Paul Skydiving

Paul skydiving from 18000 feet in Monterey California



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7oxRC7shkY&hl=en

Laura Meyer - Skydive - Miles From Nowhere/Flying V

Music by Laura Meyer www.laurameyer.net Video courtesy of Skydive Elsinore www.skydiveelsinore.com Spring Tour 2010. April 3, 2010. Elsinore, CA



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia7FFbihay4&hl=en

skydiving adventure!

haha so i finally got to do my first sky dive. it was amazing! i recommend that everyone tries it out! video taked place in the desert of cal city california. starring Cameron Crawford



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9npZ78NiKc&hl=en

Grand Canyon Skybridge - Where Is It Anyway?

Question:

We are coming to the Grand Canyon and want to go to the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Where is the best place to stay overnight?

Answer:

The Hualupai Lodge at Diamond Creek is the closest overnight accommodations to the Grand Canyon Skybridge, but at this time of year, you'll need reservations.

The next most convenient place to stay will depend on where you are coming from. Are you flying into Phoenix or Las Vegas, or Driving from somewhere?

The two decent sized towns nearby are Kingman (convenient from Vegas/California and about 70 miles/2 hours driving time from the Skybridge) and Flagstaff (convenient from Phoenix/Colorado/New Mexico and about 216 miles/4 hours driving time from the Skybridge).

To get to the Skybridge from Sedona, you'd need to drive north to Flagstaff/I-40. Then you'd go west past Williams and near Seligman, turn onto the old Route 66. Take Route 66 to Peach Springs. From Peach Springs, you'll turn off onto another road and go northeast to Grand Canyon West. From Sedona to Peach Spring should take you 3 hours or so.

Grand Canyon West is actually not that far from Las Vegas, so an alternate plan for you might be to fly into Vegas, drive to GC West, then to Sedona, then to the Grand Canyon via I-40 or 89A and then fly back out of Flagstaff.

Any way you slice it, it's a pretty long driving trip!

Be sure you know where you are going

There appears to be a lot of misinformation out there regarding the Skybridge. Google maps had their Skybridge marker way off!

Grand Canyon West, where the Skybridge is, and the Grand Canyon West Rim, where most of the 5 million yearly visitors to the Grand Canyon go, are not the same place.

Actually, they are not even close! Grand Canyon West, which is where the Skybridge is, is outside of the national park on the Hualupai reservation. The Grand Canyon Village/West Rim is over 4 hours drive from the Skybridge, so if you have a limited time to visit, you may need to choose between the two.

Valentin's Skydiving Adventure

Skydived at Camarillo, CA with Skydive Coastal California for my 21st b-day!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60SD_3euq9c&hl=en

How Hard Is It To Build Straight Stairs

Thinking of doing it yourself. wondering if you can do it. The Contractor down the street made it look easy. But how am I going to build a set of stairs for my house. It starts with a little information, maybe a book, I know I will surf the net and get the info. Why bother with spending the time looking on the internet for a article or book on how to build stairs. I have done it and that's why I wrote a book and their are more books coming on how to build stairs.

My goal is to write a book on every way of building stairs. I am going to make the stair building books easy to follow with lots of simple illustrations. I understand that getting one book on stair building that explains how to build 500 different types of stairs with 3000 illustrations might not apply to you. These books are nice for a building professional or a master carpenter but are difficult to understand.

I have made these books easy to follow with the use of illustrations that only apply to the set of stairs you will be building. The book "How to Build a Strait Set of Stairs" is a complete stair building guide for a strait set of stairs with a 2 x 4 handrail. In this book you will have access to formulas for decimal conversions to fractions. Then you will be able to locate the exact mark for certain measurements. It isn't hard to build a straight set of stairs with this book and the website links provided for you.

If you feel comfortable with a hammer, tape measure and a circular saw. You will be amazed with the results. I have been helping people build stairs for almost 30 years with this easy to follow stair building system. I have trained other carpenters to build stairs with most of them telling me the same thing. How easy it was to build but they thought you had to be a master carpenter in order to build a set of stairs. The main reason for this way of thinking was that when it was time to build the stairs on the job guess who would build the stairs. The Master Carpenter of course.

You can do it with a little help from a friend. [http://www.stair4u.com] Get some help from the best home improvement contractor in California.

Motor Home Destinations - California Redwood Forests

Just imagine standing there, looking up at a giant tree that rises above you into the sky. Even the huckleberries are several feet over your head. Standing among these giants really puts life in perspective, and the hush of the forest floor is so quiet that your footsteps sound like thunder.

Welcome to the California Redwoods, part of a unique ecosystem that includes these ancient trees as well as some of California's prettiest coastline. In the Redwood forest, you can go biking, rafting, fishing, swimming or picnicking, but just walking around among these gigantic trees is enough of a mind-blower for most people.

If you're in the mood for a scenic drive, you can see the sights without leaving your car or motor home on one of the park's scenic drives. The most famous of these is the Avenue of the Giants. If the name gives you any indication, it's pretty spectacular.

Avenue of the Giants is 31 miles of Highway 101 about 5 hours north of San Francisco. Without even leaving your motor home, you will see some of the biggest trees in the entire forest. The Avenue is also close to the Humboldt National Forest, where the oldest stand of virgin old-growth redwood trees is still standing.

