This is LUNGDAL calling

How to become a Baseball coach

2010-01-23T13:35:00.001-08:00

Thus you decided to become a trainer of baseball, perhaps because your child had a team but nobody was been willing to intensify to give particular lessons or perhaps you have just a passion to work in this field. That which it reason is really is not the important factor. Each trainer wants a team of profit and each player wants the same thing but this all to find them below the total effectiveness of the team as a whole, including the trainer. A trainer is a professor and as any good professor should always seek manners to you of improving. These are the things that you want to divide with your team. You cannot even have much, if any experiment to give particular lessons but to familiarize themselves just with the foundations is a great manner of starting.

There are really some advantages to be a coach which is to start just outside. As a long time as you know the foundations of the baseball and the rules of the game, the qualifications of drive are one which can be developed with your team and the good direction will let you know what it is that each one needs. It is your clean model personnel developed with your ethics and morals which will as supplement the white to which the model of the trainer will upwards finish you being. Naturally the extreme foundations of the baseball require that a jug be able to throw a ball exactly and a smooth paste can be connected to this launching and strike the ball in the outfields.

In a real play of baseball will be a responsible person to measure what each smooth paste achieved. Measurement is made by employing the averages which later are employed to measure an effectiveness of the player . once the smooth paste struck the ball, it belongs to the team of opposition then to make sure that within the legal limits of the play of the baseball which they make with their best attempt stop the ball and label the paste smoothes outside before it reaches the dish at the house. The team of opposition can catch a ball of fly, which is one that the smooth paste strikes in the air or perhaps the smooth paste struck what is called a line orders or a grounder. No matter what it arrives the players on another team want to obtain the ball and to label the runner outside before it releases the four bases and returns them to the house.

They are the foundations of the play except the fact that the smooth paste could also do one of the following, the strike outside, which means that it missed the ball when it was launched to him three different times. It could also go, which is a limit of baseball for the jug throwing four attempts with a smooth paste which could not be struck by error of the jug.

In this case the smooth paste would advance with the first bases automatically. Naturally do not forget the homerun either. It is the thing which all the players try to obtain, capacity to strike the ball which is launched to them apart from perimeters of the field of play, consequently having for result a race of house. This means that the smooth paste automatically obtains to advance first base with the dish at the house and not only mark a race but bring it differently no matter who who was on the basis waiting to mark too.

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Repairing a Fiberglass Boat

2010-01-23T13:34:00.000-08:00

When it comes to fiberglass boat repair the first step is considering how severe the damage is. In some cases, severe damage is going to require a lot of repairs done by a professional. Although due to the mess and equipment needed for even a small fiberglass boat repair cause many to choose to have a professional to repair any damage to a fiberglass boat rather than doing it themselves. If you do decide to perform the fiberglass boat repair yourself then you need to consider learning the entire process of how fiberglass works since this can help you when repairing the boat. Although keep in mind that there are many things that can go wrong when you are performing fiberglass boat repairs on your own if you don't take the time to research the necessary repairs properly. Although there are many services out there that can help you with fiberglass boat repair. If you decide to leave the repairs up to the professional then you still need to take the time to consider who is the right person to take your boat to. You don't want to leave your fiberglass boat repairs in the hands of just anyone, rather you want to make sure they are a professional who knows exactly what they are doing. In order to find the right professional for the job consider the following tips. First see if the person actually specializes in fiberglass boat repair. These individuals can give you the level and type of care that your boat needs as well as professionalism. In fact, by taking your boat to someone who specializes in fiberglass boat repair you will be getting the repair done at a faster pace with a higher level of efficiency then you can get with anyone else. Also you want to find a company that is willing to work with you through the repair process. This means the company should know what work you want done and be willing to meet your needs. The company should have a high quality of customer service. This also helps to build your trust in them since you will have the confidence that they will provide you with a great level of service. This is expected of anyone that goes to a professional for fiberglass boat repair. It is also a good idea to choose a company that has been highly recommended. The easiest way to do this is to research the company over the internet, which helps you to get more information about the company you are about to do business with. By researching a company you can see if they have any negative claims and what customer service reviews have to say about the company. This can go a long way to giving you the piece of mind that you are leaving your boat in the right hands. It is important that you take the time to find the appropriate company for your fiberglass boat repair. This allows you to determine a company that can provide both you and your boat with the highest level of care while giving you the best price available. Through research you will quickly find that there is no shortage of companies who can provide you with the quality level of fiberglass boat repair that you need.

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Pontoon Fishing Boats

2010-01-23T13:31:00.002-08:00

When it comes to fishing on the lake or river the ideal platform is the pontoon boat. However, this doesn't mean that all pontoon boats will work for every situation. Before purchasing a pontoon boat you will need to carefully consider the different types of fishing pontoon boats available to you. Some things to consider when making your decision include how far you need to transport the boat, how you are getting your boat into the water and what type of water you are going to be using the boat in for fishing. Typically there are four main types of pontoon boats to choose from. Each type of fishing pontoon boats come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Most pontoon boats have either a powder coated steel or aluminum frame. Many fishermen prefer the aluminum frame due to its weight. Consider each of the four types individually to determine which is right for you and your fishing needs. The first type is the one-person pontoon boat. This type of fishing pontoon boat has nearly endless styles to choose from. Most have a weight capacity between 250 and 400 pounds depending on the amount of gear you are going to carry. If you plan to carry a lot of gear then you should stay away from the lower weight capacities. It is a good idea to get a pontoon boat with an optional motor mount. If you fish on a lake or river that requires you to carry the boat for a long distance then it is best to consider the aluminum frame which weighs between six to ten pounds under the weight of a steel frame. There is also the option of getting a standing platform for those who prefer casting from a standing position. This type of pontoon boat can be set up in under of fifteen minutes and they have the ability to float in less than five inches of water. The second type is a two-person pontoon boat. These pontoon boats can be more difficult to put together due to their size and weight so it is best only to get this boat if you plan on having someone with you to help out when you use it. There are a number of options you can add to the two person pontoon boat including dual casting platforms, aluminum frames, front and back motor mounts and a number of storage compartments. The main disadvantages that come with the two person fishing pontoon boats are their size and weight which can make them difficult to carry for long distances. The third type is the packable pontoon boat, which is best for those who want to walk a long distance with their boat. This type of pontoon boat has a lightweight feature that you don't get even on the single person pontoon boat. The weight is the only advantage of these boats while the lack of options is the biggest disadvantage to consider with this type of pontoon boat. Finally there is the kick boat, which is basically an upgrade on the float tube. These will help to keep your legs warmer so it is nicer during the fall season. These are lightweight and packable. You can typically fit it within the trunk of a vehicle. However, they can be very tiring to use for a whole day out on the lake. Your individual preferences as well as the conditions in which you fish will determine which of the above types is right for you. Just be sure to take the time and consider all options to make sure you get the right pontoon boat for your needs.

