Who is that Michael Jordan guy anyway?

Hockey is what you are, what you live and breathe and you would never want to have it any other way. What better method to demonstrate this to your loved ones and neighbors than by buying some ice hockey apparel. By wearing your ice hockey apparel from your favorite team, you make a solid statement to friends and strangers alike where you loyalty is.

Should anyone ever doubt that your’ a big time NHL fan, all you have to do is to let your knowledge speak for itself. Tell them straight from your heart all the NHL leading scorers from the mid-seventies to present, not to mention the all the Stanley Cup winners during the same period. You will be a huge success!

Whether you’re a Gretzky fan, a Jagr fan, or a Lemiux fanatic, your ice hockey apparel will let you have your voice heard loud and clear. They will know that you are the real deal. You might even rip some other hockey facts out of the blue, like who was the first goalie to wear a mask in pro hockey for example. You know this stuff and that’s how big a hockey lover you are!

What’s even better, your ice hockey apparel is top quality and very comfortable. It’s also great for wearing out to dinner and a movie, or for just working around the house on the weekends. You can find sweatshirts, official Stanley Cup apparel, baseball caps, hockey t-shirts and all other articles of clothing you can imagine with the hockey and NHL logo on it.

Why not wear it all?

Not at the same time though, you know that of course. But you could have a different piece of hockey clothing for each day of the week.

That would definitely be cool.

Ice hockey apparel is available, in most cases, at your local hockey dealer as well as in the mall. When you go to a NHL game, you can also buy replica jerseys there. For the best selection and prices, however, you’ll want to shop online. As far as colors, sizes, and styles go, online shopping can’t be beat. Just make sure to get your hockey gear before the start of next year’s NHL season.

Having the right apparel is what separates the real ice hockey fans from the NHL wannabes. Don’t be left out in the cold.

## How should a cue be balanced? ## The late Willie Mosconi stated in his books to hold the cue in your right hand 5-6 inches behind the balance point. On his particular cue and with his shorter arms taken into consideration, and the fact that he played 14-1 predominately, he could get by with that statement — but can you?

The point of balance of most 58 inch custom cues today (which has become the standard) is between 15 1/2 and 20 inches from the bottom of the butt plate. Taking into account that most pros, including the top snooker players in England will say that to properly position your hands you must; extend 10-13 inches from the point that the cue rests on your bridge hand to the point of contact on the cue ball with your left hand (if your right-handed) and your right hand griping the cue, so that you create an 88 to 90 degree angle with your right elbow. Be sure to be in shooting position with the tip extended to the point of impact with the cue ball.

The reason for this is, to diminish the error in your stroke by bringing only one joint into play (your elbow joint) while following through. This also gives you the maximum amount of power at the moment of impact, this means the shoulder joint will not be employed which would double your error.

Further, this will allow you to automatically strike the cue ball at it’s intended point of impact, because your stroke is at it’s levelest, when your at an 88 to 90 degree angle at your elbow. With this in mind, and taking note that most players with an average height of 5 foot 10 inches, when extending 11 inches of the shaft, they will find that they are gripping the cue with their right hand 5 inches or closer to the bottom of the cue.

It should be clear then, that the further back the balance can be, the better the chance that the average player has of getting closer to the balance point without diminishing cue control.

## Why do you want your grip hand closer to the balance point? ## The obvious answer is to keep from having so much of the weight of the cue resting on your bridge hand, thereby obtaining a much lighter touch with the bridge hand. It appears that snooker players, those who must shoot the most accurately of all table games, heartily agree with this scenario. They will be quick to tell you, that they like the balance to be fifteen inches from the butt of the cue.

Another very important reason for gripping the back of the cue, is to control the amount of side sway by diminishing the overall angle of change in the cue, by as nearly as possible controlling both ends.

Here is a simple test to understand this concept. Lay your cue on the table, holding the tip and ferrule of your cue stable in one hand and grasp the joint with your other hand moving the joint a quarter of an inch from side to side. You will note that the butt of the cue moves one half of an inch side to side. Obviously, if you were to move the back of the cue a quarter of an inch side to side, you just reduced the error by half.

With the tapers of cues built today, taking grip size and types of joints into account, it is nearly impossible to get a cue balanced as far back as fifteen inches from the butt, without the cue weighing 21 ounces or more. Therefore, at Meucci Originals, we strive for an obtainable sixteen and one half inches from the butt, plus or minus a half inch, depending on the overall weight of the cue.

There has been some uneducated individuals who have made the statement that a proper balance evenly distributes the weight of the cue between both hands. This would mean that the balance would then fall at twenty-six inches from the butt, or three inches below the joint of the cue, putting nine or ten ounces of weight on your bridge hand. This is obviously a ludicrous statement.

