinese boxing. The method that emerged from the Shaolin Temple, which is representative of the northern Chinese styles in general, was called wai-jya (wai-chia) or external family of Chinese boxing. Shaolin strove the increase speed, strength and elasticity. It was vigorous and calisthenic and became the basis from which Karate in Okinawa and the Korean martial arts were derived. The Xi Sui Jin was hard to learn and as such was passed down secretly only to a few disciples in every generation. Sadly Da Mo passed away in the Shaolin Temple in 536 AD but what he had started would live on for centuries.
Very quickly the Shaolin Monks would become revered for their fighting prowess. During the period between the Sui dynasty and the Tang dynasty, in the 4th year of Tang Gao Zu Wu De (621 AD), Qin King Li Shi-Ming had a momentous war against Zheng King Wang Chi-Chong. With Qin King in trouble, 13 Shaolin monks came to his assistance against Zheng. When Li Shi-Ming later became the first emperor of the Tang dynasty (618 - 907 AD) he rewarded the Shaolin Temple with approximately 600 acres of land. He also granted the Temple the right to train its own soldiers.
Such were the riches of the Shaolin Temple that martial arts training became a necessity to protect its wealth from bandits. The responsibility of defending the Temple was given to the soldier monks known as Seng Bing. For three hundred years the Shaolin Temple enjoyed a golden period in which it legally owned its own martial arts training organisation. The Temple also remained open to outside martial influences, absorbing what it could and incorporating these techniques and training methods into its own system. During this period one of the most famous Shaolin monks was Jueyuan. He travelled the country learning martial arts techniques and working with other famous martial artists. When in Lan Zhou he met the famed martial artist, Li Sou, who in turn introduced him to, Bai Yu-Feng and his son. Later all four men returned to the Shaolin Temple and studied together. After ten years, Li Sou left the Temple but Bai Yu-Feng and his son stayed on and became monks. Bai Yu-Feng's name changed to Qiu Yue Chan Shi and, according to the book of Shaolin Temple record, it was he who developed the then 18 existing Buddha Hands techniques into 173 techniques. He also compiled the existing techniques contained with Shaolin and wrote the book The Essence of the Five Fist, which discussed the methods and applications of the Five Fist (Animal) Patterns. This is proof that animal patterns had already existed for some time in the Shaolin Temple.
The Shaolin Temple would also be responsible for spreading the Chinese martial arts to Japan. In the year 1312 AD the monk Da Zhi came to the Shaolin Temple from Japan. He studied the Shaolin martial arts (barehands and staff) for 13 years and returned to Japan to spread Shaolin Gongfu to Japanese martial arts society. In 1335 AD a Buddhist monk named Shao Yuan ventured to Shaolin from Japan. During his stay he mastered Gongfu and returned to Japan in 1347 AD.
The golden era of the Shaolin Temple ended when Manchuria took over China and became the Qing dynasty. In order to prevent the Han race (pre-Manchurian) Chinese from rebelling against the government, martial arts training was outlawed between 1644 and 1911 AD. In order to preserve their teachings, the Shaolin techniques were passed onto layman society. Martial arts training in the Temple was carried out in secrecy and the Shaolin monk soldier decreased in number from thousands to a couple of hundred. In 1911 the Qing dynasty fell in a revolution led by Dr Sun Yat-Sen. The value of Chinese martial arts was re-evaluated and for the first time the secrets of Chinese martial arts were permitted to be openly taught to the public.
During the Chinese civil war, Chiang Kai-Shek tried to unify they country. The battle spilled into the Shaolin Temple in 1928 and the Temple was burned for the last time by Warlord Shi You-San's soldiers. The fire lasted forty days, destroying all major buildings and priceless books and records. In order to preserve the Chinese martial arts, President Chiang Kai-Shek ordered the establishment of the Nanking Central Guoshu Institute at Nanking in 1928. The traditional name Wushu was renamed Zhong Guo Wushu or simple Guoshu. For the first time in Chinese history, by rule of the government, all the major martial arts powers in China came together to share their knowledge. Unfortunately, at the commencement of World War II, all training discontinued. China was taken over by Communists following the Second World War. All religions and all Shaolin training was prohibited under Communist rule. Wushu training was established at the National Athletics Institute. However this was not pure Wu Shu, but rather performance based with major portions of martial training and technique application eradicated by the government to discourage possible unification of martial artists against the government. It was not until the 1980s (unfortunately after several of the traditional masters had died) that the Chinese government realised the value of traditional martial arts training and so encouraged it. KFS
Google Maps A Boon to Hunters, Anglers, and Other Outdoor Enthusiasts
Google Maps A Boon to Hunters, Anglers, and Other Outdoor Enthusiasts
by: Jeremy Henricks
How many times have you wondered what's on the other side of that mountain or what's beyond the next river bend?
Sure, topo and road maps provide part of the picture, but to get a real sense of a particular area, I find it easier to use a combination of topo and aerial photography maps. For hunters, anglers, 4-wheel, camping, hiking, and other outdoor enthusiasts, Google Maps provides a great perspective on the outdoors with its new satellite imagery maps.
On April 5, 2005, Google announced the integration of its Keyhole digital mapping service with the popular Google Maps service (http://maps.google.com). In addition to a great overhead view, Google Maps allow you to click and drag maps with your mouse, zoom and pan, search for specific locations, get detailed driving direction, and more.
How It Benefits Outdoor Enthusiasts
Google Maps benefits outdoor enthusiasts for a number or reasons. The main benefit is that Google Maps allows you to see what you couldn't see before, at least without spending money on aerial maps, as they provide free access to their satellite imagery.
I live in Springfield, Oregon near the McKenzie River and Willamette River. Both rivers are great for fishing trout, steelhead, salmon, and more. With so much river frontage passing less than half a mile by my house, you'd think it easy to find a new spot to fish. The only problem is that the area is riddled with housing and farm tracts, with no easy way to access the river without traveling a couple of miles near the edge of town or several miles outside of town.
Plus, topo and road maps only tell part of the story. In regards to fishing, what about current, trees, weeds, rocks, gravel, and other structure? We all know that aerial maps answer a lot of these questions. With Google Maps' satellite imagery, I've already determined several locations that I'll be trying this year. With deer hunting season around the corner, I'll also be using these maps to scout out some new hunting locations.