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That's why USC football tickets will remain a hot item

2010-01-23T13:31:00.001-08:00

After the run of success USC has had in recent years with multiple national championships, Heisman Trophy winners and first-round picks in the NFL, one could conclude that their run is almost over, and that USC football tickets aren't the draw they were a year ago. After all, what team could possibly replace the likes of Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, Winston Justice and Darnell Bing, just to name a few, all at once?

The answer, of course, is that USC can be that team, and there are two prominent reasons that the Trojans are beginning to look like the next long-term juggernaut of college football, a spot that has been occupied in recent years by Nebraska, Miami and Oklahoma, if you go a bit further back. A few of these reasons are laid out below.

Coaching

Who would've thought that Pete Carroll would do what he's done since coming to USC in 2001? By many accounts, Carroll wasn't the administration's first choice. In fact, he wasn't the second, third or fourth either. Carroll was a lightly-regarded NFL coach who had experienced limited success with the New York Jets and New England Patriots, and in four seasons he finished with an overall record of 34-33 and one appearance in the playoffs.

Rumors swirled that USC pursued such coaching "names" as Dennis Erickson, Mike Belotti and Mike Reilly. When none of them wanted the job, it fell into Carroll's lap, so the new-found legend goes. What a fortuitous turn of events it turned out to be for everyone involved.

Carroll walked into a program that many felt was on the decline. Paul Hackett, his predecessor, had only a 19-18 record in three seasons. Fans were losing interest, and USC football tickets were readily available for most of their games. Carroll started by changing the culture surrounding the high-strung program, and his laid-back personality was a perfect fit for both the program and the area.

Carroll does not need to take a back seat to anyone in terms of X's and O's, either. His defenses may not have gotten as much publicity as his high-powered offensive units, but USC has become a strong defensive team as well under Carroll. He changed the entire outlook for his players, the alumni and fans in general, and he doesn't appear to be ready to leave anytime soon. The program is in good hands.

Talent

There is no substitute for talent. USC may have lost a ton of great players recently, but that doesn't mean that the cupboard is bare. Carroll's personality is also a great fit with recruiting, and players often talk about how they "identify" with the coach. The new starters this year consist of several high school All Americans and other highly-recruited athletes.

John David Booty is poised to take over the reigns at QB, and ultra-talented RB's Chauncey Washington, Emmanuel Moody and C.J. Gable are not only talented, but fast and physical.

In short, USC is loaded, and they're ready to keep the ball rolling. Remember, everyone fretted when Carson Palmer, et al graduated a few years ago, but then some no-name players like Leinart and Bush stepped in and did just fine. When you're three deep at every position with talented players, you don't rebuild, you reload.

That's why USC football tickets will remain a hot item, and also why the Trojans have the look of a long-term dynasty.

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Everybody loves them, sport souvenirs

2010-01-23T13:30:00.001-08:00

Anything that is worth collecting will differ in value because of many different factors. For instance, a Dallas cowboy's jersey may not be of any value whatsoever to a New York Yankees fan.

To maintain the value of many sports memorabilia, the items must have no imperfections whatsoever. No stains, no tears, no wear around the edges, no fading color, no chips, and no missing parts. On the flip side, there are items that are considered of greater value because they were used by the athlete. Avid fans will often go to great lengths to gain access to something an icon touched, wiped their sweat on, inserted their smelly feet into, or got grass stains on during a game.

Plenty of people who aren't sports fans often think the value placed on memorabilia is outrageous and silly. After all, the players are just people and the items are just stuff. However, any small town coach who has seen a player evolve into greatness will beg to differ. This coach will see a person with special talent who deserves a claim to fame and will honor any memorabilia connected to this person. Of course, there are also coaches who try to ride on the coattails who barely knew the person. Those type people will often try to grab some of the spotlight themselves in hopes of building their own worth. Players make more than just themselves famous. They make items famous that they use on a daily basis, items they special order, companies associated with products they use (even if they don't personally endorse these items). Everything they use, touch, or buy for themselves becomes of interest to the public. Their camping equipment, lawn maintenance equipment, toothbrushes, socks, and so on, will now be of value to someone somewhere.

Zach Johnson won the 2007 Masters Tournament with Titleist golf balls, drivers, irons, and wedges. He wore shoes by Foot Joys, so this brings business to them as well. Now these products will be important to sports enthusiasts.

Of course, there is a downside. Collectors must beware of the dreaded forgeries and fakes. These can be devastating to those who saved their pennies for years and finally reach their goal of owning that special piece to their collection, only to find they'd been duped by some con artist. Fake memorabilia can be extremely profitable as they are hard to spot. A really good con artist can sometimes pass off something to even a seasoned collector as being an original. They have become professionals, perfecting the art, so to speak, of the scam.

An experienced collector can recognize the fake memorabilia upon close scrutiny most of the time. They research and educate themselves, becoming familiar with the signs. They learn how to find the value of an object before they spend their hard-earned money on it. They also learn the value of authentication and grading.

Remember as well that sports memorabilia value can change with the times and the importance to the public of the famous person it is associated with. Just because you had something appraised 10 years ago does not mean it will retain that same value today.

