Showing posts with label Hobbies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hobbies. Show all posts
One of the attractive things about owning a pocket bike is the adrenaline rush that speed can bring on, feeling the wind whip around you whether it is alone on a private track or in the middle of a race. Pocket bikes were built to race, they were built for speed. A pocket bike is a miniature version of a Grand Prix moter bike, so this makes sense. These bikes can be customized to go 50, 60, or even 70 miles per hour!! The current world record, in fact, is at 72 mph. So what happens if you start your bike, and it just won't hit those speeds you know it should be? What if your pocket bike is going too slow?

There are a few basic steps you can take to try and locate the problem yourself, and a brief explanation of how to go through each one.

1. ((It is important to note that you do this ONLY AFTER the bike has been turned on and warmed up already for a minimum of a few minutes)) Turn the air-intake on to open. You can find this behind the front wheel, close to the engine. This will give the bike more power.

2. Follow all the fuel tubes, and make sure none of them are pinched off anywhere. One single tube that is even slightly pinched can affect your entire performance .


3. Check the throttle cables. If they are too loose, the engine doesn't get enough gas when you turn the throttle.

4. If this is your first bike, don't push it. Pocket bikes need to be broken in. Don't turn the throttle all the way for at least the first two gas tanks, if not three. In the long run, this will lead to better performance and more top notch speed.


5. Note: be very careful if you attempt the following. There is a gold screw, with a spring behind it, near the carburetor. This is the idle control. If you unscrew it by only half of a turn, it can also give you more power. If this screw is tightened too much, the bike will start then immediately switch off. If you make it too loose, the bike will jump and go as soon as you start it. Finding the balance is critical, and this is not recommended for beginners.

If none of these things help, make sure to take your bike to a professional to get it running again at its optimal performance.
When it comes to buying a tripod there are a few things that need to be looked at and checked out. All tripods will come with a replaceable head or a fixed head. Some of the tripods on the bit more expensive side will come with a replaceable head that allows the photographer to select the size of the head that will fit your camera. Some of the tripods that are great for amateurs come with a fixed head and in compact style for easier use and carrying ability. Most tripods that have the fixed heads will come with the tilt and pan handles. 

Tilt and pan heads have two different handles attached to them from the sides or bottom. One is used to move the camera up and down and the other is used for the side-to-side direction. These types of heads are vital to the movie industry and anyone wanting to take mpegs with a digital camera. The ball and socket heads work well with still photography and it is needed for a firm locking and an easy give for the use of one or more camera that may need to be changed during photo shoots. One of the most popular types of tripods are tabletop or mini tripods. 

It is quite simple to mount a camera on to a tripod; all you need to do is screw the camera on it. Yes, it really is that simple! Tripods are used to keep your camera steady and extremely still. In the photography world there is an unwritten rule of thumb on when one should be used, 1/focal length s. For an example if you have a 200 mm lens, the slowest speed that you should use without a tripod is 1/200 s. Anything over that your camera should be mounted on a tripod for a more clear and steady picture. 

Customizing your pocket bike can turn a common bike into a real pocket rocket when you use pocket bike performance parts. Many pocket bikes performance parts not only make your pocket bike faster and more powerful, they add to the general look of "attitude" you want your competition to see on the track! Those cool side stripes may look great, but they're not going to get you around the track any faster. Put your money into high performance pocket bike parts and then you'll have a bike that can back up the appearance of attitude you've given it. 

When you're looking for pocket bike performance parts, remember your bike's speed and power is "all in the mix". The correct mixture of gas, oil, and air are the elements that combine to work like jet fuel for your pocket rocket. However, if your customized bike is riding too hot, a good solution is to start with a temperature sticker. These parts for pocket bikes are typically sold in packs of three, and can easily be applied to your bike's engine, suspension and other heat sensitive parts. 

Most pros get the largest boost in speed and overall performance from pocket bike performance parts like velocity stacks and air filters. While those are king, take the time to still add some performance pocket bikes parts for pipe and custom carburetion and the only thing that will be able to stop you will be your own brakes! In addition, there's something about performance parts pocket bikes custom pipes and exhaust system that makes your bike look like a formidable adversary to your competition, and gives you an early psychological edge in any competition! 

