Christmas Tree Decorating
What exactly is the perfect Christmas ornament. There will certainly be as many different answers as there are people who decorate Christmas trees.
For some it may be a gold trimmed and jewel studded crystal, for others a delicate hand painted glass ornament. Perhaps it’s simply a small handmade fabric Santa that’s been passed down through the generations. Honestly, the perfect ornament, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder (or in this case – the owner of the Christmas tree).
At some point in our lives we move out to live on our own, or with a significant other, and start having to decorate our own apartment/home for the Holidays. The first time this happens it’s usually a bit of a shock, since we’re so used to just unpacking all the same decorations we used last year. But once you’re out on your own, the decorating is all up to you (in addition to the fact that you’ll probably also need to buy your own tree, but that’s another discussion). So what ornaments should you get?
Typically, we’ll start with ornaments that are familiar to us, similar to those that we’ve seen on Christmas trees of years gone by. To me, these are simply filler ornaments as they just take up space and provide some background color. The decorations that make the tree yours, are the ones that have special meaning for you. You’re first perfect ornament might be from a gift shop at a National Park where you and your significant other first vacationed together. Or maybe it’s from the tropical island (or European city) where you got engaged to be married.
So as you can see, the perfect ornament not only depends on who you are (and what you like) but also what stage of life you’re in. I’m fairly sure that most parents have a perfect decoration that has a picture and/or name of the first child (and everyone thereafter). As your life takes you on your unique journey, you’ll soon find that if you’ve taken a moment to pick up a small keepsake at special moments, that your Christmas tree is no longer decorated with filler ornaments, it is completely perfect. As a matter of fact, it’s very possible that once your children get a little older and they start collecting ornaments from their favorite places, you may end up needing more than one tree.
So as you can see, it doesn’t really matter what the ornament is actually made of, it’s the memories it brings that make it perfect.
David Villa - Spain
Congratulations to the Spanish National Futbol Team on winning the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
This is the first World Cup Championship for Spain, and it comes on their first time playing in the final match. Not only is this the first World Cup Championship, but Spain is also the first team to ever win the World Cup after losing their first match (they were defeated by Switzerland 1 – 0).
Having entered this years World Cup as one of the favorites, along with the #1 ranked team in the world, Brazil, Spain lived up to all the expectations with a thriling 1 – 0 victory over the Netherlands (appearing in their 4th World Cup final match). After regulation time ended in a 0 – 0 draw, the game moved into extra time, and it was in the second 15 min period that Spain go the goal it needed from Andres Iniesta. Following up on their win in the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship. It appears as though Spain is now poised to take the #1 FIFA ranking from Brazil.
If you’re a fan of Spanish football, or any other World Cup team, you can buy your favorite team’s jersey right here.
Mt St Helens - 1980 Eruption
Did you know that today, May 18, 2010, is th e30th Anniversary of the eruption of the Mount St Helens volcano in Cascade mountians of Washington state.
On March 20, 1980, Mount St. Helens experienced a magnitude 4.2 earthquake and on March 27, steam venting started.By the end of April, the north side of the mountain had started to bulge. On May 18, with little warning, a second earthquake, of magnitude 5.1, triggered a massive collapse of the north face of the mountain. It was the largest known debris avalanche in recorded history. The magma inside of St. Helens burst forth into a large-scale pyroclastic flow that flattened vegetation and buildings over 230 square miles (600 km2). Over 1.5 million metric tons of sulfur dioxide were released into the atmosphere.
The collapse of the northern flank of St. Helens mixed with ice, snow, and water to create lahars (volcanic mudflows). The lahars flowed many miles down the Toutle and Cowlitz Rivers, destroying bridges and lumber camps. A total of 3,900,000 cubic yards (3,000,000 m3) of material was transported 17 miles (27 km) south into the Columbia River by the mudflows.
If you live near an active volcano, or in an area that can be affected by a volcanic ash cloud, make sure you have an Emergency Disaster Survival Plan.
Brooks Range Alaska
Sleeping bags are an absolute necessity for campers, mountaineers and back country backpackers alike. What distinguishes one sleeping bag from another is its ability to keep you warm at night. The lowest temperature that a sleeping bag will keep a ‘normal’ person warm at night is known as the Temperature Rating.
A sleeping bags temperature rating will depend on a variety of factors, such as the sleeping bag’s design (rectangular or mummy shaped), type and quantity of fill (natural or synthetic), whether it has a hood, baffles, zipper tubes, etc. But aside from all of the fancy features a sleeping bag offers, its temperature rating is really just a ‘best guess’ at what temperature you’ll stay warm. After all, is anyone really an average person?
