The Rates For Your Insurance

Insurance is a good product that many people should have to protect their lives. They do not know about what will happen in the future. Therefore, preliminary protection is needed to prepare for the downs. Since there are a lot of insurance companies that offer them a lot of interesting products, they should be able to select the best and the most appropriate for them. Comparing different companies will show them different benefits that they can have.

Life insurance may have higher rates more than the other product of insurance. When you have picked the insurance company, you can start to do this step to get good rates for your insurance. As you know that you yourself influence the amount of your rates. To get competitive rates, you can do all these steps.

Smokers will pay more for their insurance rates. Most insurance companies will offer low rates of insurance because there is no toleration in consuming nicotine. Alcoholic beverages are not best to higher the rates. Therefore, you have to change your drinking habit from extreme to moderate consuming. Overweighting is also not good to get the best rates in insurance. Losing a few pounds will be able to have the higher coverage from the company.

Could Payday Loan Bring Problem?

Online process, easy requirement, and fast transfer make payday loan as one best choice in your emergency. Yet, if you not careful, you can turn the benefits into problems. Instead of become solution to your financial problem it could push you down deeper to debt problem.

The common mistake made by borrowers is they borrow too much money they could not afford to repay. The lender will calculate your ability to repay so they only borrow you amount of money they think you could afford to repay. However, you are the one who know your financial condition. You are the one who know how much money left each month that you can use to repay the loan. Instead of borrow as much money as possible, you had better borrow amount of money you really need. The other common mistake is borrowers do not read terms and conditions before confirming the loan. At the time to make repayment, they shock with the fact that some terms make them have to pay more.

When you apply loan, please be careful. Calculate the loan and read terms-and-condition well before you confirm the loan. Make sure you can afford the repayment and no harmful terms and conditions within.

Factors to Influence Car Insurance Rate

You may find that your friend pay less insurance rate for his car in the same coverage. Are you wondering why your friend could be so fortunate to pay that little? Here, you will find several factors that could impacts they rate of car insurance.

The car takes big influence to the insurance rate. More valuable the car, more money you should pay. Car model, date of manufacturing, price, miles, additional features, and more fact about the car will influence the insurance rate. You yourself could influence the rate. Your age, your job, your driving record, and your driving habit will help the insurance company to determine your rate. How much person insured is another factor since one person insured or entire family insured will make big different. Where you live, where you drive the car, and of course, where you buy the insurance are the next important factors to affect the cost.

The insurance company has the power to set the price but you can also control some variables. If you want lower rate, you can choose less valuable car or improve your driving record. The most important thing is do your homework with requesting quotes from several companies and find the cheaper rate in the same coverage.

An Underdog Makes Good

We all love a story of the underdog who works their butt off and then makes it big. We like to learn of the obstacles they have overcome or the struggles they have endured on the road to success. We want to know how they did it. What was their secret? And, how we can benefit from their experience?

A truly remarkable young man with an amazing story is Tim Duncan. You know him as a superstar basketball player for Wake Forest from 1993 to 1997. But did you know that he never even played basketball until he was 14 year old? And, three years later at the age of 17, he walked onto the Wake Forest Campus for the first time.

Tim was born in 1976 in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. His family was hard working and better off than most. Tim was a bright precocious child who learned quickly and excelled in school. He was advanced a grade in grade school because he surpassed his classmates. So, he would always be younger than his classmates in the future. Long and lean like his 2 sisters, Tim was a great swimmer. He had his eyes on the Olympics early on. His specialty, the 400 meter freestyle. At age 12 and 13 he broke many records and was tops in his bracket.

Fast forward to September 17, 1989 and Hurricane Hugo. The storm devastated the island; including the swim team's pool. Just prior to the hurricane, Tim's mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. In the spring of 1990, she died, and Tim never swam competitively after that.

A year earlier, his sister now married and living in Columbus Ohio shipped a basketball goal, hoop and post to him for a gift. This began his interest in the game. His dad helped by anchoring it and pouring cement for the base. When his sister and her husband moved back to St. Croix there was nonstop play on that hoop. His brother in law, Ricky, who had played for Capital University in Columbus, was his practice partner.

Tim played in high school, grew nine inches and excelled as the top player on the island. Crazy stories filtered back to the US and curiosity about this guy developed. Several colleges flew scouts down for a look, and to offer athletic scholarships. But Dave Odom, head coach at Wake Forest, went there personally to look at Tim. Odom liked what he saw and in 1993, Tim arrived on the Wake Forest campus as a 17 year old college freshman. Tim became the 'mystery man' that first season and it took a few months for him to adjust. He was a bit timid but half way through the season everything clicked. He became a force to be reckoned with and Odom was a hero.

As he moved through each year at Wake Forest there was talk about him being the #1 draft pick in 1995; if he would leave school early for the pros. Tim was adamant that he would not be leaving college before graduation, no matter the offer. He was intent on receiving his degree... to honor his mother.

Why Steel Tip Darts?

The game of darts first appeared in England during the middle Ages. Soldiers would compete against each other by throwing steel arrows at a point marked on an overturned barrel. It is now a professional sport played the world over. While some players prefer the ease and general safety of soft tip darts, steel tip darts are preferred in both amateur and professional tournaments for their speed and accuracy.