There are many other performance parts for pocket bike enthusiasts that not only help you stay in the race, but combined with your skill, will put you in front of the pack. Some things that you might overlook are pocket bike performance parts like custom grips and foot pegs that improve your ability to control your bike. Remember not to have immediate expectations. The best racers are those who know their bikes, so it may take some time for you to re-adjust after adding these improvements. Concentrate on getting used to how they ride, and soon the only thing you'll have to worry about is how far ahead of everyone else you are before hitting the finish line. 
Your company may be considering the benefits of imaging your promotional materials, specially your catalogs. Catalog digital photography can be a useful tool for managing your promotional items, but before doing it so, there are many issues that should be considered before committing to a catalog digital photography project. 

Catalog digital photography is one of the processes that are primarily designed to improve the sales of a certain business or company. Digital photography is also one of the fastest growing and most ubiquitous product categories in consumer electronics today.

As our modern technology grows faster and faster each day, particularly in photography, there are many serious photographers, including professionals, who want to take advantage of the unique creative powers available through digital photography and digital image processing.

Digital photography, as opposed to film photography, uses electronic devices to record the image as binary data. This makes it possible to store and as well as edit the images on personal computers, and also the ability to show and delete unsuccessful images immediately on the camera itself. Digital cameras are now selling more than the film cameras; perhaps the reason is that some features that are included in digital cameras are not found in film cameras, such as the ability to shoot video and record audio. Some other devices, such as mobile phones, now include digital photography features.

Using digital photography has advantages and disadvantages. Some advantages of digital photography over traditional film include:

• Instant review of pictures, with no wait for the film to be developed: if there's a problem with a picture, the photographer can immediately correct the problem and take another picture.
• If one already owns a newer computer, permanent storage on digital media is considerably cheaper than film.
• Images may be copied from one media to another without any degradation.
• Pictures do not need to be scanned before viewing them on a computer.
• Digital cameras can be much smaller than film cameras of equivalent quality.
• Digital photography enables you to experiment with the camera settings, different styles of images can be tried out, learnt from and techniques improved all without the expense of film processing.

The disadvantages of digital cameras, includes:

• At the same price level digital cameras cannot match the quality of film cameras.
• Film cameras are generally more reliable and durable than digital cameras in outdoor environments, especially in wet, cold, and/or humid weather.
• There are special types of film, such as for infrared light, that have no equivalent in digital (CCD's are sensitive to Near Infrared).
• Film remains more admissible as evidence in court, as it is much harder to manipulate than digital.
• Film has a better dynamic range.

As more efficient options for creating and producing digital media proliferate, individuals and organizations increasingly need to control and manage these assets. There are now more reliable companies who are offering a comprehensive and intuitive cataloging methodology, in a single window interface, introducing digital media management and repurposing features such as automatic web generation, slide show, IPTC and EXIF annotations, file conversion, contact sheets, voice annotation, rendering of digital camera raw file formats, and full Apple Script integration in this class of application. 
Dance give us plenty of room for self-expression and can be powerful in helping the body and mind to be stimulated. It's all about movement and music and you.

This is one thing everyone agrees about: Dance is beneficial. It's exercising without "feeling" like you're exercising, it increases cardiovascular and mental health, releasing endorphins while you turn, spin, and simply MOVE.

Unfortunately, in our "modernized" society, we have lost touch with its potential. In contrast, dance has always been an integral part of many other cultures. You don't have to dance with an African tribe around a roaring fire to realize the healing benefits of dance; luckily, all you need is yourself.

The other great thing about dance is that it can be done either in the privacy of your own home, in dance classes as are creational outlet, at a party with friends, or as you do any number of household tasks, fitting a little "swing" in your steps.

"Oh, I can't dance," you'll say. Can't, or won't? Dancing is simply moving, like wayward walking. It doesn't have to be funky-crazy or hip; you don't have to go with a style you don't feel comfortable with; and those of you with "dance inhibition" are free, nearly every day, to find time and a private place large enough to move around freely -- again, also known as dancing.