Then again, if you do want to get out and walk among the giants, there are trail heads all along the way. Any time you see a sign for a trail, pull off and take it. Wherever it takes you, it will be spectacular and well worth the walking. There are also lots of great places to stop and picnic. The Avenue of the Giants is also dotted with quaint little towns where you can stop along the way to eat, pick up souvenirs or get more information about these huge trees.

You've probably seen the pictures of the Shrine Drive-Thru tree. That is located in Myers Flat, and there is a turn-off in the Avenues for it. Here you can drive through one of these massive trees!

But, the redwoods are more than just trees. They are part of an entire ecosystem, including prairies, rivers and coastline as well. There are places like the Klamath River Overlook, where you can look down on the spot where the Klamath River meets the Pacific Ocean. You may also catch sight of jumping salmon, sun-bathing sea lions, flying sea-birds, seals and even gray whales.

In this pristine environment there are a variety of protected wildlife, like the Roosevelt elk, gray whales, black bears and sea anemones. There are also lots of interesting little critters, like the massive banana slugs, so named because of their bright color and fruit-size.

The California redwoods are a great destination for motor home travelers, and there are some wonderful campgrounds where you can stay. Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is open from May 1st to September 30th, and is located right in the middle of the forest. There are 145 sites that allow both tents and RVs, but there are restrictions on how long the motor homes can be. Call them for more information and reservations.

The campground at Jebediah Smith Redwoods State Park is open year around and its more than 100 sites accommodate RVs. There are no hookups, though, and they also have length restrictions. Call ahead for more information.

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park has 2 campgrounds which are both quite a bit smaller than the others. One has 75 sites and the smaller one has 25 and doesn't allow trailers. Prairie Creek is great for those who really want to get away and prefer slightly more rugged accommodations.

Everyone should see the redwoods at least once. You won't believe it!

Activities For Home School Programs - Astronomy on a Budget

In ancient times, the sky was looked upon as something mystical and mythical, as if it had a message for the human race. The invention of the telescope revealed how vast and amazing the sky is. There is lot more to learn, and much of what lies beyond our atmosphere is still a mystery. In home school programs that I design, I always teach how the sky actually tells us lots of things. In today's activity I will teach you some binocular basics and the basics of telling the time by looking at the stars.

Being a junior astronomer is not at all that expensive. Imagine just lying down on your lawn and gazing at the stars. Costs nothing! But let me warn you ...star gazing can get addictive! At least history tells of men who have spent their entire lives studying the stars.

Home school programs can ideally teach you about stars from the comfort of your home. Once you get interested in stars, you will be filled with tons of questions. Why do stars twinkle? Why do they move? What are they made of? How far are they? How big are they?

Visiting your local library or telling your parents to take you to the local astronomy club becomes a must. You are amazed at the telescopes and want to rent a portable one. But then you dream of having your own telescope and lie on your lawn with cookies and cocoa and enjoy all the wonders in the sky.

For home school programs I recommend a pair of hand held binoculars with a 50mm lens and a 7mm exit pupil. The main lenses collect light rays and the exit pupil allows just the right amount of light to pass through. Choose a pair of binoculars with a magnification of 10x and not more. A higher magnification will, no doubt, produce a better resolution, but a slight shake of the hand, and you will lose the star you are looking at.

You can buy a good 10 x 50mm pair or a 7 x 50mm pair for as little as $100. A tripod and a L-adaptor would be great accessories to go in for.

Do This Now!

Telling the Time by Looking at the Stars

To tell the time, you must first find Polaris, which is also called the North Star or the Pole Star. Polaris is a bright star that appears to be stationary while the other stars appear to move. Some people prefer to first find the Big Dipper, which is a constellation that outlines a dipper or a bowl with a handle. There are two stars on the side of the bowl opposite to the handle and they are called Dubhe and Merak. When you connect these stars with an imaginary line and extend the length of the line 5 times upwards, you will find Polaris.

Now imagine a round clock with the Polaris at the center.The imaginary line is the hour hand of your star clock (no minute hand). You will notice that this hour hand (and the Big Dipper) moves around the Polaris in a complete circle. So your imaginary hour hand will move around the Polaris just like the hand of a clock. The only difference is that it will move counterclockwise, and therefore you will have to imagine the clock as a mirror image of your kitchen clock. This means that 12 will be in the same place, but 1 will be in place of 11, 2 will be in place of ten, 3 will be in place of 9, and so on.

Depending on where you live, on the midnight of March 1, you will find that your imaginary hour hand points to 12. Now when the hour hand moves to 1 (normally 11) it will be 2 am in the morning. You must count two hours for every 5 minute mark. When the hour hand is at 3 (normally 9), the time is 2 times 3, that is 6 in the morning. This will give you a fair idea about how our ancestors told the time by looking at the skies.

You can buy a ready-made star clock at an Astronomy store. By turning the paper dial to match the exact position of the Big Dipper, you will be able to tell the time.

