Archive for the ‘Social-Networking’ Category

Intro To Bungee Jumping

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007

Bungee jumping is definitely not a sport for the faint of heart. If you watch a line of people who are waiting to bungee jump, you would be surprised at how many of them back out at the last moment. Falling from a high place is among the most fearful scenarios for many people. You will feel like you are in space because gravity will not work. However, if you can Stomach your fear and allow yourself to take that first jump, you will discover that it is one of the most adrenaline-filled and extreme activities. Most people, after their first jump, can’t help but come back for more of the sheer rush of adrenalin.

You are most likely familiar with the concept of bungee jumping, but here is a short recap just in case: an extremely strong and extremely stretchy cord is attached to the jumper’s ankles. He or she then leaps off of the jumping point and free-falls to the stretch capacity of the cord. The cord jerks the jumper back up, and he or she proceeds to fall again, and get jerked back up again. This process is repeated until the jumper has stopped bouncing. Being jerked up and down doesn’t sound very pleasant, but the truth is that it is ridiculously exciting.

Despite seeming dangerous, bungee jumping probably has the least number of accidents as compared to any of the other extreme sports. This is because it requires no experience and no skill. All you have to do is jump, and you will have a good time falling and screaming on your way down. Most people worry about one of two things. The first is that the rope will snap. This is not even an issue, since all commercial bungee jumping ropes go through strict quality tests to insure your safety. The second thing people worry about is that they will swing down and smack against a wall. This can be minimized by the bungee jumping operators who can have the bungee jumping platforms far from a rock cliff. If you are going on your own without any professional help then you need to be extremely cautious and keep away from the cliff.

However, bungee jumping is not without its risks. Although the chances of equipment failure are extremely low, there are other hazards in the actual fall. One of the most common is back injury. Since jumpers are being snapped around like rag dolls, those who are less limber might end up pulling a muscle or even dislocating something. There have also been many reports of eye injury during to bungee jumping.

There are many bungee jumping opportunities across the world. Wherever you can find a dam, bridge, or canyon that provides more than a few hundred feet of height, you will find a bungee jumping platform. Some of the most famous ones include the Verzasca Dam in Switzerland, the Bungee Tower in Cairns, and the highest one of all: the Macau Tower in China. All of these provide professional, commercial help in getting your equipment on and getting your form perfected.

Bungee jumping, due to its nature, is not very competitive. However, there are several different things that might allow for some competition within the sport. The first is acrobatics. There are a few specialized competitions that judge Bungee jumpers based on the moves that they can pull when in the air. The best acrobatics win the contest. There have also been attempts to continue one-upping the highest jump. Currently the record lies with the Royal Gorge jump in Colorado, which was only open for a few days during a sporting event.

The very thought of bungee jumping gets the adrenaline pumping. If you are one of those who love to try new and exciting sports, then bungee jumping will definitely be exciting, and fast.

JB is an outdoor sports enthusiast and the site owner of http://www.outdoor-adventure-sports.com

Rome Bed And Breakfasts: Because Accommodation In Rome Does Not Only Mean Hotels

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007

Just like many other invasions in Italian history, also the bed and breakfast one came from the north. The tourism workers was not used at all to lodge its guests in something different from an hotel or an apartment, because Rome had always been the destination of particularly wealthy tourists.

There was no need to offer them only the possibility to have breakfast in the morning in a place similar to a real house, just to save up some money. Now the world of tourism has totally changed. New kinds of travelers need just a place to sleep at night in a comfortable environment, preferring to save money or to spend it even more, for any other reason but an hotel room: to make a guided tour of Rome’s monuments and museums, to shop in the fashion boutique’s area surrounding the Spanish Steps, to book a comfortable transfer from the airport, to enjoy the night life of the Eternal city and so on. Luckily enough, people of Rome finally got it so that in the last fifteen years they started to open bed & breakfasts all over the city and often in the same beautiful locations of the best an more luxury hotels of Rome. Most of them were owners of flats and small charming buildings in the city centre and they took the risk to start this business from scratch. But very soon they realized that these kind of accommodations would suit Rome’s tourists just as well as everywhere else in the world where they were already so popular. An even more: a total boom of reservations was registered!

