Searching Los Angeles Real Estate Listings on Your Own

Every day, a large number of individuals make the decision to buy a new home. If you are one of those individuals, do you already have a home in mind? If you do, how did you find that home? A large number of individuals use a real estate agent when searching for a new home, but others are able to search on their own. Despite finding your own home, you still may want to seek assistance from a real estate agent.

When it comes to real estate agents, there is a misconception that many individuals mistakenly believe in. This misconception involves a real estate agent?s ability to offer assistance to new home buyers. There are many individuals who mistakenly believe that real estate agents only assist homeowners that are selling their homes. If you are interested in buying a new home, you are encouraged not to believe this popular misconception. Doing so can prevent you from acquiring the assistance that you may need.

As previously mentioned, many individuals are able to find their own home. This is most often done from a real estate listing. Los Angeles has a large number of homes that are listed on the real estate market. Potential buyers can view real estate listings by reviewing their local newspaper, local real estate guides, or by using the internet. Unfortunately, many individuals believe that since they found their dream home on their own, they can purchase it on their.

Purchasing a home can sometimes be a long, difficult, and frustrating task. That is why a large number of individuals seek assistance from a real estate agent, even if they have already found a home through a local real estate listing. Los Angeles has a large number of real estate agents; therefore, you may be wondering which real estate agent you should select.

If you already found the home that you are interested in purchasing, you may want to consider obtaining the services of the real estate agent whom the home is listed with. Doing so would likely speed up the process of purchasing the home. This is because when two different real estate agents are involved, one for buying and one for selling, communication is often difficult or delayed.

To determine which agent the home is listed with, you are encouraged to review the real estate listing. Los Angeles homes are almost always listed with local real estate agents. If you are from out-of-town, working with a local agent may be beneficial, in more ways than one. If you are unfamiliar with the Los Angeles area or the agent feels the home is not the perfect match for your needs, they may offer you valuable information and assistance. This assistance is often difficult to find elsewhere.

Brad Horn is a writer for 1 percent realtor where you can find a great resource for information regarding Los Angeles Real Estate Listings

Diaper Caddies as Baby Gift Baskets for New Parents

When I was first home with my newborn baby girl I often found as I was trying to feed and care for her, that what I needed always seemed to be in another room. If I needed a burp cloth, I had left the clean one in the kitchen. If I was up to my elbows in a dirty diaper in the nursery and desperately needed the box of baby wipes, I had left that in the livingroom. I did a lot of sprinting from room to room retrieving supplies.

When I was first home with my newborn baby girl I often found as I was trying to feed and care for her, that what I needed always seemed to be in another room. If I needed a burp cloth, I had left the clean one in the kitchen. If I was up to my elbows in a dirty diaper in the nursery and desperately needed the box of baby wipes, I had left that in the livingroom. I did a lot of sprinting from room to room retrieving supplies.

Once my daughter was a few months old, an idea came to me for a diaper caddy. The caddy could be stocked with a days worth of supplies and easily carried from room to room. The caddy would hold a wipes container snuggly in place and, of course, it had to be well-made and stylish. I made a prototype and upon demand from friends and family began selling them as baby shower gifts. Let us look at some suggestions for its use.

This caddy is made of a very high quality shaker-style basket, which, unless jumped on by your child, will last until the little cherub goes to college. Real wood dividers are crafted and set inside the fabric-lined basket - this creates cubbies and a center compartment which will hold any of the major-brand plastic wipes containers.

New moms have told me that they restock the caddy usually in the morning, with 4-6 burp cloths and 10-12 diapers. The most popular finds in the other four compartments are diaper cream, cornstarch powder, pacifiers, the nasal bulb syringe (as all new parents know as he sucker), lanolin (for the nursing moms), rattles and I've been told it's a great t.v. remote holder (although I do not promote this use, I will admit the importance of knowing the proximity of the remote during middle-of-the-night feedings).

I know a mom whose baby is 7 months old who stocks the basket in the a.m. with a days worth of clean outfits. She brings the basket downstairs to the livingroom for the day. Because the wooden dividers are removable, the basket can be used to store memorabilia such as photos and baby's firsts' when its use as a diaper caddy is no longer needed.

The SaraBear Diaper Caddy makes a unique and stylish new baby gift for the new parents. They can be purchased online as is or as beautiful baby gift baskets at www.sarabearbaskets.com.

Copyright Melissa Bramlage, All Rights Reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melissa is a mother of one with a baby on the way, a Registered Nurse and owner of http://www.sarabearbaskets.com where you will find her original diaper caddy and baby gift baskets.

New York Without Luggage Reservations or Fresh Socks

New York is an impossible place - an overbuilt island with a nasty climate, horrendous traffic and . . .magic. What's not to love? Our day trip to Manhattan was typical John and Laura - last minute. It was post Christmas and very cold after a snowstorm. The sky was bright blue and the wind was piercing as we stood at the bus stop in John's New Jersey hometown - Kearny. I, weak and pathetic after years of mild L.A. weather, huddled in a nearby store while John, the native, stood in the cold without gloves or scarf. He deigned to wear a hat, at least. I had in my pocket $40, an American Express card and a lipstick. Oh yes, and a one use camera. Little did I know we wouldn't be back in Kearny for almost two days.

