7 Ways That The Karate Kid Is More Successful In School

 



7 Ways That The Karate Kid Is More Successful In SchoolSubmitted By: Paul A. Walker   

You have probably seen or heard of the movie The Karate Kid. But, have you heard about the real world benefits of karate for kids? Did you know that the martial arts are helping literally thousands of kids around the country do better in school and also improve in all aspects of their
lives?

How are the martial arts creating positive change in the youth of today? This article will list the 7 most common ways that karate helps kids succeed in school. If your child needs help in any of these areas then it may be time to start paying attention to a growing trend.

1. Focus. With the increasingly greater numbers of children today who are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD or similar disorders, it can be no wonder that parents are looking for activities that will help their child focus on the task at hand. Martial arts bring together all of the different learning modalities such as visual, auditory, cognitive and experiential in every single practice session.

Students must watch the instructor model a technique or drill, listen to the command to begin, think about how to do the technique and then actually perform the technique to the best of their ability. It is no wonder that karate develops a laser-like focus in its practitioners!

2. Discipline. Unfortunately in our society today a major quality that is lacking in all segments of the population is discipline. This is most noticeable in school age children and teenagers. Karate training is very demanding and many instructors are excellent authority figures in terms of their high standards, clear expectations and strict discipline methods. If you feel that your child needs fine-tuning in this area, then karate is an ideal activity to accomplish this.

3. Respect As children get older and prepare for the future they begin to realize that it is important to show respect to others. This shouldn?t come as a surprise because if you?ve been doing your job right as a parent, then your children know the importance of this and have been reminded on numerous occasions.

Martial arts offer a great environment to not only understand the value of respect, but also to practice and truly understand its importance. As the saying goes, ?it takes a village to raise a child,? and in this case your local karate school could very well be the ideal complement to the
life lessons that you are already trying to teach your child at home.

4. Structure. Life can be incredibly demanding for parents. In between work responsibilities and life?s daily chores, parents are trying their best to raise their children. In order to do this it is essential to maintain order among the chaos of life. This order is called structure.

To help raise a calm and responsible individual, structure is vital, and any opportunity to expose your child to structure rather than outright distraction should be welcomed with open arms.

Karate as a whole is very structured right from the curriculum to the belt sequence and the required etiquette - structure shows up everywhere in a martial arts school. Take advantage of this and get your child enrolled in the martial arts as soon as you can.

5. Accountability. Did you just say accountability? You mean my child must actually take his actions seriously and be responsible? Absolutely, yes! The right martial arts school offers a perfect environment for accountability. If your child does his best he is rewarded with praise, a high five, maybe a stripe on his belt and hopefully every few months his next colored belt.

On the other hand, if he doesn?t do his best, then you can expect to see a consequence in the form of a verbal warning, a time-out, some push-ups or even a failure in his belt test. Accountability is crucial to a student?s success in the martial arts and consequently it should be easy to see in any reputable martial arts school.

6. Memorization. This is an interesting and relatively unknown benefit of karate training to anyone who is looking to get started in the martial arts. In many karate schools there is very often a type of training called ?Forms?. Forms are essentially sequences of movements that a student should learn and memorize in order to perform on their test or at a tournament, or simply because they are fun. What forms teach, however, are not simply set sequences or patterns of movements, they teach memorization skills and help students find and create links between required techniques.

The greater relevance of this is seen at school as students often find it easier to remember the important parts of their study. The jury is not yet in on this point but the evidence is growing that the martial arts do in fact stimulate our brains and help us to create links between information more easily than we were previously able to do.

7. Higher grades. It shouldn?t be too much of a stretch for you, the parent, to read through all of these benefits and conclude that the practice of martial arts can also lead to improved grades and test scores at school. There has been a lot of research done on the value of physical exercise for developing increased levels of cognitive skill. Martial arts are no different as they not only provide an excellent source of physical exercise, but they also demand high levels of focus, discipline, respect, structure, accountability and memorization.

How can these factors not lead to improved achievement at school and in all areas of your child?s life?

So come on, get your child into the martial arts. One day they will thank you for it, and maybe they?ll even inspire you to get started too, because after all the martial arts are one of the few activities out there today that families can get involved in together regardless of age or physical ability. The benefits are potentially huge and there is nothing to lose by giving it a go.

For more specific information on how karate can help your child succeed in school please read my Special Report, Karate For Newcomers: How to Find Out Everything You Need to Know to Start Your Karate Practice. You'll find it at http://www.freekarateinformation.com.

Types of Laptop Cases

A laptop is one of the most advanced personal machines in the technologically driven world today. It is a handy computer, with no elaborate wiring and easily portable. It is very light in weight and smaller than a desk- top.

Businessmen, architects and stockbrokers require portable computers that help them to store important information and provide the same at the click of a button. It is a boon to many businesses and professions.

The purpose of using a laptop cover or case is to prevent it from damage while traveling. It is also used to carry the necessary power adapters and other accessories of the laptop. It protects and cushions the laptop from unexpected bumps or damage while traveling.

Laptop cases are available in a variety of shapes and sizes according to the type of laptop. They are available in the form of backpacks, briefcases, and even big purses. College and university students generally use the backpack types. These are specifically designed keeping in mind the age group of the users and their preference for trendy and fashionable cases. Students generally avoid the readymade black designed cases. They prefer chic bags and sporty backpack type of laptop cases.

The briefcase type of laptop cases, are specifically designed for professionals. These laptop cases display a sense of power and sophistication. This look is welcome to most of the always-on-the-move businessmen. Some laptop cases are designed in leather. They give an ultra modern and classy look. Many senior level professionals prefer leather laptop cases. These cases have additional pockets to carry office documents.

Some are designed with foam and extra padding for added protection, during frequent traveling. They also have compartments for cds and pen drives. Various kinds of laptop carrying cases are available in the market according to individual needs and preferences.

Laptop Cases provides detailed information on Laptop Cases, Aluminum Laptop Cases, Womens Laptop Cases, Leather Laptop Cases and more. Laptop Cases is affiliated with Mobile Computing Solutions.

Great Travel Toys for Kids

The solution to keeping kids amused and occupied on long car rides can seem as elusive as the perfectly placed pit stop.

Parents of even the smallest of infants will find the perfect travel toys to keep them amused and stimulated in between naps. The irresistible Whoozit Activity Spiral wraps around most stroller and car seat carrier handles for on-the-go fun. A baby safe mirror encourages self-discovery, a hidden rattle reinforces cause-and-effect play, and the pull-and-release ball under the Whoozit makes a delightful jiggling motion that stimulates developing motor skills.

Does your baby love to reach for little toys and give them a good shake - before throwing them under the front seat? Well, Lamaze Garden Bug Foot Finder and Wrist Rattle Set is your solution to keeping those toys and rattles off the car floor. These baby-soft wrist rattles and foot finders slip around wrists and onto feet. Let baby grab and shake to her hearts' content - while developing hand-to-eye coordination skills! Bright patterns and faces encourage discovery while fun sounds reward exploration.

Now baby can drive along just like mom or dad with the Beep Beep Baby Soft Driver by IQ Baby. This colorful, soft activity toy features a steering wheel, key, gear shift - even a cell phone! The colors and contrasts stimulate baby's visual development, while the baby safe mirror promotes self-recognition. And with all the squeakers, rattles and ratchet sounds, your baby will be kept amused no matter how long the car ride is!

For quiet moments, try keeping an assortment of CD's to soothe your young ones to sleep on the road. For example, Dreams and Lullabies by Markus is a collection of old favorites like Brahms' Lullaby and new favorites-in-the-making like the dreamy Angel on my Shoulder.

LeapFrog can make traveling with kids seem like a walk in the park. The Little Touch LeapPad allows your baby to interact with classic stories like Guess How Much I Love You, while the My First LeapPad is perfect for your pre-schooler to learn letters, numbers, shapes and other fundamentals while reading and interacting with engaging stories and familiar characters like Bob the Builder and the Wiggles. You can even coax the Game Boy out of your 4-8 year-old's clutches when you hand him a Leapster! Boys and girls have a blast reinforcing essential math and language skills while playing games and reading stories with their favorite characters like Spiderman, Junie B.Jones, and Spongebob Squarepants.

Electronic games are sure to be a hit with your school-age travelers. Remember 20 Questions? The the hot new game, 20Q - a small, handheld electronic genius that can guess what you are thinking in 20 questions or less! Just think of any object and answer yes or o to each of its questions as they appear on its LCD screen. Will 20Q guess your answer? About 95% of the time it will - wow!

Another backseat favorite is MadLibs by Excalibur Electronics. Based on the wildly popular series of activity books, players create the craziest, funniest stories by choosing from a list of nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs - or by writing their own. The wackier the better!

Perhaps you have a passenger who is an aspiring chess master. Travel chess sets are a great way to improve your chess game on the road, and the Excalibur Chess Station is the grand champion! This full featured travel unit has an LCD screen - no small pieces to lose - and boasts a 1750 tournament rating with 73 power levels from beginner to advanced. It even has a teaching mode and a series of opening play challenges to sharpen your traveler's skills. Once you have arrived at your destination or returned home, Excalibur Chess includes a game board and chess pieces for traditional play as well.