About Steel Tip Darts

Steel tip darts are comprised of a sharp, steel point fixed to the end of a barrel and can weigh up to 50 grams. The best steel tip darts will typically weigh between 20 and 25 grams. Tungsten darts are preferred for their lightweight durability. Considered to be the best steel tip darts available, tungsten darts have a low density that allows for a closer grouping. This maximizes a player's scoring potential. A board comprised of tightly compacted bristle is used when playing with steel tip darts.

Board and Dart Rules

The Darts Regulation Authority governs the rules of steel tip dart play. Although different versions of the game are played worldwide, basic rules apply to all professional tournament play. The dartboard, measured from the floor to the bull's-eye, is to be installed at 5 feet 8 inches, and the throwing line should be marked 7 feet 9 ¼ inches from the board. Darts can weigh no more than 50 grams and could use either a fixed or movable point.

501 Rules

501 is the preferred dart game, played by both amateurs and professionals. The first player to reduce his score from 501 to zero is the winner. Players throw three darts each, and then subtract the total points scored. Darts that bounce off or miss the board do not score and are not re-thrown. Players must remove their darts from the board and tally their scores before the next opponent can throw. The game is won when a player reaches exactly zero by throwing a double. 501 is typically played in sets of three or five with a "best of" overall winner.

Throwing Techniques

Feet should be shoulder length apart with your body at a 50 to 90 degree angle with the board. Your front foot should be the same foot as your throwing hand with the majority of your weight resting on the front foot. The back foot is used for balance and neither foot should leave the ground during a throw. When throwing a dart, the elbow should remain in a fixed position until the arm begins moving. To achieve the perfect curve, your elbow should rise slightly when your arm is in forward motion. Your throwing shoulder should remain in a fixed position throughout the throw. Your focus should remain on the target from the beginning of the throw to the end. Bring the dart back a comfortable distance and do not accelerate too fast. The entire throw should be one fluid motion.

The Growing Outdoor Gym Trend

It's no longer just kids who can find healthy outdoor entertainment in parks. Outdoor gyms or adult playgrounds have been cropping up in cities around the world. The borough of Camden in London was one of the pioneers of the genius new idea and is now home to a whopping nine outdoor gyms.

The unfortunate coincidence of increasing numbers of overweight people, and rising gym fees has left many in despair. Thanks to the invention of outdoor gyms that are free to use for everyone, this trend could be combated. People who previously had no access to a gym are now being given the chance to improve their fitness levels in a relaxed environment engulfed in fresh air.

The adult playgrounds are strategically placed in areas where they are hard to miss, and attract a lot of attention. Some of the London gyms are adjacent to children's playgrounds so parents can exercise while their kids are playing.

Children and teens are encouraged to try the equipment under adult supervision. Recently, a new council-funded project in Riga, Latvia saw an outdoor gym set up at a city centre school to encourage pupils to do more exercise and spend more time in the fresh air.

Outdoor gym equipment is similar to what you'd find in most fitness centres throughout the world. The difference is it's not dependent on electricity so no luxuries like a TV screen built into your machine... This makes it a lot easier to focus on what you've actually gone there for - exercise. Choose between high bars, cross trainers, exercise bikes and other devices to help you lose weight and build up some healthy muscle matter.

Warmer summer months are likely to see a surge in the number of users. Even those with a paid gym membership have been known to choose the outdoor equivalent when the sun's up. It makes a nice change from the usual sweaty gym atmosphere with loud music pumping on the stereo. And you're just as likely to meet a future partner at an outdoor gym as you are at an indoor fitness club.

Set Up Your Own Outdoor Gym

If you're not yet fortunate enough to have an outdoor gym in the vicinity but are the proud owner of a garden, terrace or balcony, you can set up your very own outdoor gym.

Purchasing your own equipment is a good investment that will pay off as you no longer have to fork out on expensive gym fees. Consult a professional equipment provider to make sure you've got enough machines to target all muscle groups.

Alternatively, if you already own indoor gym equipment, you can use it outdoors too. This allows you to create a temporary outdoor gym if you live in a country where the weather won't permit you to exercise outdoors all year round. In this case look into diesel generator rental to power your gear, and set up a marquee to protect you and your equipment from the elements. Or place your gym in a veranda or shed with the doors wide open to let the fresh air in.

Don't Forget the Metal Detector

No matter where you are going or what kind of metal detecting you are going to be doing, you should have a check list of what to take along. If you're like me, I invariably get to my spot and I've forgotten something. That's so frustrating. Even if I can continue my hunting without the forgotten item(s), in some cases, I have to turn around and go back home to get whatever it is I forgot because it's something I can not do without - like my metal detector (duh). Don't ask my husband about that story. He loves to tell that one... all the time.

Here is a list I've come up with of things that you should probably have on all your metal detecting hunts. You may or may not think of other things that you personally want to take along, and this list is by no means set in stone, but all in all these things are good to have with you.

Metal Detector- Duh! I say this because sometimes - more often than I'd like to admit, I get so carried away in packing all my stuff that I forget to take the most obvious. Has that ever happened to you? Come on, admit it. Like going to a concert and forgetting the tickets... just saying.

Headphones - If you use headphones, and I think most detectorist's do. Make sure you have them packed. Headphone really help our hear the distinct tones your metal detector makes.