I also recently visited Moab, Utah for the 2005 Easter Jeep Safari, and could have benefited greatly from the use of such detailed maps while traversing many of the offroad trails in the area. 4-wheel and offroad enthusiasts, bikers, hikers, and scenery buffs will notice the trails, trailsheads, and landmarks such as Lion's Back, Arches National Monument, and other spots of interest.
Check out the following links to see the power of Google Maps:
* Cliff Hanger Trail Overlooking Factory
- overhead view
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=moab,utah&ll=38.524847,-109.648275&spn=0.015814,0.020900&t=k&hl=en
- from lookout
http://www.discusstheoutdoors.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=12&pos=98
* Lion's Back and Potato Salad Hill, Moab, Utah
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=moab,utah&ll=38.576903,-109.531288&spn=0.031629,0.041800&t=k&hl=en
* Arches National Park, Moab, Utah
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=moab,utah&ll=38.680973,-109.514637&spn=0.126514,0.167198&t=k&hl=en
* McKenzie River in Springfield, Oregon
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=springfield,+oregon&ll=44.064274,-122.905254&spn=0.031629,0.041800&t=k&hl=en
The Good and Bad
Google Maps provides both detailed street level and satellite imagery maps. While the street level maps cover the entire United States, Canada, and the UK, the high resolution satellite images seem to cover only more populated areas. For outdoor enthusiasts visiting urban areas, this is great. But for those visiting rural or wilderness areas, Google still has a ways to go before more detailed imagery is available.
Images seem to be pretty up-to-date, at least within the areas I checked. For example, my house is located near a new housing development, and I can see houses that were started within the last year on the map.
With Google aiming to expand its reach, I'm sure that we'll see maps with greater detail and higher resolution in the future. That's good news for outdoor enthusiasts.
Things to Note
* Image resolution varies by distance. At the lowest resolution/farthest distance, you can identify large landmarks such as mountains, rivers, and large lakes. At the highest resolution/closest distance, you can locate specific cars, buildings, trees, hills, creeks, and more.
* Satellite images are current within a year or so, but they are not in real-time.
by: Jeremy Henricks
How many times have you wondered what's on the other side of that mountain or what's beyond the next river bend?
Sure, topo and road maps provide part of the picture, but to get a real sense of a particular area, I find it easier to use a combination of topo and aerial photography maps. For hunters, anglers, 4-wheel, camping, hiking, and other outdoor enthusiasts, Google Maps provides a great perspective on the outdoors with its new satellite imagery maps.
On April 5, 2005, Google announced the integration of its Keyhole digital mapping service with the popular Google Maps service (http://maps.google.com). In addition to a great overhead view, Google Maps allow you to click and drag maps with your mouse, zoom and pan, search for specific locations, get detailed driving direction, and more.
How It Benefits Outdoor Enthusiasts
Google Maps benefits outdoor enthusiasts for a number or reasons. The main benefit is that Google Maps allows you to see what you couldn't see before, at least without spending money on aerial maps, as they provide free access to their satellite imagery.
I live in Springfield, Oregon near the McKenzie River and Willamette River. Both rivers are great for fishing trout, steelhead, salmon, and more. With so much river frontage passing less than half a mile by my house, you'd think it easy to find a new spot to fish. The only problem is that the area is riddled with housing and farm tracts, with no easy way to access the river without traveling a couple of miles near the edge of town or several miles outside of town.
Plus, topo and road maps only tell part of the story. In regards to fishing, what about current, trees, weeds, rocks, gravel, and other structure? We all know that aerial maps answer a lot of these questions. With Google Maps' satellite imagery, I've already determined several locations that I'll be trying this year. With deer hunting season around the corner, I'll also be using these maps to scout out some new hunting locations.
I also recently visited Moab, Utah for the 2005 Easter Jeep Safari, and could have benefited greatly from the use of such detailed maps while traversing many of the offroad trails in the area. 4-wheel and offroad enthusiasts, bikers, hikers, and scenery buffs will notice the trails, trailsheads, and landmarks such as Lion's Back, Arches National Monument, and other spots of interest.
Check out the following links to see the power of Google Maps:
* Cliff Hanger Trail Overlooking Factory
- overhead view
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=moab,utah&ll=38.524847,-109.648275&spn=0.015814,0.020900&t=k&hl=en
- from lookout
http://www.discusstheoutdoors.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=12&pos=98
* Lion's Back and Potato Salad Hill, Moab, Utah
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=moab,utah&ll=38.576903,-109.531288&spn=0.031629,0.041800&t=k&hl=en
* Arches National Park, Moab, Utah
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=moab,utah&ll=38.680973,-109.514637&spn=0.126514,0.167198&t=k&hl=en
* McKenzie River in Springfield, Oregon
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=springfield,+oregon&ll=44.064274,-122.905254&spn=0.031629,0.041800&t=k&hl=en
The Good and Bad
Google Maps provides both detailed street level and satellite imagery maps. While the street level maps cover the entire United States, Canada, and the UK, the high resolution satellite images seem to cover only more populated areas. For outdoor enthusiasts visiting urban areas, this is great. But for those visiting rural or wilderness areas, Google still has a ways to go before more detailed imagery is available.
Images seem to be pretty up-to-date, at least within the areas I checked. For example, my house is located near a new housing development, and I can see houses that were started within the last year on the map.
With Google aiming to expand its reach, I'm sure that we'll see maps with greater detail and higher resolution in the future. That's good news for outdoor enthusiasts.
Things to Note
* Image resolution varies by distance. At the lowest resolution/farthest distance, you can identify large landmarks such as mountains, rivers, and large lakes. At the highest resolution/closest distance, you can locate specific cars, buildings, trees, hills, creeks, and more.
* Satellite images are current within a year or so, but they are not in real-time.
GPS Tips
GPS Tips
by: L. Woodrow Ross
If you are an outdoor person and spend time is some of the more remote areas of our state or other parts of the country, you should be familiar with the use of a compass or GPS system. The compass has been around for centuries and is a very dependable tool for a person to use to maintain his orientation in the wild. A compass does not have batteries like a GPS system, but it can fail unless you use precautions. If you hold it too close to a dense metal object, it will affect the reading. Also, anything magnetic will make it render false readings. If you eliminate those items when using the compass, you will be okay.
Basic compass use is easy and there are plenty of guidebooks on orienteering with a compass. If you chart a course and watch the compass, it is easy to backtrack with a minimum of skill. If you are traveling for a great distance with a lot of twists and turns, you will need a good topographical map of the area for reference and a good compass with a base-plate and adjustments for declination. Declination is the difference between true North and magnetic North. Depending on where you are, you have to make a minor adjustment to know where true North happens to be.