So your teenager thinks he knows it all? Test his Quiz Quotient against the New York Times Quizmaster from the famous Noodle Nudger of the NY Times online quiz game. Featuring over 2200 questions in 280 topics, this multiple choice format travel game is perfect for either the solo player or a minivan full of kids (and adults!) to match wits against each other.

Pen and paper games are also essential activities for traveling with kids. Klutz has discovered a new use for your vehicle's drink-holder - how about Klutz Books in a Cup in either Green or Orange `flavors'? For ages 8 - 10, this unique collection of puzzles and games comes in a reusable container, complete with a pencil and a lid, that fits neatly into a cup holder for easy access and storage. Combine this with the Klutz Kids Travel Book and you have the ultimate backseat survival kit. This super high quality book comes with a built-in clipboard, 100 page notepad, 47 page activity book, and a conveniently attached zipper pouch full of markers, yarn, dice, string and more! Mazes, Cat's Cradle Loop and instructions, Hidden Pictures, Parcheesi Board, License Plate Bingo and Classic Song Lyrics are just a few of the activities included in this Parent's Choice Gold Award-winning travel activity kit.

What's a road trip without a great selection of tunes? Your traveling tots will enjoy Raffi or Disney. For songs in the car that even Mom and Dad will love, check out A Child's Celebration of Rock and Roll featuring original artists like Bill Haley and the Comets, the Coasters, Bobby Darin, Johnny Otis, Shirley Ellis, and Richie Valens. Modern hit-makers, including Sarah McLaughlan. Billy Bragg, Tom Waits, and the Barenaked Ladies, provide new takes on old childhood classics (and some new ones!) on For the Kids. This alternative-rock CD is perfect for traveling with kids of all ages - even those too-cool tweens who think they have outgrown kids' music!

About the Author

Freelance writer and homeschool mom, LJ Bronart is based in Toronto Canada. You'll be surprised at how easy your next road trip will be! For more travel games and travel toy ideas please visit www.mastermindtoys.com

Identity Theft: The Devastating Impact It Can Have On Real Estate Investors

Identity theft has emerged as one of the dominant white collar crimes of the 21st century?a crime that can range from inconvenient to catastrophic for its victims. Though everyone needs to safeguard their personal information, it is especially important that you as a real estate investor protect yourself.

To understand why, let?s first discuss exactly what identity theft is: The criminal steals your personal information to facilitate other crimes, such as credit card fraud, check fraud, or mortgage fraud. An identity thief can open new accounts in the name of a victim, borrow funds in the victim?s name, or take over and withdraw funds from existing accounts. While these are the most prevalent, the FBI says that these financial crimes are not the only criminal uses of stolen personal information. Other crimes can even include evading detection by law enforcement in the commission of violent crimes. Beyond the direct economic impact of identity theft, victims may be unable to cash checks, obtain credit, or purchase real estate for a period of months or even years?and they may even be arrested for crimes committed by the identity thief.

If you are the victim of identity theft, you could easily find yourself in the middle of a great deal and be unable to close because the financing won?t go through. Correcting a credit report damaged by an identity thief is a time-consuming process?you?ll probably lose that deal and others before you get the problem resolved. The solution is to avoid becoming a victim or, if you are a victim, to find out early enough to minimize the damage.

Signs that you may be a victim of identity theft include:

- Charges on your accounts that you did not authorize.

- If you are denied credit even though you have a good credit history.

- If you are contacted by creditors regarding debts you never authorized for goods and services you never received.

- If your credit card and bank statements are not received in the mail as usual.

- If a new or renewed credit card is not received.

The most important thing you can do to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft is to be aware of the problem and protect your personal information. Store your personal information in a safe place and don?t give it out unless you initiated the contact. Remove your name from mailing lists for pre-approved credit lines and telemarketers. Shred credit card receipts and old statements before discarding. And check your credit report regularly.

You are entitled to receive a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once a year. (Go to www.annualcreditreport.com to order yours.) Though it?s possible for each credit report to be different, they usually contain much of the same information. Request one every four months and check the report carefully for unfamiliar activity. Take immediate action if you see anything that looks suspicious.

Consider investing in a credit monitoring service which will alert you to changes in your credit file. The cost ranges from $24 to $60 a year. Money Magazine?s Pat Regnier says this may be worthwhile if ?you?re a biz owner or real estate buyer who can?t afford any halt on your credit after an ID fraud.?

Bottom line: don?t make it easy for someone to steal what you?ve worked hard to build.

If the Worst Happens

If you are?or even suspect you might be?a victim of identity theft, take immediate action. Follow these steps recommended by the FBI:

- Contact the fraud departments for the three major credit bureaus to place fraud alerts on your credit file to reduce your risk of further victimization.

- Obtain and review a current copy of your credit report; the credit bureaus should automatically send that to you when you request the fraud alert.

- Contact the account issuer(s) where fraudulent accounts have been opened or your accounts have been taken over; ask for the fraud/security department and notify them by phone and in writing.

- Close all tampered or fraudulent accounts and ask about the existence of secondary cards.

- File a report with your local police department, as well as with the police department in the area where the ID theft occurred; get copies of the police reports.

- Keep a detailed log of who you spoke with and when, including name, title, phone number, and other contact information.

- File an identity theft complaint at www.consumer.gov.

Jordan Taylor is the editor of Millionaire Mentor? Newsletter, which is published by Whitney Education Group, Inc.? To sign up for a free subscription, visit http://www.russwhitney.com

The Building Blocks of the Auto World

They look good, but they even perform better. The parts and accessories of a vehicle are built not only to accentuate the looks of the automobile. They are also designed for utmost performance and pure driving pleasure. These components have undergone rigid tests and manufactured with the toughest materials possible, not only passing industry standards but exceeding expectations to set the ante for the competitors to emulate. It also paves the way for innovations in pursuit of a more improved automobile performance.

Auto Body Parts play an important role in enhancing performance, providing safety and bringing one kind of driving preference and riding comfort. From the components under the hood to the overall setup of the interior, a vehicle will either be sporty or elegant depending on the desired type of the owner. This applies to various types of vehicles ranging from cars, trucks, vans, pickup trucks to sport utility vehicles, monster trucks, jeeps, among others. After all, the automobile is an extension of one's personality.

In terms of performance, the exhaust system is a total power booster for greater fuel combustion. The same thing goes to performance-inducing parts like hedders, short RAM intakes, and cold air intake for more horsepower and torque for the vehicle. The clutch assembly of the transmission system, meanwhile, gives the auto the needed torque. Of course, a huffing and puffing engine needs to be cooled down with the vehicle's cooling system. The radiator plays a vital role as it maintains engine temperature. And for that much-needed stoppage power especially in critical times, the brake pads, along with the brake caliper and rotor, make up the braking system to perform its main function. To charge up the vehicle's battery and to power up its electronic devices, the alternator transforms all the mechanical energy by the engine into electrical energy to run these electronic parts. These are but some of the numerous indispensable automobile parts performing each vital role.

There is also a host of automobile accessories that are supplementary components not only providing that certain look and feel but functioning its role to improve the vehicle's capabilities. The bug shield maintains that spic-and-span appearance of the hood and windshield as it prevents a splattered mess caused by insects. The lighting system of the vehicle's front and rear end does the illuminating functions to see through dark pavements and prevent accidents caused by poor or even zero visibility. Wipers are like squeegees that wipes out snow, rain, dirt or even insects for better focus while driving. On the inside, floor mats, cargo mats as well cargo liners maintain that clean-look of the vehicle's interior. Power windows ease the burden for the motorist as it opens and closes the window at the touch of a button. Looks and protection fuse together as the seat covers prevent stains and unwanted elements. These accessories are manufactured to perform beyond aesthetics
for the motorist to get that bigger bang for the buck.

These parts and accessories abound as provided for by different makes. Available in either the nearest aftermarket parts store or auto nooks, auto parts, and accessories can also be conveniently availed online. Depending on the taste of a motorist, they come in a wide variety of modifications, colors, sizes, and applications suited for different types and models of each make.

Sure enough, parts and accessories comprise a hefty segment of the industry. These so-called building blocks do not only make the vehicle look good, they make them perform even better as well.
About the Author

Abigail Cohen is a 28-year-old proprietor of a small automotive retail business in West Virginia. Abi is the daughter of an automobile designer, and inherited her father's passion for cars of all kinds.

Maclaren Baby Strollers

Stroll On: Presenting Five State of the Art Strollers

Celebrities Moms and Dads love them and now--so can you!? Get the scoop on five state-of-the-art strollers from top brands Stokke, Quinny, Bugaboo and Mutsy! With loads of cool features and super-sleek styling, you and your baby are sure to be riding in style with these modern strollers!

Ready to take your modern lifestyle to the streets? You have the modern nursery furniture, now it's time for a modern stroller! These mini status-symbols are becoming smaller, sleeker and dare I say it-more stylish! Below you find the best of the best in stroller design:

• Xplory Stroller by Stokke: With celebrity power-moms like Angelina Jolie and Courtney Cox-Arquette pushing it around town, the Xplory series from Stokke is tops. Winner of the prestigious Red Dot Product Design Award in 2004 the Xplory has a lot to offer. Touted as the only stroller that elevates baby higher up and closer to Mommy, Xplory features two-way sitting and includes an array of coordinating accessories. Available in six colors, you can even coordinate it with your favorite piece of modern nursery furniture!
  