Probe- If you do not have a probe yet, I suggest you invest in a good one. A probe will help to pin point your treasure so you can dig it out without harming it. It's a very good and useful tool to have along.

Digging Tool- Trowel or shovel - Keep your digging tool clean and sharp. There is nothing worse than a dull shovel. Many sites have special digging tools and/or sifters; a great investment, however, a simple garden trowel and shovel does the job also.

Pouch/Bag/baggies - You can't forget to take along something to put your treasures in. I like to take small baggies to keep things separate if I want to. Some sort of collecting bag is essential.

Spare Batteries- Always, always, always have spare batteries with you when you're on your metal detecting excursion. There is nothing more frustrating than having your battery go dead right in the middle of a 'sweet' spot.

Magnifying Glass- I like to take a magnifying glass with me. Sometimes I'll find a relic or coin that I want to investigate closer. With a magnifying glass you can possibly see the date of the coin or item or any small engraving.

Gloves- Gloves save the hands from dirt, cuts, mud, etc. or you can go naked and hope for the best. I like to have gloves. It sucks to ruin a nice manicure.

First Aid Kit- Just in case. Better to take care of a boo-boo right away instead of waiting to get home.

Water/Food- I take a small cooler, and I put in several bottles of drinking water, maybe a soda or other beverage of my choice. I also like to take a gallon jug of water for rinsing, etc. should the need arise. Then I always like to take along snacks. No treasure hunting expedition is complete without snacks... or not. Up to you.

Towels/rags - Always good to have with you. Saves you from wiping the dirt and grime on you pants or jacket sleeves.

There you have it. Just a few items that I think are necessary. Depending on where you're going to be hunting there would be other items needed also.

Sports Injuries and Their Complications

I have decided to write this article to highlight the importance of understanding the complications that can result from misdiagnosis and untreated injuries.

My story began back in 2001 when doing some free sparring at the gym I used to attend in Manchester, UK. Unfortunately the flooring was uneven and when I went to turn my opponent from a clinch position my right foot became lodged in part of the uneven floor and my body turned 180 agrees. I heard a pop and immediately my knee gave way. Thinking it was just a sprained muscle I just rubbed some Thai oil on it and tried to contain with the sparring session. However the knee went again and I decided to get changed and go home.

Upon returning home I felt like there was something stuck in my knee joint, which was causing this problem. I got my mother to pull my leg out straight in the hope that "something" would pop back into place. However it didn't do the trick and I thought I would just give it some rest. Over the next few months I continued to have problems with my knee going, but I still contained to train because I was actively fighting at that time and didn't want appear to be "soft" to my instructor.

I did visit the doctors a few more times after that. However they kept telling me it was just a pull muscle. The injury really came to a head one morning when my knee locked. That was one of the most painful things I have ever experienced in my life. We called an ambulance and I was taken to the local hospital where they were absolutely no help at all. Later that afternoon I discharged myself still unable to walk properly. Fortunately my knee unlocked itself later that day.

After the above happened I decided that I would go to a knee specialist to see exactly what was happening with my knee. We were well into 2002 now. After a 15 minute consultation at a cost of 150 I was diagnosed with a torn / snapped anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which would need reconstruction surgery. However the cost of the surgery was over 5000 and I didn't have medical insurance to cover it, so I would have to go on the National Health Service (NHS).

After a few months I got to see a knee specialist on the NHS and underwent a MRI scan to see the extent of the damage. The results of the MRI scan were not good. I had actually snapped the ACL and had done a lot of cartilage damage. This could have been avoided if the doctors I initially saw didn't tell me it was a pulled muscle, which made me play down the injury and keep training on it.

I was informed that they would be able to do the surgery to repair the ACL in 6 - 12 months. Having just finished my degree I decided that I would go travelling in south east asia. I brought an ACL brace which was damm expensive and off I went. 3 months later I returned to the UK and another 3 months passed and I was finally in hospital for the surgery. It was now 2003 by this time!

The surgery went smoothly. They took some hamstring tendons and strapped them across my knee and put a few screws in there to hold everything in place. Now it was time for the real hard work. 18 months of physiotherapy to build up the muscles! This was bloody hard work and I found in the winter months I would get a dull aching pain in my knee, which whilst not painful it was very uncomfortable.

I was told after the surgery that I would never train Muay Thai again. However a year after surgery and physiotherapy I did go back to train and teach, but I have never taken place in competitions since. It's just not worth the risk.

You might be thinking what is the point of this story! Well what I would like people to take away from this is that when you get an injury don't down play it. If you feel it's not improving then get specialist advice. You know your body better than most people and you know when something is seriously wrong. This is something I didn't take notice of and was brain washed by people that I was just been "soft", which was compounded by misdiagnosis by general practitioners.

They took x-ray after x-ray and because they couldn't see anything broke then they just assumed it was a pulled muscle. A MRI scan is the only way that I am aware of that will show tendon and ligament damage. However they are reluctant to do this on the NHS, because it costs them a lot of money.

In any sport you are at risk of injuries. However knowing how to treat and look after them could make the difference between recovery and surgery. In my case I would have needed surgery regardless. However I could have saved some of the cartilage in my knee and a lot of pain if I was diagnosis correctly and didn't ignore what my body was telling me.

