What is Snowkiting?

As if snowboarding and kitesurfing actually meshed into one single sport it would be Snowkiting. Imagine taking a lift high atop a beautiful mountain, you set your kite in motion and get your feet firmly planted you start your run down a long white hill. As you snowboard down the mountain your kite helps you gain speed and with a good gust of wind you too can be 10 - 15 feet in the air. With this much gravity you too can be implementing the same moves as the kitesurfer does including jibing and crossing over.

Snowkiting is another example of the popular extreme sport series as there are many hazards that circle this sport as well as kitesurfing. Snowkiters take their board to the mountain and ride the winds down fast and furious. Moguls and ramps can help you gain more air than you bargained for if you are a beginner. Starting slow and learning how to keep your kite in the air is the basic fundamental. Once you have mastered the techniques you will be flying in no time at all.

It doesn't matter if its natural snow or powder, you too can get up to 50 - 70 mph with the aid of your kite. Although the premise is still the same between the two sports, it takes a lot less wind to move you across the snow then it does across the water. Jumps and flips are easier and depending on how you land softer. Once your kite is launched and you begin your descent it is far easier to keep yourself on the snowboard.

You can either snowkite with skis or a snowboard; whichever one makes you feel the most comfortable. Many extreme riders prefer to use the board as there is more flexibility and ease. There are many vacation spots around the world that are now picking up snowkiting as a popular sport. Should you visit a ski resort and decide to go this route, you will need to take a lesson or two just to get the hang of the equipment.

Frenzy, Samurai, and Razor are popular kites available for the snowkiter. Depending on your budget, you can expect to pay $500 - $1500 for an entire setup. You may also find used equipment at ski shops in your area as well.

Furniture Making Course - How To Teach Students About Classical Proportions Part One

I am frequently asked by students - how do I proportion a piece of furniture? This is really like approaching the Rolls Royce dealer and asking him the price of the latest Silver Shadow the implication being that if one has got to ask then the chances are one doesn't have the where-with-all to carry it through. After all one cannot teach a pig to sing and sadly neither can one grow feathers upon a toad but it should be possible to encourage those so disposed to make a start . Starting after all is often the most difficult thing to do, that first psychological hurdle the empty sheet of paper deters so many creative adventures, so, my objective here is to help those of you perhaps feeling a little tentative about furniture design to make a start with working out the proportions of a cabinet or similar piece of furniture. Deciding upon proportions is essentially a personal aesthetic decision and it would be unhelpful to tell you how to think and feel. But perhaps I can help by exposing just a little bit the processes I use when choosing the proportions of a piece of furniture and also by telling you about some of those influences that have formed my aesthetic decisions.

When we talk about proportions, we are talking about the relationship of two dimensions - usually height to width. The proportions of the piece of furniture are best used in elevation and are most appropriate to a piece of furniture that would stand against a wall and be viewed from front on, such as a chest of drawers, or sideboard, or wardrobe. Although these pieces may well be seen from the side or partially in plan, the greatest impact is frontal and the development of the front elevation is a major step in the design process.

In this I would feel honoured to be regarded as a classicist. That is my ideas and inspiration are rooted in principles of design developed by the Greeks approximately four hundred years before the birth of Christ so you see i don't take up ideas that have not been well tested The very longevity of these ideas is itself interesting for concepts that can inspire and move mankind throughout history must contain within them something that touches the very core of our humanity. Sadly we have very little to tell us exactly what it felt like to be a part of that vibrant and sophisticated culture. The skeletal stones of a small assortment of Temples are all that we have left to show us what these monumental houses for the gods might have looked and felt like. Although frequently nothing more than a badly reassembled skeleton these places are themselves capable of being extremely moving and are often highly sophisticated structures. What would they have been like wreathed in wood, housing a single statue, a deity maybe 200 ft high, carved in stone, inlaid with ivory and seen first reflected in a single enormous pool, probably of olive oil placed between the viewer and what was not a statue of the god but an image of the god him or herself. These are places of immense theatrical intensity and we are only able to appreciate them by these skeletal pile of old stones, pillars and lintels. Yet these structures are immensely sophisticated and incredibly proportioned.