A GPS is much easier, but you have to keep fresh batteries in it or it is useless. Various units have many different features and many of them have a base map in the software package and will show you where you are on the map. They will provide you with latitude and longitude readings so that you can look at larger topographical maps and determine exactly where you are. They also tell you the altitude, sunrise and sunset times and many more neat things. You can pre-plan a route and enter recognizable waypoints so that you can easily reach your destination. These units can be linked to your computer and the information stored for future reference. You can use computer topographical programs on your computer and map out routes and even see them in three dimensional images to see the grade in the mountainous areas.
GPS (Global Positioning Systems) process signals from satellites to determine your location. It takes access to two satellites to give longitude and latitude reading and three satellites to provide altitude readings.
These are neat units, but there are traditional ways to determine directions. The most obvious is to be aware that the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, therefore on reasonably clear days, you always have a reference. If you observe trees in the forest, you will see that most of the trunks are not exactly round. They are oval. The longest axis of the oval would be North and South (it’s up to you to decide which is which). The old myth of moss growing on the North side of the trees is partially true, but in very damp shady areas, it may not be dependable. At night, the North Star and some of the other constellations can be used as a guide.
Personally, I have a GPS unit, but I always feel comfortable having a compass in my pocket. It is dependable and almost fool-proof if you know how to use it.
By the way, if you are out a lot, it’s not a bad idea to have a first aid kit and a little elementary survival gear. Water treatment pills, water filter, high energy snack bars, and such are good ideas.
If you are looking for a neat thing to remind you of the places you have been, pick up a small rock that is unusual in appearance and when you get home you can use a permanent marker to record the date and location on the bottom. They make great paperweights. I use acrylic paint and paint outdoor scenes, fish, flowers and such on mine. I have them all around the house and at the office and each one reminds me of a great day outdoors.
by: L. Woodrow Ross
If you are an outdoor person and spend time is some of the more remote areas of our state or other parts of the country, you should be familiar with the use of a compass or GPS system. The compass has been around for centuries and is a very dependable tool for a person to use to maintain his orientation in the wild. A compass does not have batteries like a GPS system, but it can fail unless you use precautions. If you hold it too close to a dense metal object, it will affect the reading. Also, anything magnetic will make it render false readings. If you eliminate those items when using the compass, you will be okay.
Basic compass use is easy and there are plenty of guidebooks on orienteering with a compass. If you chart a course and watch the compass, it is easy to backtrack with a minimum of skill. If you are traveling for a great distance with a lot of twists and turns, you will need a good topographical map of the area for reference and a good compass with a base-plate and adjustments for declination. Declination is the difference between true North and magnetic North. Depending on where you are, you have to make a minor adjustment to know where true North happens to be.
A GPS is much easier, but you have to keep fresh batteries in it or it is useless. Various units have many different features and many of them have a base map in the software package and will show you where you are on the map. They will provide you with latitude and longitude readings so that you can look at larger topographical maps and determine exactly where you are. They also tell you the altitude, sunrise and sunset times and many more neat things. You can pre-plan a route and enter recognizable waypoints so that you can easily reach your destination. These units can be linked to your computer and the information stored for future reference. You can use computer topographical programs on your computer and map out routes and even see them in three dimensional images to see the grade in the mountainous areas.
GPS (Global Positioning Systems) process signals from satellites to determine your location. It takes access to two satellites to give longitude and latitude reading and three satellites to provide altitude readings.
These are neat units, but there are traditional ways to determine directions. The most obvious is to be aware that the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, therefore on reasonably clear days, you always have a reference. If you observe trees in the forest, you will see that most of the trunks are not exactly round. They are oval. The longest axis of the oval would be North and South (it’s up to you to decide which is which). The old myth of moss growing on the North side of the trees is partially true, but in very damp shady areas, it may not be dependable. At night, the North Star and some of the other constellations can be used as a guide.
Personally, I have a GPS unit, but I always feel comfortable having a compass in my pocket. It is dependable and almost fool-proof if you know how to use it.
By the way, if you are out a lot, it’s not a bad idea to have a first aid kit and a little elementary survival gear. Water treatment pills, water filter, high energy snack bars, and such are good ideas.
If you are looking for a neat thing to remind you of the places you have been, pick up a small rock that is unusual in appearance and when you get home you can use a permanent marker to record the date and location on the bottom. They make great paperweights. I use acrylic paint and paint outdoor scenes, fish, flowers and such on mine. I have them all around the house and at the office and each one reminds me of a great day outdoors.
For Fast Paced Fun, Nothing Beats a Pocketbike
For Fast Paced Fun, Nothing Beats a Pocketbike
by: Mark Lambie
Pocket bikes can be comfortably cradled under your arm and are capable of splendidly fast speeds. They are usually powered by gas-powered engines. The smaller industrial-motored models used by Junior class racers are capable of speeds upwards of 45 mph. Open class machines reach blistering speeds over 50 mph. Pocket bikes can be built with many of the features common to regular bikes, such as disc brakes in the front and rear, racing tires, fairings, lightweight aluminum alloy cast perimeter frames and swing arms.
Originally, pocket bikes were solely made by specialty manufacturers who sold them at expensive prices. As their appeal has grown, however, affordable pocket bike imports have become available to a much larger group of motor sport enthusiasts. They are great for adults and children alike, for the family or individual who enjoys outdoor fun on two wheels.
Nothing beats the Pocket bike for economy, ease of transporting. Enjoy them just for riding around your neighborhood, but for racing as a team sport. Start your own club or join one. You’ll be a welcome addition to such a tight group
by: Mark Lambie
Pocket bikes can be comfortably cradled under your arm and are capable of splendidly fast speeds. They are usually powered by gas-powered engines. The smaller industrial-motored models used by Junior class racers are capable of speeds upwards of 45 mph. Open class machines reach blistering speeds over 50 mph. Pocket bikes can be built with many of the features common to regular bikes, such as disc brakes in the front and rear, racing tires, fairings, lightweight aluminum alloy cast perimeter frames and swing arms.
Originally, pocket bikes were solely made by specialty manufacturers who sold them at expensive prices. As their appeal has grown, however, affordable pocket bike imports have become available to a much larger group of motor sport enthusiasts. They are great for adults and children alike, for the family or individual who enjoys outdoor fun on two wheels.