• Quinny Buzz Three-Wheel Stroller: A real eye-catcher, the Quinny Buzz Stroller is versatile and sporty. This all-terrain stroller is perfect for active mothers-featuring revolutionary gas spring technology, it unfolds automatically! State of the art safety features include a parking brake, five-point padded safety harness and a removable safety bar. Optional ad-ons include the Mico Infant Car Seat from Maxi-Cosi for a complete travel system. Celebrity fans include Mariska Hargitay, Heidi Klum and Gwen Stefani.
  
• Bugaboo Frog Stroller: The innovative Bugaboo Frog is both functional and easy to use! This sporty stroller allows parents more room to move. The Frog has a unique flowing suspension ensuring that a child can safely lie down or sit up, however uneven the surface. Lightweight, compact and tough, the Frog is perfect for a day at the beach and an evening in the city. Celebrity fans include: Edie Falco, R&B singer Faith Evans & Heidi Klum.
  
• Urban Rider Next Stroller by Mutsy: Tiger Woods' wife Elin is a fan of the Urban Rider Next Stroller by Mutsy! With its stylized hard-cased body and luxurious leather handle, this stroller is super stylish! An easily interchangeable second set of smaller front wheels converts the stroller to a front wheel swivel stroller for maximum mobility.
  
• Bugaboo Bee Stroller: The Bugaboo Bee doesn't look as fancy as some of its futuristic counterparts, but looks can be deceiving. The Bugaboo Bee packs quite a powerful punch! The Bee's compact, one-piece foldable design accommodates your child from infant to toddler and with a whole slew of safety features and optional accessories you definitely get a lot of bang for your buck. Celebrity fans include Milla Jovovich, Gwen Stefani and Foo Fighters' front man Dave Grohl.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Jamie Sward has a BA in Journalism from Indiana University. As an expert in Modern Decor and Nursery Furniture, he is dedicated to sharing his expertise with customers on All Modern Baby, a website dedicated to modern nursery furniture, decor and other top-of-the-line products designed to be both functional and stylish.

Sharpen Your Edges!

The exercises that have been selected, serve a specific purpose of preparing your body for the forces and the demands that you will be exposed to while you ski. To help you accomplish this goal, exercise does not need to look like the sport that you are training it for. Exercise is simply movement. It is our goal to move your body in a variety of different movement patterns that will help you handle whatever is thrown at you. With this program, your body will be challenged in ways that are similar to the challenges that you will face while skiing. It will be difficult the first time you do it and your muscles will get sore from it. You MUST stick with it consistently to get the benefits and the results that you are looking for. Through hard work and diligence you can expect the best results and expect to enjoy your upcoming ski season.

Discover Movement LLC assumes NO LIABILITY due to any actions undertaken as a result of reading this program.

CAUTION:

Always consult a physician before starting an exercise program Complete a thorough warm-up before embarking on your workout Always finish your workout with a cool-down session It is imperative that one follows proper progressions and does not rush into anything that they cannot do without control.

TRAINING SAFETY

Exercise in a pain-free fashion, it if hurts don?t do it. Move with deliberate control. Make all of your movements smooth and coordinated.

The first few ski magazines make their way around in August. It starts all over again, the fantastic cycle that we look forward to; the ski season. We are sure that during the summer, many of you just walk past your skis in the garage and don?t even glance at them. While a few select others might still have those shapely skis up in the bedroom and you playback those intimate memories that you both shared in the past.

Either way, come early fall, you start putting together plans for that first ski vacation and can?t wait until that departure date arrives. You do your research and finalize your ski trip with all the necessary reservations that secure your date in snow heaven. Now you have the calendar marked at work, at home, and quite honestly; anywhere and everywhere to keep it fresh in your head.

Now what do you do? Just keep working and wait until the day arrives? Or do you prepare your gear, your mind, and your body for the adventure about to come? The good news is that there are a few simple things that you can do to ?winterize? your body and improve your skill this season. The bad news is that a countless number of skiers will do nothing and will end up putting a damper on their ski trip and possibly their entire ski season by not taking a few simple steps.

Every year we plan at least one ski vacation to hit the slopes in search of that feeling we had when we first skied. Nobody goes away to have a miserable or a bad time; although, sometimes things happen to really put a ?ka bash? on the whole trip. These can include things like injuries, aches, pains, or things like not being able to progress to the next level, or not being able to ski with the rest of the group. That doesn?t sound like a ?good time? to any of us. We go away with family of friends to have a blast and hopefully etch those memories into our minds forever (all the famous ?watch this? wipeout stories that we will never forget!).

Let?s face it; there is a lot of stress being placed on the body while we are on the slopes. With so many terrain options like the steeps, glades, moguls, terrain parks, and the backcountry, we all could use a little ?tune up? to help us deal with all these environments a little better. In addition to the numerous terrain options, the conditions also vary from day to day and resort to resort. From ice to powder, and hard pack to mashed potatoes, there are so many different overall conditions that the body must be able to sense, interpret, and translate into the beautiful language we know as skiing.

Get ready to have the best season you have ever had! Your approach will be different this time. Your preparation will provide the perfect recipe as you get on the lift and get ready to kick off your first run of your most memorable ski season.

CHAPTER 1

If it?s broke, fix it! We all remember our first day every season where we can feel muscles we never knew we had and in places we never knew existed. The next few days are spent walking around like we got off a horse! The good news is that there is something you could do about this (unless you are a sadist). The better news is that it is not only your solution for your sore issues (pun completely intended), but it will also help you ski faster, harder, longer, and more consecutive days. Doesn?t this sound like it will help you have a great vacation?

CHAPTER 2

Sharpen Your Edges We have the secret to help you beat your friends down the mountain this season and looking good doing it! These tips can be executed entirely by themselves or in addition to any current fitness program. You can do them anywhere; at home, at the gym, or even outdoors. Feel free to get anyone involved (except your friends) and even your kids can do it! Sharpen Your Edges is a perfect pre-season tool that you can use to help you prepare yourself for your ski vacation or your entire ski season. As we mentioned earlier, the goal of all the movements is to get your body to ?think? and move in ways that will help you perform better while you are on the slopes. So read on and get ready to be challenged!

?Sharpen Your Edges ? Ski Conditioning Recipe? (VIDEO AND PICTURES OF THE EXERCISES AT WWW.TRAINFORSKIVACATION.COM)

The Recipe:

Perform all ingredients sequentially with minimal rest. All exercises are to be done for the specific number of repetitions. Once you perform one whole circuit, rest for 2 MINUTES. Then repeat the ENTIRE circuit for a second time. You will always perform 2 sets of the program. In addition, your repetitions for each movement will be to complete a total of 10 repetitions. For any exercise that has 20 reps as the goal, it is so you get 10 reps on each side. The program should be done 3 alternative days a week. The Progression: The only alterations in the program will be the REST period. The following template will utilize a 6 Week Training Program. Everyone will start at Week 1 and work their way to Week 6.

Weeks 1-2  60 Second Rest

Weeks 2-4  30 Second Rest

Weeks 4-6  0 Rest (This is a crowd favorite!)

The Ingredients:

1.Inchworm: GOALS ? Hip Mobility/Core Strength/Core Stabilization

Start the exercise in a push-up position. Walk forward with your feet (towards your hands), inching forward with small steps while keeping your knees locked out and hands flat on the ground. Continue walking forward until your feet are flat on the ground. At that point, walk forward with the hands until you are back in the push-up position. Perform 10 repetitions and move on to the next movement.

2.Spiderman: GOALS ? Hip Mobility/Core Endurance

Take a long lunge and place the hands down on the ground (inside the knee) in line with the front foot. Try to keep the back knee locked out as much as possible. Then stand up and step forward with the next foot and repeat. Take 20 steps and continue to the next exercise.

3.Single Leg Balance Reach: GOALS ? Core Endurance/Core Stabilization/Leg Deceleration

Stand next to a wall or another tall object and balance on one foot. Take your other leg and reach with your toes and your hands as if you are trying to touch the object. Then return to the starting position. Perform 10 repetitions and then switch legs. When you are finished, continue to the next exercise.

4.Skater to Hold: GOALS ? Hip Power/Hip Strength/Hip Mobility/Core Stabilization

Stand on your right leg and jump to your left and landing on your left foot. You want to land with a soft and absorbent landing. When you land, stick and hold the landing for 2 seconds before you take your next jump. Your goal with the landing is to land as far as you can control and balance. Do 20 repetitions in an alternating pattern and then continue.

5.Backwards Squat Jump: GOALS ? Hip Power/Hip Strength/Hip Mobility/Core Stabilization

Jump up and backwards and land in a squat position. Your goal is to land on the balls of the feet; with the hips back. Perform 20 repetitions and then continue to the next exercise. *NOTE ? You will probably be a little warm by now!

6.Hip Twister: GOALS ? Core Strength/Core Stabilization/Core Endurance/Hip Mobility

Start in a push-up position. Focusing on your hips, twist one side and push the hips down towards the floor. Alternating sides, repeat for 20 repetitions and then continue to the next exercise.