The Greek believed in proportions of low inditer numbers 1 to 1, 1 to 2, 2 to 3, which to the Greeks had more relevance as relationships in harmonics than in proportion relationships in architecture. The Greeks regarded architecture as a minor art form and were far more concerned with mathematics, poetry and music. So perhaps it is ironic that we look for clues to classic principals of proportion in such places rather than in the principals of music but one must study where one may. A study of classic sites in Greece and particularly Scilly, would serve the student furniture designer well. Here you will see columns reeded to capture and enhance the dramatic hard light of the Mediterranean the massive forms of the temple columns often 15 or 20 ft in diameter are broken down with these reeds to these finer visual elements. Entasis or a bellying of the vertical elevation of the column is used to combat the illusion of the columns appearing wasted as one looks up at them. Compare the plan of the temple with the elevation. See how the porticoes are placed on those columns and see how the steps up the temple form a part of the overall elevation. Again look for squares, look for low number ratios 1 to 2, 1 to 1. 1 to 3. View the temples from different angles, for each temple has its own secret. Its own structural logic and integrity and it won't immediately unfold itself to the casual observer. What it will do is appear right. The overall structure - if the temple is a good one and most of them are - will appear as a place of calmness and serenity. And it is this calmness, this serenity, this timeless rightness, that has attracted generation after generation back to the Greeks.

It's not necessary to look just at the Greeks, for thankfully many periods in history since then have interpreted and refashioned these principles. Each time clothing them in the garb of their particular culture. The first was the Romans, and it's the Romans that give me a particularly powerful image. That of The Vitruvian Man drawn by Leonardo da Vinci. It's a testament to the power of this image that it is used today as a logo for a current affairs television programme 'World in Action'. It is not powerful because it was drawn especially beautifully by Leonardo but because it is an image of a man in relation to mathematics. It is a man placed centrally within the two principle geometric forms - the square and the circle. Here Vitruvius a Roman scholar of earlier Greek culture is comparing the size of man with classic forms and more than comparing but also placing man centrally within those forms.

PART 1 of an article for FURNITURE AND CABINETMAKING OCTOBER 1997

by David Savage

Why "Eating Healthy" Is Not Always Enough to Heal Endometriosis

There is a big difference between "eating healthy" and eating for Endometriosis. When most people think of "eating healthy" they believe this is a simple, balanced diet which contains a little of everything and not too much of anything. They don't eat much junk food, they don't drink too much alcohol or eat too much sugar. They eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and have milk and dairy products in moderation. It sounds healthy doesn't it? It sounds like a perfect remedy for anyone wanting to be more healthy. Unfortunately, we are all largely misinformed about many of the so called "healthy foods". They are generally not as healthy as we like to believe. We have been leading a false idea of healthy and it is no wonder then that our symptoms and conditions don't seem to get better dramatically.

When I first went exploring about Endometriosis and what it really is caused by, as in, the organs that control our hormones, how they work and how it all fits together, I was baffled by it all. I decided to visit a few different practitioners to get my head around it all. The Traditional Chinese Medicine practice believe it all relates back to the liver, which has contracted an "imbalance" or as they refer to it, a "blockage" in the area. They say it is like your body has contracted "the cold" in the area. Not a physical flu but like the cold weather has entered your body. I found this interesting because the symptoms of having cold feet, hating cold weather, feeling hot flushes and getting headaches all made that seem to fit. It was a strange belief and the Traditional Chinese Medicine is a particularly hard one to understand from a western view point. We like to label things and understand that a particular disease is present and yes, we like to simply take a tablet or have it taken out. This is not how the Chinese think at all. They believe the disease is formed and that the same way it is formed, the same way it can be flushed out by the body. One simply has to recreate a balance within the organs involved in creating the imbalance. They also use Acupuncture as they illustrate acupuncture to invigorate the meridians that flow through the area where the "blockage" exists. It is interesting because they say the "blockage" is largely caused by strong emotions held in the body.

I also have a good friend who is a naturopath and he illustrated that the liver is responsible for flushing out diseases and toxins in the body and that our liver is simply underactive and is therefore not able to expel the condition from the body. I started to look into this further and discovered some very interesting correlations with the liver and endometriosis. For instance, did you know that the liver is responsible for the hormone level in our body? Did you know that the liver also is responsible for flushing out the fat content in our body? Did you know that the higher the fat content is in our body the more hormones we have in our body as the liver is not able to flush it out? Interesting! Wow! I thought is brilliant and really thought I had found a real organ that I could study and relate back to the liver. It made perfect sense to me!