Croquet: Adapting the Game for Your Back Garden

The problem that most of us have is that our back gardens do not exactly conform to the size and shape required for the traditional set-up required for the prescribed croquet game rules! Well, why not create your own version!

A croquet set will normally consist of the following: mallets, six hoops, different coloured balls, a peg with various different coloured rings on it and some clips. The better sets will have boundary pegs and corner flags included. All very well when you have the 25 by 38 yards rectangular, manicured piece of lawn as required in competition croquet; not so perfect if you have a long and thin, round, odd-shaped or garden full of other garden game equipment cluttering the lawn area. To complete the setting, grandpa insisted on planting your birthday rose right in the centre! Fear not, croquet game rules can be adapted to suit whoever is in control.

Instead of using yard lines and chalk lines forming the perfect rectangular croquet court, why not use the flower beds as the out-of-bounds lines? Instead of following the normal set pattern for the hoops and peg, why not set out your own obstacle course, where participants can get snookered behind the sandpit, or the supports of the climbing frame? We have created very interesting courses that are in all sort of shapes and lines, causing frustration and hilarity at the same time, entertaining players and spectators alike, for extended periods of time. Whether the circuit is completed once or more than once, who cares!

As long as the rules are laid down before the start of the game, everyone is in the same boat. Providing the croquet equipment used is the same for all participants, all you need is a sense of fun, a will to win and a mean streak, ensuring your opponent's ball is in an uncompromising position after croquet was taken. An uneven piece of lawn will ensure that every shot has more than the usual dimensions to it and make planning shots ahead even more challenging. Just visualise how the contours and the lay of the land, influence the game of golf in shot selection and putting! We would not suggest that bunkers come into play in the game of croquet, but obstacles like trees, flower beds, garden furniture and other play equipment, bring challenges to the game that a flat, beautifully manicured lawn could not even dream to provide.

Croquet as a garden game can be enjoyed whether you are a nobleman with the appropriate lawns to enjoy, or the person with a postage stamp for a back garden. Croquet sets come in various sizes and prices; imagination we all have built-in at no cost already. Go outside, have a look at the croquet equipment and type of space you have to your disposal, grab a pen and paper and design the ideal course for you and your family and friends. Be mean but fair and set up your own set of croquet game rules and get stuck in for a fun time for all involved.

Henri J Botha is a keen supporter of putting as much fun into garden games as possible, providing affordable enjoyment for family and friends in the home and garden environment. He is part of a team that runs a website http://www.BestGardenGames.com where they sell lots of garden games like croquet and other sports sets, as well as wooden climbing frames and play equipment. Why not visit the website today and check out the quality products at affordable prices they offer, and while you are there, subscribe to receive the latest special deals on great products!

3 Recommendations for Running Coach and Volunteer Background Checks in Youth Sports

No child should ever have to suffer from sexual abuse, especially while participating in a sports organization that is supposed to be about having fun, making friends and learning new things. While it takes a continued and dedicated effort from sports organizations, coaches, parents, volunteers and the rest of the community at large to protect youth athletes from sexual abuse, volunteer background checks can stop a lot of would-be predators from ever entering a youth sports organization. Here are a few things to consider:

1. All adult volunteers must complete a background check prior to working with any youth sports organization, including criminal history and sex offender registry checks. This includes anyone that might work for the league such as a coach, official, groundskeeper and so forth. Anyone who might have any contact (or opportunity to interact) with the children should be required to complete a background check, no matter how unlikely it seems that they would be a predator. The youth league is ultimately responsible for who is allowed into the organization and it's much better to be extra strict on making sure everyone passes a background check than risk letting even one potential predator slip through the cracks.

2. It's important that the league determines what offenses that could appear during a background check would automatically disqualify a volunteer from being allowed to join the organization. While someone with a history of abuse or violence is easy to disqualify, should people with DUIs on their records be allowed to volunteer? The league needs to decide that. Look at things in black and white; when everyone knows where the line in the sand is it's much easier to create a safe environment for youth athletes. No one should be exempt from this "no go" list, no matter what their qualifications may be.

3. Fingerprint-based screening is often considered the "gold standard" of background checks; however it is not permitted in some states and can be too expensive for many sports organizations to implement even if they do have legal access to it. While the laws from state to state may vary, each organization should make use of the most comprehensive screening available. Keep in mind that different states may have different information on the same person. Someone volunteering in California might have a criminal past in Pennsylvania, but that information might show up in the California state check.

Sports Conditioning Training: 4 Essential Elements

Sports conditioning training is complex, and requires athletes to understand many important elements. This is why athletes' conditioning routines are often times a topic of debate. The debate is the result of thousands of different viewpoints from athletic professionals who have their own separate ideas about which conditioning methods are most beneficial for athletes.

In order to understand sports conditioning, you need to learn about four important elements.

The first question is, what energy system is necessary for your individual sport?

What kind of movement does your sport require? Non-linear or linear?

Does your sport require short explosive movements or repetitive single-speed movement?

Do you train year-round?

All four of these questions are essential for developing a proper conditioning training routine.

Uncovering Energy Systems

Every athlete must understand what energy system his or her sport requires. In every sporting event, there are two energy systems that the body uses. The first is the anaerobic system. For something to identify as anaerobic, it must be a movement that last for less than two minutes.