The best way to use the temperature rating to select the sleeping bag that’s right for you is to determine if you are a hot or cold sleeper. A hot sleeper will sleep with usually nothing more than a sheet, even in the winter, and still be warm. A cold sleeper will be buried under a pile of quilts and blankets when the night time temmperature is still 70 degrees. Knowing how you sleep, you can use the manufacturer’s temperature rating as a reference. Cold sleepers can subtract 10 degrees and hot sleepers add 20 degrees. So if you expect to spend most of your time camping when the night temperatures dip to 30 degrees, a hot sleeper can select a sleeping bag rated down to only 40 degrees, while a cold sleeper (who will need extra insulation) should select a bag rated down to 10 degrees.
Since all manufacturers offer a wide variety of temperature rated sleeping bags, the best thing to do is compare the style, fills and features of those at the temperature rating you’re interested in. You can start looking right here with Big Anges, Montbell, Mountain Hardwear, Wenzel and Western Mountaineering. All top manufacturers of high quality sleeping bags.
Danner 453 GTX
Danner hiking boots are built to be the best hiking boots possible.
Danner is driven by their philosophy to build a boot that an expert would want. From its beginnings in 1932, as a manufacturer of work boots in Chippewa Falls Wisconsin, Danner has always searched for ways to make a better boot. Initially, this involved going straight to the loggers (the main local industry) and asking what features they wanted in a boot. Then making it.
That same philosophy is carried on in the manufacture fo their hiking boots. In the 1960’s, as the popularity of hiking and other outdoor activities began to increase, Danner once again asked what makes a perfect hiking boot. The response was that it should be lightweight, but sturdy, comfortable (easy to break-in), flexible, and of course waterproof. Danner responded with what Backpacker Magazine considers to be possibly the most perfect hiking boot ever made, the Mountain Trail Boot.
Never content to be satisfied with past successes, all Danner boots are built on the fundamental characteristics of the Mountain Trail Boot, including the 453 GTX(rated as a ‘Best Buy’ by Backpacker Magazine). In addition to their innovative use of Gore-tex to make their boots fully waterproof (back in 1979), Danner has increased the comfort of their boots with their exclusive Airthotics arch support insert. Approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association, the Airthotic is a half length ventilated insole that allows for maximum air circulation to rapidly remove moisture keeping your feet cooler and drier, all while providing additional arch support with every step.
Whether you’re looking for a lightweight trail boot, or a serious off-trail boot for the back country, Danner has the boot for you. Stop by Danner Hiking Boots to buy the boot you deserve.
First Georgia Tech Football Team
College team apparel has come a long way since the first college sports programs were established well over 100 years ago.
As attractive, and stylish, as those long sleeve pullovers with the school logo on the front were, theyr’ enot very well suited for coeds on hot summer day. Thank goodness today’s college team apparel is is available in all different sizes and styles, for both men and women.
College team apparel is by far the easiest way to show your love and support for your favorite college team. Available in so many different styles ranging from the casual vintage t-shirt to the more professional collared button-down shirts, they’re also more acceptable in public than full body paint in your school colors (granted full body paint is a highly respected form of self expression at football and basketball games). In addition to the standard t-shirts, pullovers, basketball shorts and replica football and basketball jerseys, college team apparel also includes, soccer and baseball jerseys, hats, ties, clothes for toddlers and children and much more.
This means that you can now pass on your passion for your alma mater long before you children ever start thinking about attneding college. Of course, this doesn’t always work out as well as you might hope. As passionate as I am in cheering for Georgia Tech (Class of ‘85), my 8 year old sons favorite college basketball team is Duke (go figure).
But no matter what team is your favorite, you’re only a few mouse clicks away from finding more college team apparel than you ever thought existed. So go ahead and indulge your passion, and show everyone else what school you think is number 1.
Eagle Fishmark 320
The Eagle Fishmark 320 is quite possibly the best value in fishfinders today.
When you compare the amount and quality of features provided for such a low cost, it is very difficult to find a better value in marine electronics.
The Fishmark 320 comes with a powerful 1500 watt (peak to peak) transducer capable of detecting underwater objects (especially fish) to a depth of 800 feet. The transducer is combined with Eagle’s FishReveal technology that exposes fish that are hiding among surface clutter, weed beds and other underwater cover.
The Fishmark 320 also features Eagle’s FasTrack bar that displays sonar returns in real time so you see everything underwater as it is happening. The FasTrack also shows the relative strength of each target (stronger target strength means more/larger fish).