7.Single Leg Squat w/Reach Down: GOALS ? Hip Strength/Hip Mobility/Core Strength/Core Endurance

Stand on one foot and squat down (slow and controlled) and reach down in front of you with your opposite hand. Keep the weight on the heel of your foot. Your opposite leg should be straight and in the air behind you. Do 10 repetitions and then switch legs.

8.Alternating Lunge Jump: GOALS ? Hip Power/Hip Strength/Hip Mobility/Core Endurance/Core Stabilization

Position yourself in a lunge position. Jump up and switch legs in the air so that when you land your opposite leg is in front of you. Your landing should be soft and quiet. Jump up and land 20 times so you get 10 repetitions on each leg.

9.?Fonzie? Quick Legs: GOALS ? Hip Power/Core Stabilization

Set yourself up in a squat position with your feet together. As fast as possible, move your feet out (to about shoulder width) and then back together. Think about keeping your head at the same height without moving up and down. Do this for 20 reps as fast as possible. *Notice the ?thumbs up,? just like the Fonz! 10.Alternating T ? Stabilization: GOALS ? Core Strength/Core Stabilization/Core Coordination

Start in a push-up position. Lift one hand off the ground and turn your whole body to the side so it looks like a letter ?T? on its side. Your eyes should stay focused on the hand that remains on the ground. Alternate the pattern for 20 repetitions and then this will be your first 2 minute rest period. *NOTE ? If you are breathing hard and your heart rate is racing, then something is happening!

Overall Program Goal: All of these movements combine various components of athleticism. Each exercise has a specific component(s), all of which will help you on the slopes. By performing them in a circuit, you help build muscular endurance which is vital for skiing. In addition, you can also help increase your lactate threshold (ability to tolerate those cooking quads). The first few times will be the hardest, but hang in there. Before you know it, you will be looking for more!

Sharpen You Edges

EXERCISE REPETITION REST INTERVAL PROGRESSIONS(secs.)
Inchworm 10 60/30/0
Spiderman 20 60/30/0
SL Balance Reaches 10 60/30/0
Skater to Hold 20 60/30/0
Hip Twister 20 60/30/0
SL Squat w/Reach 10 60/30/0
Alt. Lunge Jump 20 60/30/0
?Fonzie? Quick Legs 20 60/30/0
Alt. T-Stabilization 20 120 seconds

CHAPTER 3 Skiing translated! The demands that are placed on the body are very clear to everyone when we ski for the first time every year. Depending on the style of skiing, the body has to deal with many forces on our way down the slopes. The body will move in a three dimensional way and your training should also be performed in a multi-dimensional environment to expose your body to the countless movements that it will be reflexively doing on the snow. Whether we are in a turn loading the edges, racing down a slalom course, going down a field of moguls or doing a run in the pipe, the physical challenge with each scenario is not for the weak and frail. Skiing requires a precise recipe of balance, strength, flexibility, power, and endurance that can always be enhanced and will only lead to greater success on the slopes. Any flaws in the required skills will definitely impact someone during a ski trip, either on the slope or once you get off the mountain and you walk like a penguin for the next two days. Our Body?s Requirements:

♦ HIP STRENGTH ? Our hip musculature (quads/hamstrings/adductors/glutes) must be able to work in all three planes; concentrically, eccentrically, and isometrically. Think of this as the difference between jumping off the ground (concentric), landing on the ground (eccentric), and holding a squat position on the ground (isometric). Each of these places a different demand on our musculature.

♦ HIP POWER ? The forces that we are exposed to on the slopes cannot be mimicked by traditional exercises (machine based). As we are in the middle of a carve, the force and power that we need to create to overcome the forces that are being placed on us are huge! As we link a string of carved turns together this process of loading and unloading the edges is being driven by a loading and unloading of the body. If you cannot load the body properly (and thus the skis), you will not be able to get an effective unloading response.

♦ HIP MOBILITY ? Think of your whole body as giant a shock absorber. We need to be able to flex/extend, internally/externally rotate, and laterally flex (this is 3 dimensional movement) in order for us to be able to move. If the hip is restricted in any way, then movement with have to come from somewhere else. This is the body?s natural response to help us accomplish a task at hand. This is also when that ?extra? movement will come from either above or below the hips (cranky back or barking knees). Think of your hips as the crossroad to the rest of the body. Without proper function of the hips, skiing may start to become a more labored activity, with more repercussions and less enjoyment. Our ability to drive the ski on its edge, stay on that edge and follow through to the next turn, require certain specifics from our movement machinery. Skiing is a complex task that requires a total body response from head to toe. Importance of the ?Core:? All movement is rotational. This means, among other things, that as your lower body executes a move, the upper body needs to respond in order to balance and support the movement. Any movement's counter-rotation culminates right in the middle of the body, in the core of the body. The core is not just the ?abs.? The core is the area that attaches the upper body to the lower body and vice versa. This famous area consists of hip, abdominal, and back muscles

♦ CORE STRENGTH ? We need to remember that movement happens as a chain reaction in the body and without the active role by each member of the body, the force will leak at its weakest point. As the muscular communication of the extremities is centered in the core, it must be the strongest link in the chain. Without this vital communication, there is chaos.

♦ CORE STABILIZATION ? As our spine is moved in all directions, it is the core muscles that keep a firm hold on our vital yet vulnerable part of the body. Many of our core musculature are deep and are not the superficial abdominal muscles. These core muscles function to protect the spine and act like a girdle to keep us happy in all that we do. Doing crunches or any other abdominal movement will not get the key core muscles firing. These ?spineless? exercises will do little when you watch skiers move and see what the spine is going through in the middle of a field with moguls the size of VW beetles.

♦ CORE ENDURANCE ? The core is responsible for keeping us in our ski pose and able to repeat it all day long. Once it gets tired, you are as good as done since you will probably be bouncing your chin off your knees. Our ability to stay tucked and maintain our posture while we manage our bodies on all types of terrain is one of the most important goals of skiing. Staying balanced and being aware of your center of gravity will benefit you greatly as you navigate all over the mountain. Think of your core as your insurance policy and that you are useless without it!
So take a look at how you train now. Is your current training program getting you ready to ride the chairlift to the bunny slope? Or are you training to get ready for those diamond runs that make you all warm and fuzzy inside?

CHAPTER 4

Even more benefits to ski training! We must warn you of other known ?side effects? that occur as a result of training this way. Your body will be moving in countless directions, various speeds, many positions and at higher intensities. The end result will be a body that not only moves better on the slopes, but a body that has less fat, more muscle, and looks better as you are getting into the hot tub. Who wouldn?t want to lose a couple of pounds of fat? So do away with the extra stuff that just ?weighs us down? and really serves no purpose. In addition, there are the less exciting benefits, like an improved cardiovascular system, lower blood pressure and cholesterol; you know all the things you need to stay alive. So enjoy being healthier, more agile, looking better, skiing better, and most importantly; enjoying your time away. You cannot say that we didn?t warn you!

CONCLUSION

What will this do for me? There are few things to look for when trying to see the benefits of your ski vacation training. While on the slopes, you will be able to ski more aggressively and handle more extreme terrain. Sometimes it is the level of fitness that is holding us back from fine tuning our skills and making us better skiers. So now that your body has the ability to move and sustain forces better, go ahead and challenge yourself. Think of this as a form of athleticism. We all have seen athletes who dominate their sport and they make it look so ?effortless? and ?easy.? The same holds true for skiing. A skier who shows athleticism will be able to handle any terrain, in any condition and do it with excellence. Conditioning yourself to be able to take less rest on every run (which means you get on the lift line sooner) and will enable you to get in more runs per day without feeling like you ?ran out of gas.? When was the last time you skied hard all day and could brag about not having any aches or pains? So not only do you have the ability to enjoy the snow longer each day, but you can enjoy four or five days of skiing in a row and more importantly; live to talk about it! We are providing your body the nourishment that it needs to prepare for skiing. Unlike the other effects from eating too much, an abundant supply of ski food will only help you more! With that said, now you can look to get out and practice hard, get lessons, and dial in your gear to help you improve to whatever level you wish to aspire to. You are ready! So the next time you decide to plan a ski vacation, put yourself in a position where you can get the most out of your body and your movement vocabulary before you get on the skis. Your body will thank you and it will treat you much better before you decide to beat it up on your next ski trip.

Ski you later, Tommi and Alex

For any questions or comments, seminars, or to book Tommi and Alex at your next event; please feel free to contact them with whichever method below that suits you best.

Tommi and Alex have a vision of helping everyone get the most out of their ski vacations. They feel that there are simple things that anyone at any level can do to get tremendous results both on and off the slopes.

Both are active outdoorsmen throughout the year and have ?snow on the brains? all year round. Over the years, they have applied and practiced their philosophies in their ?playground? to bring you the most cutting edge and effective training program.