We took the excellent DeCamp Buslines bus over, warm and comfy. I watched the gritty landscape pass by, crumbling and winter-cracked overpasses, plenty of graffiti, salt-beaten cars. This is not a romantic way to get to NYC but a warm one. My dad the Scottish immigrant actually arrived via ocean liner and his first sight of America was of the Statue of Liberty. He even passed through immigration at Ellis Island. Now that's an arrival in New York. We got off at the grungy Port Authority where a taste of the winter wind had even John admitting he needed a scarf. He bought a post Christmas bargain for $6. One thing you can do and want to do in New York is walk and we were soon warm enough as we marched out into the late morning and headed to the Metropolitan Museum. The place was thronged with families off school and work, plenty of art students and a well-organized staff. I was finally warm and very reluctant to get into the long coat check line and surrender my security blanket, but the line moved fast and we soon had our coat tags and dove into the crowds. John knows his modern art and we visited a lot of his favorites after an elegant snack in the caf. The American Express card got its first of many uses there. We then traded off putting up with exhibits for each other. I examined the vintage baseball card collection for him and he joined me for the costume exhibit, focusing on the Duke and Duchess of Windsor's elaborate clothing. God those two could really dress - but then again maybe that was all they really had to do. . .

A couple of hours in a museum was plenty for us so out into the air we went. It was warmer at last. I hadn't been to New York since a lone high school trip many years before, so I had to see some of what I had seen before just to compare notes with myself. Central Park was easy since it borders on the Met. Yep, still a big beautiful park. In winter kids were sliding down the modest hills and dogs romped - well they were dogs whose owners lived on the park so maybe they sashayed. The Plaza Hotel was also on the list of places to revisit. The lobby was as lavish as I remembered but it seemed smaller. Do all things shrink year by year? Or are they so big in your memory the present can never match the past?

New York is one of those places where the present does exceed the past, because it always has something new to show you. Last time I had done three theater shows, had a carriage ride through Central Park, visited the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building, watched the St. Patrick's Day parade, all in four days. So this time I could relax, right? Well why relax in New York? We had cellphone numbers for our respective friends and were secretly grateful when we couldn't reach any of them. The night would be ours - the plan was to catch a late bus, train or something back before they all stopped running. Rather than the subway, we used our all day transit passes and took the aboveground buses, which may not seem hip but run all the time and stop at convenient places. Cabs are not the necessity you might think they are. John wanted to show me the Village, one of the places where he had lived during his 6 years in the city. Dusk came quick and our first stop was an Internet caf to check email. That's when the idea to stay over started brewing. Maybe we could get some kind of online deal for a last minute hotel for that night. We mulled it over at venerable McSorley's, a beer-only bar where women were not allowed until the '80's. The waiter remembered John and found us seats in the raucous holiday crowd. We somehow ended up at a table of college friends reuniting after stints in Arizona - or were they all headed to Arizona? The beers were flowing and the facts got fuzzy. They took our picture - recording us for posterity in the kind of winter get-up we'd never be wearing in California. McSorley's serves two kinds of beer - light and dark, both their own brews. Snacks consist of cheese, onions and hot mustard. And, oh yeah you have to order beers in sets of two, no splitting. Sawdust on the floor and dark wood complete the picture. After the beers it seemed to make sense to stay over and spend a great New York night without worrying about catching a bus back to New Jersey. We booked the Soho Grand for an okay rate and knew one thing for sure: at last we would be sleeping on a smooth surface after four sleepless nights on a sheet stretched over lumpy rocks - otherwise known as the ancient family guest room mattress.

Before the Grand was dinner - we decided to walk around and look for a likely place. John has no trouble asking local-looking people where they like to eat and they were happy to help. What's this rumor about bitter New Yorkers? Of course I was introduced as the visitor from L.A. so they had all the more reason to be sure I got something besides sprouts, tofu and sunflower seeds. We stopped in for raw oysters and champagne at a small but packed restaurant. It got to be around 9 and we figured we had a shot at getting into Balthazar without a reservation. Sure enough, we only had to wait about 45 minutes at the bar, pacing ourselves on the drinking by this point, believe you me. Dinner was quite wonderful, though I let myself get talked out of a local fish - cod - and talked into Chilean sea bass, which is unavoidable in L.A. restaurants The waiter had obviously spent his childhood pushing cod around his plate and pretending he'd finished it. John's ravioli was phenomenal and led to him to keep perfecting his pasta and ravioli from scratch.

We rolled to the Grand with no bags to check in - I didn't even have a purse. I don't lug purses around as they are a drag to carry and a magnet for muggers. We stopped at a bodega and bought a toothbrush, toothpaste and contact lens solution for me - $9, not a bargain but who cared? We then hit the hotel and noted the hopping scene at the bar - and walked right past it. We fell into bed and slept blissfully - though by morning's light we discovered the room was tiny. Didn't this used to be an old SRO hotel? They certainly didn't increase the room size when it was converted to a profit center. John pointed out the view from our window and what it was missing - the World Trade Center. Solemn moment.

We got a late check out and debated what to do. Well, eating was going to happen, but first some great walking and a truly wonderful cup of coffee at a place we ducked into. Don't ask me the name. New York is teeming with picturesque side streets with tiny cafes, shops, galleries and what not. We ended up at Veselka around 2 p.m. This is a classic Eastern European restaurant at 10th and 2nd Avenue. I got stuffed cabbage and borscht and even went for dessert. We read the NY Times at our window table and watched the world go by. But the break was over. One of the people we were to meet at last returned a cell call. Okay, I admit it, we turned the phone off for hours so as to be unreachable. I mean, ahem, conserve the battery. We arranged to meet him in midtown and walked all the way (40 blocks or so, but John the native assured me they were the short blocks, not the crosstown blocks). The walk took us across the strange diagonal which Broadway becomes and I started to get a feel for the geography of the city, something that's hard to do in a cab, bus or car. We met my friend for drinks at another guys' bar with an after work crowd culled from Wall Street. John had a White Russian that seemed to be made with maple syrup. More of a beer and scotch place I guess.