For your free "Homeschool Parent's Guide to Teaching Science", filled with great science experiments and activities, visit the link below

Skydiving in Lodi California 1992

Jen, Greg Walt and Paul skydiving in Lodi, CA. Old VHS video shot in August 1992 that was starting to degrade.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQWSzR6ZaT4&hl=en

Girlie from San Francisco is skydiving with Volker and the Skydive Surfcity aggregation over Santa Cruz

Girliedoing a tandem Jump with Skydive Surfcity (aka Santa Cruz Skydiving ) over Santa Cruz with a beach front landing. Instructor: Volker Enjoy: -Unbeatable Coastal Views of the entire Monterey Bay -Best Safety Records -Most Experienced Tandem Instructors -Amazing Scenic Flight to Altitude -Jump from 10.000-14.000 ft - Unique Videos Cover the Freefall AND the Canopy Ride -Yes! We Offer Optional Beachfront Landings -Check out our personalized Gift Certificates (Best Present EVER!!!) For inquiries or reservations call 831 435 5169 or info@skydivesurfcity.com www.skydivesurfcity.com



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeT3zyaCJt4&hl=en

The Proper Skydiving Landing

Nathalie's (instructor's) picture perfect skydiving landing.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4JIRW-3dPw&hl=en

Apx Skydiving

Me SkyDive'n



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWmpcVTXank&hl=en

Is the Sky Falling, Or is That Your 401K?

Loser Cliches

It's been true throughout history - in times of crisis some people will rise up and make exciting things happen, while others run around in a dither screaming "The sky is falling! The sky is falling!" Which of those two you will turn out to be depends entirely on you.

If you listen to the evening news you'll be agreeing with their dire prediction (all the old negative cliches that losers have used for decades): 

We're all washed up
We're circling the drain
We're going down the tubes
We're facing an economic crisis of giant proportions
We'll never recover from this one - it's the worst ever
We've never seen anything like this before

You Have a Choice

If all the bad news about our current economic "problems" is causing fear in your life, ask yourself "why." Why would you want to go in the direction of fear?

Panic, fear, stress, anxiety and dread are all first cousins. Closely related, the bunch likes to hang together - they like to hang most with those who will agree to be good "hosts"! Notice the word agree. That is no typo. Whether you believe it or not, you DO have a choice in the matter. You can run with all the other Chicken Littles in the land, or you can choose not to. You can choose to entertain fear and dread, or you can choose not to. 

The awful emotion of fear truly is a choice! Are you going to buy into the ongoing hysteria? Or not? Are you going to let fear be your guiding factor in these coming days? Or not?   When fear and panic come in, creativity and clear thinking fly out the window. They don't mix well at all.

Time for Inventory

Everyone has been affected by the ongoing financial situation in a different way - some are affected more than others. It's time to sit down (and calm down) and rationally assess your situation. Perhaps what you "thought" you had in the way of stocks, or a 401k has been diminished drastically. Or perhaps your job security is now in question. The job may be there tomorrow and it may not. But what DO you have? Begin there. Do you have a desire to better yourself? Do you want to succeed? Do you want to get out of the pit of despair? Do you want to use this seemingly adverse set of circumstances as a stepping stone to something better? 
It's inventory time. Make a list of what you have - both tangibles and intangibles! 
If you have a computer and an internet connection, you're already miles ahead. Did you know that people are making great sums of money every day on the Internet? You can too. Just begin doing a little homework. 

Internet Business Opportunity

Use a few good guidelines in your search for a viable internet business opportunity. Begin with the following:

A turnkey business that has a system already in place
A business that offers highly professional replicated website and marketing tools
A business that offers much in the way of support
A business that allows you to work with a successful mentor
A business that promotes high-ticket products and services ( this is important - because you want as big a return as possible)

If you use these guidelines to find your online business, you'll soon discover that those cousins named panic, fear, stress, anxiety and dread have moved out of your house and out of your life. 

And guess what? Chicken Little went with them!

San Diego on a 4-Day Weekend

If you like to travel, but don't have a lot of vacation time a visit to San Diego, California can be a very entertaining four day weekend. They have a lot of different tourist places and the terrain is varied unlike Houston where I live. Everything here is very flat so anytime I travel I notice things like that! They have beaches and mountains. Also the weather was not to hot for summer travel.

For someone who likes an all inclusive type vacation you might want to visit one of the Hotel/Casino/Spa's in the area. There are several located about an hour from the airport. You can have a nice room, several dining choices, a spa, pool, gambling, golf and an open sky theater. You could make this you whole trip if you wanted. Myself, I needed a little more. I like to relax, but I also like to get our and see some things also.

Now if you're into the tourist spots where you pay an entrance fee they have several things. You can do the San Diego Zoo, Wildlife Park, Sea World and Lego Land. We choose the Zoo and the Wildlife Park. That was plenty for us. Those types of places require a lot of walking and a lot of money. It costs $5 just for a soft drink.

Of course San Diego has lots of beaches. It's something inexpensive to do if you like to entertain yourself. There were several free attractions we enjoyed. Some of the local Native Indians were having a Pow- Wow that we watched for a little while. They had some amateur surfers that were fun to see and even a dog surfing contest. We took a small cooler with some drinks we bought at the grocery store and just walked around finding cool stuff! There were a few people swimming, but it was cloudy that day and it looked a little to chilly for swimming.

Another thing we enjoy when traveling is driving off the beaten path and through small towns to see the local things. We found a lot of fruit stands that sold avocados that are grown locally and ostrich eggs. That was very interesting. We learned that ostrich eggs have been eaten for many years are very healthy and one egg is equal to two dozen chicken eggs. We passed several ostrich and emu farms where they are raised. Another interesting site was the orange tree orchards. We were there in June and the trees were very green with lots of fresh oranges.