Their goal is to make fitness fun as many view it as being torturous and boring. At times this may be true, but you will have a smile on your face with these guys, guaranteed. It is their philosophy that if you are having fun and if you have an inspired mindset, you will be that much more successful at accomplishing many new tasks.

http://www.trainforskivacation.com EMAIL: snowbrains@trainforskivacation.com

ALEX CHEMEROV & TOMMI PAAVOLA http://www.trainforskivacation.com

Anonymous Holding of Real Estate Boats and Planes

Panama allows for the use of an anonymous bearer share corporation to own real estate, boats or planes. The person who has the physical possession of the stock certificates of the corporation is the one who controls the disposition of the asset be it real estate, a plane or a boat. There is no registry to look up who owns the bearer share company. Ownership is anonymous. There is also no requirement to report sales or transfers of the bearer share stock, so no one knows who the new owners are, possibly not even the old owner if the sale was to another bearer share corporation or Panama Foundation which is also anonymous. Let us take a hypothetical example:

An investor from outside of Panama wishes to acquire some real estate as an investment and wishes to derive rental income from it all done anonymously to secure the investment away from the reaches of potential financial enemies. A trip to Panama is made to inspect various properties for investment. After a property is isolated an offer needs to be made. So an anonymous corporation is formed to make the offer. Remember no one knows who owns this anonymous corporation. The owner never appears in any registry. This is not to say that a court order is needed, it is to say that there are no records to get a court order for. So now the attorney representing the client submits an offer on the property in the name of the anonymous corporation.

This is a common practice in Panama. Now the offer is accepted. So the client wires the funds to the lawyer representing him/her, the lawyer puts the funds into the escrow and the purchase is made with title going to the anonymous corporation. When the property is sold the stock certificates from the corporation are transferred to the new owner thus avoiding tax of 10% on the profit realized from the real estate transaction. The lawyer can obtain the services of a real estate broker to rent the property and sign a lease on behalf of your corporation. The lawyer can collect the rental income in their bank account and forward it to you or do with the funds as you so direct. This is a relatively solid asset protection scenario. To add another layer to the structure (normally not needed because no one knows who owns the corporation) one has a foundation own the corporation that owns the real estate. The personal debts do not transfer to the foundation if the debt was not in place at the time the foundation received the assets in question from the person.

So if you legally owe people money today and transfer money, real estate etc to a foundation next week the debt could follow the asset. If you tried to collect this in Panama and the debt was from another country the expense, time delay, chances of success collecting on a civil judgment concerning matters outside of Panama, etc would probably not warrant the collection action but the exposure would still be there but only for three years from the date of the transfer since Panama has a statue of limitations on these transfers to defraud creditors. If the court case took longer than three years which it probably would that could possibly be the end of it as well. So if the lawful collectible debt was not in place at the time of the transfer to the foundation the asset would be immune from court ordered collection. If it is starting to sound like it couldn't be better even if you wrote the laws, you are getting the idea.

The same scenario can essentially be used to acquire boats, planes, art, jewelry and other collectibles.

For more information go to: http://www.panamalaw.org

Indianapolis Real Estate

Many cities in the Midwest struggled with weak economies in 2005, however the city of Indianapolis, true to its car racing spirit, zoomed ahead of the competition with the fastest economic growth in the region. According to the Property & Portfolio Research, a real-estate analysis firm in Boston, the demand for commercial real estate in Indianopolis is growing and job vacances are down in most sectors.

A central location served by by five interstate highways and low costs have helped Indianapolis become a national distribution hub. Commercial property prices in Indianapolis are lower than the national average and the cost of doing business is lower compared to the nearby cities, including Chicago and Cleveland. Plenty of land is available since there are no mountains or hilly regions nearby. Several real estate firms predict that the commercial and residential real estate markets will continue to do well due to these reasons.

According to a report released by C.B.Richard Ellis, a leading real estate firm, a large number of Indianapolis-based small and medium-sized businesses that relocated to larger spaces and the suburbs grew last year. The report forecasts a drop in vacancies in the suburban office market, fresh investments in office buildings, and continued popularity of open-air shopping centers.

The growth trend in the office buildings sector in 2005 is expected to continue further, boosting occupancy rates. Suburban office buildings were highly popular, with 25 percent of them trading hands in ownership or occupancy in 2005. The CB Rihard Ellis report suggests that these trends might result in a modest increase in rents, but not everybody agrees.

For the fifth consecutive year, residential real estate sales also continued to grow in Indianapolis. This was possible because of the low mortgage rates. In its 2006 forecast, CB Richard Ellis forecasts that Indianapolis will continue to see the growth of tenants-in-common investors in multi-family housing units. The company also anticipates a slowdown in single-family home sales, as prices gradually continue to increase.

Indianapolis real estate information and trends can be obtained from local newspapers such as the Indianapolis Star, Marion Country, Daily Journal, Herald Bulletin, Reporter-Times, and Shelbyville News. Online versions of some of these newspapers are also available.

Indianapolis provides detailed information on Indianapolis, Indianapolis Real Estate, Indianapolis Hotels, Indianapolis Directory and more. Indianapolis is affiliated with Cleveland Golf.

Scottsdale Arizona Neighborhood Overview Something For Everyone

Scottsdale Arizona is located in the north east corner of the Phoenix Metro area. Bordered on the east side by rural Indian reservation lands and mountain ranges and surrounded on the other three sides by Phoenix and the surrounding area, Scottsdale is a collection of neighborhoods that define and capture the spirit of one of the most beautiful cities in America. Here is a quick summary of Scottsdale neighborhoods:

South Scottsdale: Older section of town with condo complexes, small patio homes and industrial areas. Great location near to Mill Street, Tempe and Arizona State University, plus easy access to downtown Phoenix.

Old Town Scottsdale: Once known for the quaint Main Street tourist shops and art galleries, Old Town now offers high end shopping, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The new waterfront district with luxury high rise condominiums and other loft style and ultra modern style condo projects is providing an exciting new direction.

McCormick Ranch: Centered around several golf courses, this area has a number of home and condo communities in central Scottsdale. Great family oriented residential area.

Gainey Ranch: Located just west of McCormick Ranch is a bit newer and offers some high end shopping, restaurants, and of course golf.

Shea Blvd: Marked by Shea Blvd and located north of McCormick Ranch and Gainey Rance is the Shea Neighborhood. A mix of residential and commercial, the area includes the Starfire Golf Club and the Scottsdale Ranch area which includes lake front communities.

Scottsdale Airpark: Centered by a small airport catering to private jets, this area is a hub of commercial and retail business. From small technology companies to large and small corporations, a number of jobs and companies are located here.

Kierland: Just west of the Scottsdale Airpark is the new, upscale shopping and residential area known as the Kierland. Anchored in part by the Kierland Westin Resort and Spa as well as the Kierland Commons, an upscale shopping center filled with restaurants, this area may some day rival Old Town for a mix of high end luxury living with urban style ammenities.

North Scottsdale: This area north of the 101 highway and the Kierland/Scottsdale Airpark neighborhoods is a collection of luxury, golf course communities. DC Ranch, Desert Highlands, Desert Mountain, Estancia, Grayhawk, Troon and Troon North are some of the main golf course centered communities. There are also a number of smaller developments in and around these areas providing plenty of home, condo and townhome living options. You'll find the city atmosphere has been replaced with Sonoran Desert landscapes and gorgeous mountain views.

Scottsdale offers something for everyone. South Scottsdale is close to ASU. Old Town is the city center with the new high rise/waterfront district. McCormick Ranch, Gainey Ranch and Shea areas are great places to raise a family. Scottsdale Airpark is the commerical and business hub with Kierland providing high end shopping and residential areas. And, North Scottsdale offers golf course and Sonoran desert style living options.

About the Author

Liz Suto is a Phoenix, Arizona Real Estate Agent specializing in the Scottsdale Condo, Loft and Townhome Market. Visit her websites www.ScottsdaleCondoMania.com and www.PhoenixCondoMania.com to easily browse the condo markets by area, complex, style or price and start home shopping today! Liz can also be reached by phone at (623) 810-1273.

Linda Jenkinson

Create Your Own Scrapbook

Have you ever considered journaling your life's pages and transforming an ordinary collection of photographs into a vibrant and visual storyboard? Telling the stories behind the pictures and revealing hidden memories and emotions through the creation of a scrapbook can be a wonderful experience that you will admire in years to come as it will make you smile while looking at your past adventures. But most importantly, creating your scrapbook from scratch will give a unique and intimate feel, as a personal touch will turn your albums into something very special. That is the power behind journaling a scrapbook and this cherished feeling is one of the most important elements of different types of scrapbooks.

The best thing about creating a journaling scrapbook is that although there is a plethora of scrapbooking supplies available on the market, you actually do not need much to make your own version and personalizing it according to your imagination. In fact, all you need to create your own scrapbook is an empty album, glue, a pair of scissors, and your collection of photographs, stickers, tickets and newspaper clippings. Additionally, any fabric, ribbon, or bits of leftovers from other projects can be used to embellish your personal journaling scrapbook. Have in mind that as you become more familiar with scrapbooking, you will find products that will save you time and frustration. Although these are somewhat more expensive they are well worth the extra cost. The most usual investment is that of an exacto knife. Its strong and versatile blade allows you to cut almost anything into any shape and when the blade is dull, you can simply brake off the end to reveal another sharp tip. But remember to place the object you plan to cut onto a mat or wad or newspaper before using the exacto knife, since it will cut right through your picture and into your scrapbook page or dining room table if you are not careful or exercise more power than needed. Moreover, you should buy a pair of tweezers as trying to pick up and place small gluey pieces can be a hassle. Tweezers, however, will allow you to move pieces without touching them and getting glue all over your fingers. At this point you should know that there are various glues and affixing options available at your local supplies store. Some of these quick and less messy options include glue dots, two-sided tape, Xyron, acid free photo tabs and polypropylene corners. Also, remember that you should purchase acid and lignin free albums will increase the preservation of your scrapbook and your paper treasures intact. You can find lignin and acid free pages and albums in virtually any color and texture.