Then it was time for a hellish run to the Port Authority, both needing to find a bathroom and desperate to catch the bus in time to make it back to Jersey and a long-arranged night with the family at the Scots-American social club. Back in Jersey, Manhattan was a vision across the water again. John's brother-in- law Joey kept the wine and beer going as it was his night to tend bar, but after the night before we kept it light. I persuaded my native hosts to go back to Manhattan the next day, this time to hit the Natural History Museum. We drove over with John's Pop at the wheel of his car, nice enough to drive to a city he hates. He used to have a sidewalk stand in the Village, where John sold his original paintings as well. He reminisced about those days, and the really old days, when he met John's mom at a Catholic dance in 1949 and by age 18 was married.

We tried for close to 25 minutes to find parking near the museum and actually succeeded. Pop and I were on the lookout for a spot while John napped, still catching up on sleep after another night back on the lumpy mattress. He woke up just in time to find a spot for us, claiming we needed his expertise. Okay, but who drove up and down ten square blocks until we found an undiscovered street? Now I was feeling the real New York. Scour the place for parking or pay the astounding rate of $24 for 2 hours. Pleased with our find, we trudged to the museum where a huge line meant we could not possibly get in. What to do?

How about a trip to Hoboken? But first I felt I had to see Ground Zero. It was a crisp December Saturday as we edged through typically hellish traffic down to the tip of Manhattan. Everyone had warned me that it was just a big hole in the ground surrounded by a chain link fence. We couldn't park or get much closer but circled a little. I could see the fence was decorated - and perhaps still is - with tattered mementoes of the dead. Pictures, ribbons, poems, posters. A faded picture of a young woman stays in my mind. She is smiling in a stiff pose; maybe it's some kind of studio shot. I glimpsed hawkers selling shirts, flags and buttons - the post Christmas vacation crowd had a festive feel but I didn't get close enough to feel the other vibe I knew was there. The sad one. And the angry one.

So it was back through the Lincoln Tunnel to Jersey. We toured Hoboken, where both John's parents were born. We drove past Sinatra's birthplace, very well marked and easy to find within the two square miles which is Hoboken. We then prepared to double or maybe even triple park, per tradition, outside Biggie's Clams. It was a 1940's social club/illegal gambling joint that served food so good it had become mostly a restaurant by the '50's. I had raw clams on the half shell and was very content. East coast seafood is cold water seafood, somehow brinier and crisper than the Gulf seafood where I grew up. Maybe there is an argument for cold climates after all.

We were soon back at Pop's, greeted by his cat Duke, standoffish as ever. The guys had managed to find a New York Times for me after three tries at local Kearny newsstands. They watched football and I read the paper. We drank hot tea and ate cake and it was hard to imagine that the high rises of New York were so close to this cozy middle class street. There was more eating that night. Italian food, of course. Huge portions for your average gavone - Italian for what I had become on the trip -someone who eats everything in sight. But, New York in the winter is made for eatingwhen in Rome.

Laura Glendinning is a travel writer and Content Director for www.threedayweekends.com

ANY BREAK IS A GOOD BREAKLaura Glendinning

There is something about that extra day tacked onto a weekend, be it a Monday or a Friday, which turns a getaway into a mini vacation. Of course three day weekends are a state of mind. One hree day weekend trip my boyfriend John and I took to Vegas started on Memorial Day Monday and ended on a Wednesday. We tend to take breaks just before or just after big holidays - you get better rates, better service and a lot fewer crowds. That trip we skipped our usual easy bargain booking for midweek Luxor (always clean, excellent bathrooms) and made a blind Hotwire bid on a Vegas Strip 5 star hotel and ended up in the mind-boggling Venetian for an unheard of price - under $100 a night including service fees. Lots of California people fly to Vegas, Tahoe or San Francisco, but we seem to end up driving to our breaks, partly because the dog kennel we use is right off the 10 freeway and often on the way, partly because getting on the road means the vacation has already started. When you add up getting to the airport early, parking, waiting to board, being inspected, then collecting baggage at the other end, you are practically at the same number of travel hours. And on the plane, we don't get to eat one of John's patented toasted sandwiches. Somehow, the way he makes the sandwich means I actually eat mayonnaise, a substance I usually detest. Driving against the traffic (everyone else was heading back from the weekend away and oh what a stream of headlights we saw crawling along) we were hypnotized by the flashing lights of an outlet mall/casino combo at the border - Stateline, Nevada - and stopped in. Great bargains for men's wear, not so great for women's wear - but we didn't do a thorough search.

On that Vegas trip, we dragged our battered garment bag, with a freshly broken strap, across the lush marble-floored lobby, looking like refugees. We entered our suite-like room - with its canopy bed, step down tv lounge and huge marble bathroom (two sinks, a shower and a huge tub), pulled out the nice champagne we'd brought along in our cooler, pulled out our travel champagne glasses (if they break we don't care) and put on the plush robes the Venetian provides. A cable movie and champagne shook the dust off the road trip. The next couple of days in Vegas sometimes means the spa for me, for sure the sports bar for John, and our search for the stranger slot machines to play. The Ripley's Believe It Or Not slots actually reward you for answering trivia questions. Vegas is not really about thinking, but the times we've played the game we've gotten a few interested onlookers impressed with our ability to pull facts out of our brains. We toyed with the idea of hanging around the machines having a cocktail and helping other players answer their bonus questions but decided against it. Along the strip, the Barbary Coast has maintained its original kitsch, sandwiched between lush hotels who doubtless are sporadically trying to buy them out. The tables there are friendly and attract a mixed crowd of fairly low stakes players. Like, a lot of hotels, dealers display where they are from on their name tag. A tall, blond Czechoslovakian dealer at the Barbary Coast took John's blackjack stake away with breathless speed and efficiency. Was she paid by how many cards she dealt? She was so fast that the dealer at the next table actually seemed mad at her for ruining everyone's fun. His attitude was This is the Barbary Coast, we don't do that here. Good thing the sports book paid off for John phenomenally.