Nothing beats the Pocket bike for economy, ease of transporting. Enjoy them just for riding around your neighborhood, but for racing as a team sport. Start your own club or join one. You’ll be a welcome addition to such a tight group
Coin Collecting: Getting Started
Coin Collecting: Getting Started
by: News Canada
(NC)-Okay. So you've been diagnosed with the collecting bug. Don't panic. Here's what you need to do: first, visit the library. Pick up some standard reference catalogues (for example The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, or Haxby's Coins of Canada) and read them thoroughly, along with every book you can find on collecting. Contact your local coin dealer or numismatic club, and ask them to recommend good websites and other resources. Become a member. Buy a magazine or two. That way they'll know you're not going to waste their time. You might also want to take a course. The Canadian Numismatic Association offers one by correspondence at www.canadian-numismatic.org.
Once you've done your homework, the next step is to decide what, specifically, you'd like to collect. The best advice here is to follow your interests. Collect what you love, and, again, learn everything you possibly can about your chosen specialty. Most collectors go for issues of a particular country or time period, some go with themes, like airplanes or animals. Silver dollars, $100 gold coins, bi-metallic coins, coins featuring flowers…whatever you choose is fine, there are no rules. Many collect coins to commemorate great events in their lives, a child's graduation, a new baby…or to mark historical events such as the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
The more knowledge you have, the more fun collecting becomes. Learning what to look for, how to identify quality items, how to use the lingo, and how to establish a fair price will make the hunt that much more exciting. The more you know about pricing, the easier it will be to recognize a good bargain. And getting good bargains is a big part of what it's all about. To the collector, bragging about 'finds' constitutes one of life's most enjoyable pastimes.
The final step is to get out there, enjoy the hobby and pull together the most amazing collection of coins ever assembled.
For more information on this exciting hobby, and ideas on what to collect, visit the Royal Canadian Mint on the Internet at www.mint.ca.
- News Canada
by: News Canada
(NC)-Okay. So you've been diagnosed with the collecting bug. Don't panic. Here's what you need to do: first, visit the library. Pick up some standard reference catalogues (for example The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, or Haxby's Coins of Canada) and read them thoroughly, along with every book you can find on collecting. Contact your local coin dealer or numismatic club, and ask them to recommend good websites and other resources. Become a member. Buy a magazine or two. That way they'll know you're not going to waste their time. You might also want to take a course. The Canadian Numismatic Association offers one by correspondence at www.canadian-numismatic.org.
Once you've done your homework, the next step is to decide what, specifically, you'd like to collect. The best advice here is to follow your interests. Collect what you love, and, again, learn everything you possibly can about your chosen specialty. Most collectors go for issues of a particular country or time period, some go with themes, like airplanes or animals. Silver dollars, $100 gold coins, bi-metallic coins, coins featuring flowers…whatever you choose is fine, there are no rules. Many collect coins to commemorate great events in their lives, a child's graduation, a new baby…or to mark historical events such as the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
The more knowledge you have, the more fun collecting becomes. Learning what to look for, how to identify quality items, how to use the lingo, and how to establish a fair price will make the hunt that much more exciting. The more you know about pricing, the easier it will be to recognize a good bargain. And getting good bargains is a big part of what it's all about. To the collector, bragging about 'finds' constitutes one of life's most enjoyable pastimes.
The final step is to get out there, enjoy the hobby and pull together the most amazing collection of coins ever assembled.
For more information on this exciting hobby, and ideas on what to collect, visit the Royal Canadian Mint on the Internet at www.mint.ca.
- News Canada
How To Collect Hockey Cards
How To Collect Hockey Cards
by: Jason Tarasi
As with other professional sports, trading cards or collector cards (whichever term you prefer) are available for hockey. Collecting hockey cards is a fun and exciting hobby for hockey fans. Whether you choose to collect hockey cards in general, or cards for a particular team or league, card collecting can be a very interesting and educational experience as well as being loads of fun. The cards that you collect over the years may also be valuable at some point in time.
To ensure that your collection of hockey cards does increase in value, especially if you intend to sell them sometime down the road, it is imperative that you keep the cards in tip-top shape, so you will want to protect them in some way. Of course, you can store your cards in boxes, but using binders with card protector sheets is a much better way to store the cards where they are protected and easily accessible for viewing. If you choose to box your cards rather than using a binder, be sure to use individual card protectors for each card. There are also boxes that are specially designed for card collecting in which your cards will fit perfectly decreasing the chance that they will get damaged.
Card collecting has always been pretty popular, but with the introduction of new trading card collectibles, in addition to the traditional sports cards, the hobby of collecting trading cards seems to have become more widespread. Now, you can get card collecting supplies, like binders, card collecting boxes and card protectors, at just about any variety store, discount store, office supply store, or sports shop. Most music or video game stores have card collecting supplies as well. Investing in the supplies to properly store and protect your hockey card collection is well worth the cost and will preserve your cards keeping them in good shape so you will have better results when you decide to trade or to sell your hockey cards.
Always store your hockey cards in a location that isn’t subject to extreme heat or direct sunlight. Heat may damage the cards, especially if they are in plastic card protectors, and sunlight will definitely fade the cards. Moisture is another enemy of card collectors. Be sure to keep your cards where they won’t get wet and avoid exposing them to excessive humidity.
One last tip about collecting hockey cards – a collection of hockey cards are usually worth more if you have complete sets to sell. However, selling individual cards, especially if they are rare, can also prove to be profitable.
by: Jason Tarasi
As with other professional sports, trading cards or collector cards (whichever term you prefer) are available for hockey. Collecting hockey cards is a fun and exciting hobby for hockey fans. Whether you choose to collect hockey cards in general, or cards for a particular team or league, card collecting can be a very interesting and educational experience as well as being loads of fun. The cards that you collect over the years may also be valuable at some point in time.
To ensure that your collection of hockey cards does increase in value, especially if you intend to sell them sometime down the road, it is imperative that you keep the cards in tip-top shape, so you will want to protect them in some way. Of course, you can store your cards in boxes, but using binders with card protector sheets is a much better way to store the cards where they are protected and easily accessible for viewing. If you choose to box your cards rather than using a binder, be sure to use individual card protectors for each card. There are also boxes that are specially designed for card collecting in which your cards will fit perfectly decreasing the chance that they will get damaged.