In conclusion, a well balanced cue will have a tendency to cause a player to grip the cue further back, thereby allowing less room for side sway, while automatically positioning the elbow at the proper angle for a level follow through.

Food-Brain-Brain-Food link

This is hormonal in nature with chemical interactions, in specific terms a euphoric state of the mind-body link.

We’ve all heard of the “breakfast on champions”. This is true because it focuses on the daily nurturing of the body to aid the mind in preparation of the events ahead. It can be a part of a ritual as, proper breathing techniques and adequate liquid consumption.

Focusing on a dietary plan is also preparing the mind for future competitions is a longer process. This is the use of one of the most important issues in life (food), to introduce another important issue (competition), to heighten the all aspects of individual and team performances.

It teaches the players/athletes to cue themselves for their games ahead. It also prompts acceptable behaviors and fosters conditions of ownership among the players and all those involved in the team. Nutrition also allows the coaches to use food and other rewards to encourage other acceptable techniques to prepare for a variety of competitions. NO! I’m not encouraging “Pavlovian” psycologial techniques, this is a much longer and indepth process.

Nutrition is only a step in a process towards mental focus. We have also heard, “strong in body, and strong in mind”. I would suggest that these major components in life are completely intertwined and in fact are, inseperable. You can win by recognizing this or lose without even knowing that there is a link too or a cause and effect with this issue.

Many of us try and focus on what to eat. This is the first important step in the correct direction. The flip side to that is what not to eat. This is realizing what is harmful to the player and even the coach. “Maybe a little more oatmeal amd less coffee?” is a good first step towards this solution.

The addition to that is what to eat, and in which combinations. We have now entered the realm of the

ZONE. This is the area of expertise of the highly qualified nutritionist to deliver the ultimate nutritional plan.

This however can only be successful once the planner knows which competitons lay ahead. The nutritional planner also has to understand the team of athletes and their gender and age specificity. Soccer team nutrition plan

Planning a proper diet for your soccer team is as important as practising set plays. Not introducing and utilizing a good sports diet plan can result in the following problems;

Lack of concentration, General lethargy, Muscle cramps, Visual problems, Blackouts,

Proper nutrition means eating well planned meals before, during and after competitions and general games. This also includes correct and timely liquid intake. A highly tuned engine as the athletes body requires superior fuel to accomplish all of the tasks ahead.

Max Inzinger, the nutritional counselor for FIFA in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s has outlined a basic formula for the requirements of a soccer player. This is a caloric intake consideration and is calculated with the following formula;

Body size X a value number = energy needs

Body size is measured in height in centimeters.

The value number is represented by the following table;

Training frequency &/ Value number; 1-2 times weekly &/ 18 3-4 times weekly &/ 20 1-2 hours daily &/ 22 3-4 hours daily &/ 24 5-6 hours daily &/ 28

The soccer players nutritional needs should be broken down with the following considerations; Carbohydrates 60% Fat 25% Protein 15%

The importance of rebuilding components within nutrition are found in the, essential minerals, these are;

Potassium Sodium Calcium Magnesium Iron

Iodine

Vitamins

Vitamin, A, B complexes, C, and D These should be sourced from whole foods and should be consumed raw whenever possible.

Proper intake of liquids

Although water is vital to the smooth functioning of the body of the soccer player, it is not the only liquid that is essential.

Our sweat is composed of many salts. These salts are the release of essential minerals and need replacing.

These essential minerals are;

Potassium Sodium Calcium Magnesium Iron

Iodine

These are all necessary in the function of daily tasks as they are important as catalysts. These minerals are called electrolytes when in a aqueous (water) solution. Many of these minerals can also be found in a variety of suppliments. These nutitional suppliments can be in pill or powder form and should be found in a sports nutrition store or outlet.

Replacing body fluids starts at least 2 hours before a game. This is important to note because in a very fast paced game and in hot climates a player can lose as much as 3 litres (3 quarts) in the form of sweat and transpiration. Liquid needs to be replaced at half time and if possible during a game, especially on hot days. The liquid should be at or around normal body temperature as cold liquids are absorbed slower. These electolytes should be sipped or taken at a mouthful at a time and not gulped as the body will utilize smaller quantities more easily.

Players can formulate their own sports drinks but need to use little sugar and use a combination of teas, fruit juices and mineral water. Even fruit juices with high sugar content and carbonated or soda drinks should be avoided.This is because of the “sugar rush” which is short lived and produces a type of lethargy If a soccer player uses powdered sports drinks the direction should be followed carefully as a high dosage of electrolytes will also speed up the loss of fluids. Remember the body wants to be balanced and will react and adjust itself accordingly.