If you’ll ever have the chance to lodge in one of Rome’s b & b you will easily understand why the first ones who lodged there liked it so much: because those rooms had actually been someone’s bedrooms, bathroom and dining room till yesterday, they had been lived for real, they had been a real house for entire generations: from children to grandparents; in a word, they had been alive. A lot of travelers seem to like this atmosphere much more than the aseptic one of a very refined hotel. But there’s more. If you’ve already booked a room in some bed & breakfast or some guest house for your holidays in Rome, you will be positively impressed by the people who usually run these places. Most of them still live there and they are not in a rush as some hotels’ receptionists: usually they are very friendly people who enjoy to have a little chat with you while they’re arranging your breakfast in the morning.

Do you want some tips about where are the best locations to book a Bed & Breakfast in Rome? Trastevere and Rione Monti, with their picturesque old building, all restored in the inside, are tremendous spots to look for this particular kind of accommodation. One last tip: if you’re trying to book online your accommodation in Rome, just beware of hidden costs and always ask for real bed & breakfasts or guest houses: they’re so requested right now that some tiny hotels pretend to be one of them!

Paola Lo Russo is a true expert of travel to Italy. If you want to know more about Hotels in Rome and about Rome Bed & breakfasts on his online resource at http://www.romaclick.com

Mental Aspect Of Investing

Friday, May 18th, 2007

Regardless of your current experience level in trading, everyone had to start at the beginning. I think that the emotions starting out were pretty much identical for all traders early in their development. And since then, hopefully each trade has gotten easier as your confidence has grown. That is what a learning curve is. There are two basis concepts that should help any trader as he moves forward and continues to grow. First, master the internal ego. And second, defend the external ego.

The first idea is that you must recognize what is keeping you from taking your trading success to the next level. The vast majority of the time, it is probably your ego get in the your way of your self-education. This is not the arrogant or over-confident type of ego. Instead, it is more along the lines of a defensive, protective ego - the “I do not need any help” ego. The problem is that kind of self-shielding ego is what prevents real learning. Think about this, we are all human, and being human, we do not want to admit that we are wrong about our trades sometimes. The ego wants to uphold an ideal version of us that allows for only successes and not failures. Your goal should be to trade without ego, or without personal judgment of your self worth. Trading is a business, and the businessmen who do the best at it are the ones who treat as such. It is not a reflection of them personally.

What does it mean to defend the external ego? While the amateur trader will often tell friends, neighbors, and total strangers about trades he may have entered, it is all too often a setup for disaster. Call it whatever Law if you want, but one of the ’sure-fire’ trades you just entered and told your neighbor about will turn against you soon. And like clockwork, the neighbor will ask how it panned out. You have one of two options at that point: tell the truth, or lie. You could lie to the neighbor and say the trade went fine. However, even though the neighbor may not know any better, the damage to our own ego is still a reality. How? Being forced to deceive also forces us to acknowledge that we may have inferior skills. Instead of just accepting a losing position, we are forced to conceal the trade to protect other’s perception of us. The irony is that the lie can cause even more damage to our confidence than just accepting the loss. Speaking psychologically, our subconscious minds can rationalize some incredible stuff that does not necessarily have to be true, so do not give it an opportunity to rationalize your decision to stop trading. You are better off not saying anything than saying something you know to be untrue.

So the bottom line is that the more you can move toward treating your trading as strictly a business and not have emotions get in the way, the better trader you will become. There is no reason that you cannot be excited about good trades, but never let that excitement get out of hand. Keep focused on the goal of being the best trader that you can be.

For more articles , Please visit www.options-diary.blogspot.com

The Advantages of Web Conferencing Software for Business

Thursday, April 12th, 2007

Web conferencing is clearly a very advantageous way of handling important business communications between clients and colleagues who are in very different locations. That it is possible at all is due to recent advances in the speed and efficiency of the Internet. Have you noticed how web based conferencing has quietly changed the ways people used to do things, especially in the realm of commerce? If you consider business trips, for example, today a lot of businesses are cutting down on them in favor of web conferencing, since the widespread availability of web services has made it so convenient to apply.

Let us compare web conferencing with a traditional business conference. In the time before the Internet as we know it came to exist, there were only two ways for distance conferencing to happen between two or more businessmen. One way would be to conduct a telephone conference. The disadvantage of that was, being merely a vocal means of communication, therefore a lot of information–especially in its visual form–could not easily be transmitted.

The second method would be to have all the participants physically attend the conference. With everybody involved being all in the same room, there could be no limit to the information and ideas that could be discussed and presented. Still, there were clear disadvantages as well. Conducting such a conference required a great degree of expense and inconvenience to the businessmen involved. Their companies would have to pay for the costs of air fares, hotel room arrangements, and various other expenses. Valuable time would be wasted in travel. In the end, hosting such physical gatherings may not prove to be cost effective.