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Get rid of those male breast, the perfect method

2010-01-23T13:29:00.001-08:00

If you have been suffering about the embarassment and fear of having male breasts I completely understand! I wish to share you with some techniques on how to change your life to reduce the size of your man boobs or get rid of them forever. I used to feel the fear you have of taking your shirt off or going to swimming pools or the beach. It sucks having breasts when in reality men are believed to have flattened chests. Some men have hormonal imbalances and within this article I will show you things like:

How to lose man breasts #1 - Quit eating deep fried or grilled foods. You will also want to put healthier foods into your body. So try to eliminate the fast food like Mcdonalds to only once per week. Don't go over that limit. You will see your weight will actually decrease once you take this technique into action. Avoid foods from fast food restaurants and of course stores like 7-11. Because you know all the stuff they serve you is unhealthy and won't get you anywhere when it comes to lowering the size of male boobs.

How to lose man breasts #2 - Learn how to get the most out of exercise! I recommend you join a gym or any type of physical activity that will get your heart rate going and getting you burning off calories. A really goof way to lower the size of your man boobs is to exercise at a gym or health club five days a week. Another thing that I highly suggest is that you try the different fat burners and fat blockers out on the market. They only make like a 15% impact on your over all weightloss, but it can help you lose some chest fat, and keep you from packing more of it on.

How to lose man breasts #3 - Do exercises like pushups and bench presses. I highly recommend you enroll into a gym and get a membership and start going from three to five days a week. I recommend a regimen high in cardio training to increase your heart rate and lung capacity. Most importantly you will increase your over all fat burning furnace to give you the edge you need to lose your male boobs. Doing specialized targetted exercises for the chest are another great way to lower the fat from this region of your body. If you can also do whatever else like walking up stairs, playing with your kids, going for walks, and eating less will make a big impact on you losing your man boobs forever.

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Volley ball a great sport

2010-01-23T13:28:00.001-08:00

Volley ball is a competing sport which are played one of level récréationnel and professional. There are well raised athletes who competitivement play this sport throughout the year and it is rare so that they exceed the rules of the volley ball in some way during a match of volley ball which is held one weekend with the beach. The professional players of volley ball will be always related to playing the best possible games because there is a trophy of championship which they want to add to their collections.

Some professional players of volley ball start to play the game for the recreation and never think that the play one day will be their single source of income. The days early to play volley ball will evolve/move around the friends and of times of recreation to the beach. During one of these plays, however, some could notice that the person has a special talent to play the game and could say to them to consider to play the game professionally in.the.not.too.distant.future. These players of volley balls which listen to these recommendations are the people which are now higher their field and while raking in wages and lucrative contracts of approval.

The play of the professional player of volley ball professionally constantly and it would be unknown to see any of them reaching under the net during a match of volleyball. The penalties which are applied to this infringement of the rules could cost them valid points and a test of championship the end of the season. They will also make sure that they serve volley ball in the good order right to make sure that all the rules are followed. Is not useful in the good order causes penalties to be evaluated.

Some actions on a court of volley ball could be regarded as breakers of rules and will require the services of a judge. Some players could give on 10-foot the line regulates while they nail a ball or block a projectile of another player. He can take to reign of a judge to determine if the player were behind the line 10-foot when they held the position in the back line. For this type of rupture of rules, the judges generally will count on the rules and the players playing of the abilties.

The majority of the professional players of volley ball improved their play at the point where they are conditioned not to break the rules. They were exerted with their team-members to make sure that they cannot be shown to carry the ball, or throwing it instead of the portion it. Some players wear the special gloves to make sure that they can never not be shown of palming the balls, but these gloves will concern the meticulous examination with each professional match of volley ball which is played.

The play by the rules makes play the professional matches of volley ball the competing sport which it is. Players that the shirk the rules for the points of marking which they did not really gain, are not looked at favorably by ventilators in very part of the world. The immutable professionalism which is shown on a court of volley ball during a match of volley ball also allows to the professional players volley ball to show with ventilators which frank play is all approximately. Friendship, team work carried out between the companions of team in volley ball will show with ventilators all the good things which occur in professional sports today.

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Swimming across the English Channel into France

2010-01-23T13:26:00.001-08:00

The English Channel has been crossed more than 1100 times until now. About 900 crossings have been made from England to France and around 250 crossings from France to England. Most of the swimmers that completed the crossing are man but women have made it too.

The record of the Channel crossings is held by Alison Streeter, who managed to make 43 successful swims across the channel.

British star David Walliams, well known actor and writer had the initiative of crossing the English Channel for charity. The purpose of this attempt is to raise money for Sport Relief. The comedian is aware of the difficulty of his attempt and that is why he trained himself for almost 12 months with former Olympic pentathlete Greg Whyte.

Walliams is saying that he will "just be in a pair of Speedos and goggles - it's what the public wants," but he took his training very seriously. The crossing of the Channel is known as "the Everest of open-water swimming" and only a few of the ones that try it succeed.

But jokes aside, what the 34-year-old comedian is attempting is quite a feat. Few people succeed - just 10% according to some figures - and the swim is known Walliams, who is raising money for Sport Relief, has spent the last 11 months training and Alison Streeter,the record holder for the Channel crossings explains what are the most difficult things is this attempt: "It's not about the distance, lots of people can swim the equivalent in a pool," she says. "It comes down to the cold. Fit swimmers are often all muscle and don't have much fat on them, this means they get cold quicker and once the cold gets into your muscles it is very hard to continue."

Considering that Walliams plans to make his attempt some time between 28 June and 15 July which is early in the season, it means that the cold will be an even greater issue.

Other important factors that make the attempt difficult are the tides, the wind and the weather. The tides are hard to predict as they are strong and change direction approximately every six hours and they change in height and flow speed every day.

The local weather conditions can change very quickly and sometimes do not match the forecasts.

A problem not to be ignored is the large number of ships using these waters, as to go from England to France you have to swim across the shipping lanes. There are more than 600 commercial ship movements and almost 100 ferry crossings between Dover and Calais every day. The difficult job of keeping the swimmer out of the path of these vessels, it's the job of the accompanying pilot boat.