Choose music you feel comfortable with. Music preferences naturally vary from person to person -- and even from day to day -- so it just doesn't matter of you decide to dance to Prince, Mozart, Garth Brooks, or Billie Holiday. That's the first rule: Never put any kind of restrictions on yourself, thinking, "I like that music, but how do you dance to "Jingle Bells"?

When you are ready to begin, stand for a moment with your eyes closed. Feel the connection of your feet to the floor and just relax. If you feel completely at a loss for what to do, imagine your breath supplying your entire body with a golden fluid, making your body light and flexible.

Allow this to transition into any movements you wish, moving as the body dictates. Flow, float, stomp, jump up and down. Move fast or in slow motion. The key is to just allow the body to move, so don't think too much -- just move. Don't worry about how you look; if you're alone, no one can see you. If you're in a dance class, everyone else is laughing, making the same mistakes you are.

When you really get into it, after a while you'll definitely notice something: You're not worrying as much any more; you are sleeping better; you aren't as irritable at work or at home, with your family; and you feel surprisingly "healed" in some way.

In fact, the natural bodily healing and restoration can last from a couple of minutes to a several hours. People young and old, in all states of fitness, living in all kinds of bodies can benefit from dance. Those with injuries or physical challenges can benefit as well as any "able-bodied" person; just listen to your body and work with its limitations. Dance can be used for healing major stresses as well as "everyday life," for it is often that these stresses build up, manifesting in extreme tension, anger, and even illness.

Remember, you're not forcing your body to move according to someone else's steps; to truly dance is to just tune in to your own personal radio station, and move according to the rhythm of your soul. Dance slow, dance fast, dance solo, dance with others, dance with joy, even dance the sorrow out of your heart. There are no rules -- just DANCE! 
It's true that taking photos is as simple as running out and grabbing a cheap five dollar camera. But taking good, quality photos has never been easier. So lets explore some quick ideas that can help you take photos that you will be happy to share with friends and family. 

Photography as an art has never been more exciting or enjoyable. Todays photography enthusiast has many styles, topics, and tools open to them. Plus, the blending of digital with print makes the craft of taking photos very versatile. 

Here are four tips to help. 

1. Get a little closer, don't be shy. One of the biggest mistakes most beginning photographers make is shooting from so far away. They leave too much distance between themselves and their subjects. Instead, get up close and personal. Fill up as much of the camera frame, with your subject, as you can. You can always reshape, trim, and resize a good quality shot. But you can't continue to blow up a distant subject and hope that it will come into focus. It just won't happen. 

2. This tip springs directly from #1(above)... focus your shot on only one subject. Determine what the main subject of the photo will be, and catch that image. Try and find the one key subject, person, or event that accurately portrays the feeling you are trying to capture.

3. In addition to getting one subject, in your photos, you will want to make the background of the photo as simple as possible. Busy, distracting backgrounds pull the attention away from the central theme of your photo. The subject of your photo is absolutely the most important element, and anything that detracts from the subject can ruin your shot. 

4. Finally, you want to take your subject out of the exact center of the frame. You do this by using the rule of thirds. Imagine having a camera lens split into 9 equal sized boxes, 3 across and 3 down (like having a tic-tac-toe game printed right on your camera lens). Where those "tic-tac-toe" lines cross, should become the focusing point of your subject, when you are arranging to take your photo. 

Based on this tip, every time you compose a shot, the main subject of your photo should be located primarily on one of these "third" lines.

These are just four very basic tips and strategies to help improve your photos. As you know, photography skills can always be improved. In fact, most professional photographers exhibit a life long passion for learning new techniques, photography angles, and photo inspirations. 

Crete was home to one of world's most important civilisations, the Minoans who ruled the eastern Mediterranean from 2800 - 1150 BC. The art that has survived shows a refined and peace loving culture. There is a good collection in the Museum at Iraklion. Through commerce, shipping and trade with other peoples, the Egyptians, Phoenicians and Syrians they built a powerful civilisation. The Achaians and the Dorians followed. The Romans occupied Crete 69 - 330 AD making Gortyn their major town. Crete fell into the Arabic hands in 824 and was not liberated until 961). Then in 1204, the island passed to the Venetians. They fortified the island with several new castles and broke the ground for new cities of Hania and Rethimno. Inside the walls the cities developed with narrow alleys and houses, interspersed with decorative churches, fountains, piazzas and palaces the remains of which can still be seen today. In 1645 the Turks set foot on the island for the first time and in 1669 the whole of Crete fell to them. Not until 1913 was the island reunited with the rest of Greece. 