Web conferencing is definitely an excellent alternative method, one that requires much less in terms of expense and inconvenience. The participants will be able to view a presentation on a shared screen, hold a have real-time discussion with each other using instant messaging or VoIP, and even see each other through video web conferencing.

Get even more information about web conferencing by checking out the tips and articles available at http://www.aboutwebconferencing.info

The Next David Leadbetter

Thursday, April 12th, 2007

Last summer I had the good fortune of playing Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course just outside Portland OR. This beautiful layout is one of the premiere golf courses in the country. My day consisted of a 10am wake up call for a noon lunch and golf to follow. Throw in some free pizza and it was my dream day.

I was scheduled to play golf with two men I had never met. Both were good customers of a friend who has hired me on numerous occasions. I had offered to host them for a free round of golf at the famous Pumpkin Ridge. My friend was trying to deepen his relations with this account in hopes that it would lead to more business down the road. If I could be charming, funny and spectacular on the course it would sure help the cause.

My guy either trusts me or he is really desperate for more business. Anyway, that is not my point. My point is to describe my playing partner and his swing. You see, here’s how it works; I tell you what he did wrong, share with you how to correct the problem, you learn and are pleased to have read this article. Lets see if it works that way.

Remember, I don’t know these two men. All I know is they are very successful in business. The owner, who I will focus on, is extremely competent at what he does. He runs multiple companies and makes good amounts of dough.

My goal as we get into the round is to ask lots of questions, get to know them and hopefully make some new friends. I have found everyone has something interesting about him or her and my job is to find it. How? Questions. It’s easy to do and it puts the focus on them. My other objective is to assess their game and see how good, or bad they may be. It takes as short a time as one swing with some people but normally within the first few holes I have a pretty good handle on the state of their game.

This particular day was no exception. I watched for eight holes as my new friend hit bad drive after bad drive. It was painful to watch him struggle when all he had to do was make a minor change in his approach and the game would be easier and ultimately more fun. Two hours of laughs allowed me to offer some advice as we strolled onto the 9th tee box. I told him, I wanted him to try something. I did not ask, I told. He was visibly frustrated, as many successful business people are when they cannot get the golf ball to go where they want it to go.

I said, “lets tee it a bit higher and lets swing a bit easier. I want you to think 85% and not 100 %, or in my new friends case 150%.” You see, for eight holes and probably as long as he had played golf he had swung the driver like a man possessed! His tendencies to over swing made his head move too much which made his body move way too much. It still works: 1 + 1=2.

In fact everything was moving but his bowels. That is never a good thing on the golf course, or in life…

Nothing good happens when you try and kill a golf ball. The staple of all long drives is good solid contact and your chances of solid contact after performing a maniac swing is very minimal. Our main man agreed to back off a bit and swing at 85-90%. What do you think happened next? You guessed it, a nasty slice right into the water that lined the right side of the fairway. Actually no, my outstanding ‘cutting edge’ advice led to a perfect drive traveling down the middle of the fairway. How far? Far…well at least it was far for him. It was an amazing drive that left a sheepish grin on his face. I was his new David Leadbetter! In fact I was all he had ever looked for in a male golfing companion! To my astonishment he spent the rest of the day swinging in a very controlled manner. He oppressed the urge to hit it like a caveman and it led to better drives and more fun.

Do you want to hit it longer? Here is some ‘cutting edge’ advice. Swing easier and you will make better contact, which will lead to longer drives!

Longer drives will lead to what we all want to say. “I believe you are away…”

Dan Boever is a highly sought after golf entertainer and 11-time World Long Drive finalist who has traveled the country for the past 10 years performing power trick shot shows for over 600 of America’s largest companies and charities. Dan has been featured on CBS, ESPN, The Golf Channel and has been in 8 National televsion commercials for Pinnacle Golf. Dan also appeared in the New Line Cinema movie “Hoot”, released last May. For more information about Dan and how you can energize your next golf event with Dan’s one of a kind golf exhibition go to http://www.danboever.com

Cheap Travel Insurance Cover

Saturday, March 31st, 2007

Cheap Travel Insurance: Who doesn’t want to travel to make the spare time a bit relaxing and rousing? But there are few things which one should bring into notice before stepping out for the journey. Usually holidaying is an opportunity when a person sets to enjoy all dash fun with the family members and the other dear ones. But have you ever imagined about various unforeseen hazards that could play as a spoilsport into your dream holiday. In that situation the extra expenses could make your budget lists to go much higher than the actual ratings. Hence, it is very much essential for you to have some sort of covering while moving out for the special trip. Cheap Travel Insurance not only offers to you the sense of safety during travelling but also saves heap of money on your trips. Available under various products like single travel insurance, Gap Year Travel Insurance and others, you can choose any availability as per your requirement.