Everyone has their own style of vacation they enjoy. Some prefer to be entertained and some prefer to entertain themselves. San Diego has plenty of things for everyone.

Neil Young On The Beach Rock Music CD Review

Not sure what's happening with me on this one, but it seems like the more I listen to it, the better On The Beach gets. On The Beach simply put is one of Neil Young's best CDs to date.

It's a rare day indeed that I get a CD from an artist that I can truthfully say does not have a bad track in the bunch. I'm more than happy to announce that's exactly what I must say about this one. There simply is NOT a bad one in the bunch. No fillers here at all.

One of the refreshingly nice things about this CD is the way all of the participating artists seem to be really enjoying themselves. Combine that with the overall presentation and you've got one of Neil Young's most impressive releases ever.

Listen to and I think you'll agree that the song choices are excellent, the production is outstanding and Neil Young is clearly in top form.

While this entire album is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 2 - See The Sky About To Rain, track 4 - For The Turnstiles, and track 8 - Ambulance Blues.

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 - Walk On. Wow!

On The Beach Release Notes:

Neil Young originally released On The Beach on August 19, 2003 on the Reprise label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Walk On

2. See The Sky About To Rain

3. Revolution Blues

4. For The Turnstiles

5. Vampire Blues

6. On The Beach

7. Motion Pictures (For Carrie)

8. Ambulance Blues

Personnel: Neil Young (vocals, guitar, banjo, harmonica, Wurlitzer piano); David Crosby, George Whitsell (guitar); Ben Keith (slide guitar, steel guitar, dobro, Wurlitzer piano, organ, background vocals); Rusty Kershaw (slide guitar); Joe Yankee (harp); Graham Nash (Wurlitzer piano); Tim Drummond (bass instrument, percussion); Rick Danko, Billy Talbot (bass instrument); Ralph Molina (drums, background vocals); Levon Helm (drums).

Recording information: Sunset Sound, Hollywood, California; Broken Arrow Studios, San Francisco, California.

Skydive

Skydive at the parachute center, Lodi, California



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7tUKQbBuz0&hl=en

Go Nuts For Almonds - The Superfood of Snacks

It's 3 p.m., and your stomach is growling. It's a long way until dinner, and you've got a choice to make. Which of the snacks below is the healthiest? And which is most likely to keep you going until dinner?

A granola bar
A brownie at an office birthday party
A handful of California almonds
An apple

Would it surprise you to know that a handful of almonds wins on both counts? Not only do these gourmet nuts pack in more nutrients per ounce than most other nuts, but they can even help you stay full longer and lose weight. California almonds are especially prized for their high quality, flavor and consistency. Read on to learn why almonds are the superfood of snacks:

Good Fats
40 percent of an almond is composed of monounsaturated fats, which are known as "good fats" because they can help lower blood cholesterol levels. Unlike saturated fats and dangerous trans fats, monounsaturated fats can actually improve the health of your arteries! In fact, studies have shown that eating a handful of almonds five times per week may decrease your risk of heart disease by up to 50 percent!

The "good" monounsaturated fats in almonds also have an effect you may find surprising: weight loss. That's because they help you feel full sooner and stay full longer. Unlike processed snacks that leave you craving sugar and carbohydrates an hour later, a 170-calorie handful of almonds is much more likely to keep your stomach satisfied all afternoon.

Vital Nutrients
Not only do almonds help you stay full through healthy fats, they are also nutritional powerhouses:

Vitamin E is an antioxidant with cancer-fighting properties. One ounce of almonds has 35% of your daily allowance.
Calcium is essential for strong bones, and a handful of almonds has as much calcium as a quarter-cup of milk.
Fiber helps aid digestion and is vital to a healthy diet.
Protein keeps you full longer-and away from the candy dish! Polyphenols are antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. One ounce of almonds has as many polyphenols as a cup of green tea or half a cup of steamed broccoli!

According to the Almond Board, almonds have the most Vitamin E, calcium, fiber and protein of any tree nut. For only 170 calories, almonds are among the healthiest, nutrient-rich snacks you could choose.

Versatile Gourmet Nuts
The beauty of almonds is that you don't have to eat a handful on their own to reap the benefits. Gourmet nuts with an everyday twist, almonds can be added to nearly every meal-whether sprinkled on your cereal or oatmeal, as a topping for salad, blended in a smoothie, or even encrusting your fish or chicken. Chocolate-covered almonds after a meal are an especially delicious dessert.

Almonds are also ideal for gluten-free living. Almond flour can be substituted for traditional flour in a variety of dishes, and adds a rich, nutty flavor to breads, cookies, and other baked goods.

The Superfood of Snacks
Whether you're looking for another tool in your weight loss kit or just want to improve your health, almonds fit the bill. With 13 grams of monounsaturated "good" fats, an ounce of almonds packs a nutritional punch and keeps you full until your next meal.

SoCal Skydive

My second skydive jump...First time in Vegas, Second time in Southern California. Music: "The people tree" by NASA Skydive joke: What's the difference between a boner and ferrari? -Well, I don't have a ferrari



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdA0wviQvVE&hl=en

sky dive san diego

SkY, The combination of stills photography and film. All images are from Skydive San Diego and were done by ALON DAVID PHOTOGRAPHY. Also it is Derrick Rolfo 100 Skydive. Must see... For more information visit my site: alondavidphotography.com http



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YUrNQFy8Vg&hl=en

Deep Sea Fishing on Your California Vacation

As a webmaster of a high traffic web site about California ocean fishing, I get a lot of e-mails from people wondering how to go about taking a deep sea fishing trip when they come to California on vacation. I thought I'd put together this article to describe what the how to go about taking a trip, what to expect and what you need to bring.