Ms Streeter says that she has "done 43 swims - seven in one year once - and every one of them has been different" but she believes that "David Walliams seems to be preparing in the right way, so he will have a fair chance."

On 4th July 2006, David Walliams started from a beach near Dover and successfully swam the 21 miles across the English Channel in 10 hours 30 minutes. Before the swim he said he hopes to complete the 21-mile charity swim in less than 16 hours and declared: "I reckon I have a 50/50 chance of getting across. I hope people see it as a symbolic thing".

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Let a Pro learn you about winter sports

2010-01-23T13:25:00.001-08:00

For many, the arrival of winter is simply something to suffer through until the warmer months of spring and summer. But for others, cold weather signals a time to dust off the skis, grab the snow gear and head outside.

While winter sports like skiing and snowboarding can be intimidating for beginners, especially if they're learning from a friend or family member who's not trained in these sports, package deals and multi-day lift tickets are leading many to rethink giving these snow sports a try.

Whatever your motivation - whether it is beginner's curiosity or the desire to ski triple black diamonds - one thing that can help alleviate any fears you may have is a lesson from an experienced instructor.

The Professional Ski Instructors Association and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors have helped advance lessons throughout the country, and many resorts work to help instructors obtain certifications and become better teachers in general.

Instructors are now trained to not only help you understand skiing and snowboarding, regardless of your expertise or how comfortable you are on the snow, but create an overall experience that is fun, positive and catered to your needs.

In fact, one of the most attractive aspects about learning to ski or snowboard is that they can be enjoyed by all ages, instructors say. Kids start as early as the age of 2, which can promote healthy activity and help them build confidence, develop coordination and appreciate the great outdoors. On the other hand, many adults ski or snowboard well into their 70s, enjoying the experience of outdoor activities with family or other physically active seniors.

Besides learning the proper techniques, instructors will go over safety related information with you in order to reduce accidents. Also, instructors will arm you with skiing and snowboarding etiquette. This includes knowing that the skier or snowboarder in front of you has the right of way and learning to check the snow conditions before you head out to the slopes.

Many people who already have skiing or snowboarding experience also find it beneficial to take lessons. From learning new techniques to testing new equipment, intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders are able to reach new levels with professional instruction.

"Certified professional instructors are dedicated to helping guests get the most out of their experience on the mountain," said Jeb Boyd, snow sports school director at Loon Mountain Resort in New Hampshire.

With resorts like Jackson Hole, Aspen, Telluride, Killington and Mammoth Mountain offering everything from beginner slopes to terrain parks, many are pushing themselves onto the slopes and looking to instructors to help them gain the confidence they need, in an environment that is exhilarating and yet entirely foreign.

Memories of unsuccessful attempts to ski or snowboard leave some with an innate fear of the sports. However, many who venture back onto the snow find that lessons from a certified professional increase their fun, improve their skills and open up a whole new world to them.

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The attraction of the Hockey game

2010-01-23T13:24:00.000-08:00

We're in the middle of the first NHL Playoffs since 2004 and there seems to be a common theme. No it's not Ilja Bryzgalov shut-outs (although those seem to be happening quite often), it's NHL bashing.

It's no surprise that the NHL is not as popular as the NFL, Major League Baseball, the NBA, or NCAA Football and Basketball for that matter - but it gets treated by major media like it is a joke of a sport. Shows like Around the Horn on ESPN constantly make fun of anyone who actually watches hockey. They don't pick on NASCAR, they don't pick on soccer, and they don't pick on tennis or golf. They pick on hockey.

Earlier this week, Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel wrote an article entitled "Hockey: The cold, hard, truth" in which he claims that no one wants to read about hockey, and pleads sports sections and media outlets to stop covering it. He cites low NHL ratings as the reason to stop covering it, and claims that "sports editors are from an era when hockey still mattered." He states that "the WNBA and Major League Soccer" are in the same category as the NHL.

That's funny, last time I checked, the NHL drew 16,955 fans per game - barely less than the 17,558 that the NBA averaged this season and just a little more than the 8,174 that the WNBA drew in 2005. Last time I checked the NHL revised the rules for a more exciting game, had two of the most exhilarating rookies in sports history in Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin, and was in the middle of an exciting playoff run.

We all know that the NHL isn't the NFL, but it does deserve the respect for what it is - an immensely popular sport that has an extremely loyal following. Haters will point to the fact that hockey doesn't get the ratings of Golf or even Arena Football, but fail to realize that much of the reason for the lack of interest is their incessant nagging about how uninteresting it is. What would happen if the media promoted it like they promote golf or boxing? I know that I don't particularly like those sports but when ESPN hypes up a fight for a week, it tends to peak my interest and I tend to watch. Don't you think the NHL bashing has the reverse effect?

The NHL bears some responsibility for this, but they don't get any help from the national media. The NHL shouldn't have allowed a work stoppage and they shouldn't have allowed their game to be showcased on mediocre sports networks like NBC and OLN. However, they don't deserve the treatment they are getting. They managed to evolve the quality of play this year and have given their fans everything and more that they could have asked for coming off of the work stoppage.

I'm fairly certain that hockey would be better off getting no attention from the media than the negative tail-whipping they've been getting lately. Someone wise once told me that if I didn't have anything nice to say, I shouldn't say anything at all. When it comes to covering the NHL, the media should contact their local elementary school so that they can sit in on a kindergarten class. It obviously didn't sink in the first time around.

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Buying your set of woodworking tools

2010-01-23T13:21:00.001-08:00

Even experienced woodworkers can go into "contractions" when it comes to trying to buy a new tool ... can you imagine how a novice must feel? The rule of thumb when buying anything is ... "when you don't know much, if anything about the product, select the cheapest or near cheapest price, or we pick the most powerful version, thinking that if one power is good, two must be better".