There are many people who adjourn the idea of getting travel insurance because they think it will be a bit tiring process. But this is only a false belief with many people who are not well aware about the ready to use online method where you can shop for the best suited insurance cover for yourself. Cheap travel insurance offers cover for all medical expenses, flight delays/cancellation, loss of important belongings, emergency evacuation, etc and thus makes the journey more comfortable and safe all along.

Various quotes of cheap travel insurance are available in the market and online on the internet. To the best of your convenience what you can do is simply to make a comparative study of all the quotes. As on internet you can get the most efficient tool, which will help you in making the correct decision in selecting the best policy of cheap travel insurance?

To find the best cheap travel insurance cover, visit http://www.insurancebookers.co.uk/
and avail maximum benefits on your policy.

Amino Acids: Essential for Anti-Aging Skin Care

Tuesday, February 27th, 2007

These days, people are popping a lot of vitamins and taking in various nutrients in an effort to keep their skin smooth and youthful. But even those people who are really involved in their skin care regimen may neglect certain vital components to anti-aging skin care: amino acids.

Amino acids are molecules that are crucial in providing every cell in your body with cellular repair maintenance. These important molecules are classified into 28 different types of amino acids. Of these, nine are considered as “essential,” or “indispensable,” which means they cannot simply be synthesized in our bodies. So we should ensure that we have a sufficient intake of them by incorporating these essential amino acids in our diet.

Essential amino acids can be found in leafy greens, fish, and other foods rich in protein. By consuming food that has these essential aminos, you can make sure you have enough in your body, and that will help protect your skin from the effects of aging.

However, it is also possible to absorb amino acids by applying them topically. You need to use a lotion, cream, moisturizer, nutrient mask, or other skin care product that contains the essential amino acids. When applied onto your skin, the amino acids combine with the epidermal cells to fill up creases, and thus provide the surface of your skin with a smoother appearance.

Below that, in the lower level of the epidermis, the essential aminos act to stimulate the build up of collagen, the main skin protein. Collagen is responsible for keeping the skin tissue firm, but it weakens as you get older, especially due to increased exposure to the sun and other environmental skin irritants. However, the absorption of essential amino acids helps in the production of collagen, which in turn works to reduce lines and wrinkles and maintain the continued elasticity of skin as you age.

Today, there are new formulas that boost the power of amino acids to treat the skin and make them much more effective. If protecting your skin from the ravages of age is important to you, then you should add essential amino acids to your diet. But you don’t have to stop there. Look for skin care products that incorporate amino acids and you will have more effective weapons against premature skin aging.

Learn more about the anti-aging skin care and find many more skin care tips and articles available at http://www.skincare-advice.info

Top Ten Reason to Buy a Fine Leather Handbag

Wednesday, January 31st, 2007

Fine leather handbags are the height of fashion this season. From shocking red clutch purses to basic black carryalls the variety is larger than ever, making it easy to find a bag that will suit your individual style. However leather is expensive and you may wonder whether a fine leather handbag is worth the investment. Presented here are the top ten reasons to purchase a genuine leather handbag.

1) Timelessness - High quality leather goods never go out of style. Unlike many trends in fashion accessories a leather handbag will be just as appropriate in ten years as it is today. A leather bag can be considered an investment in a lifetime of memories.

2) Durability - A well constructed leather handbag can last indefinitely. With proper care, your leather handbag can become an heirloom item. Small rips or unraveling seams can often be repaired by a leather specialist, but there is no substitute for quality.

3) Luxury - An excellent leather handbag does not have to be inordinately expensive. Yet the feeling you will get from using your special bag is priceless. Leather bags can add an instant polish and glamour to any outfit.

4) Flexibility – A fine leather handbag can be dressed up or down. While absolutely correct with a nice dress, a leather bag can also add a bit of sophistication to jeans and a sweater. A mid-range leather handbag can actually save you money when compared to purchasing separate bags for dressy and casual looks.