If you're into food, Vegas can be frustrating. Bargain buffets notwithstanding, to-order food is often pricey and mediocre. You can always count on chains for consistency (Vegas has branches of California Pizza Kitchen, Wolfgang Puck's, Chin Chin, and tons more), but part of a vacation is to try something new. We found two gems last visit. The two new places were both at venerable Ceasers, a survivor from the Rat Pack era which keeps re-inventing itself and staying near the top of the competitive heap on the Strip. At the Palm restaurant (also in NY and L.A.) there is a businessman's lunch for $15.95 - choice of soup or salad, choice of fish or filet mignon (!), and coffee. Wines by the glass are pricey but excellent. One of Caeser's food courts features such offerings as good southern bbq, roasted turkey sandwiches, and above average pastries.

As for dinner, we can't resist our old standby - The Four Seasons' Verandah restaurant. Their three course dinner special for around $30 is a great deal - cooked by a chef (not a kitchen worker), and always with a carefully designed menu. One night we learned there was most definitely a chef on hand as the man himself - beefy and affable - came out of the kitchen to talk when we had a question about how he made such perfect fish. I still use his halibut recipe - hot pan on the stove top, almost finish the fish, then transfer it to a cold un-oiled pan in a hot oven - but I digress. Even during the very hot summer, night time outdoor dining at the Four Seasons is quite pleasant, as you can sit by the pool. It's hard to come by quiet in Vegas, but here you get it - there is no gambling in the Four Seasons. If you want to gamble after dinner at the Verandah, the hotel is joined to Mandalay Bay by an air conditioned lobby.

We left town the next day, stopping at Ceasers , our new casual dining spot, for good coffee for the road - and contemplated a last attempt at the Ripley's slots. We decided to skip it and call it even when we learned the valet parking outside the coffee shop was free. We got on Interstate 15 and joined the weekday throng of truckers headed into California. Traffic was light 'cuz thanks to driving an off time. We cruise to Interstate 10 and can't be at the kennel soon enough for the dogs. I am sure the dogs know when we are getting close but I always call the kennel keeper to warn her. Humans need advance notice for what dogs already know. The sound of an approaching car sets off every dog in the kennel but the barking settles down once the fellas see us and know they are hopping in the convertible and heading home. Bert the shepherd sits in the middle facing forward to make sure we are following the right route. The other two mutts, Buster and Louie, lounge in the back, hanging their heads out the window, the kennel already forgotten. We never make the trip home without a few kids waving and pointing at the funny people with three dogs.

At least picking them up involves a lot less guilt than dropping them off, but sorry boys - there will always be another three day weekend ahead.

Laura is a travel and screenplay writer living in Los Angeles, CA. She is also content director for www.threedayweekends.com, a on-line travel site.