We all do this with one thing or another, but doing this with power tools can be hazardous to your health. One example of buying too much was a friend of our family's daughter. Finally got her first apartment and decided to fix it up a bit. She needed to fasten a bookshelf to the wall and decided to purchase a portable drill. There are dozens of them around. In her mind she wanted "a good one" and promptly purchased, at the sales person's recommendation, an 18volt drill. Honestly, if this young gal is 100 pounds soaking we, I would be amazed, she is a wee bit of a thing, and you guessed, the first time she used the drill, the bit caught something in the wall and twisted out of her control to the point she had to seek medical attention and was off work for a few days and in a sling for two weeks. The drill was simply way too powerful for her.

Purchasing power tools goes beyond looking at power, just ask the woodworker who purchased a portable drill and the third time using it the battery pack actually blew out the bottom of it's case, barely missing his leg ... and this was an "experienced" woodworker.

Like purchasing anything, a bit of research can go a long way. As a rule, I have found most tool salespeople to be well informed, but remember, they will be trying to sell you the tools THEY sell and not what might be best for you, so keep this in mind when you are looking.

Without going into depth on many different tools, here are some points that I have found useful in purchasing tools.

Warranty - look for tools that have a long or even lifetime warranty. These tools will be among the better performers because they manufacturers do NOT want to see these tools coming back to them for repair or replacement.

Price - I always find that purchasing tools that are priced "middle of the pack" gives me about the best value. I can often find a very decent tool, with a good warranty that is competitively priced.

Power - As noted above, bigger is not always better. I am an average sized woodworker and I have no use for drill over 14 volts, they are too heavy and too powerful, even for me they can twist my arm ... look for what will do the job for you.

Corded or Cordless - you will generally pay much less for corded tools, BUT they are less convenient. If think you will be using your tools a lot, battery power is good, if you are only going to use your tool occasionally, corded is probably fine for you. Where to Buy - as always, a reputable dealer, preferably one who has a selection to choose from and who will stand behind what they sell.

If you use these guidelines in purchasing tools you will reduce your risk of purchasing poor quality tools or tools that don't suite the work you need them for ... save yourself some time, money and lot of frustration.

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The witch Halloween costume

2010-01-23T13:20:00.000-08:00

The witch is certainly a powerful and popular figure, and the witch has appeared and reappeared in myths, cultural stories, legends, and literature through the ages. In fact, in almost every culture, in almost every period, you can find a witch-like figure. There is Lilith, a female witch-demon who appears in Jewish folklore, as well as Iranian, Christian, Greek, Mexican, and Arab literature.

In recent years, there are the young wizards and witches of J.K. Rowling's beloved Harry Potter series. It is rare indeed to go an entire Halloween night and not see a few dozen Harry Potter Halloween costumes. So which witch do you want to be for your Halloween costume? Do you want to be a spooky witch, a green-faced witch, or even a good witch? Below I've given a brief explanation of three popular witch figures and legends, as well as some suggestions on how to make a great witch Halloween costume.

I'll Get You, My Pretty!

Often, the first witch people think of is the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, with her flowing black robes, pointed black hat, buckle shoes, warty nose, and emerald green skin. Add in a good cackle, maybe even a flying evil monkey, and you've got a great Halloween costume. It's also a good Halloween costume to make at the last minute. You just need some black clothing, green face paint, a household broom, and some brown or black makeup. If you can scrounge up a black hat, you'll surely be instantly recognized as a witch. Many Halloween costume shops sell or rent out witch costumes, which is often cheaper and less time intensive than buying all your items individually.

Double, Double Toil and Trouble....

For those Shakespeare buffs out there, why not find two good friends and go as the three witches from William Shakespeare's Macbeth? Actually, if you have a group of four friends, have one of you dress up as Hecate, the powerful and historic witch of the night. As Shakespeare does not provide too much detail about the witches' costumes, you and your friends can let your imagination decide what your Halloween costumes will look like. You could even rent one of the many versions of Macbeth (Scotland, PA is a particularly odd one), and see how other people have imagined the witches. This Halloween costume gives you a great excuse to dress up as a spooky, dark witch and memorize some beautifully creepy Shakespearean witch lines, like "Fair is foul, and foul is fair: hover through the fog and filthy air."

I Saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I Saw Goody Osburn with the Devil!

My last suggestion for a witch Halloween costume is to do a little research about the Salem Witch Trials and Arthur Miller's The Crucible. Most people encountered The Crucible in high school classes. It is a play detailing a witch-hunt that occurs in a Puritan community. This sounds like an odd lead-in to Halloween costume advice, but Miller's tale about people accusing others of witchcraft and "dancing with the devil in the forest" provides a lot of fun possibilities for Halloween costumes. Like the Macbeth witches, this could be a great group Halloween costume idea. Have some bewitched Puritans, have some religious folk, and maybe even a witch or a devil.

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Can a winner be predicted?

2010-01-23T13:19:00.001-08:00

Now the Fifa World Cup is out of the way, after yet another disappointing performance from the English team, focus is once again turning to the start of the Premiership. In this article, I write about the contenders for the trophy and give my opinion on who I think will end up as the champions in May 2007.

The English Premiership will be devalued this season after the relegation last time around of my favourite team Birmingham City. Well maybe not, I have to admit my team deserved to go down but at least I will never have to witness Mario Melchiott playing in the blue and white of Birmingham ever again. Steve Bruce still deserves a kick up the backside for sticking with players like Mario right up until the end. It was plain to see that these type of players were just going through the motions and in truth deserved a right hook, as they were basically robbing the club at the end of the day. A whole hearted player like Bruce surely could also see this and the fact that he kept on sticking up for these players week in week out is barely believable.

As for this years English Premiership, there are once again probably only four teams with a realistic chance of becoming champions.

Manchester United

United are entering this season with a bit of a problem after the World Cup. Rooney and Ronaldo in the same team after the events of that infamous quarter final could bring its own share of fireworks. Wayne has stated that there will be no comeback but that could easily be a ploy just to get Ronaldo to return. Go on Wayne stick one on the cheat!

Manchester United have a great team and will believe that they have a realistic shout for at least one trophy this year, whether this will be the Premiership is debatable. I personally believe that they will finish third this time around.