In the summer the prevailing wind is the infamous Meltemi from the NW – WNW. July and August sees the winds at their strongest, force 5 – 6 on the northern coast but more often a more gentle force 3 – 4. The spring and autumn sees winds form the south, force 2 – 4. The southern coast is notorious for strong squalls the blow down from the mountains. There is little in the way of warning and they can be violent close inshore. It gets very hot on the island during the summer months with the average daily temperature reaching 35 deg C in July and August and temperatures as high as 40 deg C are not uncommon.

Kissamoss lies in the NW corner of Crete. Yachts can berth alongside or anchor of in the harbour. There is good shelter from the W and NW but it is open to the E and SE. In a strong northerly getting away can be difficult, as the yacht will have to beat for 14 miles to escape the bay. Water is available and the re is a taverna close by. The nearest provisions are at Kastelli, which is a one mile bus journey away.

Khania is to the E. Entrance can be difficult in a strong northerly as the sea heaps up around the entrance. The marina is in the E basin. You will be directed to a berth where a laid mooring awaits. There is good shelter in all but northerly gales. There is water and electricity on the pontoons. A mini tanker can deliver fuel. All provisions can be obtained and there are good tavernas in the town. This Venetian city was for centuries the capital of Crete and much of the charming architecture remains.

Soudhas is further to the E. It is the Greek navy's southern base and yachts have been refused entry at times. If allowed in go bow or stern to on the S quay. Shelter is extremely good. There is water on the ferry mole and fuel can be delivered. All provisions can be obtained and there is a good choice of tavernas. The military presence tends to put a bit of a dampener on things and this is not a must visit.

Yioryiopolis is a small harbour at the mouth of the river Almiros. Go alongside the quay or anchor in the bay to the north. There is good shelter except with winds from the N – NE. There is water in the village and most provisions can be obtained and there are several tavernas. The village is both attractive the locals are friendly making a visit well worthwhile.

Rethimon is an old Venetian harbour. Go alongside inside the N jetty or bow or stern to the E jetty. There is good shelter even from the Meltemi tucked under the E jetty. There is water on the quay and fuel can be delivered. All provisions can be obtained and there are some good tavernas including several fish restaurants in the Venetian harbour. This should be one of the highlights of the charter. The Venetian harbour and town are attractive and the buildings with wooden balconies are a reminder of Turkish occupation.

Iraklion is the capital of Crete. Proceed to the Venetian harbour at the W end of the main harbour. Go bow or stern to at the "marina" in the S or on the N quay. There is water on the quay and fuel can be delivered. There is excellent shopping and fresh fish is sold in the harbour. There are good tavernas many of which serve fresh fish. Try those around the market in town. The city itself has little to recommend it but visits to Knossus, an archaeological site, go early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the tourists. And the museum containing a collection from the Minoan times is worthwhile.

Khersonisos is a small harbour. Go bow to the mole or anchor off. Care is needed because depths vary throughout the harbour and the holding is poor on sand and rock. There is good shelter from the N as the harbour is open only to the SE. Water, fuel and provisions can all be found in the town. The town is a modern tourist development, full of bad architecture and obnoxious holidaymakers.

Spinalonga Lagoon is situated in the N of the larger bay Kolpos Merembellou. Yachts can anchor anywhere in the lagoon. Most provisions can be obtained at Elounda. Take a look at Nisis Spinalongas. The setting for the Venetian fort and deserted settlement are most attractive.

Further to the south is Ay Nikolaos. There is a marina on the S side of the headland. Yachts should bow or stern to where directed and use a laid mooring. There is water and electric on the pontoons. Fuel can be delivered to the yacht. There are numerous tavernas and most provisions can be obtained. This fishing village is now a large tourist development although the marina is sited some way from the noisy area.