As a new born, I had suffered from colic, which affects the liver and had always had problems with my bowels, nausea (even as a young child) and with my hormones. Once, I delved deeper I also discovered the sad connection between Dioxin and Endometriosis! - You have to read about this one.

Anyways, I have gone a little off track....

The point is that we are not eating just to be healthy and that we are eating and healing for Endometriosis. It is quite different. Some of us think that having a little butter or having a piece of meat every now and again is okay. We think this is part of a "balanced diet". We might have a little milk every now and again or we might even have cake every now and again. We do however, cut out many things too and we believe it is not fair that we still have pain. We go through these waves of pain that largely depend on what we eat and the stresses in our lives.

The process involved in eating for the liver is different. It is only marginally different but it is different. We eat to heal and then once the liver is healed, we maintain but we don't have to be quite as strict. Let me explain:

The liver HATES fat. The liver HATES sugar. The liver HATES toxins/ anti-biotics/ hormones. Every food that we eat that contains these will make it not work as well, which is going to ultimately affect our endo. Here are some foods that you probably eat, which are considered healthy but probably contain all or at least one of these:

· Meat

This has been linked to Dioxin which has been proven to cause Endometriosis in monkeys.

· Dairy products

They contain milk products which are derived from cows. These cows are often pumped with anti-biotics and hormonal treatments, landing up on your plate. Milk products are also loaded with fat.

· Sugar lowers our immune system and this plays havoc on the liver. One teaspoon of sugar in your diet, lowers your immune system for up to 2hrs! A lowered immune system has been closely linked to Endometriosis. Some simple examples: marmalade, cereals, bread, jam, yoghurt, chocolate, chutney's - when you start reading labels you will be amazed at what contains sugar. Sugar is like a toxin to the body!

Now, these are just some basic examples but you are probably consuming at least some sugar every day. This sugar is lowering your immune system making it harder on your body to heal. Sugar is found in so many places in our food, it is scary!

Okay, so what are you saying Mel? I can't eat anything anymore! I have already cut out so much out of my diet! Please don't make me cut out EVERYTHING!

No, this is not what I am proposing. What I am proposing is that we need to go on a liver cleanse. It a strict liver cleanse for a period of time and this depends completely on you. The most common ones are 2months but it might take us 6months. They need to be combined with exercise first thing in the morning as the liver does it detoxifying in the early hours of the morning. By exercising first thing in the morning we can get rid of the extra toxins, it has not been able to get to.

Detoxing is always the first step to healing...

Thanksgiving: Gratitude and Happiness - 3 Levels

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it's time for a check-up to see how our hearts are doing - and I don't mean cardio-vascular health. I'm talking about the condition of our gratitude heart.

The level of gratitude we practice on a regular basis has a direct and specific correlation to our level of contentment and happiness.

Take a look at the 3 levels of gratitude to determine your current condition, and decide what steps you can take to improve your "heart health."

Level One - Beginner

This gratitude level presumes that one has made a bold leap to be intentional about gratefulness on a regular basis. A gratitude beginner is someone who has decided to make a habit of carving out one small slice of each day to focus on and talk about gratefulness.

A suggested starting point for a beginner is to develop a family dinner-time tradition where everyone shares one thing from their day for which they are grateful.

Level Two - Intermediate

The intermediate level is even more focused on the intentional, planned, chosen act of being grateful. It goes beyond selecting one thing out of the day to share with family. This level requires a more in-depth commitment to making gratitude a way of life.

Many people at this level keep a gratitude journal, and find that the act of writing down the things for which they are grateful develops a heart which is more inclined towards gratefulness throughout the entire day.

A good place to start for this level is to make a habit of writing at least 5 items per day that you are grateful to have in your life: a person, a thing, a place, a circumstance, a skill, an experience, etc. By making this a daily habit, your heart will begin to respond more readily towards gratefulness.

Level Three - Advanced

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." - Philippians 4:6

Your gratitude heart is in tip-top shape when you reach the advanced level. This level is demonstrated by an attitude of thankfulness even in the midst of trouble.