Card collecting has always been pretty popular, but with the introduction of new trading card collectibles, in addition to the traditional sports cards, the hobby of collecting trading cards seems to have become more widespread. Now, you can get card collecting supplies, like binders, card collecting boxes and card protectors, at just about any variety store, discount store, office supply store, or sports shop. Most music or video game stores have card collecting supplies as well. Investing in the supplies to properly store and protect your hockey card collection is well worth the cost and will preserve your cards keeping them in good shape so you will have better results when you decide to trade or to sell your hockey cards.
Always store your hockey cards in a location that isn’t subject to extreme heat or direct sunlight. Heat may damage the cards, especially if they are in plastic card protectors, and sunlight will definitely fade the cards. Moisture is another enemy of card collectors. Be sure to keep your cards where they won’t get wet and avoid exposing them to excessive humidity.
One last tip about collecting hockey cards – a collection of hockey cards are usually worth more if you have complete sets to sell. However, selling individual cards, especially if they are rare, can also prove to be profitable.
Underwater Photography - Just a Hobby or is there a Serious Side?
Underwater Photography - Just a Hobby or is there a Serious Side?
by: Sandi Faist
When we think of underwater cameras and photography, we think of capturing what we see while snorkeling and diving; we think about the pictures we’ll take and share. We practice taking better and better pictures; it’s a hobby and we love it. Or we share them with people not lucky enough to have seen the beauty of what lies beneath the seas and oceans. The fish whose colors we’ve only seen in saltwater tanks. We think about good things; vacations and relaxation, adventure and exotic creatures.
But there are other uses for underwater cameras that don’t paint such a pleasant picture. Unfortunately, I was reminded of this recently when two young children disappeared after wandering off. Their home was by a river. I’m sure they’d been told of the dangers of the water, to not go near it without an adult. But the draw may have been too much. The river was running high as there had been recent storms.
Search and rescue operations use underwater photography to search for drowning victims as well as missing objects. Of course, the recovery of drowning victims as quickly as possible to bring closure to families suffering from the loss of a loved one is the primary purpose. These searches typically have been done using divers and water-trained dogs. However; underwater searches can be very treacherous to the divers, and are time consuming. Another problem being that many times it is unknown where the victim was last seen, broadening the search to a vast area, often to hundreds of acres.
Underwater cameras enable law enforcement to see water crime scenes in areas too dangerous for divers, and without disturbing the site. Investigations with video tapes may be used to determine whether or not there actually is an underwater crime scene. Rather than send divers in to dangerous waters, cameras can be used to search in polluted and hazmat areas. There are underwater cameras designed to search at depths of up to 120 feet in most water conditions. Infra-red systems allow for searches in low light situations.
Amazingly, divers have used video photography to locate objects that have been missing for several years or more. A missing persons’ case was solved after 72 years when a couple’s car was found, putting to rest what had happened to them, and bringing closure to their family. Not to mention the unfortunate rumors that they had left their children voluntarily.
Besides simple pleasure and law enforcement, underwater photography is used in many other ways. Marine biologists can locate fish and living marine animals to study their habitats. On a boat, cameras can check the anchor and hull and look for items that have fallen overboard. Pools can be monitored. Swimmers can be filmed under water to evaluate their swimming and diving techniques.
In sport fishing, underwater photography is used to identify actual fish from underwater debris, decreasing fishing time. You can check what type of fish is in your location; see that your lure doesn’t become entangled in weeds; check the hull; and check crab or lobster pots without getting wet. The cameras can even be used for ice fishing.
Not only are these remarkable cameras and their technology an exciting hobby, they have numerous other valuable applications.
by: Sandi Faist
When we think of underwater cameras and photography, we think of capturing what we see while snorkeling and diving; we think about the pictures we’ll take and share. We practice taking better and better pictures; it’s a hobby and we love it. Or we share them with people not lucky enough to have seen the beauty of what lies beneath the seas and oceans. The fish whose colors we’ve only seen in saltwater tanks. We think about good things; vacations and relaxation, adventure and exotic creatures.
But there are other uses for underwater cameras that don’t paint such a pleasant picture. Unfortunately, I was reminded of this recently when two young children disappeared after wandering off. Their home was by a river. I’m sure they’d been told of the dangers of the water, to not go near it without an adult. But the draw may have been too much. The river was running high as there had been recent storms.
Search and rescue operations use underwater photography to search for drowning victims as well as missing objects. Of course, the recovery of drowning victims as quickly as possible to bring closure to families suffering from the loss of a loved one is the primary purpose. These searches typically have been done using divers and water-trained dogs. However; underwater searches can be very treacherous to the divers, and are time consuming. Another problem being that many times it is unknown where the victim was last seen, broadening the search to a vast area, often to hundreds of acres.
Underwater cameras enable law enforcement to see water crime scenes in areas too dangerous for divers, and without disturbing the site. Investigations with video tapes may be used to determine whether or not there actually is an underwater crime scene. Rather than send divers in to dangerous waters, cameras can be used to search in polluted and hazmat areas. There are underwater cameras designed to search at depths of up to 120 feet in most water conditions. Infra-red systems allow for searches in low light situations.
Amazingly, divers have used video photography to locate objects that have been missing for several years or more. A missing persons’ case was solved after 72 years when a couple’s car was found, putting to rest what had happened to them, and bringing closure to their family. Not to mention the unfortunate rumors that they had left their children voluntarily.
Besides simple pleasure and law enforcement, underwater photography is used in many other ways. Marine biologists can locate fish and living marine animals to study their habitats. On a boat, cameras can check the anchor and hull and look for items that have fallen overboard. Pools can be monitored. Swimmers can be filmed under water to evaluate their swimming and diving techniques.
In sport fishing, underwater photography is used to identify actual fish from underwater debris, decreasing fishing time. You can check what type of fish is in your location; see that your lure doesn’t become entangled in weeds; check the hull; and check crab or lobster pots without getting wet. The cameras can even be used for ice fishing.
Not only are these remarkable cameras and their technology an exciting hobby, they have numerous other valuable applications.
Baseball Tickets In The Nl East - See The Mets March Towards The Title
Baseball Tickets In The Nl East - See The Mets March Towards The Title
by: Jay Nault
Baseball tickets in the NL East may as well be reclassified as “coronation” tickets, as the Mets have the biggest lead in the majors by far in any division. Given that the NL East is already decided, we’ll take a look at how each team got here and what they can look forward to both this year and next.