5) Status - As the old saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Make yours count by instantly conveying a sense of style and elegance. Those “in the know” can recognize a quality fine leather handbag at a glance which adds automatic status points to a first meeting.

6) Fashion Statement - Leather handbags are deeply embedded in world culture as a sign of sophistication and glamour. A leather bag can bring you into the world of fashion and couture.

7) Trend – Fine leather handbags are exceptionally popular on this year’s runways. While leather will never go out of style, there has never been a better time to enter the market. Spring 2007 offers an endless array of textures, colors, and styles, allowing you to make a lasting investment in the handbag of your dreams.

8) Value - As a high quality product, leather retains its monetary value year after year. Your leather handbag will never decrease in value and its value may even increase over time as it attains vintage status.

9) Functionality - Not only is a fine leather handbag stylish but it is also quite useable. Unlike a cloth bag which may rip or lose its shape under heavy use, leather handbags are strong and designed to support a reasonable amount of weight. Although care must be taken not to scratch or discolor the surface of the leather the material is heavy duty and not prone to easy destruction.

10) Originality – Although fine leather handbags are stylish and trendy, the endless combination of styles, colors and trim options available ensure that your bag will be unlike anyone else’s. The fact that your handbag is leather will keep the bag trendy and current but your own personal stamp will shine through.

There are many reasons to invest in one of this season’s fine leather handbags. Blending style, form and function with an endless variety of finishing touches, a leather bag is a true investment. Take care of your handbag and it will serve you well for years to come.

Gale Boone is the founder of eLuxe Bags. For more information about fine leather handbags, visit http://www.eluxebags.com

Tips For Keeping Your Nails Beautiful and Healthy

Thursday, January 25th, 2007

Nails are more than shiny body parts that you bite or polish. They are actually used for a lot of things including peeling fruit, opening food items, scratching, attracting attention and for stimulating the skin. The look of your nails also gives people a visual cue about your health and your personality. If you want to make the best impression possibly you need to take care of your nails to ensure that they stay healthy and beauty.

There are several things that you can do to keep your nails healthy. The first thing is to keep your nails hydrated. You can do this by rubbing your nails and cuticles with a dab of petroleum jelly or cuticle oil. The second thing that you can do to keep your nails healthy is to wear rubber or latex gloves when you use cleaning chemicals and soaps. This will protect your hands and nails from the damaging properties of these chemicals. Next you can make sure that you dry your hands thoroughly after you do the dishes or take a bath or shower. This will prevent bacterial or fungal growth around your nails.

Trimming your nails is an important step for keeping them healthy. If you want to avoid ingrown toenails cut your toenails straight across instead of following the shape of your toes. When you are working on your fingernails make sure that you don’t trim your nails too short. Also don’t cut your cuticles. Instead push them back using a cuticle tool slanted at a 45 degree angle. Use polish to protect your nails from breaking and chipping. If you don’t like color on your nails you can always use a clear polish.

Looking to find an Aveda salon in Salt Lake? Landis Salon located near Sugarhouse is a full service Aveda salon. Learn how essential oils and aromatherapy can benefit your life and your health. Use our essentail oils chart as reference. Find the best selection on unique clothing, accessories and apparel at the Black Chandelier online store.

188+ Stage Hero’s Journey (Monomyth)-Middle Cave Pushes And Pulls

Thursday, January 25th, 2007

The Hero’s Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.

[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].

THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY

THE HERO’S JOURNEY:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).

d) Gives you a universal structural template upon which you can superimpose your situational story. This is why stories such as Alien (1979), Gladiator (2000), Midnight Cowboy (1969), American Beauty (1999), The Graduate (1967) and many others (all deconstructed at the URL below) appear to be different but are all constructed, almost sequence by sequence, in the same way.

and more…

ABRIDGED TIP(S):

*****Push into the Middle Cave*****

Pushes and Pulls are an underrated aspect of storytelling. Pushes and Pulls force the Hero et al from one stage of the Journey to the next.

A push or pull of some sort will drive the Hero inward, from the Outer Cave into the Middle part of the Cave. There will be resistance or obstacles to the Middle Cave (resistance to change is natural). In An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), the recruits have to do push-ups.

Learn more…

WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY!

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/

The Managing Creativity and Innovation MBA dissertation, DIY creativity Audit, Powerpoint presentation and Good Idea generator software can be found at http://www.managing-creativity.com/

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Kal Bishop, MBA

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