Not many people operate at this level on an ongoing basis from day to day. With God's help and strength, we are able to see beyond circumstances and realize that there can be some greater good, even in the midst of difficulty.

If you have had the privilege of knowing someone who has reached the advanced level of gratitude, you can attest to how inspiring, humbling, and encouraging it is to have them in your life.

The Level One and Two gratitude habits must be maintained and expanded upon in order to reach the Advanced Gratitude level.

Only when we are able and willing to look beyond our circumstances, humble ourselves, and maintain a posture of prayer in our heart, will we truly have a life overflowing with the gift of gratefulness.

May you begin to experience ever-increasing levels of gratitude in your life, starting today.

Great Tips to Choose a Pet Friendly Hotel

Traveling is a great activity which can really rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. People who are really attached to their pets can not leave them at home while they are going on an extended vacation. If you are taking your pets with you while traveling then you must surely look for pet friendly hotels that can provide essential facilities and services for your pets. There are various cities all around the world which have various luxurious hotels that provide comfortable and lavish amenities to your pet.

Selecting a pet friendly hotel can be very difficult for you if you do not have any information or connection. Always try to contact a good travel agent who can provide you all essential information that you need about pet friendly hotels. In this article, my main aim would be to provide you all the essential information that you need about pet friendly hotels.

1. Choose your destination

If you are planning a vacation then it is very essential for you to select a good destination in advance. If you are taking a vacation during the peak season then it becomes highly essential for you to select a good pet hotel in advance. Take the help of the internet to find out about the hotels that can provide great amenities and services to you and your pets.

2. Consult your travel agent

If you are traveling with your pets then it is very important for you to consult a good travel agent who can tell you about the advantages and disadvantages of taking a trip with your pets. They would tell you about pet travel insurance and pet sitters that you can hire for your pets. An agent can also give you all the information that you need about pet friendly accommodations available in different cities and countries.

3. Contact the local tourism office

If you want you can also contact the local tourism office of the city that you are visiting. The local offices would surely provide you all the significant information about pet hotels and pet related other deals. They would also tell you about veterinarians available in that area and doggie day cares companies that can take care of your pet while you are exploring the city.

4. Taking a pet policy

Taking a pet policy is very important for you if you are taking a trip abroad. This insurance will make sure that your pet is safe and secure. Well these are some great tips that would certainly help you to select an excellent pet friendly hotel.

Where To Find Insurance Claim Help

As an insurance policyholder, you might face a situation where you will have to get actively involved while settling your insurance claim. Disputes can arise out of a health insurance payment, automobile claim or homeowner damage. When you receive a check lower than what you expected or an amount which is very less to cover the damage, you will have to ask for a better pay-out. There are different ways in which you can receive insurance claim help.

Reading the terms and conditions of your insurance policy is one of them, and crucial too. Be sure that you are familiar with the deductibles and limits that are in the policy. The policy will also tell you the kinds of claims that the firm will cover and how it calculates the claim amount.

Most policyholders fight for their claim amount without knowing the basics of the policy like a co-insurance clause. They later find that their insurance policy has sub-clauses and fluctuating deductibles. It is better to go through the entire policy before claiming for the insurance amount so that you aren't surprised when you receive your claim check.

When you claim for insurance, it is better to get many estimates. When you have different estimates, you will know how to negotiate the claim amount with the insurance adjuster. When the insurance adjuster knows you have many estimates, it will change the numbers according to your needs.

Most insurance companies have now modernized the insurance procedure by offering claim reporting online. These services help in tracking all the mails between the claimant and the insurance firm. However, having the hard copy of the insurance process can prove easy when you are pointing out the discrepancy that might have occurred. Sometimes, you can resolve discrepancies even by calling the insurance company.

When you want to dispute insurance claim, approaching the insurance firm directly can help. Though the process is frustrating and time-consuming, you need to keep in mind that the representatives of the insurance company manage many accounts. So, make sure that you approach them politely and follow-up till they fix your problem.

If it is impossible for the claimant and the insurance firm to resolve the problem between them, then a third-party should intrude and settle the issue. Most companies contain arbitration clauses. Though a third-party can help in setting the issue, they will charge you for their help. So, when you dispute an insurance claim, make sure you know the insurance policy well. Remember to get many estimates and settle the problem as soon as possible.