Finally, when your journaling scrapbook is ready it is time to add its content. First, think about the people who will read it in the future. If they were not part of the activity you are about to describe you should give them as many details as possible so they can relive your memories and stories for themselves. The 5 W's method is usually the best strategy. Name the people appearing in the photo, and describe who took it and who else was present. Then state the purpose of the photograph. Describing what was happening can help the reader understand the circumstances that prevailed and feel part of the story. Of course, you should state where the event your photo illustrates was and it is always good to give some background information. Remember to tell to the reader when the photograph was taken and add the specific date including the year if possible. In addition you should state why this photograph was used. What makes it so important?

You should not be afraid of scrapbook journaling. Just remember that all stories have a beginning, middle and an end. Ask yourself, What would I want to tell future generations about the photos on my page? and this should be more than enough to help you write down your stories. A title page or famous sayings, quotes or a special poem you wrote for the occasion can gradually lead the reader to the end of your story.

About the Author:

Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including Recreation, Games, and Travel

What Are You Making Up About Yourself

The Bugaboo Review

Laptop Computer Backpack >> Women's Notebook Bags

These days it's getting pretty easy to find a Laptop Computer Backpack and bags pretty much anywhere. At many companies there are as many people who use their laptop as a normal pc. But, try to think of the last time you saw a laptop computer backpack that wasn't designed specifically for men. Does it seem like someone is being left out. Well, you guessed it, many a woman has wondered ?I wonder if anyone makes women?s laptop bags?? The answer is a resounding yes.

When I was first introduced to women?s laptop bags I must admit that I was pretty surprised at how nice they were. I started to associate a laptop bag with those either designed for executives, or those that are a little more hip for, say, younger men. But many women?s laptop bags look a lot like fashionable purses or carry-alls. They look nice, but are able to house your laptop or notebook along with other accessories.

If you are in the market for a woman?s laptop bag there are a few things to consider. First of all, make sure that your bag is designed to carry a notebook (aka laptop computer), and one that is a similar size to yours. A good laptop backpack or bag will have padding and a strap to keep it secure. There are a lot of fashionable women?s bags out there that could ruin your laptop if you?re not careful. Second, consider what you?re using the bag for. If you are using it for business or outdoors there would obviously be different things to consider. And finally, but just as important, make sure that the women?s laptop bag that you buy is one that you love. Don?t just settle for one because of the price or just so you have one. If you have a bag that you don?t like chances are decent that you will never use it.

While laptop computer backpacks are great, there are many a woman out there who shouldn?t settle for a men?s laptop bag, but need to investigate women?s laptop bags.

About the Author:

Brady Quist's site Laptop Computer Backpack, sells Women's Laptop Bags, and other types of laptop computer backpacks.
http://www.laptopcomputerbackpacks.com

All New Puzzling Games

The adventure and puzzle genres of video gaming dates back to the early days of video gaming and was quite popular. The main reasons for this to happen were two-fold: they were not graphically very demanding and they needed lot of time to complete. Adventure games kept the player interested by making them solving the riddles within. With a puzzle game, there were chances for the challenges to get revamped up slowly and endlessly.

As you might be aware of, the early champion of adventure games was Sierra Entertainment. They created smash hits on the PC like King?s Quest, Police Quest and, Space Quest. They also managed to release early adult-themed games, like the infamous Leisure Suit Larry series. These games were able to offer players a chance to go on a journey in mythical lands or gritty urban streets. Quite often they were filled up with serious and humorous moments that would delight players for many hours continuously.

Although, the adventure genre of video gaming has experienced a serious downturn with the advent of RPG games and FPS games, there?s still hope for the adventure fanatic.

And on console, most of these adventure games have mainly lived on in the form of horror games. For instance, Resident Evil series has managed to receive two major picture productions and three sequels. Many of these console adventure games add in a bit of action so as to help maintain interest in the video game player.

The puzzle genre is a unique category of games because of the fact that they never really utilize the full power of modern technology. Instead their focus is mainly on timed challenges or difficult problem solving that requires extreme reflexes and quick reaction. The most famous puzzle game of all, Tetris, was insanely popular on the omnipresent Gameboy handheld system by Nintendo. In fact, Nintendo continues to heir the puzzle genre of video gaming with smash-hit titles like Mario Party, Mario Pinball Land and Wario World etc. Today, games are much more user friendly than games of the past. Games are so user friendly and attractive to the eye that in most cases, adults enjoy the games as much as if not more than the younger generations. To find out further information about video games, log onto the internet today there is a plethora of information available video gamers.

About the Author:

Vuctor Nunn writes about Video Games Coupons, MadCatzStore Coupon Code and etoys coupons

Endless possibilities in playing online backgammon

The first online backgammon site was created in 1992, many years have past since then and the Internet has become much more advanced and online backgammon much more popular.
Unlike poker and other card and board games, backgammon on the internet has become popular just in the last couple of years.
There are numerous web sites offering playing internet backgammon, and once you found the backgammon website you want to join, you have to decide between playing against the site's computer and playing online backgammon against a human being from all over the world. The possibilities in internet backgammon are endless and diverse, including joining a league, playing a tournament, playing for cash prize and moving forward in the site's rank.
The First Internet Backgammon Server (FIBS) was created by Andreas (marvin) Schneider in 1992. It allows Internet users to play backgammon in real-time against real people (and even some bots). There are players of every conceivable ability logging onto FIBS, from absolute beginners to grand masters.
Online backgammon is offered by many sites, some of them widely known- YAHOO and MSN. With MSN, a player can choose playing backgammon online or any other online favorite game he wishes. Online backgammon is played in a variety of time and shape; friends can play against each other, or invite the computer for a match.
YAHOO offers many online backgammon rooms, with interesting and funny names where you can enter and find the level you want to play with.
Players are able to form their own online backgammon rooms according to their skill in backgammon.
There is also the option of the friendly online backgammon game, where players can chat with one another and meet new people. For an extra payment, the site can create leagues for backgammon, which only authorized members can take place and play with each other.
Before you invite somebody for a game of backgammon online, it's best to improve your playing techniques by following these recommended steps:
1. The basic rules and object of backgammon are simple and many sites offer explanations for free.

2. It's free and easy to download backgammon software to your own computer. The level of this online backgammon software is usually beginners to intermediate and therefore perfect for you to practice on, because you already can win some of the games.

3. When you have reached the point where you are constantly winning it's time to download the upgraded software. These programs have been developed and improved by playing against themselves and reached the very highest level, and are capable of being the world's best backgammon players.

When you have reached the stage where you can handle the advanced backgammon software, it's time for you to face a human rival for a game of online backgammon.

The Internet offers endless possibilities for online backgammon.
About the Author

Wake County NC ? The Bustling Center Of The State

Are you planning on moving to Wake County, NC? Well, in that case, you've come to the right place. In this article, you'll find a summary of some important information about Wake County.

Wake County Basics

Wake county is the second most densely populated county in the state, with about three quarters of a million residents. The county seat of Wake County is Raleigh, which is also the North Carolina state capital.

Wake County Politics

The voters in Wake County are Republican, but only by a very narrow margin. Of the last twelve presidential elections, Wake County voted Republican in nine of them. However, most of the election margins were only a few percent.

Business In Wake County

If you're looking for employment in the Wake County area, you have a large, healthy economy to find a job within. Wake county's largest employers are The State of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, The International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), the Wake County Public School System, Rex Healthcare (The hospital system), SAS Institute, Wake County Government, Progress Energy, and the City of Raleigh.

The median household income for Wake County is $54,988, and the median family income is $67,149. Both of those figures are from the 2000 census, so the figures may have changed slightly since then.

Wake County Real Estate

Real estate in the Wake County area can be expensive, depending on the area. The average value for owner occupied houses in the Raleigh Area was $113,560. That, of course, includes the luxury neighborhoods as well as the low income neighborhoods.

As with most localities, you can probably find a home in your price range by picking the right area. Wake county boasts everything from city living to more rural options, as you move away from Raleigh. Your Realtor can help you choose the best area of Wake County for you to buy a home in.

Visit the Wake County Real Estate team website for all you need to help you find a home in Wake County.

A Man's Guide to Buying Lingerie for his Lady

Most men know nothing about picking out lingerie, which is understandable
because it can be confusing. What type of lingerie to buy, what size, what color
- how is a man to know? Here is a little guide to help you when choosing
lingerie for that special someone.





There are a few things to consider before you go out. What does she like?
Remember that you will not be wearing this - she will and you should go out with
the intent on getting something she will like. If she is not into lacey, tiny,
see-through teddies, chances are if you buy that, she will not be in much of a
mood to wear it and you may never see it. So keep what she likes in mind.


If you do not know, check out her nightgown/lingerie drawer before you leave.
Check for material type (cotton, silk, etc.), colors, and most importantly,
size. She may be flattered if she wears a large and you get her a small, but if
she wears a small and you buy her a large, you may find yourself in trouble.
Avoid anything that says control on the label. Those items are used to firm
and flatten tummys and rears and she would probably not appreciate receiving
them as a gift.