New York Mets
Currently:
The Mets are cruising along in the standings, and they went a solid 17-10 over the past 30 days. They are clearly the best team in the division, and if they don’t win the division this year, it’ll be the biggest story in the history of sports. They’re led by many, but Carlos Beltran is leading the way on offense.
Outlook:
The Mets need to get their pitching healthy and to get primed for the playoffs; otherwise they could actually be a bit vulnerable in the first round if they’re not ready to go.
Philadelphia Phillies
Currently:
Although the Phillies played better over the past month, it’s a classic case of too little, too late, even after going 17-12 over the past 30 days. The Phillies have some exciting young players on their roster, though, including Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, and that bodes well for the future.
Outlook:
The Phillies are built for the long haul, and they’ll be back next year.
Atlanta Braves
Currently:
It appeared for a short time that the Braves could somehow climb back into the race for the postseason after an awful start. However, it appears that their incredible postseason streak is going to end this season. The Braves fell back a bit, going 13-14 over the past month, and there’s way too much ground to make up for them to be a threat this season. Their nucleus is intact, though, with Andruw and Chipper Jones and Edgar Renteria.
Outlook:
The Braves always seem to have young players ready to step up, so they’ll be back in 2007.
Florida Marlins
Currently:
The Marlins are a good-looking young team, and given their youth, they’re bound to struggle from time to time. They won half of their games over the past month, but that isn’t nearly enough to stay competitive in this division. However, players like Miguel Cabrera are worth the effort of obtaining baseball tickets, and this team won’t be easy to beat for the rest of 2006.
Outlook:
The Marlins seem to win it all and then rebuild, so their rebuilding will continue in 2007. Watch out, though, as they’ll mature right before our eyes and challenge for big things soon enough.
Washington Nationals
Currently:
The Nationals had a halfway-decent month, going 13-14, but this young team is a long way from contending. They have one superstar in Alfonso Soriano, and since they chose not to trade him at the deadline, they’d better get busy building around him, as he is a franchise player.
Outlook:
If the Nationals add a piece or two to their young roster, baseball tickets will continue to sell well in Washington, D.C.
by: Jay Nault
Baseball tickets in the NL East may as well be reclassified as “coronation” tickets, as the Mets have the biggest lead in the majors by far in any division. Given that the NL East is already decided, we’ll take a look at how each team got here and what they can look forward to both this year and next.
New York Mets
Currently:
The Mets are cruising along in the standings, and they went a solid 17-10 over the past 30 days. They are clearly the best team in the division, and if they don’t win the division this year, it’ll be the biggest story in the history of sports. They’re led by many, but Carlos Beltran is leading the way on offense.
Outlook:
The Mets need to get their pitching healthy and to get primed for the playoffs; otherwise they could actually be a bit vulnerable in the first round if they’re not ready to go.
Philadelphia Phillies
Currently:
Although the Phillies played better over the past month, it’s a classic case of too little, too late, even after going 17-12 over the past 30 days. The Phillies have some exciting young players on their roster, though, including Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, and that bodes well for the future.
Outlook:
The Phillies are built for the long haul, and they’ll be back next year.
Atlanta Braves
Currently:
It appeared for a short time that the Braves could somehow climb back into the race for the postseason after an awful start. However, it appears that their incredible postseason streak is going to end this season. The Braves fell back a bit, going 13-14 over the past month, and there’s way too much ground to make up for them to be a threat this season. Their nucleus is intact, though, with Andruw and Chipper Jones and Edgar Renteria.
Outlook:
The Braves always seem to have young players ready to step up, so they’ll be back in 2007.
Florida Marlins
Currently:
The Marlins are a good-looking young team, and given their youth, they’re bound to struggle from time to time. They won half of their games over the past month, but that isn’t nearly enough to stay competitive in this division. However, players like Miguel Cabrera are worth the effort of obtaining baseball tickets, and this team won’t be easy to beat for the rest of 2006.
Outlook:
The Marlins seem to win it all and then rebuild, so their rebuilding will continue in 2007. Watch out, though, as they’ll mature right before our eyes and challenge for big things soon enough.
Washington Nationals
Currently:
The Nationals had a halfway-decent month, going 13-14, but this young team is a long way from contending. They have one superstar in Alfonso Soriano, and since they chose not to trade him at the deadline, they’d better get busy building around him, as he is a franchise player.
Outlook:
If the Nationals add a piece or two to their young roster, baseball tickets will continue to sell well in Washington, D.C.
How to Start An Art Collection On a Shoestring Budget
How to Start An Art Collection On a Shoestring Budget
by: Monique Hawkins
Collecting is a hobby enjoyed by many. Some collectors enjoy collecting all kinds of collectibles such as music boxes and other mechanical music, cars, jewelry, figurines, and many other types of items. Then there are those who enjoy collecting art. As a matter of fact, many individuals are inclined to forgo reprints and posters and start collecting their own unique art pieces for their homes and offices. If you are one of these people, here are some tips on starting your own unique art collection.
Before beginning an art collection, ask yourself if you interested in starting your own collection of original art. Keep in mind that if you, like most people, do not have thousands of dollars to spend on famous original artwork, then it's time to consider alternative creative sources.
For those who are short on time and are not particularly interested in cultivating their own tastes, an option you have to rent from a local gallery in your city or town. This way, you can get original art from local artists at a fraction of the cost. Once you tire of a particular piece, you can trade it in for a new art collectible piece. These also works very well for a business environment or even to update a personal space in your home if you are not sure what pieces will suit you in the long term.
Students also do great artwork. Therefore, another option you have is to go to local art schools or check your paper for shows by student artists. At the art schools or art shows by students, you can purchase original pieces by local artists for a very small investment when compared to the going rates for established artists. This unique art collectible strategy allows you to invest in the growth of local talent, and possibly make an investment that will appreciate enormously in value should the artist truly excel in their field.
Some communities have thriving art communities. If there are studios that are rented by local artists in your area, you may also find that they hold open houses during the year. This is a great way to find artwork on sale as many artists promote themselves through this avenue. This also provides you an opportunity to speak with the artist and get a real history on the work you select.
Many art collectibles experts like to find out about the career of an artist as well as what influences their work. If you find an artist that you click with and whose work moves you, you may need to consider collecting from a single artist rather than creating a diverse collection. Following the career of a new artist may give you a more valuable, as well as meaningful, collection in the future.
Antiques and collectibles shops, markets, and consignment stores are also great places to search for art pieces. Always keep your eyes open for artwork that appeals to you. Art is always subject to individual interpretation anyway. So while value may be important, if you find a piece you can afford and love, go for it!