Technology Group International www.tgiltd.com Rebecca Gill 800-837-0028

Some people are not even aware of what the term IP, let alone VoIP, mean in the current technology environment. Some people, when they see the letters VoIP, wonder first why the “o” is not as large as the other letters. Still others understand that VoIP has something to do with changes in current telephone technology but they don’t know the first thing about what it means. Additionally, there are those that know that VoIP means “voice over IP protocol” which involves the conversion of voice packets to data packets and because it’s the latest and greatest technology, they just have to have that technology NOW!

Before rushing into a technology purchasing decision there are items to consider. First, review your business and see if there is an immediate need for VoIP connection. There are several situations where VoIP technology can enhance business practices. For instance, take a company with a large main facility and one or more small remote facilities throughout the city, region or country. This facility could use a digital telephone system with digital phones in the main building but utilize data lines and IP phones at the smaller remote facilities. This allows the users in the small remote facility to connect to the main facility through existing internet or private line wide area network connections and take advantage of all call handling features without installing unnecessary equipment at the remote locations. The remote equipment can also be configured to address local 9-1-1 identification and the ability to survive at a minimum level without the connection to the main facility.

If the facility in question is hard to wire and available cable is sparse, there may be a need to share a single data connection between the telephone and desktop PC. With the introduction of IP phones sharing that single data connection is now a reality. On the flip side, a business may have limited space and requires data functions over a device the size of a telephone. By using certain IP phones a user can now have some web browsing and/or data sharing capability on that telephone - - saving space and maximizing your data resources.

Finally, a business that has two or more large facilities that while spread out geographically must function as one entity can benefit by using VoIP technology. Many times a single data connection can be used for voice as well as data applications. The days of segmenting wide area network lines are now in the past. With VoIP technology the computer network can use all/most of the wide area bandwidth for data processes while the voice traffic is inactive or at a minimum.

In reviewing a telephone system that uses IP technology, do not assume that an existing data network is able to accommodate the voice traffic on top of the data traffic that it is already carrying. To start review the routers, switches and bandwidth available within and between the buildings to determine if the proper equipment is in place to accommodate a new telephone system. One thing to do is identify the amount of bandwidth required for a 2-way conversation for the telephone system solution being provided. Second is to have a trusted data vendor (if different than the telephone vendor) or an independent third party provider perform a network assessment before choosing a solution or beginning a project. The assessment should be run for no less than a week. In order to provide the best snapshot of the network it is wise to select a busy week. This will provide vital information to your IT staff/consultant and assist in identifying if any data equipment is required to facilitate the new voice solution.

When examining a network assessment, remember that voice transmission is much more precise and requires a level of reliability above that of data traffic. With data information, a computer can accept packets out of sequence or some loss because it fixes or waits for the rest of the information and places it where it needs to go or drops unnecessary information altogether. However, in voice transmission a lost packet or certain levels of inconsistencies (latency/jitter) on the line could result in some very broken conversations.

If a course has been plotted for an IP telephone system, spend a little bit of extra time and money up front to have a professional network assessment completed to ensure all of the proper equipment is in place to go forward. The VoIP system, whether it be from CISCO, Inter-Tel, Avaya, Toshiba, or Comdial will all have to connect to the data network in some way and if the system is insufficient it may cause an exponential increase of the voice equipment budget to cover costs to update the data system. Forward thinking helps protect the time, budget, technology AND productivity of a business.

Will the technology I invest in today be obsolete in 5 years? Will the only systems installed in 5 years be IP systems? I believe our region will not see the digital telephone system disappear within 5 years. However, we will see a much greater installed base of “hybrid” systems. These are systems that share digital technology with IP technology. Redesigning an existing system may protect an original investment. In conclusion, before giving in to that “gotta have it now” routine and ripping out all of the equipment in the business investigate the options.

“This returns us to the approach and preparation involved in measuring and categorizing humans in the chain of living things.”

In my observations humans possess nearly all the abilities of the animal kingdom in some form and the only difference would be that. Abstractly I would say that “Humans possess all the upgrades of the previous organic models displayed” taking this analogy from that of the artificial intelligence and robotics, as each new model has more features.

But that only puts humans at the top of the “animal chart” not beyond it. Call them the “ultimate animal” but it is not fair to make them a separate classification nor should their (ego-centric driven passion cloud the issue) sense of entitlement warrant a new category above and beyond all else.