All of this information is displayed on the Fishmark’s 5 inch screen with 16-level grayscale and 320 X 320 pixel high-definition resolution. The 16 level grayscale display provides as much distinction between underwater objects as the more expensive color screens. Advanced processing of the sonar signal automatically adjusts the display settings for the clearest picture possible.
Now add in Eagle’s patented GRAYLINE technology that accurately separates fish from the bottom and other stationary structures. Advanced Fish ID technology displays differently sized fish as different sized symbols and the FishTrack will also displays their depth (above each symbol).
Not over looking the obvious, the Eagle Fishmark 320 is also completely sealed and waterproof, suitable for both freshwater and saltwater environments.
Sounds too good to be true? visit Eagle Fishfinders for more information.
Garmin 400c Fishfinder
Garmin fishfinders are some of the most versatile and affordable fish finders on the market today.
Garmin understands that all fishermen want to be able to catch more fish, without having to spend a small fortune on high tech electronics. This is why all Garmin fishfinders“>Garmin fishfinders are equipped with their dual beam technology.
The dual beam system consists of two sonar signals, one wide angle and one narrow angle, which when used in combination provide a more accurate view of what’s going on underneath your craft. By comparing the return signals from both beams, Garmin’s fish finders are able to provide you with highly detailed images and locations of the fish you’re looking for.
Another great feature offered by Garmin is their UltraScroll technology which processes the sonar information and updates your display rapidly enough to provide real-time information as you cruise across the water at high speed. Don’t worry about missing any fish either. Garmin fishfinders“>Garmin fishfinders come equipped with alarms that will sound when fish are located, so you won’t miss a single chance to reel one in.
Garmin’s commitment to affordable fishing technology is displayed in both their black and white display and color displayfishfinders. Keeping their fishfinders compact not only helps to keep costs down, but also allows them to be used on any size craft, especially since hand held units do not require installation.
Garmin’s versatile 400c fishfinder utilizes not only the dual beam sonar, but also comes with a dual frequency option. The lower frequency allows for larger bottom coverage in shallow waters (great for fresh water fishing), while the more powerful high frequency signal allows you to see to greater depths through denser saltwater, for those who prefer fishing in coastal waters.
If you want to catch more fish without spending a fortune, Garmin fishfindersare priced to fit any budget.
Garmin 5015
Garmin Marine gps units are available in many different sizes, from black and white handheld units to 15 inch full color screens, and a wide array of features and options.
No matter what size unit you are interested in, the basic function of a marine gps is to determine your location. Similar to the gps unit in your car, your location is then displayed on a map, in order to provide you with appropriate landmarks (such as street names, etc). However, on the open water (whether a large inland lake or the coastal waters), aside from the occasional buoy, reference points are non-existent. This is where your marine gps comes in handy.
All Garmin gps units have a microSD card slot into which you can insert navigational charts (higher end units have some of these charts included). So just like being in your car, you enter the coordinates of your destination, on the water it will be in longitude and latitude, not a street address, and your gps will guide you there.
Garmin chartplotters are advanced type of gps that allows you to either preload your desired route (if you have the necessary software and have plotted your course on a laptop or PC), or store a route you’ve taken. Additionally, chartplotters allow you to assign and save waypoints. Waypoints are reference points in space that can be retrieved at a later date. When you give someone directions and tell them to turn left at the 3rd traffic light, the traffic light is the waypoint. On the open water, you are more likely to identify a waypoint as ‘lots of tuna’ or ‘excellent spot for bass’.
No matter your budget, there is a Garmin marine gps that will help you not only get where you want to go faster, but will also guide you back safely to port.
The Red Raider of Texas Tech
Texas Tech apparel, with its distinctive scarlet and black color, is some of the most stylish and intimidating college clothing in the nation.
Although the precise origins of the Red Raider nickname are not certain, when you put on a Texas Tech sports jersey (football, basketball, baseball or any other) there is no doubt as to who your favorite team is. The Red Raiders, out of Lubbock Texas, are the terrors of the Big 12 conference and in fact are the only team in the conference to have a winning season ( in football) for all 13 years since the Big 12 was founded.
However, as successful as Texas Tech’s football program has been in recent years, the school’s only National Championship was won by the women’s basketball team, the Lady Raiders, in 1993.
Of course Texas Tech apparel is not limited to only sports jerseys. Like all colleges, the school logo, whether it be the Masked Rider or the Double Ts, can be found on a wide range of clothing for men and women. Depending on your personal style, there are tank tops, baseball hats, hoodies, sweatshirts, pullover jackets, and many others. So if you’re a fan (or alumnus) of the scarlet and black, or just think the Red Raider looks cool, pick up some Texas Tech apparel and let everyone know.