Pahia Ammos is situated at the S end of Kolpos Merembellou. There are depths of up to 3m at the extremity of the mole. The harbour is exposed to the Meltemi. Limited provisions can be obtained in the village and there are several tavernas

Further W lies Sitia. Go bow or stern to the inner N mole. The bottom is sand and weed with some rocks. There is good shelter from the Meltemi. There are both fuel and water in the harbour. All provisions can be obtained in the town and there are several good fish restaurants. The inner harbour with its tree lined esplanade is pleasant and watching dusk fall over the harbour while tucking in to a nice sea bass is the perfect end to a day's charter.

Ak Sidhero is the NE tip of Crete and to the S there are several anchorages in small inlets. There are no facilities but the scenery is imposing with a desolate feel.

Crete's cuisine is similar to that found throughout the Aegean. Fish plays a large part in the form of tuna, swordfish, sea bass, urchins, octopus, squid and cuttlefish. You will find beef, pork, lamb and goat. A rabbit stew is a speciality. As is cheese pie and fried cheese (staka). For those with a sweet tooth try yogurt and honey tarts (kaltzounia). Cretan wine is fairly good. 


When you imagine hiking trips, you think of the Smokey Mountains and the Appalachian Trail. There are many unknown destinations that give you a different and sometimes better experience than you ever imagined. Florida has many different kinds of terrain to offer to hikers of all accomplishments. It does not take a mountain trail to create a great a great trip. Florida has a tropical edge that is not recreated anywhere else in the US.

Florida has an excellent trail system that runs the whole length of the state. South Florida boasts and area called Big Cyprus that has been made famous by local photographer Clyde Butcher. The South Florida Everglades offer a complex system of lakes and marshes that offer all kinds of different experiences. Hike alongside lakes with beautiful palmetto and pine trees. You can even take an excursion on an airboat that skims along the water powered by an engine with an airplane propeller. 

How to Buy Digital Camera Equipment

There are so many digital cameras that it can be confusing trying to buy digital camera equipment. Here are some tips to help you decide which the best choice is for you and buy digital camera equipment that you will get the best results with:

• The first step before you buy digital camera equipment is to set a basic budget on how much money you want to spend. You do need to be realistic about the fact you won't be able to get the best of every feature, as you may have to make tradeoffs when you actually buy digital camera equipment.



Throughout the years, the swing plane has always been one of the most difficult things to understand. Hopefully, I can simplify this difficult subject so you can achieve the proper swing plane in your golf swing.

I like to use the image of a weight swinging on a piece of string to illustrate the swing plane. What would happen if you picked up a weight on a piece of string and started to twirl it? Assuming your hand was on a 45 degree angle in front of you and not tilted left or right, the weight would make a circular arc around your hand causing the weight to swing down the line. If the weight was allowed to swing freely, it would do the same thing on one side as it does on the other. That means it would be swinging on a perfect plane around your hand.


When you look to purchase a chess set, you two different options in front of you: 

• Choose a combination of pieces and a board that has been pre-selected for you
• Individually choose the chess pieces and the chess board for you own chess set

With both options, there are a couple of things that you want to keep in mind. The first is price. Choose a chess set that is built to last. You are going to have many memories attached to your set, and one of the best things that you can do is to keep the set around for generation to enjoy. Always buy the highest quality set that you can afford. 



"To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill." -- Sun Tzu, The Art of War 

A lot has been said about martial arts. There's a lot punching, kicking, and wrestling involved - all considered as systems and tools of brutal force. This notion or preconceptions about the martial arts were developed, in a large measure, due to films and movies that depicted the combative arts as a


Many golfers in northern climates may think the season is over. Or at least until that next business trip or Thanksgiving vacation. Living in Colorado, I've played in all types of conditions to quench my thirst for the links. Since I can't guarantee when that one sunny November day in the Twin Cities or Boston will be I've limited my suggestions to warmer climates. 

There are three reasons why golf in November is ideal. 

As with garden sheds, there are two ways to build a greenhouse: you can either buy the sheets of glass and the frame and do it yourself, or you can hire a professional. However, building agreenhouse can be a lot harder than building a garden shed, which is why even experienced DIY enthusiasts might want to think about calling in some professional help.