TrekShare - Crashing a Laos Wedding - Part 2Joseph Kultgen

Public Service Announcement: Drinking and driving is bad. With that said Ive drank and drove a few times in my day and have puked in the back of cars while someone drunker than me was at the wheel. My question wasnt meant to be judgmental but rather compassionate. They were drunk; the streets were dark and littered in potholes. When all is said and done I know I would have jumped on the back of either of their scooters. I just needed assurance that we werent going to take some drunken steroid infested crotch rocket ride reminiscent of high school. Youve got to hate crap like that.
The next portion of our conversation seemed to flow like there was no language barrier at all. Ton explained that he was careful to make the necessary judgements to drive safely. This wasnt one of those times when someone drinking shouldnt drive. This was one of those times a person uses his judgement correctly. The idea of harming himself or another person was foreign to him. This appears to be the norm in a society built upon few enforceable laws but harsh penalties for living. His outlook was refreshingly unique. Most of us live in a world where we arent trusted to make our own judgements. He has no choice.
I soon discovered upon exiting the gala that it had never been their intention to drive. The party was just down the street. The energy reached a fevered pitch as we rounded the corner and entered the rear of the brides house. I walked stoically onto the back patio with my head held low. I do this for a variety of reasons. The primary reason I do this is in my everyday life is because I find if I look up the craziest wacko will undoubtebly engage me in a conversation.
I did it in Laos as a sign of respect. Bowing is an integral aspect of the salutation and this way I was half way there. The depth at to which you bow and the duration all reflect your position in life relative to the person you are addressing. The corresponding hand positions are difficult if not impossible to master by anyone except for the natives so I dont suggest trying. Just keep your head low and dont look someone in the eyes unless you are given indication that its appropriate to do so. Two more reasons to keep your chin low. Lets just say that walking into a communist country like a goddamn red, white and blue peacock perpetuates certain stereotypes that affect our relationships with other countries. The second reason is simpler. People taller than the mean height of 53 will ultimately take a roof of the house to the noggin sometime during their stay in this vertically challenged land. About 40 people were comfortably dispersed in 4 primary groups. One group was inside the house and used the back patio door to supply food, drink and a constant flow of new people to the party. One of the people in this group was Ponds wife who we unfortunately didnt get to meet. She was too busy working behind the scenes. I assume its a traditional bonding time for the mother, bride and her girls.
The second group was dancing around a tree just brought out by a woman from inside the house. It was the Lamvong dance, except they were all circling the tree together. It was a small space so I can see why. The third group was a table of primarily older men drinking and a rare 2 smokers. Not many people smoke in Laos and this was the first time I saw anyone smoking in such a public space. I greeted what to me looked like the oldest guy at the table. I would say he was about 48. This is old in a country with an average life expectancy is 54 years old. He was also one of the smokers. Yeah right. Smoking kills. We grabbed two seats at the ends of the old-guys table and spurted out kop chi li li another 30 or so times.
A fourth group congregated along a makeshift bar situated behind us on the perimeter of the lawn and street. This is where the guys who brought us to the party set up camp. Within about 6 seconds of sitting down a 1/3 full glass of BeerLao was between my eyes. I took a drink and watched my friend Paul try to explain that he would prefer soda water. It was basically a long-running joke at this point into our 5-day Laotian trek. I cant explain how foreign the concept of abstaining from drinking is to the Laotian people. Laotians dont have any concept of not drinking because of personal choices. Many people dont drink often because it doesnt bode well with their health, but this wasnt the case. Lets just say it wasnt the first time people would be brought into hysterics upon a toast from Pauls soda water. It only got funnier each of the 25 additional times he declined a drink.
Being able to consume and abuse almost anything at our discretion is not the situation in Laos. There isnt the same kind of access to external factors. Their gentle personalities and suspicious nature is a reflection of their lack and oftentimes desire of material goods. This is ideologically different than western capitalism principals that are slowly being adopted since 1990. Not to mention the U.S. did conduct a secret war in 1973 that left it the most bombed country of the Vietnam War. I know you probably dont want a history lesson, but the rational was to cut off the northern trade routes of the Ho Chi Min Trail in order to curtain the spread of communism. There I said it. A few short minutes later a sharply dressed Pond walked into the party. He wore a purplish blue iridescent silk oxford with the sleeves rolled up. Both his wrists were tightly wrapped in a white cloth rope traditional Lao boxing style. He looked like a bad ass as he sat down between me and Paul. Pond quickly got offered a drink from one of the 4 people who were circling the table like vultures looking for sober victims. A variety of drinks were being served. Variety, however, is a relative word in Laos. No apple martinis or cosmos - just whiskey and beer. Up until this point I had only drank Whiskey Lao and Tiger whiskey, which appear to be the two competing, brands. At 8000 kip ($.80) per bottle I was happy to see the party upgraded to a bottle each of Johnny Walker Red and Black. One woman also carried around a pitcher of diluted whiskey and water. This is what you drank when you wanted to stop drinking. The great aspect of drinking in Laos is the one glass rule or in this case one glass and one-shot glass rule. This ensures that when you are given a drink you pound it immediately. In general when drinking beer in Laos the person who buys the 40s-esqe glass bottle pours a drink for himself before offering the glass to the surrounding people. This is brilliant for 2 main reasons. The beer stays cool and fewer dishes are made for our bride throwing the party.
Pond, myself and the rest of the people at the party continued to drink and speak in whatever means we possibly could. A lot of time was just spent laughing enjoying the collective moment we were sharing together. Paul excused himself after the party turned into an alternative version of the century club. One drink per minute for 100 minutes. It was probably during the 58th minute when the food came to the table. Traditional Lao drinking food. Rather than pretzels and buffalo wings the Lao people make extraordinary hot mango salads to entice drinking. Id eaten a super hot mango salad in Thailand just days before so I was aware what I was in for. The dish was passed immediately to me and the elder at the table began aggressively coaxing me to take a bite. I grabbed the spoon and took a small bite hoping to overt their attention. This really didnt work. Now I was being ostracized for my lack of bite. The elder took the large Chinese soupspoon and started burying it deep in the salad. His eyes and the 12 other leering pairs made it apparent I needed to bring my game to the table. I grabbed back the large spoon and made a single aggressive swoop into the salad. The spoonful of salad I pulled out was about as much as the spoon was designed to hold. Unfortunately it is nearly impossible to dump out any overabundance from the deep metal spoon because of their high vertical edges. Not much else to do but take the bite. I dont remember what happened for the next 3 minutes. I do remember about 3 minutes later feeling like my head was going to spontaneously combust and that I had probably not been breathing for the three minutes prior. Once my eyes rolled back around to the front of my head I noticed a very concerned elder offering me a shot of whiskey. This is only the second time in the evening I refused a drink. Instead I opted for an outstretched glass of BeerLao. After a quick shot of beer I lunged for the shot of whiskey and then a glass of diluted whiskey. Its a pretty amazing situation when a shot of whiskey is smoother than a hot mango salad. In retrospect I should have taken the shot first. These guys knew what they were doing. Im pretty sure Paul had returned by this point to witness my hiccuping frenzy caused by the ridiculouslly hot food. The guesthouse was locked and instead of waking up the owners twice he opted to come back to the party. What a considerate guy! The night progressed in this standard fashion for a while until Pond excused himself from the table. Much of the rest of the table cleared at this point and headed in separate directions.
Group #4 hanging out by the back bar was still in full stride. It was time for the friends and youngsters to take the reigns of the party. One of the 10 or so twenty year olds was strumming a guitar and a variety of other guys were intermittently interjecting lyrics. We werent going to leave the party without listening to some tunes. After the first few songs the guitar was extended our way. Paul was always up for hacking out some obscure song that no one in Laos had ever heard of. To be honest unless you knew Betterman by Robbie Williams, a little Nsync or the its a hip - a hop - a hip song they probably would have no clue. Paul broke out a funky upbeat song that got the crowd clapping - although at a very different beat than the song suggested. Next we broke out Creep and some of the guys joined us in singing the melancholy mumbling of Radiohead. It was probably the loudest we ever sang that song. Pretty soon DJ Jacky Joe was at the stereo plugging in burnt CDs from Malaysia and Thailand. Most of the music was completely unfamiliar to me, but there was a couple of compilation CDs that caught my eye. I recognized 2 songs. The Final Countdown by Europe was the first track and I hadnt passed this song by since 1985; so why start now? The crowd seemed to like my selection based on the amount of air guitar I saw being played. Next up was a little Beat It by Michael Jackson. Unfortunately this was the worst karaoke version of Beat It Ive ever heard. In retrospect the complete lack of knowledge of Michael Jackson has got to be a good thing for any society. The party slowly unwound into a sparing match between a 4-foot tall Bruce Lee fanatic and myself. After a few tornado kicks, a mock punch to my nuts and a lot of posturing it was time to go.