Liverpool

Steven Gerrard will be hoping to lead Liverpool to Premiership glory this season but in reality would have had a better chance if he had joined Chelsea when he had the chance. Gerrard had a very poor World Cup which may affect his confidence and there is likely to be some kind of hangover. Fourth place is in my opinion the best Liverpool can achieve this year.

Arsenal

Arsene Wenger will be desperate to bridge the gap between his team and Chelsea this season. Players like Fabregas and Henry have enough quality but I feel a number of new signings need to be made in order for Arsenal to make a strong challenge.

I actually think that Arsenal will finish second this year.

Chelsea

Yet again, I believe that Chelsea will win the English Premiership next season. They continue to make important and impressive signings and are likely to be even stronger than last season.

Frank Lampard had a poor showing in the World Cup in much the same way as Steven Gerrard did. Frank will have to improve or may well find himself left out of the team. I am sure however he will regain his form when playing in a quality team under a quality coach.

Finally I am hoping that Birmingham City can win promotion back to the Premiership this season, but I doubt that it will happen under Bruce the bottler

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Why wrestling is world wide a popular sport

2010-01-23T13:18:00.001-08:00

Wrestling, the name says it all, this is form of sports entertainment like no other. The wrestling of today is all about fanfares, lights, music and outlandish characters rather than in conventional wrestling sans somersaults and superfluous attractions. Of the most popular forms of sports entertainment, wrestling holds a position for being one of most popular sport in the world. This sport attracts millions of fans to this game, professional wrestling is a combination of successful merchandising and televised events.

The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is the major powerhouse of professional wrestling where athletes aim for the ultimate stardom as they compete in the sport's largest organization. In America, there are number of wrestling schools that train athletes to perfect and excel in the art of the wrestling sport, its maneuvers and also they even may help in providing placements for their most talented performers. The aspiring wannabe wrestlers that are interested in getting trained for professional wrestling usually call up the organization that they eventually hope to work for, such as WWE or any other top notch organization, and ask for a list of wrestling schools endorsed by the wrestling major, and athletes may benefit from attending the recommended wrestling school so that they improve their chances of reaching stardom of being a wrestling superstar. The wrestling superstars are nothing but a combination of gymnastic moves, extensive training and dedication bundled with muscular structure and poise. On every occasion, it is the responsibility of the performing athletes to provide a quality performance that reminisces as "one" in the minds of their diehard fans who will enjoy until the last minute. To garner even more excitement, the best part of the wrestling industry, the annual super bowl of wrestling as it is known, also known as the Wrestle mania, is held as a live pay-per-view event each year. It is undeniably a visual treat for fans and a test of skill to the wrestling superstars. Wrestle mania offers some of the wildest, most exciting events of the year.

It is a pricey affair to get trained at wrestling training centers, and time being inversely proportional to the training tutored the skill level, the more you are skilled the lesser training and vice versa. It will be an amateur wrestler that would be spending more on wrestling training when compared to an intermediate or advanced athlete. In training sessions, the series exercises or programs include basic and advanced classes of weight training; workout regimens, diet regimens and actual ring practices that make these training sessions simulate the real-time wrestling environment. The schedules are demanding and the tasks exhausting, but training centers offer the best look at what a wrestling lifestyle is all about.

For other avid individuals that prefer just to watch and not be a part of wrestling, love to enjoy but not willing to be part of the action, the best seat are in the house sidelines. Televised tapings are held throughout the country with visits to stadiums and venues in almost every state. In addition, autograph events are frequently held in order to allow fans to meet their favorite-wrestling superstars in person.

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Mouth Protection for your sporting Childeren

2010-01-23T13:11:00.001-08:00

Statistics show that of the more than 3.5 million kids [ages 14 and up] who are injured while playing sports and recreational activities each year, those with the highest rates of injury are young people who are part of a contact sport. It's hardly surprising... As any athlete who has played soccer, football, hockey, rugby or another contact sport knows, one hit can have lasting effects. The head spins, the feet go weak, the heart races... and, unfortunately, serious damage can even take place.

While death from a contact sport injury is considered rare [though it does happen and is always tragic], the other possible medical problems related to intense contact are still quite significant. Brain damage, concussions, head trauma, loss of teeth, loss of sensation in parts of the body and broken bones are but a few of the potential disasters waiting to happen. However, this doesn't mean that parents should shield their children and teens from playing sports, as athletic activity is highly recommended. [After all, team sports teach kids how to get along with others, how to maintain self-discipline and how to stay fit.] What the reality of potential sports injuries does mean is that moms and dads [and coaches] should mandate that their children wear athletic mouth guards whenever the sport is being played, even during practices.

Athletic mouth guards are not new products; they've been available to recreational and professional athletes for numerous years. Generally, though, they are assumed to only provide a "safety net" for the teeth, gums and tongue. What most people do not realize is that an athletic mouth guard can actually be a life saver.

For instance, when an athlete not wearing an athletic mouth guard sustains any kind of blow to the mouth or jaw area, the reverberations from that blow can travel throughout the skull, interfering with the functions of the brain. This happens even when the blow is relatively light. Those reverberations can cause trauma to the brain, possibly leading to anything from concussions to death.
On the other hand, when an athlete wears an athletic mouth guard that has been specially-designed to absorb the majority of the force to the mouth or jaw, the potential for damage to the brain is greatly lessened. This is the reason many professional athletes [almost all of whom wear athletic mouth guards] can recover so quickly from intense contact without losing consciousness or being forced off the playing field.

If you're the parent of a child who plays a contact sport, it is essential that you invest in a state-of-the-art athletic mouth guard. Don't simply rely on those that you see on the drugstore or grocery store shelves. Investigate to determine which athletic mouth guards have been strategically engineered to ensure the safety of the wearer. Otherwise, you could be playing a tenuous game of "Russian Roulette" with your son or daughter's life.

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Sci Con travel bags

2010-01-23T13:10:00.001-08:00

Sci-Con may sound like the name of a big science convention, and chances are it is consistently mispronounced here in the Americas, but what Sci-Con means to us is secure transport.