The fleet of sport fishing boats in California is usually excellent, with generally good crews, nice amenities, and convenient schedules. That said, some are a bit rough around the edges, but in general, most cater to the tourists as well as the old salts who are frequent visitors.

Sport fishing is great for the whole family, but is probably not appropriate for toddlers. Pre-teen kids and teenagers though, will have a great time if they're disciplined and are willing to follow directions. Slippery rolling decks, sharp hooks and flopping fish with sharp teeth and occasionally mildly poisonous spines make boats a place to exercise caution and not a place for horseplay.

There are a number of different trips offered. First are half-day boats. These are usually 4-5 hour trips, either leaving early AM and coming back midday, or leaving just after noon and coming back in early evening. In the summer, there are also twilight trips in the evening. Next, there are 3/4 day trips leaving in the early morning and coming back late afternoon. Full day trips are generally overnights, leaving the evening before and returning late afternoon. Finally there are offshore trips, either overnight or for multi days.

Generally speaking, the longer your trip, the better the fishing, because the boats can spend more time traveling to the better fishing spots. Often in midsummer, though, the 1/2 day and 3/4 day boats fish side by side. The boats all have galleys that sell and prepare food, usually breakfasts, burgers, or sandwiches and candy. They also sell soft drinks and usually beer.

The landings rent fishing rods and reels and can usually sell you the terminal tackle you'll need either in the landings or on the boats. The landings can also sell you the required California fishing license. Single day licenses are available in addition to annual ones.

California has 300 days of sunshine per year, so hats, sunglasses, and sun block lotion are near musts. You'll probably also need a light jacket or sweatshirt, because most of the time it is cool in the mornings and evenings. Wear comfortable clothes, ones that you don't mind getting stained, because fish blood squashed bait entrails and other grimy substances are just a part of fishing.

If you're not sure if you get seasick or not, assume you will and ask your doctor for a prescription for Scopamine patches to put behind your ear. It is much better to be safe than sorry, and many a carefree tourist has spent an absolutely miserable day hour after hour on a pitching boat with no place to go. The captain will not run in to drop you off and sacrifice the fishing time for the other passengers. You just have to suffer. There are some good over the counter medications, like Dramaine, Bonine, and Marazene, but these tend to make many people very drowsy. There are electric and acupressure devices to cure motion sickness as well.

When you board the boat, you'll be asked to sign in so that the know whose aboard, then they have a jackpot drawing. This is a game of chance where everyone puts some money in a pot and the person who catches the biggest fish takes home the prize. I've seen buy-ins as little as $2 each and as high as $10. You're not required to play, but it is a fun game if you like that sort of thing.

Next you'll be assigned a number. This is the number for your sack. You'll have to buy a gunny sack that gets hung where the deck hands can find them to put your fish in. Most boats have a sort of rotation scheme where those with certain numbers are assigned to the right side, other numbers assigned to the stern and others to the left. Follow the deck hands instructions so that everyone gets to fish the better parts of the boat where the drift and the chum make for more productive fishing.

Follow the deckhand's directions. They know what they're doing and if you listen, you'll catch more fish. If you don't understand their terminology, just ask, they'll happily explain. If you do catch a big fish, call out for help if are having a hard time landing it. If it is big, don't try to lift it aboard when you bring it close to the boat. The deck hand will use a gaff (a long handled sharp hook) to pull it aboard. Once he gaffs the fish, declutch your reel so that he can maneuver the fish more easily and keep things safe for you and other passengers.

After the fishing is over and the captain heads for home, the deckhand will call for the jackpot. Pick out your biggest fish and bring it to the deckhand. They'll compare fish weights using a simple balance beam, and the one with the heaviest fish wins.

If you don't wish to keep your fish you can give them to other fishermen, or to the boat. If you do wish to take some fish home the deckhands will fillet them for you. They charge for this service. You can then take the fillets to a restaurant and have them prepare them for you. I used to often bring my catch whole to a local Chinese restaurant in my neighborhood and they'd steam the fish and serve it with terrific side dishes for a nominal fee.

Finally, if you had a good time, or at least thought the crew did a good job, please tip the crew. They modestly paid and mostly do this job for the fun of it. Many deck hands are students trying to work their way through college or to build up sea time to get their captain's license.

Remember, no one can guarantee you good fishing, so while it may be great one day, it may be poor the next. I recall one giant squid run a few years back that was wide open - every night people bringing in hundreds of pounds of squid. I got on the boat one evening after one of the top catches the night before. They were even catching squid on the morning half-day boats. That evening, eight or nine boats were out there, each with 75 or more people aboard, and not a single squid was caught. It's called "fishing" not "catching" so anything can happen.

Next time you make it to California, give the local salt water fishing a try. It's great fun for the whole family.