Anaerobic exercises are typically used to increase explosiveness, increase lean muscle mass, eliminate fat storage, and increase overall conditioning levels. This is because most anaerobic routines are of high-intensity. Some popular anaerobic exercises include weightlifting, sprints, or plyometrics.

In sports, some anaerobic movements include hitting a golf ball, swinging a bat, rebounding a basketball, or scoring a touchdown to name only a few. On the contrary, the aerobic energy system is completely different. Typically, a movement is considered aerobic when it lasts longer than two minutes, maintains a singular pace, and is used for a long duration of time. While many aerobic exercises can decrease fat storage, they can also decrease muscle mass. Aerobic exercises are designed to increase slow twitch muscle fibers.

Some aerobic exercises including swimming, cycling, or long distance running.

Sports that rely primarily on the aerobic system include swimming, cross-country, and triathlon athletes.

What is Linear and Non-linear Movement?

Every athlete must determine what type of movements their particular sport requires. By doing so, it will be easier to structure a conditioning training regime that is sport-specific.

Players must understand that linear is any movement that is in a direct line, and non-linear is any movement with immediate change of direction. In reality, the majority of sports utilize non-linear movements. This is why it's important to include conditioning exercises that involve non-linear movements.

Some linear methods are effective like sprints or hills sprints, but for the most part, athletes should focus on gaining quicker change of direction. Cross-country and sprinting are both sports that can rely more on linear techniques since both sports are completely linear by nature. However, it's still important that these athletes utilize non-linear techniques as well.

Does your sport require explosive movements?

This is a pretty easy question to answer because it's obvious whether or not your sport is explosive. Do any of the movements in your sport require you to accelerate into motion or change direct?

If the answer is yes, then your sport is explosive. In this case, your conditioning training should always be structured to increase explosiveness. Avoid running long distance, and pretty much avoid all forms of aerobic conditioning.

Athletes Must Train Year-Round

Athletes must train year-round in order to maintain and increase conditioning capacity. Athletes must not lose their gains during the season, and need to focus on increase their conditioning ability during the off-season.

Don't let all your hard-work from the off-season be lost during the season! Now that you understand some important sports conditioning requirements, you know that your routine is depends on the nature of your sport.

Table Tennis Is a Pastime That Never Gets Old

Table tennis, or ping-pong, is a game in which two opponents hit a small ping pong ball back and forth across a table, divided by a net, using ping pong paddles. Created in 1926, table tennis has changed and become more of a sport over the decades and has even been classified as an Olympic sport. While created originally as a favorite hobby for the young and old alike, this game has become a competitive sport, and has been redesigned by many players to accommodate their wants and size of social gatherings. You can even find any type of table to meet your sporting needs.

While the original table tennis table was a hard table approximately 9 feet long and 5 feet wide, many different types have been created to accommodate more than just two players, and to give the player a different feel when competing. There are many options available, such as a triangular table to allow 3 players to play, an octagonal table that allows 4 players to play, and even a hexapong table designed to allow 6 players to compete at once. In colleges across the world, young adults have even created their own version of this multi-faceted game called beer pong. While there are no official rules or table guidelines for this version of table tennis, the general idea is to get your ping pong ball into your opponents beer cup, which in turn has them consume the entire glass of beer. The first person to give up is considered the loser, while the remaining opponent in crowned champion.

Choosing a paddle is just as important as choosing the table you will be playing on because different table tennis paddles offer different speeds, spins, and will be easier to control based on the type of grip you choose. While paddles are generally made up of wood covered in some sort of thin rubber material, choosing a paddle with a straight handled grip is the best option which will give the player more flexibility and control. If playing professionally, choosing something sturdy with a sponge like cover is the best option, while really anything that allows you to hit the ball with ease will work for in-home play.

Ping pong is one of the few pastimes that refuses to go out of style. With new techniques, tables, and rules created with every generation, this sport is sure to stay in style for decades to come. This is truly a pastime that never gets old.

Flying Remote Control Planes Alone (Part 1)

Two basic options are relevant to the subject; the first is "Will you be flying alone or with a group of flight enthusiasts?". If you are flying alone, there are some basic considerations that must be taken into account. We will cover flying in groups later in a separate articles.

When flying alone, a few things to keep in mind are as follows:

a) Location: If there is a good runway without obstructions, high voltage lines, or lots of people then you are most likely safe and good to go. Let's explore this a little further. Obstructions must be flown around and if your skill level is not top notch, it is very likely that you will cause a catastrophic loss to your aircraft. High voltage line while easy to miss do pose a threat as they can interfere with your transmitter which again will create a likelihood that you will crash. Remember that people are obstructions and the more people the higher the possibility that you may crash your plane into a crowd causing injury and possible lawsuits. It is fun to have people watch your flight and many people will gravitate to the lure of flight; but, you need to be proficient. If you are just starting out, make sure you are alone or with trusted friends standing behind you.

b) Pre-Flight Checks: Just as pilots of full size aircraft complete a pre-flight check list, you must also do the same before taking flight. The reason is simple; mechanical and electrical devices are prone to failure. Ensure that the transmitter controls are in a neutral position. Example: do not have the throttle at full speed. Then place your plane on the ground and turn on the transmitter and connect the battery on the plane to the appropriate connection. Check your transmitter battery power level as weak batteries could bring your plane down. While your plane is on the ground, test out the controls on the transmitter to ensure they respond as expected. This applies to three, four, or even six channel controllers. Select a good take off runway and taxi your plane down the runway and back without actually getting enough speed to leave the runway. If everything seems to be operating as expected, go down the run way with a little more speed and gently lift off the ground and then land again. Do this several times. Things you want to look for when you lift off are shifts in your planes direction (left or right). Adjust any shifting issues with the trim controls on your controller. If this does not fix the problem, you may need to adjust the hard linkage to correct the problem.