Fall in love and immerse yourself in your art collecting. Whether it is a simple hobby or part of an overall love of collectibles such as music boxes and mechanical music, cars, jewelry, figurines, or more, follow the above strategies and develop an art collection worthy of the master collectors!
Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins
by: Monique Hawkins
Collecting is a hobby enjoyed by many. Some collectors enjoy collecting all kinds of collectibles such as music boxes and other mechanical music, cars, jewelry, figurines, and many other types of items. Then there are those who enjoy collecting art. As a matter of fact, many individuals are inclined to forgo reprints and posters and start collecting their own unique art pieces for their homes and offices. If you are one of these people, here are some tips on starting your own unique art collection.
Before beginning an art collection, ask yourself if you interested in starting your own collection of original art. Keep in mind that if you, like most people, do not have thousands of dollars to spend on famous original artwork, then it's time to consider alternative creative sources.
For those who are short on time and are not particularly interested in cultivating their own tastes, an option you have to rent from a local gallery in your city or town. This way, you can get original art from local artists at a fraction of the cost. Once you tire of a particular piece, you can trade it in for a new art collectible piece. These also works very well for a business environment or even to update a personal space in your home if you are not sure what pieces will suit you in the long term.
Students also do great artwork. Therefore, another option you have is to go to local art schools or check your paper for shows by student artists. At the art schools or art shows by students, you can purchase original pieces by local artists for a very small investment when compared to the going rates for established artists. This unique art collectible strategy allows you to invest in the growth of local talent, and possibly make an investment that will appreciate enormously in value should the artist truly excel in their field.
Some communities have thriving art communities. If there are studios that are rented by local artists in your area, you may also find that they hold open houses during the year. This is a great way to find artwork on sale as many artists promote themselves through this avenue. This also provides you an opportunity to speak with the artist and get a real history on the work you select.
Many art collectibles experts like to find out about the career of an artist as well as what influences their work. If you find an artist that you click with and whose work moves you, you may need to consider collecting from a single artist rather than creating a diverse collection. Following the career of a new artist may give you a more valuable, as well as meaningful, collection in the future.
Antiques and collectibles shops, markets, and consignment stores are also great places to search for art pieces. Always keep your eyes open for artwork that appeals to you. Art is always subject to individual interpretation anyway. So while value may be important, if you find a piece you can afford and love, go for it!
Fall in love and immerse yourself in your art collecting. Whether it is a simple hobby or part of an overall love of collectibles such as music boxes and mechanical music, cars, jewelry, figurines, or more, follow the above strategies and develop an art collection worthy of the master collectors!
Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins
The Exciting Airsoft Sniper Rifle Part Two
The Exciting Airsoft Sniper Rifle Part Two
by: PJ Ace
The Airsoft Sniper Rifle has become a very popular weapon of choice for the veteran Airsoft warrior. Arguably one of the most powerful Airsoft guns in the industry, the sniper rifle is designed to propel the plastic bbs at a high velocity with stunning accuracy.
It is extremely important for the Airsoft sniper to choose the right rifle. There are several reputable manufacturers who produce different model lines of Airsoft Sniper Rifles. Some with such detail that they are very difficult to distinguish from their real “steel” counterparts. The Airsoft Sniper Rifle is available to the consumer at a broad price range. Some of the models with the more exquisite detail, and with metal and wood casings can cost well over a whopping 2,000 U.S. dollars! Made almost completely out of steel and wood, these super expensive models have high quality interior mechanisms that fire the gun. With their heavy feel, long barrel lengths, averaging around 42 inches (1070mm), and with their quality detail, these expensive models are well worth the price to the avid Airsoft player.
The above average cost of the sniper rifle has proven to be a barrier to some enthusiasts. Though the average Airsoft player cannot afford such a high price for a gun, there are some excellent, less expensive models. These rifles are not in the very expensive luxury category, but nonetheless are still a high quality gun. For a well built model, one can expect to pay around the same price that he would for an automatic electric Airsoft gun (AEG), between two or three hundred U.S. dollars.
The higher quality Airsoft Sniper Rifle is usually made from heavyweight ABS plastic. This heavyweight material is a blend of plastic and metal. The ABS plastic gives the gun a cost effective, realistic heavy feel without the expensive steel manufacturing. The Airsoft Sniper Rifle that is made of this material is generally marked ABS, which usually increases its overall value. The Japanese Airsoft Gun manufacturing companies Tanaka and Maruzen make the most popular of these models.
It is also important to note that even less expensive Sniper rifles are also available. These guns are made primarily out of plastic, and can usually be purchased for around 100 U.S. dollars. Unicorn Hobby Company (UHC) of Taiwan makes one of the most popular models. This low-end, cheap Airsoft Sniper Rifle model is called the UHC Super 9.
In purchasing a cheap Airsoft Sniper Rifle, one can easily exchange some of the parts for metal or wood at a later time. This not only makes the gun feel and look more realistic, it increases the its overall value. Most major manufacturers offer upgrades such as metal barrels, custom grips, red light scopes, wooden stocks, laser sights, bi-pods and other accessories. The added expenses of potential needed upgrades must be kept in mind. Although capable of a decent firing experience when initially purchased, in order to be effective in serious war game battles, some upgrades will be needed.
Tokyo Marui of Japan has developed a new Sniper Rifle called the VSR-10. At a manageable price, this rifle works quite well before any upgrades are made.
Choosing the Airsoft Sniper Rifle that accommodates the right budget is certainly very important. No matter the price, these exciting guns are sure to bring great enjoyment to gallant Airsoft warriors everywhere.
by: PJ Ace
The Airsoft Sniper Rifle has become a very popular weapon of choice for the veteran Airsoft warrior. Arguably one of the most powerful Airsoft guns in the industry, the sniper rifle is designed to propel the plastic bbs at a high velocity with stunning accuracy.
It is extremely important for the Airsoft sniper to choose the right rifle. There are several reputable manufacturers who produce different model lines of Airsoft Sniper Rifles. Some with such detail that they are very difficult to distinguish from their real “steel” counterparts. The Airsoft Sniper Rifle is available to the consumer at a broad price range. Some of the models with the more exquisite detail, and with metal and wood casings can cost well over a whopping 2,000 U.S. dollars! Made almost completely out of steel and wood, these super expensive models have high quality interior mechanisms that fire the gun. With their heavy feel, long barrel lengths, averaging around 42 inches (1070mm), and with their quality detail, these expensive models are well worth the price to the avid Airsoft player.