This experience opened my eyes to a country that first started allowing Westerners to enter in 1989. Our knowledge and experiences are skewed by the boundaries and institutions we place ourselves. It was wonderful to escape to a place where those boundaries are outside any field I have ever walked.

2003 TrekShare LLC - Reprint with Permission.

Joseph Kultgen is co-founder of www.trekshare.com and has been writing the monthly newsletter - TrekNews - for the past 3 years. He is a contributer to STA Travel and Gap literature as well as a co-creator of TrekTV.

TrekShare.com - Crashing a wedding in Laos - Part 1Joseph Kultgen

Any reasonable person would think it slightly off-color to crash a wedding. When that wedding happens to be in Laos
who is to say if its inappropriate or not? Whom am I kidding? I was well aware of the potential drawbacks of dropping in on an event that I was clearly not invited. It
wouldnt be the first time leering eyes would be cast upon me as I casually pressed my way up to the buffet table. Lets regress for a minute. Some people might not know what the word crash means in the first sentence. For those of you who have been sheltered from large community centers/bowling alleys for the duration of your lives I can understand. Its been my experience that a bowling alley in the same venue as a wedding reception brings out the largest proportion of uninvited guests or what we like to call wedding crashers.
That certainly wasnt the case here. No bowling alleys in Laos! In particular no bowling alley that doubles as a reception hall. This of course is not a researched fact, but Im willing to bet anyone 100,000 kip that in two weeks you couldnt find any sign of the leisure sport of the drunk. Lawn bowling doesnt count. For all I know lawn bowling or occe ball is their national sport eclipsed only by badminton and a game of hands-free volleyball played with a wicker ball. The name eludes me almost as much as the skill needed to play the sport. The truth is I was hungry. A traditional Lao massage administered by blind women in the late afternoon completely wiped me out and I had just woken at 11PM from a 4-hour nap. If youre still reading this you might wonder how does one get wiped out from a massage. Arent these things supposed to be relaxing? Yeah and no. Primarily NO in my case. It appears that the muscles from my toes to my thighs dont like to be physically manipulated away from the bone as the massage suggests. For a mere 30,000 Kip or $3 US an hour massage from a skilled therapist seems like a great deal. That is if sometime in that hour you dont burst all the blood vessels in your face from wincing so hard. If my therapist hadnt been blind Im pretty sure she would have thought she was killing me. I would have felt like a puss so I broke out the yoga breathing and prayed not to succumb to hyperventilation.
Regardless, it was now 11PM and if I didnt move from my guesthouse quickly there would be little chance of finding any late night eatery in Luang Prabang. Places tend to close after the electricity cuts at 9PM. Things looked bleak upon leaving the guesthouse. There didnt appear to be any lights, tuk tuk drivers or for that matter people in site. There was, however, a clear path of music being generated from beyond the cement building horizon.
Sounded like a party. Parties oftentimes have food. So off we went. At this stage of the story I introduce you to my friend Paul who spent most of the duration of the night within earshot of me. It became clear to me as we rounded the first corner that the music was definitely coming from this street. It was time to move beyond my usual sloth like pace caused by the extreme heat and humidity. I could see a few motor scooters in the distance coming and going. As we got closer it became evident that this was the real deal. People were hopping on their Chinese mananufactured motor scooters in suits with beautiful Laotian women draped over the backs. They sit sidesaddle because their silk skirts or sins wraps tightly down to their ankles. A quick decision was needed as we approached the entry gate. Just walk in slowly and pretend Im not with the poorly dressed vagabond to my side. This wouldnt work. We entered the gate, saw about 20 people sitting at tables and another 30 or so under a wooden canopy dancing to live music. I noticed there werent any people doing the drunken hook-up stager that are so prevalent at weddings in the states. The vibe was comfortable, respectful and fully devoid of my wedding experiences. I made a b-line for the 15-foot buffet table. It was definitely the path of least resistance. It was obvious that everyone had finished eating at least 2 hours prior and the table was in the process of being taken down. Seemed fairly logical that I grab a spring roll and dowse it in some spicy papaya sauce before it becomes a leftover. Before I could even put the first bite in my mouth a pair of women rounded the table and handed us all the utensils we needed. Kop Chi Li Li or thank you spewed from mouth about 100 times in the next 3 minutes. They either liked the way I pronounced the phrase or had giant hearts because their smiles stretched from ear to ear. The buffet had what appeared to most of the staples of the Laos diet. There was a type of yellow chicken curry, some spicy beef, spingrolls, fresh vegetables and a giant vat of sticky rice. Within seconds of loading up our plates the two drunkest 20-year olds at the party pulled up four chairs for us. One for our plates and the other for our asses. Before even taking my first bit I had a 1/3 glass full of BeerLao between my eyes.
This is where the story takes a dramatic twist. It is not because I started drinking. Thats a little later. The twist is because this story is being composed for Break Magazine and they dont allow any references to drugs or alcohol. Therefore I have written two versions. The one where I drink myself to a point where I believe I can understand the Lao language is the version you are reading. Although we were given utensils I chose to forego the westernization of the land and eat using the dipping technique utilized by most people. Three bites in and once again a 1/3 full glass of BeerLao is between my eyes. The young man offering the glass was pimped out in a black tuxedo and appeared to be the kind of guy whom you should accept a drink from. Another kop chi li li, a swig from his glass and we were friends. I pulled up another chair for the special guest and we began to speak. The conversation took a slow start. Not because of tuxedo man, but rather because I had been so used to talking to people who spoke absolutely no English, that I was conversing like a trained monkey.
Shortly into the conversation I learned Pond was indeed the honored guest at what I learned was his wedding. The handsome 24-year old had just been hitched and he oozed elation. As I scarified down my food I learned he works for the Lao government as an AIDS educator. He also told us about a cousin of his who lives in NYC and his desire to my town. My door will always be open. Laotian men usually marry in there twenties. The bride is usually younger. She will most likely be from the same village and will probably be related in some degree because most villages are small. Couples choose each other, but the heads of both families decide when the couple will marry, where they will live, and what bride price must be paid to the girls father. This is usually in currency, although in olden times it was in livestock or grain. The grooms family delivers the bride price to the brides father on the day before the wedding. The grooms relatives parade to the brides house with gifts of food, tobacco, betel and so on. The groom makes his formal request for the bride. Her family, after a long-winded, purely ceremonial show of reluctance finally agrees. In the presence of a bonze or village elder, the couple is officially betrothed. The next day, the groom and his relatives again proceed to the brides house, where they make a great show of fighting and bribe their way into the yard. The groom must persuade the brides sister to wash his feet before he can ascend the steps to the house and claim his bride.
Divorce is rare in Laos, partly because each marriage concerns everyone in two large, extended families. If a marriage is dissolved, the bride price has to be returned, and there are endless complications concerning inheritance and land use. It is much more sensible to compromise. Working things out, in general, is the Laotian response to almost every conflict. Isnt that a novel idea? In the background we watched the nucleus of the party dance. Thankfully there are no traditions of the Marquerena or chicken dance in Laos. This is one of the things Im happiest about. Tonight they danced the Lamvong. Its a combination folk dance and courting ritual. Girls dance in place with short, rhythmic steps, while boys weave circles around them; no one touches. The faces of the dancers are completely expressionless, but their arms and hands wave in complicated patterns expressive of love and devotion. Frankly, unless you are Laotian, you will end up looking like a queen doing this jig. The groom apologized to us that the party we crashed was almost over. He insisted we accompany him to the parents of his wifes house for an after party. The two guys sitting next to us indicated that they would escort us to the party. Pond cordially dismissed himself and affirmed our attendance.
As soon as the 48-ounce bottle of BeerLao was cashed we would head out. As the pace and the amount of the beer in the glass increased I decided to engage the transportation question. I was pretty sure these guys had scooters. Frankly Im not a big fan of riding on the back of those things in any situation. In addition, I was positive both these guys were half in the bag. Through struggled words and gulps of beer I asked our new friends about drinking and driving.