Good luck (skill) to you and expect more to follow on this subject.

Ten Tips For First Time Nudists

For some people, nudism is just a way to enjoy recreation without the constriction of clothing. For others, it's a way of life. But for all, it fosters the acceptance of their own bodies, whatever age or shape. If you're ready to experience the freedom of clothes-free recreation and learn to stop hating your body, start by reading these ten tips for first time nudists.

1) Do some research. There are different types of nudist places, and one type may be more comfortable for you than another. You may choose to visit a non-landed nudist club, a nude beach, a nudist resort, or any of a number of venues. Just be sure that the place you're considering is not a lifestyle club that covers up its swinger activities by using the term "nudist" or "naturist." Nudism is a wholesome activity that has nothing to do with sex.

2) Enlist a friend. Anything new is easier when you do it with someone you know and trust. But if you don't have any friends who would like to try nudism, go ahead and venture into it alone. You'll soon have new friends who already enjoy clothes-free activities.

3) Make concrete plans. Decide which nudist place you feel you would like to visit. Make a reservation if one is required. If not, set a date to visit and write it on the calendar. This makes it more like a commitment, and you'll be more likely to follow through.

4) Keep it to yourself. If you are at all nervous about visiting a nudist place for the first time, don't tell anyone else you are going. Even if you're not embarrassed about it, other people might be. If they don't understand naturism, they might try to talk you out of going. Don't let their objections deter you.

5) Show up. As the date for your planned visit approaches, you may start to get cold feet. Don't let fear stop you. If you're going with a friend you can encourage each other. If you are going alone, see if there is someone at the entrance who can show you around so you don't have that awkward feeling of not knowing where everything is.

6) Sit on a towel. One of the most common rules of etiquette at a nudist place is to never sit directly on any surface. Always have a towel with you so you can respect this hygienic practice.

7) Be friendly. It doesn't matter where you are or what the situation - if you stay in your shell and don't talk to anyone, you're going to feel conspicuous and uncomfortable. Once you're in the midst of the group, introduce yourself and let people know you're a first time nudist. Everyone has a "first time" story, and soon you'll realize that your initial nervousness is not unique.

8) Don't make inappropriate jokes or comments. Nudism is about enjoying life in a natural state, and participants want to feel they can do so in a safe and respectful environment. Jokes of a sexual nature or disparaging remarks about people's bodies can make the others feel uncomfortable, and you won't be welcome.

9) Show respect for others. At first you may worry about keeping your eyes above or below a certain point when you look at other people. Relax and let your eyes drift naturally. It's okay to look around, but don't stare. Also, don't photograph people without their permission. Some folks don't mind, but others do. Always ask first.

10) Respect the boundaries, both of the location and of the people. Once on the nudist grounds, don't wander outside of the established nude areas. Don't be a pest. Just as in any situation, there are times when people want to have their own space. If you sense someone wants privacy, leave them alone. Refrain from sexual activity. That is not the purpose of a nudist place. Nudity does not equate to sex, and if you overstep this boundary, you will be asked to leave.

Bonus tip for men - Sexual arousal is frowned upon at nudist places, but it is understood that any number of things can cause involuntary arousal in a man. If it happens to you, simply go for a swim or cover up with a towel until things relax.

White Water Rafting - Open To All

White water rafting sounds like something only fully fledged professionals would tackle or people who are into water sports big time and are really serious about the activity. To be fair, you do have to be serious to take part in this sport and you also have to have a professional attitude and be prepared to take some instruction from a professional. It is not something you just try your hand at alone, without some guidance. However, it is open to all, amateurs, beginners and experienced rafters. It is great fun, not nearly as dangerous and risky as it may look and it is very exhilarating.

One of the aspects people report after they have completed a few sessions in white water rafting is the huge sense of achievement they gain. This can come from a number of reasons. It may be that you are simply trying out something new and it is an adventure you never dreamed possible. Or it could be because you have conquered a fear of risk. Others may report simply doing something that they had never tried before gave them their sense of glory or that they never realised that they would come away with such a tremendous feeling of fulfilment.

The main thing before you begin is to listen to the experts. As with most sport, there is always going to be an element of risk somewhere. With correct support, training and usually a little know how beforehand, you can gain enough insight to overcome these risks to a great extent. Once you have the correct frame of mind to approach the activity, you are nearly there. By taking advice and not simply assuming that just because you are a good swimmer you can ignore any guidance and just do your own thing, you are truly on your way. Accept constructive criticism from your trainer and you will enjoy white water rafting.