Gurgaon Property Review

Lying in close proximity to the national capital of India, Gurgaon is emerging as a great corporate hub of international dimensions. Most of the multinational corporations prefer opening their Delhi offices in Gurgaon due to a plethora of contributory factors. In consequence, the property rates in Gurgaon are sky-rocketing. This trend started some years ago and of late it has assumed an inexorable and irretrievable proportion. Gurgoan which was an unsophisticated ubiquitous sort of Indian village a few decennia ago has, in tune with the natural fall out of this development, evolved itself into an urban centre, preening in the resultant splendour.

The companies opening units/offices in Gurgaon belong to the wide spectrum of industries. However, amongst the companies that open their offices in the city, those in the IT and BPO sectors form the majority. As an inevitable corollary and consequence, there is growing urbanization and the urban centre of Gurgaon is expanding into an ever-widening conurbation. Hence, the demand for residential as well as commercial property is on the increase in Gurgaon.

Amidst the contributory factors, infrastructure sophistication, particularly higher transportation facilities in the region, has facilitated easy access to Gurgaon from the national capital and also from centres in the neighboring states. The constructions of the Jaipur-Delhi national highway, the Delhi-Gurgaon 8-line expressway and the Delhi-Gurgaon metro rail are remarkable milestones in the evolution of Gurgaon into an urban centre of paramount commercial significance.

In spite of the mushrooming rate at which real estate dealing individuals and entities emerge, the property market in Gurgaon is by and large dominated and controlled by a few. In the wake of the boom in the real estate market in Gurgaon, it becomes more and more difficult for an ordinary prospective buyer to find a property affordable within his means.

Skycaddie SGX Rangefinder

The Skycaddie SGX is a simple, black device that only gives away its GPS capabilities thanks to the small protruding aerial. Some of its rivals have ditched protruding aerials in favour of a clean, symmetrical look, but its presence on the SGX can only indicate that this is a device that puts GPS accuracy above all else. The focus of the design is the three inch screen that uses full colour TFT-LCD display technology to give you a gadget that is usable in harsh daylight thanks to its transflective capabilities.

The Skycaddie SGX uses the TruePoint GPS positioning system which is not only accurate when it comes to identifying your location and measuring distances, but also quick to respond to location-based requests, so you will not have to wait for extended periods whilst you get satellite lock. This is also where the GPS antennae comes into play, because its protruding design allows it to seek out satellites from all directions and interference from local terrain will be minimal, even when under the cover of foliage.

The Skycaddie SGX has enough onboard memory to store 30,000 different courses, which is more than any player might reasonably require in a lifetime. More detailed maps have been constructed around 50 of the world's most famous courses and in order to access these premium maps you will need to become a member of the Skycaddie Membership Plan. This is a sensible move as it will allow you to make the most out of the Skycaddie SGX and will also open up perks that regular players will enjoy. This is expanded with the ClubSG features, which essentially allow you to get detailed golfing information and download more maps from Skycaddie's online portal.

As well as measuring shots, highlighting hazards, finding your position and aiding with putting, the Skycaddie SGX will track your performance across a game and provide you with digital scorecard and statistical analysis tools. You can use the information to alter your style of play or keep track of your scores over a series of face-offs with friends, colleague and competitors.

California Saltwater Fishing Secrets

In 2003, California saltwater fishing came to a virtual halt due to a crisis in the number of bottomfish, or groundfish, that were available. The population level decreased to the point that these slow-growing and slow-breeding species could not support themselves while being harvested. Therefore, during certain seasons, fishing was practically shut down, with coast-wide closures and limits on catch-and-release activity.

The species that were restricted in California during this crisis specifically were breeds of rockfish, including cowcod, yelloweye rockfish, canary rockfish, bocaccio, and other large, deepwater rockfish. The population was so reduced that, had the harvest continued, they most certainly would have become an endangered species. With the return of California fishing allowances, new restrictions were placed on the quantities, types, and depths at which fishing was allowed in order to preserve the population of rockfish. Since this crisis, the fishing industry in general along the west coast has had to make sacrifices and accept losses in revenue due to limitations on fishing.

By far, southern California sea fishing is more popular than other areas of the state, and this was the area that was largely affected by the restrictions and bans. Fortunately, there was an assessment of the population of rockfish that withdrew many of the shallow area restrictions on fishing before the industry was greatly affected. This assessment showed a higher population of yelloweye than previously thought and allowed both industrial and recreational fishermen to continue angling in the shallows, with some restrictions regarding daily limits on rockfish crop. Most of the restrictions, however, remained on deepwater fishing, since this is where many of the rockfish specimens breed and grow. In fact, catch-and-release methods for recreational anglers were disallowed because fish caught at such depths could not survive the release.

Therefore, while some fishing continued as usual, the brunt of the fallout was taken by areas south of Cape Mendocino, where a 4,000 square mile Cowcod Conservation Area was created in the 1990's. Here, the major concern was for bocaccio rockfish, the population of which was so severely reduced that experts predicted that, even with absolutely no harvest, it would take over a century to recover the population.

While new regulations affect the rockfish population and angling as a sport for these breeds, fishing in California continues to thrive for such species as tuna, mackerel, halibut, corbina, and bass, most of which can be caught either near the shoreline from a pier or on the surface of shallow waters. Most of the regulations on fishing affect only deepwater fishing and species. These species can even be angled for in conservation areas, since they are found in the shallows and on the surface, where rockfish are almost impossible to locate.