Another thing to remember is if the store offers to wrap the lingerie let
them. Dainty lingerie will look better in their wrapping than if you wrap it in
the paper left over from your cousin's birthday. Presentation is part of the
package with lingerie. Also, if you are uncomfortable in the store, check out
online stores that sell lingerie. You can always start at Victoria's Secret, but
most major department stores like Macys and Nordstroms also sell lingerie. Final
note - remember to keep your receipt just in case it is the wrong style, size,
or color.


Now, what type of lingerie is available? Just about anything you can think
of! Ask yourself what the occasion is. Is this to let her know you love her? If
so, something crotchless or see-through probably will not send that message.
But, if it is for Valentine's Day or your anniversary, something a little more
risqu? might be appreciated. Bras alone have
many different styles including push up, plunge, gel filled, padded, under wire,
seamless, backless, strapless, open cup, and unpadded.


If you are purchasing a bra and panty set, always check out what she has in
her drawer beforehand and definitely make note of the size - of both the bra and
panties. Most places sell at least one pair of panties that match each bra, but
some will sell several so you can mix and match. It will help to know what type
of panties she likes to wear too - thongs, briefs, or high cut bikini.


When it comes to sleepwear, it can be just as confusing. One type of
sleepwear is babydoll pajamas. They usually have very thin straps, a plunging V
neckline, and are very short with matching panties. You will find most of these
made out of silk or satin, materials that always make a woman feel good about
herself. But, if she feels her breasts are too big or too small, or thinks her
stomach is too big, you might want to avoid babydoll pajamas.


There are slips and chemises. Similar to the babydoll pajamas, these are a
little longer and a little better at concealing problem areas such as breasts,
butt or stomach. They too are usually made of silk or satin.


Gowns are full-length versions of the babydoll. Many are see-through or lacey
and can help put your woman in the mood. Babydolls, slips, chemises, and gowns
may also come with a robe.


A pajama set might not sound too sexy, but if it is silky, and buttons up the
front, it can make your woman feel very sexy, especially if she is a plus size
(size 18 or larger). Boxer sets have become very popular lately. The tops are
tight, with thin straps and usually a V neckline, although there are boxer sets
with normal t-shirt tops.


If you are really looking for lingerie to spice up your love life, take a
look at Frederick's of Hollywood (available online). They have been selling sexy
lingerie for over 50 years. They have a wide variety of garter belts, bustiers,
corsets, teddies (similar to the babydoll, but one piece), crotchless panties,
and fishnet stockings - items that may not be available at many stores that sell
lingerie.


What type of lingerie you should get your love depends a lot on her
self-esteem. Many big woman love sexy little teddies, but some will shy away
from them, for fear of exposing too much of themselves. Most stores sell
lingerie in plus sizes, which are a little less revealing. If she is really
athletic, a boxer set might be something she would like. Thin women will look
good in anything, but especially teddies, corsets, and babydolls.


When shopping for lingerie, try to keep in mind what she likes. If you
purchase something similar to the lingerie she already has and in colors you
know she likes, it will probably make her happy. But, keep the receipt just in
case!
About the Author

Jessica Valentine is a successful writer and publisher interested in women's apparel providing valuable tips and advice on finding sexy lingerie, lingerie fit, and lingerie buying guides for men. http://www.sexy-lingerie-for-her.net

The Importance of External Frame Backpacks

External frame backpacks are used primarily for backpacking trips that will require all of the essential equipment to survive be brought with you. There are many great reasons to have an external frame backpack for a trip. This type of backpack consists of a visible metal frame that supports a nylon pack. The pack attaches to the wearer via two thickly padded should straps and a padded hip strap that goes around the waist. The frame distributes the weight over the shoulders and the hips to alleviate the spine from too much pressure. The external frame does carry a high center of gravity that makes it a little harder to keep balanced during activities. This does limit a backpacker to activities that require minimal balance control like walking. Biking and skiing are not recommended while wearing an external frame backpack.
The advantages of external backpacks are mainly due to their versatility. They do also offer better ventilation for the dorsal area than most backpacks because the pack is somewhat suspended within the frame taking pressure off of the back. The frame can be used to tie or strap on extra equipment like tents or cooking utensils. This makes them a necessity for solo hikers and small groups that might require one person to carry the extra equipment.
External frame backpacks have become less popular in backpacking as gear has become more compact. Many tents and large gear fold down to manageable sizes that do not require the external frame to attach to. People's activity demands are also a factor that has created lower demand for external frames. Adding jogging and biking to a backpacking trip makes a smaller internal frame the better choice because of its lower center of gravity. Travel constraints also make it hard to lug the larger packs of trains and planes, especially for those traveling to Europe. The traditional backpacker will always have the external frame, but technology is slowly phasing out the need for one.

About the Author

David Stone is a business consultant who regularly contributes articles to various online magazines. Find more great information at http://backpack-buyer.info

Some HOA Rules To Watch Our For When Buying

In our modern society, homeowner?s associations and their rules govern more and more housing developments. Some rules can be very restrictive.

Some HOA Rules To Watch Our For When Buying

If you are considering buying a home, there are wide variety of things you need to keep in mind. These days, many newer homes are parts of developments and developments come with something known as homeowner?s associations. A homeowner?s association is essentially a cooperative for a development run by the owners of the various homes.

The association is created by the original developer who sets out a variety of rules regarding what can and cannot be done by homeowners living in the development. The idea behind the rules is to keep the neighborhood appearance uniform as well as maintain common areas such as landscaping, pools and so on. These rules can be changed, but it is fairly difficult to get all the homeowners to agree to do so.

If you are considering buying a home in a development, you need to be very careful. Specifically, you need to read the rules of the homeowner?s association. Then you need to read them again. They are boring and tend to be rather thick. Fail to read them, however, and you can end up with a home where you cannot live the lifestyle you are used to.

Things to watch out for include:

1. Are pets allowed in the development? If so, are there restrictions on the kind or pets? Are there restrictions on the number of pets? Many developments have severe restrictions in this regard.

2. Parking is an often overlooked issue by many home buyers. Specifically, the rules may contain restrictions on the number of cars that can be parked on the street, in a driveway and so on. If you have teenagers, this can quickly become a problem.

3. If you decide you want to rent your property at some point, you may be surprised to learn some association rules are so restrictive as to make it impossible. Again, read the language closely.

4. If you prefer to change the oil on your car yourself or do some maintenance, many associations bar any such activity.

5. If you have younger children, you might be surprised to learn that some homeowner?s association do not allow them to play in the front yard. Talk about a nightmare.

The list of rules and regulations for developments tend to be voluminous and a bit on the heavy handed side. Make sure to inspect them closely before buying into a development.

Raynor James is with the site - FSBO America - FSBO homes for sale by owner.

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Ocean View Property For Sale ? Buy Cheaply and With Big Capital Growth Potential

People who took a chance and invested in coastal property in California, Hawaii and some parts of Florida with a $30,000 investment in any one of the three states mentioned above 30 years ago could have returned over $1,000,000.

Today Ocean view properties for sale here are expensive and Americans are looking elsewhere for property that?s cheap and has huge growth potential and getting an affordable slice of paradise

Where are they buying?

Ocean view property for sale can be purchased for just $60,000 and have huge growth potential and Americans are buying in increasing numbers in Central America.

Just a 3 hour flight away and yet ocean view property for sale is up to 70% cheaper than in the USA!

The main market is Costa Rica a safe, stable, friendly country with huge and growing foreign investment. Gains have been stunning for example.

Investors that purchased $30,000 of property in the town of Jaco, just 15 years ago are now worth as much as $750,000.

The Marriot Corporation which built its crown jewel of Latin America Los Suenos Resort and pre sold 50 condos of 2000 square feet for $250,000. The next year Marriot sold another fifty at $350,000. Now this years upper end units are being sold between $450,000 to $850,000.

The same scenario as California, Hawaii & Florida?

The boom in Central America has only just started, record investment and migrants from the US will push prices higher and we could see similar increases here over the next 10 or 15 years as we have seen in the USA.

The boom is set to continue

More Americans than ever are buying second homes and much of the US is expensive, yet Costa Rica remains cheap and gives a high standard of living at lower cost in one of the most beautiful countries on earth.

Buyers of property get the same rights as residents, property tax is minimal and the process of buying and selling is easy.

The capital gains potential

Ocean view property for sale can and does make many savvy investors triple digit annual gains and they are doing this with low risk. Furthermore, they are also able to gain income from the buoyant rental market.

If you are looking for a holiday, a second home or an investment property, then look at the booming ocean view property for sale market in Central America, you will see similar potential for gains that existed in America 30 years ago and the boom has only just begun.

Consider the facts and get on board for big capital gains potential combined with low risk.

FREE REPORT

Showing you all you need to know to make big gains by investing in property

and all the facts about this exciting investment visit http://www.costaricalandlots.com

Keeping Baby Safe Your Most Important Role As A Parent

Saying Thanks, But No Thanks to Used Safety Equipment

Once your beautiful bundle of joy arrives, the work of raising your child really begins. The biggest job you have as a parent is keeping your baby safe. Yet, it is impossible to watch over your children twenty-four hours a day.