Joseph Kultgen is co-founder of www.trekshare.com and has been writing the monthly newsletter - TrekNews - for the past 3 years. He is a contributer to STA Travel and Gap literature as well as a co-creator of TrekTV.

Author of Tablet PC Quick Reference by Microsoft Press recommends Actual Window Manager for Tablet PC owners

California Real Estate Market Gives Mixed Messages

In April 47,250 new and resale houses and condos were sold in the state of California. That?s down from 54,500 in March which is a drop of 13.3%. April of 2005 was one of the strongest months for real estate in California?s history. What a difference a year makes. Sales were down 21% from last April. Even though sales were down, prices were not.

In April of 2006, prices were up 10.2% from the same period a year ago. The average price of a home in California now is $562,380. Nearly 85% of the cities in California have shown an increase in prices since the same period last year. Since California trends are so important to the Real Estate market, the Real Estate market there is being watched very closely.

One market that is watched closely is the luxury home market. The feeling is in a market downturn, the luxury market will be one of the first markets to suffer. So what is happening in the luxury market in California? Lets take a look at these markets in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.

In Los Angeles values rose 0.1 percent from the previous quarter and 12.4 percent from a year ago. In Los Angeles the average luxury home was priced at $2.29 million.

In San Diego prices rose 0.9 percent from the previous quarter and 6.8 percent from a year earlier. The average luxury home in San Diego priced at $2.1 million. San Diego as a whole has been one of the most overheated markets in California, so the fact that luxury home prices continue to hold up there may be good news for the rest of the homeowners in San Diego for now.

In San Francisco prices were up 1.6 percent from the previous quarter and up 8.6 percent from the same period of time last year. The average price of a luxury home in San Francisco is $2.92 million.

So what direction is the California Market moving? There are investors cashing in on their profits and getting out, however most homeowners are not investors. Investors poured into lower priced markets during the recent boom and areas in Florida and Arizona have many residential investors. The market has started to reflect this. In Phoenix the real estate market is pulling back due to rising inventory from investors trying to cash in, however at this point you couldn?t call this a bust. In other areas of the country prices are still inching up.

In California the market is returning to normal conditions. It will take longer to sell a home and prices may stay flat or increase slowly.

So far the signs of market stress that would indicate a bust are not there. Down payments remain stable and speculation buying is moderate. The default rates are up, however these rates are still low.

Andrew Goldman is president of Metal Rabbit media services, the operator of http://www.carealestateinvest.com and http://www.Exchangetradedfundinvesting.com He has written a number of articles on finance and investment over the last ten years.