There are different techniques to discover such as 'punching' to conserve energy and help build momentum without too much expenditure of energy reserves. Then there is 'high siding' which simply means clambering to the side of the raft which rises higher in the air. This helps prevent the raft from moving sideways. Then of course there is the well known 'capsizing'. Do not think you will be so expert on your first attempts that this will not happen to you. Be prepared to get wet. Enjoy the thrills and spills and then learn from the experience.

Garden Jenga - Fun to Play With Your Family

When you are looking for an option that can keep you, your family and your friends busy or that can get all together, you might just think about some activity that one can perform in his garden which is capable of occupying everyone around. A game would be a better idea as this is something that people among all ages enjoy. From kids to the middle aged, all enjoy getting involved in games. So, it would be a good get together or family time for all.

There are a number of games that one can take up in the garden. But keeping in mind the age factors as well, there is one game that everyone would be keen on trying. This game is known as Jenga. Leslie Scott was the founder of the game. Since then, it has been widely acclaimed by people all over the country and around. The garden Jenga involves a lot of physical and mental skills. One needs to be calculative to be a winner of the game. The number of players to this game is not limited. The greater number of players you have, more fun would you have.

The kit that you receive on buying the game would include minimum 54 blocks and a tray. The size of the blocks may vary depending upon the manufacturer. The general ratio of the size of each block is three times the width of the block to its length; and one-fifth of the length is its thickness. Depending upon this ratio, different companies have different sizes for the blocks of the game. To start with, you have to arrange the blocks in the given tray in a tower of 18 levels.

The blocks should be arranged in such a manner that if at the first level, the blocks are placed in the north-south direction, then the next level should be in east-west direction. As the game progresses, each player has to take out one block from the tower at each turn. The first player, to start with the game is the one who built the initial tower. The player must use only one hand to pull out the block. He can place that block back in the tower at the same place if he feels he needs to pick up a different one. But this must be done within 10 seconds of picking it up or before the other player touches the tower. Once a block is pulled out, it has to be placed on the top level.

If the tower falls or partially falls, i.e. if either of the blocks fall out, the game is supposed to have ended. The winner of the game is then declared to be the one who placed the last block successfully in the tower. It is calculated that the maximum number of moves that are possible in this game is 6 * (X - 2) +2, where X is the number of initial levels that were set out at the beginning of the game. If you wish to purchase a set of garden Jenga for yourself then you can either look for it in a local store or even order it online.

Flying Remote Control Planes (Part III)

Welcome back to part 3 of this series. Part 1 covered location and pre-flight check lists. Part 2 covered Resources to help you. This article will focus on the next step of learning to fly.

You have an established location and your plane and controls have checked out, and hopefully you have developed a relationship with an individual that can be your coach and keep you from crashing. So what is next? Your instructor may override what I am about to present but encourage them to allow you this experience as it is vital to proceeding to the next step.

Touch-and-Go Landings: Flying a remote controlled plane is very much like flying a real aircraft. The basic concepts apply. One of the first things (after flight school which you have not benefited from) is to practice Touch-and-Go Landing. This involves a maneuver that is common when learning to fly. It involves landing on a runway and taking off again without coming to a full stop. This is important because it gives you the confidence as well as experience to be sure that you are proficient with your air craft as well as proving out all the controls.

This process involves powering down the runway and slightly lifting off the ground. Remember that you must use the trim controls to ensure you plane is not drifting. Correct any issues here first by adjusting your trim or actual linkage. Also remember that if you are at full power (which is not needed for take-off) you may overpower the ability to land softly.

There is another technique known as Stop-and-Go where you lift off, then land and stop your plane. I recommend this approach in the beginning. You will move on to the Touch-and-Go next depending on the length of your runway. Power your plane down the runway and gently bring yourself to a flight mode no more than 4 feet off the ground. Power back on the throttle and gently adjust your aileron and rudder to put yourself in a landing position. Remember that flying the plane is the easy part, the hardest part is landing. This will give you experience that you will need when you come in for a real landing. You need to know the control sensitivity and this exercise will allow you to obtain this touch and relate your plane and controller together. There are always 2 devices that you have to balance. Do not over drive the servos of your plane... Gentle adjustments are the best way to become familiar with your controller and the response of the plane. Hard over adjustments of the controls are the best way to crash. Ensure you have a runway long enough to allow you some margin. If you don't, then you will most likely have to react to a difficult landing. You would be better off in this situation to climb and come back in for another chance.

Back to Touch-and-Go... Some resources that you may use may suggest that this is a step that is not needed; Instructors who favor the use of Touch-and-Go and Touch-and-Stop offer the possibility for you to practice more landings per session. Remember, you can do whatever you want in the air but If you cannot land without damaging your plane then you will end up buying a new plane. (Hopefully from Us)

Part IV in the series will focus on Flight (keep it simple).

Flying Remote Controlled Planes Alone (Part IV)

Welcome back to part 4 of this series. Part 1 covered location and pre-flight check lists. Part 2 covered Resources to help you. Part 3 covered Touch-and-Go Landings. Now let us look at some important aspects of taking flight.