Thankfully, there are many safety products available to keep them from getting hurt. These products include safety gates, outlet covers, oven and table bumpers, doorknob covers, bed rails, locks and guards, and many more. As a parent, you need to use products that are one step ahead of their children's abilities, and can do so by getting down on their level and looking around. This gives you a child's eye perspective of child safety issues in your home.

But with so many products to buy and so many different brand names, how do you decide what products you need most? The best thing to do when it comes to safety is buy new products rather than used ones. An older, used product may have been recalled due to dangerous safety issues, or it may be damaged from previous use. Although hand-me-downs are great for clothes and toys, your childs safety is just too important to leave to chance. Babies R Us is a great place to find all the safety products you need.

That still leaves the issue of how to choose between one safety gate, for instance, and another. Here are some purchasing tips for some of the more popular safety items you will need for your baby.

Car Seats

More children are seriously injured and killed in auto accidents than in any other type of accident. Each year, hundreds of lives could be saved if children were protected in cars by using child safety seats. Using a child safety seat is the best protection you can give your child when traveling by car.

When purchasing a car seat, look for:

* Label states that it meets or exceeds the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards;
* Is the car seat appropriate for your child's height and weight?
* Be aware of the type of seat belts your car has; all car seats are not compatible with all seat belts;
* Check recent car seat recalls before making a purchase;
* Be sure that the seat you choose fits your child - a smaller baby can slip out of a seat that's too large. Infants one year or younger and up to 20 pounds must be placed in a rear-facing seat, toddlers (older than 1 year and between 20 and 40 pounds) may use a forward-facing seat, and children who are between 40 and 80 pounds need to be placed in a booster seat;
* Consider choosing a seat that is upholstered in fabric - it may be more comfortable for your child.

Safety Gates

Baby safety gates are an essential element in making your home baby proof. Now that he's on the move, every nook and cranny is a potential area of exploration for him. Your baby is curious about his new environment, wanting to investigate each little corner and new room. The best way to make sure he can't do any harm to himself is to install safety gates. These will prevent him from reaching the stairs, kitchen, or an office room, where there might be many wires and electrical equipment just at his height

Accordion gates, which open to form diamond-shaped patterns with wide V's at the top, can trap a baby's head and have resulted in strangulation deaths. In January 1985, gate manufacturers halted production of these gates, but there are still an estimated 15 million gates in use. Mesh gates also can be dangerous because a toddler's fingers can become trapped.

When purchasing a safety gate, look for the following:

* A hardware-mounted gate that attaches to the doorframe without any openings to trap fingers or necks. Pressure-mounted gates should not be used between rooms of different levels or at the top of stairs; children can dislodge them and take a tumble.
* Gates that swing out should never be used at the top of stairways;
* Nonflexible vertical slats or rods should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart;
* Check for sharp edges and protrusions that could hurt a toddler's hands;
* Avoid gates with structures that could give a child a foothold for climbing. Keep large toys away from the gate to prevent a child from using them to climb over;
* The gate should be no less than 3/4 of the child's height

Playpens

These high-sided, enclosed play areas are popular because they allow parents to put their baby down with the knowledge that he can't wander off. It is great when you have to answer the phone, do a bit of ironing, or just catch a quick breath!

When purchasing a playpen, look for the following:

* Holes in the mesh should be no larger than 1/4 inch to keep small fingers from getting caught;
* The sides should be at least 20 inches high, measured from the floor of the playpen;
* Look for padding on the tops of the rails to protect your baby from bumps;
* The locks that allow you to lower a side should be out of your baby's reach.

Baby Monitors

The idea behind a baby monitor is that you can have the ability to move around the house or your yard and still be able to keep tabs on your baby by listening or now viewing your baby. This can help alert you to a crying baby, a baby who needs your help or just help you watch baby while he or she sleeps.

The baby/nursery monitor that you buy will have different levels of mobility. The base usually plugs into the wall, usually the nursery or wherever your baby is sleeping. The receiver can plug in or be mobile. If you intend to use the monitor as you move from room to room, you will want to invest in the mobile kind, versus the stationary variety.

When purchasing a baby monitor, look for the following:

* There should be at least two channels to choose from;
* Be sure that you have a low battery indicator light. Without this you might be listening to the receiver, thinking all is quiet in the baby's room, when in fact all you've got is a dead battery;
* Has a power-on light so that you can know the unit is on without disturbing the baby;
* Has a volume control to put you in charge of how loudly you wish to hear your baby;
* Are you planning to carry around your end of the monitoring system? Then you might want a belt clip!

Bath Seats

A bath seat gives your child added support while in the bathtub and can help prevent a soapy baby from slipping out of your hands and hitting her head on the tub. Keep in mind, however, that you should NEVER leave your child unattended in the tub!

When purchasing a bath seat, look for the following:

* Never use a bath seat on textured or non-skid surfaces unless the manufacturers instructions specifically state the seat is intended for such surfaces;
* Look for the JPMA Certification Seal.

Always remember, no matter what safety product you are buying, to look at the features to be sure they meet your specific requirements. Also check to be sure that the product you are considering has not recently been recalled. The safety of your child is of utmost importance dont leave it to chance!

By Claire Bowes

5 Important Features to Look for when Buying a Car Seat

When you are buying a new child seat for your new baby, you want to make sure that it is both comfortable for your baby and safe. The purchase of a car seat is one of the most important purchases you will make for your baby and while every car seat sold passes the government safety standards, you may want a bit more from your car seat. There are a variety of safety features on a car seat that will improve the safety of the child and help you feel more comfortable.

Reclining Seats

If you have a newborn, a reclining feature may be very important. When traveling with your newborn, it is important that you make sure their head will not roll around and damage their neck. Many parents have resorted to using towels and blankets as props for the head, but a reclining seat can end this. A reclining seat allows infants to recline at an angle that provides adequate support for their head and does not allow it to roll forward.

Five Point Harness

Another safety feature that you will want, when choosing a car seat for your child, is a five point harness. This harness has been proven to be the safest and it helps to keep your child in the seat. If you are ever in a car accident, this five point harness will keep the baby safely in the car seat instead of allowing them to fall out or be ejected.

Impact Protection for the Head

Many car seat manufacturers have started building in extra padding to help protect the head of the infant. Be sure to find a seat that offers adequate head protection by reinforcing the plastic and adding adequate cushioning to protect your baby?s head at all times.

Latch Option

Newer car seats are starting to offer a latch option that allows you to latch the car seat into the car instead of having to belt it in with a seat belt. This makes it much quicker and simpler to get your baby and the car seat into the car. These latching seats are made to be safe, but parents should always makes sure that the seat has completely latched into place before they start driving.

Rear Facing Car Seats

If you have a newborn or infant, you may want to consider a seat that faces the rear. Some seats are rear facing only, while others can be used both ways. It is always safer to have your child facing the rear to protect them from the dangers of whiplash, especially when they are very young. Having a seat that will face the rear is an important feature that you may need.

The safety needs of your children are important and whether they need a toddler car seat or an infant car seat, you want to be sure that they have the safest seat available. Take the time to check out a variety of seats and compare them before you make the final purchase. Your child?s safety and comfort is worth the time spent finding the perfect car seat.

Kristi Sayles, Child Development Coach, invites you to her site at http://YourChildandYou.com for more parenting advice, shopping for the family,parenting forum, and even a bit of humor that will brighten your day.

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Before You Buy Your Bustier Find Your Correct Bra Size

The right bustier can help a woman feel both sexy and beautiful, but the wrong size can make a woman feel like they are either squeezed in, or completely drowning in fabric. The culprit in either of these situations is incorrect bra size. It has been estimated that 80 percent of women are wearing a bra that is either too big or too small, or does not offer enough support, even if it is the correct size. Before you buy your next bustier read on to find out more about choosing the right bra size.

Perfectly fitting bras and lingerie molds and shapes the body, as well as providing support and figure enhancement. Improperly fitting lingerie does the exact opposite.

Common sense says, if you have a bra that fits properly, that bra is an accurate representation of your bra size, but it is important to keep in mind that sizing varies between manufacturers. It is usually obvious that when you find a bra or a bustier that does not fit properly, but there are other signs that a bra or bustier just is not the right fit as well. Take a look at the cups, and if you find that you do not quite fill them, you need a smaller size. On the other hand, if the edges of the cups do not lie flat against the sides of your breasts, you could probably stand to go up a size.

If the center panel of the bra does not lie flat, this is also a sign that either the cup size is too small, or that that e panel may not be large enough to cover the separation between your breasts. If you have a minimizer, however, do not worry if it seems to fit but does not seem to meet the above criteria, since minimizers usually do not rest against the breastbone.

Pay attention to the straps of your bra and or bustier as well. If the straps are always falling, consider a different strap style. If the straps dig into your shoulders, it might be time to go down a band size.

Keep in mind that when you decide to go up a cup size, the band size stays the same, but when you go up a band size, your cup size will increase as well. Buying the perfect bra can greatly enhance and improve your appearance, and ensure that you look just right in that sexy, new bustier as well.

For more information about your next garter belt or other sexy apparel and more visit our site.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=PhoenixDelray

By Phoenix Delray