Fly Fishing in Southern California

Fly fishing in Southern California is definitely a matter of finding the right spots. With all the urban sprawl, that isn't necessarily the easiest thing to do.

When one thinks of Southern California, many images come to mind. You might think of the perfect weather and white sandy beaches of San Diego. The glamour and congestion of sprawling Los Angeles might be what you think of first. It is not very likely that fly fishing in Southern California will be your first thought. Unless, of course, you are a serious fly fisherman.

Fly fishing in Southern California is alive and well. The area offers a wide variety of locations that rank among the best in the country for fishing opportunities. The fly fishing community is well organized here also. Fishing clubs are growing in popularity and they offer everything from training and information to organized fishing events.

If you are planning a fishing vacation and have a family that does not share your consuming lust for the sport, Southern California is one of the best choices that you can make. What to do with the family is always at the top of the to-do list when planning such a trip. When you are thinking of a fly in fishing trip to a remote lodge in Northern Canada, this is admittedly a serious problem. In Southern California, it is a very minor concern.

Some of the best fly fishing in Southern California can be found a stone's throw from Los Angeles and if you can not find diversion for your family while you fish there, you will not be able to find it anywhere. Unlike many other locations, weather is not a big concern and season is not quite as important in Southern California. The climate allows virtually year round fishing opportunities. The locals consider Spring to be the best fishing time especially for fly fishing for trout, but when they say best, they mean best and not only time.

This is one of the beautiful things about the sport of fly fishing. It has spread across the world and there is no one place where you must go to find the thrill of it. You can really take just the opposite approach to your trip planning. First, think of the part of the world that you want to visit. Think of that place that fires your own imagination and then investigate the fly fishing potential there. In the case of fly fishing in Southern California, a bit of a look below the surface past the many other sights and attractions will reveal opportunities that will stack up with fishing anywhere.

Loneliness Inside

I have a loneliness inside me for you.

My soul keeps it in a carry-on bag and stores it close at hand.

I don't usually feel the weight of it, unless it is time to pull it down from the overhead carry bin inside my mind.

A warm summer breeze threading through my hair, laced with the fragrance of magnolias, the sodium-lime odor of hot concrete, and barbecue smoke from a neighbor's back yard, will prompt me to have a look inside.

While I look around me filled with thoughts of you, it seems there is a rift in the world I observe. A tear in the fabric of what should be whole but is now a flapping open of seams; where the scent of your cologne, and the timbre of your rich and vibrant voice, the tall solid vision of you, gone missing now--traveled onto other realms--have left in the wavering rip only blurry glimpses of the past.

Moments you have stood there, sharing yourself with me; firming up the walls of my existence. Making my reality a strong and viable force just by your presence. Merging with me on several levels, filling up my lacunae and making me more whole.

Those places we shared grow more hollow, with only my memories of you trickling through what once was abundantly full when it was we two.

Sometimes I do not wish to open it, the carry-on bag, and gaze within.

Sometimes I seem to almost have forgotten what now is. And then it will happen... I'll get in the car, hoping to drop in and see you during the wintry holiday season. Step out of the cold and wrap myself around you in a hug. Your smile warming me to a toasty glow.

When the sky is alive with storm clouds and bold winds tear through the city, I recall gazing at the dark clouds, listening to thunder and waiting for the lightning, excitedly with you. Our faces gazing up into the first sprinkles of the storm.

On the Spring day, redolent with the smells of new mown grass, orange blossoms, and gentle rains in the nearby hills, I'll make my way to your place. You on my mind. Excited about what I want to share with you. But I can't. That is what once was. The echoes floating out to me, remind me. Reverberate, tainting my exuberance with remembered regret.

When it is sunny and hot and a cool breeze dances through the odd summer day. When the zephyr flirts with sun glistened vegetation, and ruffles the petals of roses, I will recall similar days when I listened as you shared your fears and hopes, your loves and joys. And as the breeze lifted the summer heat, the words you shared refreshed my spirit. Gifts, is what they were.

In the autumn, when the western horizon was ablaze with fiery clouds and liquid hues, like watercolors, spun the sky with reds and oranges and gold, we would both sigh at the awesome workings of nature and God.

In the evenings, when I am taking a walk and twilight embraces me, thoughts of you will waft around me. Shadows of you, the many facets that comprised your spirit, walk with me--keep me company. Whisper to me.

You are here, and you are not. It is an uneasy compromise. But one I'll live with. If it is the only way I can have you, then so be it. I am smiling.

***

© copyright Kathy Pippig Harris

Laura's First Skydive!

Elation at 14000 feet.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waiiSZ4zgDQ&hl=en

What Causes Airplane Accidents?

While airplanes are used every day to take individuals all over the world in a timely manner, they also can pose a serious threat to innocent individuals. Airplane crashes are rare, but when they do happen they can be very devastating. By knowing what can cause these accidents, you are better able to be prepared for the unexpected while in the air.

Causes of Airline Accidents

Airplane crashes can be relatively minor, happening on the runway before a flight has taken off, or they can be very severe, causing a plane to fall from the sky and forcefully impact with the ground below. For all accidents involving an airplane, there are a number of common causes that can influence a plane to crash. These include:

· Pilot and navigator negligence

· Improperly maintained aircrafts

· Loss of fuel

· Malfunctioning or faulty machinery

· Disturbance or malice performed by passengers

· Errors on behalf of tower control

· Failure to comply with various FAA regulations

· Improperly designed aircrafts

Any of the above instances can lead to tragic accidents, causing harm to many innocent victims. Frustratingly, many of these crashes could have been prevented by closer attention to detail and a commitment to safety.