Where do you think that humans category lies? Do you consider yourself an animal? Do you consider yourself an intelligent being? Are you Super Human? What exactly is your place in the animal kingdom? Have you given this much thought? Think on this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Taking this into account, before you go rushing to your nearby womens lingerie retail outlet, here are an assortment of tremendously worth while advice that would unquestionably make shopping for sexy lingerie a lot more convenient.

It is always imperative to ensure that you jot down their body type & lingerie size prior to going shopping. The best means to check out what the best lingerie products are created for them is to understand their body style so as to know what make of lingerie would help to bring out the wonderful sections of their body and keep people?s minds away from specific areas of theirs body that make them feel anxious.

There are on average 3 lingerie sizes: thin, medium and size plus. The lingerie size that would best suit a person depends on their body form. Their body size would additionally aid in determining the type of seductive lingerie that would be great for them, for example a garter set for somebody who has thin, narrow hips & petite busts or a halter bra for a person who has trouble with petite breasts.

It is always crucial to know beforehand the specific areas of their body that they would like to be improved or highlighted with a particular lingerie item. For example push-up pads for the corsets or bra would give support to somebody who wanted their bosom to give the impression of being larger, whilst someone with a pair of wonderful long legs would look beautiful with long stockings.

Sugar is the main culprit in tooth decay, because that is what the bacteria eat. Bacteria then produce acids as a byproduct. Those acids eat at the enamel of our teeth, until hole or cavity in the tooth appears.

Our story begins in the 17th century, when sugar plantations developed in the “new world.” Until then food was produced and prepared with much less added sugar. Then the 18th century saw sugar beets being harvested in England. Now, virtually everything we consume, from cereal in the morning to steak and eggs at night contains extra sugar. Bacteria on our teeth count themselves lucky to live in the 21st century, where there is an almost unlimited supply of free food for them to thrive on.

We are in cahoots with sugar and bacteria when we do not brush and clean our teeth. Leaving the bacteria to feed upon sugar and produce acids in our mouths allows the bacteria time to form a visibly organized colony between the gums and the tooth that we call plaque. Plaque actually acts as a cover for the acids that sit on the surface of our enamel. Without cleaning, acids will eat at out enamel almost at will, creating tooth decay and dental caries.

Decay is demineralization. In other words, the outer tissue of the tooth is so hard because it is 95% mineral. The inner tissue of the tooth, dentin, is a little softer because it is only 66% mineral. Normally, saliva is a natural remineralizer when acids have begun demineralizing, but when plaque is involved saliva is almost powerless to repair the damage. Acids will begin with a little hole in the enamel, and once it makes it through to the dentin, it eats the tooth tissue from the inside out. This means serious dental action: fillings, or even a root canal.

With plaque the acid concentration is also higher (Ph 4 or lower), packing a more potent punch through the outer enamel tissue of the tooth. Saliva could take two or more hours to even penetrate the plaque and begin the healing process.

There are a variety of preventative measures to take. I know people who have taken to a no-sweets diet to cut down on their sugar intake. There are many who bring toothpaste and a toothbrush to school or work with them in order to clean after each time they eat. Many more carry floss with them.

May I caution against two things? Please do not depend too heavily on fluoride. Little children who take in too much fluoride, even by swallowing toothpaste accidentally or unwittingly, develop dental flourosis, or yellow and white stains on their teeth in later childhood. Take it in healthy doses.

The second caution is to avoid too much brushing. People who brush excessively or applying too much pressure tear away the gums and expose the roots directly to the acids.

Now, may I suggest two things? Clean frequently and softly by brushing and by flossing. If you can hear the brushing sound as much as the other noise around the house, you are brushing too loudly. With brushing and floss, you don’t need to try too hard to eliminate the plaque or the bacteria.

My next suggestion is to carry around gum that is not only sugarless but also supplemented by a natural element called xylitol. Be careful that you choose a gum where xylitol is the leading ingredient. Xylitol fights against the habit bacteria has of settling into tissue to live. Xylitol is a natural bouncer, making cleaning throughout the day easier and cleaning in the morning or at night more thorough.

One transcendent element is sugar. It is almost impossible to escape, and it is not healthy to escape altogether. Though we cannot and should not escape it completely, we can control it and prevent its decaying effects on our teeth.

In today’s online world, protecting your computer from all the nasty things online is vital. Viruses can cause obvious issues, as described above, but they can also run silently in the background, propagating themselves across your computer and transferring on to the computers of people you know. Mostly, you only know you have a virus when substantial damage has already been done.

Some common signs of a virus include:

-Programs working erratically
-Computer locks up
-Greyed out options
-The browser home page has changed
-Icons have changed
-Difficulties starting up the computer

There is a solution! Antivirus software is readily available, and the good ones are very efficient at dealing with viruses in all their many and varied mutations. Basically, if you’re online, you need this type of software.