Sci-Con is based in Romano d'Ezzelino, at the feet of Grappa Mountain just outside Vicenza - Veneto Italy; which explains why they were in need of bags to transport their bikes when they were tired of riding up the same mountain all the time. Actually, Sci-Con was forged in 1980 from an idea and a passion for cycling as a lifestyle. It was Mr. Luciano Fantin who put in the blood, sweat and tears to turn this vision into a reality.

That factory in the mountains is more than just a simple factory. It is a factory born from imagination, nourished with the beauty of Italian design, enhanced by quality and will continue to build with the innovation and ingenuity. Still run by the Fantin family, Sci-Con is going strong bringing the world Transportation Bags, Saddlebags, Sports Bags and all the great accessories that go with those bags.

From the beginning, Sci-Con focused much of their attention on creating solutions for travelers. We travel with our bikes, you travel with your bike. The problem with traveling with your bike is the damage that can occur if it isn't well protected. The last thing you want is to arrive the day before the race and find your handlebars or your wheels bent. That happens all too frequently.

Fortunately, we weary travelers have companies like Sci-Con doing constant research and development to bring us sturdy bags to transport our beloved bikes. Their research and development team benefits from the experience and the technical advice of professional rider's across the world. They know what athletes need and keep an open dialogue with many professional cyclist to make sure they can predict any future requirements these champions (and us hacks) need.

When it comes to travel bags, you can't rely on some anonymous bag manufacturer. You need a company with reliability and strength in the market. You need a bag that has science behind it, or all you will have are bent wheels and frustration. Sci-Con has supplied sports bags, bike bags and saddle bags to over 200 teams of world class professional cyclists so you know that they are reliable and will be around for a very long time.

That's right, Sci-Con services professional cycling teams like Liquigas-Cannondale, Barloworld & Navigators. For almost 30 years Sci-Con has supplied over 150 Cycling teams with the finest in technical bags. Amongst those teams there have been fifteen Tour de France winners, five world championships, five Giro d' Italian wins and dozens of "Classics". Not to mention, the Sci-Con Aero Comfort Plus Cycling Bag is the official bike bag of the Italian Cycling Federation. So, if you needed an endorsement from those that know, don't take our word for it, take it from the ICF, or even the United States Postal Service. Not only have Sci-Con bags been tested and endorsed by some of the greatest cycling teams in the world, they are also being used by the United States Postal Service. We're not sure for what, but the United States Postal Service is one of their biggest clients. And since Sci-Con boasts "the largest and most complete range of cycling bags and accessories to satisfy all the requirements of its customers", we're sure whatever the United States Postal Service is using, is reliable and exactly what they need.

Dynamic, flexible and innovative, that's their bag, baby!

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Mouth Protection for Athlets

2010-01-23T13:08:00.000-08:00

Imagine an intense football game. The players are on the field. The ball is snapped. Everyone runs according to his position. Then, the inevitable happens - two players collide with a force that can be heard from the stands. After a brief moment of breathlessness, the crowd sighs audibly when both players get up on their own, dust themselves off and get ready for another play.

The crowd might not know it, but the players can thank well-fitted mouth protectors for their ability to arise from such a high impact!

Mouth protectors have long been known to protect young and older athletes' teeth, gums and tongues, but, when specially-designed and fitted for the wearer, they can also stop concussions from occurring. This means they effectively minimalize the potential damage to the brain that can be sustained from repeated collisions or falls.

Of course, most coaches and parents already know how important it is for each player to have a mouth protector during a game. But what many don't realize is that the majority of sports injuries to kids [including concussions] occur during practice times. It's not during the game that most children are going to be hurt; it's when they are learning and drilling.

It makes perfect sense, really. If you've ever sat and watched a team practice, it can seem like a comedy of errors. After all, everyone on the field is learning... and learning involves making mistakes. Even slight missteps made by novice players can lead to serious contact with other athletes on the field, in the rink or on the court. That's when a mouth protector comes into play.

Mouth protectors that have been fitted for the athlete's unique bone structure absorb any forces to the mouth that the player sustains. Rather than enabling that energy to travel throughout the skull and brain [which can lead to concussion... or worse], the mouth protectors "steal" the energy and ultimately lessen the result of the blow. Of course, mouth protectors also provide protection for the teeth and surrounding tissues as well.

So why don't coaches and parents demand that mouth protectors be mandatory for each player during every practice? To be fair, some moms, dads and trainers do realize the importance of mouth protectors and do mandate their usage, even going so far as to not allow players into practice without them. However, some other coaches and parents simply do not realize that every practice could be the one that leads to a kid's concussion down the road. It's a matter of lack of education, not of negligence.

If you're a coach or the parent [or guardian] of a child who is involved in a contact sport, it's imperative that you issue a directive for mouth protector usage during all practices and games. Make it a zero tolerance policy and it will stick.

If you or other parents or coaches are unsure where to find mouth protectors that really work [not those that are simply bought off-the-shelf, providing very little assistance during a particularly intense collision], check out BrainPads for a complete list of mouth protector dealers in your area. That way, you'll know that you've given your son, daughter or player more than a modicum of protection.

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Fishing in Guatemala

2010-01-23T13:07:00.000-08:00

Today there was a 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Guatemala just South of the Marin towards El Salvador.

All of our boats were out fishing at the time - which is probably about the safest place for them when these things happen - but there are no casualties and little damage reported from the coast.

This is almost expected in Guatemala, and it is not unusual for our sailfishing clients to feel the rumble.

Given the landscape of active volcanoes in the area overlooking the Marina Pez Vela, it is perhaps not surprising that many anglers visiting Guatemala mistake these shakes, rattles and rock'n roll for mini eruptions from the most active volcano Pacaya.

Although 5.8 is a fairly significant seismic occurrence, the country has in the past survived much greater events with relatively minimal damage - certainly when compared to the historical damage metered out by eruptions and the mudslides that ensued.

In the 20th century there were 3 earthquakes that exceeded 7.5 on the richter scale (this compares to the tragic event in Haiti this year as a result of an earthquake reading 7.0).

The largest or most sever was in 1942 along the western highlands. Although it lasted and rumbled for some considerable time, and also caused widespread damage - only 38 casualties were reported.