The above average cost of the sniper rifle has proven to be a barrier to some enthusiasts. Though the average Airsoft player cannot afford such a high price for a gun, there are some excellent, less expensive models. These rifles are not in the very expensive luxury category, but nonetheless are still a high quality gun. For a well built model, one can expect to pay around the same price that he would for an automatic electric Airsoft gun (AEG), between two or three hundred U.S. dollars.
The higher quality Airsoft Sniper Rifle is usually made from heavyweight ABS plastic. This heavyweight material is a blend of plastic and metal. The ABS plastic gives the gun a cost effective, realistic heavy feel without the expensive steel manufacturing. The Airsoft Sniper Rifle that is made of this material is generally marked ABS, which usually increases its overall value. The Japanese Airsoft Gun manufacturing companies Tanaka and Maruzen make the most popular of these models.
It is also important to note that even less expensive Sniper rifles are also available. These guns are made primarily out of plastic, and can usually be purchased for around 100 U.S. dollars. Unicorn Hobby Company (UHC) of Taiwan makes one of the most popular models. This low-end, cheap Airsoft Sniper Rifle model is called the UHC Super 9.
In purchasing a cheap Airsoft Sniper Rifle, one can easily exchange some of the parts for metal or wood at a later time. This not only makes the gun feel and look more realistic, it increases the its overall value. Most major manufacturers offer upgrades such as metal barrels, custom grips, red light scopes, wooden stocks, laser sights, bi-pods and other accessories. The added expenses of potential needed upgrades must be kept in mind. Although capable of a decent firing experience when initially purchased, in order to be effective in serious war game battles, some upgrades will be needed.
Tokyo Marui of Japan has developed a new Sniper Rifle called the VSR-10. At a manageable price, this rifle works quite well before any upgrades are made.
Choosing the Airsoft Sniper Rifle that accommodates the right budget is certainly very important. No matter the price, these exciting guns are sure to bring great enjoyment to gallant Airsoft warriors everywhere.
Mandatory Boating Equipment
Mandatory Boating Equipment
by: Kathryn Ali
The summer has finally arrived. This year, you are excited because you are going to buy your first motorized boat. But before you take off across the river or lake, whether it is for joyriding or fishing, there is a mandatory boating equipment list in the United States. If living in a different country, please check online for changes/additions to the following requirements.
The waterways are supervised by police and they will stop you to do a boat check. Best to be prepared!
Required Documents: Have your boat ownership registration papers and photo identification with you at all times, whenever you go out in a boat.
Life Jackets (Personal Floatation Devices): A life jacket is a jacket or belt that helps a person to float in the water and prevents a person from drowning.
Every person on a boat must wear a life jacket. They have to fit right and be the correct size. Children have got to wear a life jacket at all times. Never put an adult life jacket on a child.
If the boat is 16 feet and longer, then it requires having a minimum of one life-ring or floating cushion. If there is an emergency and someone is at risk of drowning, then the life ring is used.
Fire Extinguisher: All boats that have an engine and/or fuel tank in an enclosed compartment must have a fire extinguisher that does not have an expired date on it. If it has an expired date on it then it might not function properly in an emergency.
Emergency Signals and Noise Making Devices: All boats require functioning distress signals whether it is red flares, distress flags, or orange smoke. A good Horn or whistle is also needed. You can use a hand-held whistle for small boats but the larger boats need a horn that can be heard a good distance away.
Boat Lights: It is very important that the lights on your boat be put on properly according to size and class of your boat. These lights are a signal to other boat operators as to whether your boat is anchored, sailing or motorized.
Green Light- shows directly in front to 112.5 degrees down the right side (known as starboard) of the boat.
Red Light- shows directly in front to 112.5 degrees down the left side (known as port side) of the boat.
White Masthead Light- shows in the whole 225 degrees that is covered by the total area of both of the Green and the Red lights together.
White Stern Light- shows at the back of the boat to 67.5 degrees on both sides of the stern. This gives a total area of 135 degrees..
To avoid really nasty fines from the authorities, ensure that you always do a check of all the required equipment. Before taking off in your boat, make sure that everything is doing what it is suppose to do.
By: Kathryn Ali
Copyright http://boating.actual-facts.com 2007
by: Kathryn Ali
The summer has finally arrived. This year, you are excited because you are going to buy your first motorized boat. But before you take off across the river or lake, whether it is for joyriding or fishing, there is a mandatory boating equipment list in the United States. If living in a different country, please check online for changes/additions to the following requirements.
The waterways are supervised by police and they will stop you to do a boat check. Best to be prepared!
Required Documents: Have your boat ownership registration papers and photo identification with you at all times, whenever you go out in a boat.
Life Jackets (Personal Floatation Devices): A life jacket is a jacket or belt that helps a person to float in the water and prevents a person from drowning.
Every person on a boat must wear a life jacket. They have to fit right and be the correct size. Children have got to wear a life jacket at all times. Never put an adult life jacket on a child.
If the boat is 16 feet and longer, then it requires having a minimum of one life-ring or floating cushion. If there is an emergency and someone is at risk of drowning, then the life ring is used.
Fire Extinguisher: All boats that have an engine and/or fuel tank in an enclosed compartment must have a fire extinguisher that does not have an expired date on it. If it has an expired date on it then it might not function properly in an emergency.
Emergency Signals and Noise Making Devices: All boats require functioning distress signals whether it is red flares, distress flags, or orange smoke. A good Horn or whistle is also needed. You can use a hand-held whistle for small boats but the larger boats need a horn that can be heard a good distance away.
Boat Lights: It is very important that the lights on your boat be put on properly according to size and class of your boat. These lights are a signal to other boat operators as to whether your boat is anchored, sailing or motorized.
Green Light- shows directly in front to 112.5 degrees down the right side (known as starboard) of the boat.
Red Light- shows directly in front to 112.5 degrees down the left side (known as port side) of the boat.
White Masthead Light- shows in the whole 225 degrees that is covered by the total area of both of the Green and the Red lights together.
White Stern Light- shows at the back of the boat to 67.5 degrees on both sides of the stern. This gives a total area of 135 degrees..
To avoid really nasty fines from the authorities, ensure that you always do a check of all the required equipment. Before taking off in your boat, make sure that everything is doing what it is suppose to do.
By: Kathryn Ali
Copyright http://boating.actual-facts.com 2007
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