The main reason greenhouses are difficult to build is the material that they're made from: glass. If you drop glass or install it wrongly, it will shatter, meaning that any mistakes you make will start to get expensive fast. Would you put in your own windows? If not, you probably shouldn't be building a greenhouse. Ifgreenhouses are built incorrectly, not only is it dangerous, but it is unlikely that any of your plants will actually grow properly. Also, it is very difficult to build greenhouses when the sun is shining, as you will get very hot – it's easier to do it in the winter or the night, but then those are hardly ideal building conditions either.

It can also be complicated to install the necessary irrigation and air circulation systems that a greenhouse needs to function well, although this is less of a problem in a small greenhouse.

If you are going to hire a professional to either build yourgreenhouse for you or help you, however, make sure that they have the relevant certification and qualifications. Because glass is such a dangerous material, you should steer clear of anyone who seems confident but inexperienced, and only hire someone who knows what they're doing, even if it is at a relatively high price. If you're having trouble finding someone, contact the company that sold you the greenhouse originally, as they should have a list of registered installers in your area. 



Although regular aerobic activity is important to the health and wellbeing of everyone, far too many people make the crucial mistake of assuming painful, strenuous workouts are the most productive way to exercise.

The startling fact is that moderate exercise - with the prime example being walking - may be an even more effective way to exercise, especially if you need to lower your blood pressure, and definitely if you're just beginning your fitness program.

Before starting any new fitness program - especially if you haven't exercised in a while or if you have medical problems - you should always consult your doctor first. Your doctor might even suggest you change some of your lifestyle habits such as your diet or medications in addition to starting an exercise program.

A doctor's prior approval is especially important since some activities can cause your blood pressure to rise to potentially dangerous levels. Recent research shows that vigorous exercise in unfit individuals may actually be harmful and should be avoided unless tolerance to the exercise has been built up over a reasonable period of time. 

On the other hand, numerous studies have proven people who exercise moderately and regularly are more likely to have blood pressures in the healthy ranges. 

Different types of exercise obviously depend on your fitness levels, but cycling, walking, swimming, are excellent choices for starting a fitness program. For each of these options, you can easily control your work level and your progression so that you keep your blood pressure within a healthy range during the activity and eventually lower your resting blood pressure.


Progression is vital to the success of your fitness program. Start slowly so that your body has time to adjust and adapt. Remember, one of the main reasons people give up and quit new fitness programs after just a few weeks it that they try to work too hard, too soon.

If you decide to start a walking program, for example, start slowly by walking two or at most three times a week for ten to fifteen minutes at a time at a leisurely pace. Gradually increase either your pace or time each week. After a couple of months, you can increase the number of weekly sessions, too.

If you decide to join a health club, you should start with a qualified personal fitness professional who will take all medical history into account and help you design an appropriate fitness program.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure leads to many different medical problems such as stroke, coronary disease, andkidney disease, so it's crucial you do everything you can to control your blood pressure. Gradual progression is the key to keeping your blood pressure under control, maintaining your weight loss, avoiding injury and ensuring long term success


There are hobbies and household chores that involve physical activity. With a little imagination, you can have fun doing them and convert them into real body workouts. Here are some examples:

GARDENING 
All the gardening activities such as squatting, bending, stretching, trimming, and sweeping are good exercise if done regularly. If possible, try not to use the water hose for watering plants. Instead, fetch a pail of water from the water source to the plants, alternately using your right and left hand in carrying the pail.

One of the hottest trends in fitness today is Pilates. Pilates is a combination of different body movements that is designed to strengthen, stretch and balance the body.

This body conditioning routine is designed and founded by Joseph H. Pilates. He designed his exercise program by including precision, breathing, concentration, and control.

One of Pilates' benefits is the improvement of lung capacity because the exercise incorporates deep and heavy breathing. The mind and the muscles are both coordinated in an effective Pilates workout so the strength and flexibility of the abdomen, back, and stabilizer muscles is achieved. Furthermore, the body's posture, strength and balance are also improved. With these many benefits, overall health and well-being will surely be improved.

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