In some villages over 60% of the buildings were completely demolished, primarily those of adobe construction, although details are hard to come by as it obviously occurred during the second world war, and records were not accurately kept.

Back here in the second decade of the 21st century (Jan 2010) we are pleased to also report on the great sailfishing fishery of Guatemala.

Typically this time of year sees calm seas and warm weather consistently from day to day. The last couple of weeks however, we have been greeted with some pretty difficult fishing conditions as a result of two cold fromts coming through.

Usually this means that the bait becomes much harder to find and less concentrated - for us as well as the predatory fish - but not this time !!

The billfish stayed focused relatively close to shore on some very rapid temperature breaks and continued to feed despite the inclement weather and waves "up top". The boats suffered a little in this "rockin'" period, but nothing that a few stainless screws and clamps couldn't take care of.

All through the week and a half of weather that we experienced, the fishing stayed hot - with in excess of twenty sailfish in the spreads throughout. We "rolled" through the groups, welcoming back many familiar faces to the coast and to the great fishing.

Then came the real "rockin" - after the events in Haitai, we are very aware when similar activity takes place in Guatemala, we had a 5.8 magnitude this morning, centered just offshore and South of the marina towards El Salvador.

No casualties or significant damage is reported at this time. Earthquakes of this magnitude are familiar territory in this part of Central America - not quite an everyday occurrence, but frequent enough that even a 5.8 does not set off the alarms.

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Baseball cards since the late 1800's

2010-01-23T13:03:00.000-08:00

Baseball and photography in the United States were both seeing an explosion of popularity in the mid nineteenth century. This provoked baseball clubs to start taking individual and group pictures of their members. Some of these pictures were printed on smaller cards, much like modern-day, wallet sized photos. In the late 1860s, baseball became a professional sport, and trading cards began to appear with photos of players and teams. These were mainly used as a means of advertisement for companies, who placed an ad on the back of the card.

A sporting goods store in New York, called Peck and Snyder, began production of trading cards featuring teams. As a sporting goods store, baseball cards were the perfect advertisement vehicle for them. The cards produced by Peck and Snyder are often times referred to as the first baseball cards.

A trade card during these times typically featured an image on one side, and a business advertisement on the reverse side. Color printing technology began to increase the attractiveness of baseball cards. Photos began to be seen in black and white as well as sepia. Some baseball cards were printed as playing cards, either for conventional card games or simulations of a baseball game.

By 1886 cigarette packs often included baseball cards in them for promotional purposes as well as the protection of the cigarettes. Baseball had become so popular by the end of the century that production of the baseball cards had not only spread across the Americas, but also into the Pacific Isles.

Early Twentieth Century

The majority of cards being produced were by candy companies and cigarette companies. Breisch-Williams Company, (a Pennsylvania-based confectionary company), produced the first major set of baseball cards of the century in 1903. Soon after, baseball cards were beginning to appear in more and more products. In 1914, Cracker Jack's began using baseball cards as the included prize in the box.

The Twenties to the Fifties

Baseball card production began to fall off during World War I due to the transition to wartime production. This lasted until the late thirties, when the United States began to see the effects of the great depression. During the years in between, production of baseball cards went through the roof. The culmination of this production spike was the Goudey Gum Company's set, produced in 1933.

Again, in 1941, wartime production began to significantly affect the number of baseball cards being produced. In 1948, baseball card production increased once again. The Leaf Candy Company and Bowman Gum introduced the first sets when wartime production came to a halt. During the1950s, Japanese baseball cards associated with the popular Japanese card game, menko, began to flood the market.

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Why women are attracted to playing Poker?

2010-01-23T13:02:00.000-08:00

Poker, once traditionally considered a "man's game", is a man's game no longer. Although men still dominate the game numbers-wise, women are certainly making rapid inroads on a professional level. True, no woman has as yet won the no-limit Texas Hold ' em Main Event, but Annie Duke did beat her older brother and eight other poker legends to win $2 million in the World Series of Poker's 2005 Tournament of Champions.

Arguably considered the best of the best among professional women poker tournament players is Las Vegas' own Jennifer Harman, a feared and tigerish high-stakes competitor. In fact, Daniel Negreanu, unarguably among the greatest of players, has been quoted as saying that Jennifer Harman is already considered by her peers as one of the world's best players. "She's a killer", says Daniel, "A pit bull in a chihuahua's body".

Now, for the first time in the thirty-five year history of the World Series of Poker, several women have been recognized as equal competitors among the best of the male players. Actress Jennifer Tilly, (Academy Award nominee for her performance in the Woody Allen comedy, "Bullets Over Broadway"), has surprised everyone with her skills and cool determination in high-stakes poker play. This year, Jennifer won the Ladies No-limit Hold 'em event, taking home $158,625. in prize money. And what about Cathy Liebert, an expert at confusing opposing players with her quizzical expressions. She is the first women ever to win $1 million in poker tournament competition.

The 2005 World Series of Poker Main Event, which required a $10,000 buy-in, had a total of 2,576 entrees, of which some one hundred thirty or so were women. In that tournament, the entrant who finished 21st in the field was a women, Suzanne Carpenter.

A good example of how quickly women are taking to high-stakes tournament poker is in the unprecedented number of women (600), who participated in the 2006 Ladies No-limit Texas Hold 'em event, won by the afore-mentioned Jennifer Tilly. This was nearly three times the number of women who played in the same tournament in 2004. And watch out for Cyndy Violette. She finishes in the money quite often, such as when she finished second among 1,403 players in a $2,000 No-limit Hold 'em Showdown, winning $295,970.

Women entering high-stakes tournaments in such rapidly increasing numbers, and showing the skills and tenacity that makes top players have "thrown" some male veteran poker players, many of which were of the opinion that that women players would be easy to intimidate, disrupting their strategies. Simultaneously, many women played against men much too aggressively as a defense mechanism. Both sexes are learning to respect one-another as equals as many high profile male players begin to appreciate and publicly praise the all-'round playing skills exhibited by the leading women competitors.

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