When an airplane accident occurs, the first thing that must be determined is what caused the accident. From there it is necessary that those responsible for the accident are held accountable for their actions. If you would like to know more about liability for these crashes, visit the website of the Tucson plane accident attorneys Haralson, Miller, Pitt, Feldman & McAnally, P.L.C. today.

Students Fly Cheap With Bargain Airfares

If you are an overseas student who is frequently flying back to your home country during the school holidays, the expensive student travel airfares must have causing you a huge financial burden. Fortunately, there are many ways for students to grab a budget-friendly student travel airfare. One of the common ways is to do your own research by checking through the variety of online air ticket agencies. Some of the things you may wish to take into consideration are the type of fare you purchase, who is selling the ticket, as well as your destination place.

One of the more popular websites that provide such services is Student Universe, an online travel site for college students and faculty. For instance, students or teachers who make their reservation with an ".edu" e-mail address, are eligible to receive travel discounts upon verification. However, there are limited choices of arrival or departure dates that you can choose from, but the savings are able to compensate for that.

In the case where you are traveling with your friend, you might want to check online travel agencies for companion fares. They often offer promotional prices for two or more persons traveling together. In order to enjoy the special rates, it is often a requirement that both you and your companion must always be on the same flight. If one person changes flight plans, that could mean higher fares for each traveler -- even the passenger who adheres to the original itinerary. For more information, you may wish to visit Zuji.com for attractive companion rates that will help to reduce your airfare expenses.

In addition, there are some sites, such as Hotwire, which will allow bidding on the airfares. However, the catch here is that you will not be able to know the airline or flight timings until you make the purchase. There are also others who re-sell the tickets they have bought in bulk from the airline. Thus, they are able to sell these tickets at a lower price than the market rate since bulk purchases are often less expensive.

If you avoid peak hours of travel, such as early morning and late afternoon, it is likely that the fares will be much cheaper. In other words, you should try to depart during the afternoon timing or in the evening. In addition, airfares will also be less expensive if your departure dates fall on the weekdays, such as Wednesday or Thursday.

Furthermore, you can choose a less-crowded, less-expensive airport to fly into or out of. Such kind of airport may be farther from the center of town, but the low airfare and savings on the flight can compensate the extra cost of getting a taxi. Some of these airports include, Burbank and Orange County in Southern California; Manchester, New Hampshire in the Boston area.

Last but not least, it is recommended that you avoid paper-ticket fees. Pick an electronic ticket over a paper ticket if you have a choice between the two. Unlike a paper ticket, e-tickets carry no extra processing and shipping fees. An electronic ticket will save you the hassle of carrying another important document and is definitely a great option for cheaper airfares.

As you can see, there are many ways to getting a bargain student travel airfare, only if you are willing to spend some time and effort looking for them. So, what are you waiting for? Simply visit those websites mentioned earlier and start your research for affordable student travel right away!

Amazing Bible Verses

There are many fascinating Scriptures, and an exhaustive list would be impossible, but the most mind-boggling are these:

Creation week - Genesis 1-3
The global flood - Genesis 6
The parting of the Red Sea and the drowning of the Egyptians - Exodus 13-15
The long day of Joshua - Joshua 10:13

We will look at some of these almost incredible happenings we read about in the Bible.

Creation Week

Creation week as a literal week is discussed among many scholars. It is impossible to say for us today since we only have the revelation in the pages of the Bible. For an all-powerful God all things are possible, so we can't say what would be within the realms of His creative abilities.

But seeing all this beautiful creation does make one wonder how all of this could come about within the span of only a week. When we are instructed to learn from the ants (Proverbs 30:25), it should come to no surprise that creation week could be an inspiration for us if we were just a bit as persistent and active in comparison with such a creative feat.

The Global Flood

During this time of global warming, the issue of water has again come to our minds. We have heard much about what could happen if all the ice melted on earth. But even more so the description of a global flood is a much more amazing scenario. One we could hardly imagine today.

The Parting of the Red Sea and Drowning the Egyptians

This wonderful story is a story of protection of the faithful people. The drowning of the Egyptians also a metaphor of the way we are sometimes saved by circumstances working in our favor when opposition strikes. We view these things as coincidences, but God does promise blessing when we obey Him (Deut. 30:15-20).

The Long Day of Joshua

The thought of the universe being held to an almost standstill is somewhat unscientific when examined today. There could also be a natural explanation for the long day of Joshua. In the summertime when the sun already sets very late, a full moon could light up the sky almost as during the day. We had that scenario in the northern hemisphere on June 21st 2010 where the moon was almost orange since the time between the setting and rising of the sun is so short. A long day could be perceived as a double day if we didn't have all the electricity we have around us when the moon looked almost like a "weak sun". Funny how those happenings remind us of scriptural events.

In Conclusion

These, and many other stories, are all a part of the amazing accounts we find in the Bible.

Skydiving @ Parachute Center 4/25/09

Skydiving 4/25/09 for John's birthday at Parachute Center in Acampo, California (Lodi)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OaIMj8FQ7M&hl=en