Taking Flight: If you have not read the instructions for your aircraft and controller, stop and go get them and look up a very important fact. Listed in the specifications will be a statement specific to your plane receiver and transmitter. This range is most often listed as the maximum and is a good guideline, but there are many factors that will reduce this range. The condition of the batteries in the controller are the most relevant to the range. As the controller batteries weaken, your expected range shortens. The charge on the battery pack in your plane which not only powers the servos also powers your receiver. Most importantly, have fresh batteries in the controller and a good charge on the plane battery pack.

Why is this so important? Turn on your controller first, then plug in or turn on the switch for the plane battery pack. You will notice that the trim controls you have set on your transmitter will be activated and the plane will respond by automatically adjusting to these settings. When you are in flight and you get out of range or your batteries become weak, your settings for trim will fail acting as if you turned off your transmitter and your plane will become unresponsive and pretty much do whatever it wants and very likely crash.

If your plane gets out of range, it is highly suggested that you close the gap between the plane and transmitter as quickly as possible. In other words, I hope you are good at the 40 yard dash. If you are able to get control, turn your plane so that is flying back closer to the transmitter and then land soon.

Also, remember that electrical interference from high power lines will also affect your transmitter's ability to reach out and be heard by your receiver.

Remember as your plane lifts off the ground to perform any fine tuning that may be required on your trim settings to ensure you have level flight with the controls in their neutral position. Adjust your throttle down enough to maintain level flight but not go to fast to cause you a shorter time to perform these adjustments.

Now you are flying. Your job now is to "NOT CRASH". The best way to crash is to overdrive your controls on the transmitter. Use gentle, gradual adjustments to see how your plane reacts. There will be plenty of time for acrobatics later. Again, don't let your plane get out of range... unless you want to practice your running skills.

Which Countries Play Cricket?

You probably have heard about cricket in past years. If you reside in a country where the sport is played often, it is likely you have engaged in some cricket matches yourself. Cricket enthusiasts thoroughly enjoy playing the game, and spectators have a blast watching the game being played. Few people actually know the facts about cricket. The game of cricket has a long history, and it has evolved many times before it has become what it is today.

A Brief History on Cricket

There is debate about who actually invented cricket. Some say that Prince Edward, who was the son of Edward I, played a variation of cricket called creag at Newenden, Kent in 1301. However, there is no real evidence that creed and cricket are the same. As a matter of fact, little was recorded about that particular creed account. Definite evidence of cricket can be traced back to a write-up that makes reference to the game being played in 1598.

Over the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, cricket went through a number of developments. At first, the game was played like hockey and sticks were used. As cricket evolved, it was played similarly to bowling, as players pitched the balls to the batting men. Later on in the eighteenth century, the hockey stick was replaced by a sort of club. Now, the game is played almost like baseball in that actual straight bats are used, and the game is played in innings. Some elements of bowling still remain, as the ones who pitch the balls are still called bowlers.

Object of the Game

The object of the game is quite simple. In order for a team to win, that team must get more runs than the other team. The opposition has to be dismissed as well. When these criteria have been met, the team is a winner.

The number of innings played varies on the match at hand. Two umpires regulate the game, and the scorers keep score by watching for hand signals given by the umpires. Examples of signals to watch for are that the umpires will raise a forefinger if a batter has been dismissed and put both arms above his head if the batter has hit a ball for six runs. The laws of cricket dictate that the scorers must keep record of all runs in the game.

Where is cricket played?

Cricket is not actually an Olympic sport, though; it is played between nations where the game is popular. The first international cricket match was played between Canada and the United States; however, neither nation was ever considered a test playing nation. The first actual test matches took place between Australia and England. Nations that were later included were India, New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Pakistan,, South Africa and Bangladesh. South Africa ended up being banned from 1970 to 1992 due to enacting an apartheid policy. Cricket is not quite as popular in most other countries, though; groups of people may opt to play the sport for fun.

Master Athletes Training - Is Weight Training Crucial?

Not only growing athletes, but also teachers offering training to these athletes, who are otherwise called as Master athletes need some form of regular exercises and training to keep themselves fit and healthy. Some professionals say that muscle building should form an important part of Masters athletes training routine in such a way that they can improve their sports performance, which in turn will bring about an improvement in the performance of their students. Now, let us look into how the muscle mass of sports people change as their age advances and here these professionals can be classified under four age groups as follows:

The first group of professionals falls in the age group of 16 and 24, while the second group falls in the age group of 25 and 50. On the other hand, the third and fourth group is between the age group of 51 and 70 and more than 70 respectively. When men athletes are in the age group of 16 and 19 and women are in the age group of 18 and 24, their muscle size peaks and when they attain their age of 25, there will be reduction of 5-10 per cent of muscle mass, which will retain until they reach the age of 50. After 50 years, there will be a further decline of 15% and this will continue until the age of 70. After the age of 70, there will be an accelerated loss of further 25%. Muscle mass is highly important for sports men and women and so for maintaining their muscle mass, the Masters athletes should follow muscle building exercises.

Weight training is also essential for masters since with them, they can acquire not only health benefits, but also performance benefits as well. When it comes to health benefits offered by them, they are capable of reducing stress, improving posture, improves resting metabolic rates, decreases the abdominal fat, which acts as the main reason for cardiovascular diseases in many patients and it also normalizes the blood pressure. When it comes to performance benefits, they can gain better self-confidence for offering the right kind of coaching to the students, they can keep their weight under control, which will in turn ensure better performance.