So which one do you choose? For starters, be careful of using something free off the internet, particularly if it’s one you’ve never heard of. Sometimes these programs are a way of implanting more viruses on your computer. Some of the better known brands give you the option of doing a free scan online, which is useful, but not a long term solution.

It’s really important to choose well-known antivirus software. Ask friends, or someone computer savvy, for their recommendations. It may be worth visiting a computer store and buying it there, rather than online - after all, if they’ve gone to the trouble of stocking it, it’s most likely an established and trusted product.

There are plenty of good brands available, far too numerous to list here, but some of the best known are from McAfee, Norton and Trend. Check out the support available to you - can you contact someone if you have trouble installing the software?

Most importantly, make sure there’s an easy way to update the software on a regular basis (preferably as part of the purchase cost!). For example, my antivirus software pops up a little box every time an upgrade is available. I click okay, and it’s automatically downloaded to my computer. Viruses change and develop at an alarming rate, so it’s vital to keep your antivirus software up to date.

Finally, the all-important backup! The word “backup” tends to produce the same glassy eyed response as the word “budget”, but it really is an essential part of being online. Regularly backup your important files to CD or DVD. If you’re a business user, an automated and frequent backup process is vital. Once a virus has destroyed your computer, it’s too late.

Being online is wonderful, but don’t let it become a nightmare. Antivirus software will play a vital role in keeping your online experience a positive one.

Copyright Felicity Walker

About the Author

Keeping her computer running smoothly is a priority for the author! To find out more, check out http://www.antiviruszoneonline.com for more information.

1. Know Your MarketYour first task, exploring your market, helps you know a bargain house when you spot one. Look at many houses for sale in your area. Keep track of sales and how long the houses take to sell. Ask selling real estate agents about the terms of these sales because this helps you understand how sellers market their property (some of this information is public record). For instance, if a seller paid closing costs for the buyer, did the price rise from the listed price accordingly? Or, did the seller come down on the price and also pay the buyer’s costs?Examine the sales that sell quickly. What home features and financing options prompted the fast sale?Also, look at model homes. Buyers often buy resale homes because they can’t wait for a new home to be finished. However, these buyers like the distinctive features new homes offer. Visit model homes and take notes on how details like a water fountain or a new state-of-the-art appliance makes a house sell itself. When you remodel your fixer, you’ll know what attracts buyers and you’ll make smart redesign choices.

2. Know When “Ugly” Means “Gold”When you first start out in your real estate “flipping fixers” business, you’ll want to look for houses needing only cosmetic work. Look for houses that just need cleaning up, painting, and new flooring. Use your imagination when viewing these homes. Try to visualize the finished dollhouse as you look at structural features and the surrounding homes. Make offers on the ugliest houses in decent neighborhoods.

Don’t be afraid of stinky houses that show horribly. Search for fixers with peeling paint, holes in the wall, stained carpeting, and trash in the yard. Remember, these houses won’t look good to most buyers, but other real estate investors see them as gold mines.

3. Know When “Ugly” Means “No thanks”When you’re new to real estate investing, always remember your limitations. Use caution when considering houses that need structural repairs. Some rehabbers replace walls, plumbing, structural beams, sub-flooring, and electrical systems. These experienced real estate investors acquired those skills after years of experience or they have the money to pay for professional help.

If you find a house with structural problems, get estimates from reliable contractors to do the work. If the walls have too many cracks and bumps, you may need to hang new sheet rock or hire a professional plaster refinisher. Check for signs of plumbing problems such as water stains under sinks and loose flooring, and get estimates for professional repair. Take professional estimates into account before deciding whether or not to purchase an investment property. Any big expense decreases your eventual profit.

Turn Yucks into BucksWhy would anyone want to do this hard work? How much does the average rehabbers make? In Ohio, real estate investors buy houses expecting a profit of about $30,000. In Southern California, many investors make $50,000 to $100,000 on each house.

When you find a garbage-filled, flea-infested house in a family neighborhood, take your bug spray, hold your nose, and get ready to make a difference, in the neighborhood and in your bank account.

You can make a fortune fixing nasty houses. Know your market. Know when “ugly” means profit in your pocket, and when to keep looking for the house with the hidden gold mine.

Copyright © 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

For more articles about finding, financing, fixing and flipping houses, visit Jeanette Fisher’s Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars website. Learn about decorating to attract buyers. Professor Fisher teaches interior Design Psychology college courses and professional real estate seminars. She also writes books and articles on home staging, credit for buying real estate, and other topics. Free “Design Psychology for Selling Houses” Report http://doghousetodollhouse.com