What has Tae Kwon Do Got to Do With Your Health?

Finding the right swimwear can be a fun and also a stressful experience. You want to look your best in the swimwear of your choice at the beach. Light, colorful beach clothing will make you feel comfortable and cool. Some of the varieties you can find in swimwear are the following:


Bikini -- This once-shocking is the granddaddy of fashion swimwear. Looks newest now in super-skimpy triangle, side-tie bottoms. Look for built-in push-up bras, underwire and sculpted cups for extra curves.

Tankini -- A variation of the bikini, has a longer top that leaves only a small portion of the tummy exposed. Don't want to expose your tummy at all? Go for the mock tankini.

Bandini -- A bikini with a bandeau (straight, striplike piece of fabric) top.

Camikini -- Same as the tankini except the top looks like a camisole.

Maillot -- One-piece suit (some creative types have even labeled a cut-out style the monokini).

Boy legs -- A longer leg resembling really short shorts. Careful here -- tends to make the leg look shorter-- but still a favorite silhouette.

Swimsuits are made of a material such as Lycra or Spandex that clings tightly to the swimmer but also permits a free range of motion. A swim cap worn over the hair and ears also helps to reduce the resistance a swimmer encounters when moving through the water. Swim goggles allow swimmers to see better under water. They also protect swimmers eyes from irritation caused by chlorine and other chemicals in the pool water, and from salt or pollution in natural bodies of water.

Give some thought to which style of swimsuit you feel you would look best in. Whether its one-piece or two-piece youll feel most comfortable in the bathing suit that gives you the most confidence. Swimwear has changed a lot over the years, from suits that were bulky and awkward to swim in to the ultra tiny string bikinis of today.


About the author:

Mike Yeager
Author/Publisher
http://www.a1-fashion-4u.com




A lot, if you value your physical health!

Tae Kwon Do is Korean Karate. It means The Way of the Hand and
Foot (punching and kicking). There are basically four sections
to the art: Toning, Sparring, Forms and Self Defense.

It is a well rounded exercise program that encompasses muscle
toning, stretching and flexibility, increasing strength and
stamina through aerobic sparring and mental challenges through
becoming proficient at the patterns or forms.

Most classes start out with warm-ups. These exercises are the
calisthenics such as push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks, trunk
rotations, squat kicks and various leg stretches. For certain
you will tighten your abs and strengthen your arms just from
performing the warm-up exercises. Before you know it, youll be
doing fifty knuckle or triangle push-ups at rapid-fire pace and
will be able to lean up against a wall and have someone lift your
leg up so that your toes touch the wall behind your ear. Tae Kwon
Do will definitely help you to become or to stay limber.

Sparring is fighting in a controlled environment. Its not
street fighting and all participants wear protective gear:
helmet, gloves, shin guards and feet guards, called kicks.
Usually you will spar in three minute rounds. Its basically
kick boxing. Then a minute rest; switch partners, then spar
again and repeat. You will get extremely hot and sweaty. Jab,
punch, upper cut, side kick, reverse punch, round house, hammer
fist, bob and weave and repeat. Its an excellent aerobic
exercise.

Learning the forms or patterns can really tax your brain. Many
of the forms have 26+ different movements. Its your job to
remember them, in order, and learn them proficiently. In theory,
by learning the forms, itll help you to become a better fighter.
For example, one form might start out: high block, front kick
punch left; high block front kick punch right. Turn 90 degrees,
down the center, knife hand left, knife hand right, knife hand
left, spear hand. And so it goes. If you master these, when it
comes time to spar, you can implement some of these patterns into
your match.

Many people enjoy Tae Kwon Do, or any martial arts for that
matter, because it is an all inclusive exercise program. Its
fun, its challenging, and its an excellent way to get in or to
stay in shape. As with any exercise program, start slowly and
consult your physician. If you havent participated in much
physical exercise in a while, your muscles will definitely be
very sore for the first few weeks. Dont be intimidated by the
other students may appear to be in better shape that you are.
Everyone started out as a white belt. Just have fun; and get
moving!


The information contained in this article is for educational purposes
only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any
disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any
health care program.



About the author:
Emily Clark is editor at Lifestyle Health News and Medical Health News
where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on
many medical, health and lifestyle topics.

Nursery Rhymes: A Childhood Tradition!

Giving Flax to Your Baby The Facts on Flax for Baby Toddler & the Whole Family

When can I introduce Flax and Flax Seed to my baby? Is Flax Good for Babies? What exactly is Flax and Flax Seeds and how will Flax benefit my baby?

Flax and Flax Seed is something that most of us have heard of either in passing or mentioned in an article somewhere. We know Flax is good for us and contains Omega 3's. Many people however have no idea where to buy flax, how to serve it and most importantly, when it may be introduce to baby and toddler. Our topic for October 2006 will introduce you to Flax. We'll show you how and when you may introduce Flax and Flax Seed to your baby!

As always, we recommend that you consult your pediatrician whenever you introduce your baby to a new food; generalities may not apply to your baby!

What is Flax?

Flax has been cultivated for centuries, it's cultivation can be traced back to the Stone Age even. The American Colonists grew flax to use it's fiber for making (linen) cloth and cultivated Flax for commercial production as far back as the 1700's!

Flax is a flowering perennial. It's flowers are plentiful and are amazing to see! Flax blooms from May through September. Flax is mostly grown in Canada and in the Northern Mid-West areas of the United States. Flax has amazing health properties and is a good source of healthy oils, fiber, and other essential nutrients for baby's (and adult's) health, growth and development. The three essential components of Flax that are wonderful for our bodies are:

• Omega-3 oils - You may recognize them as alpha-linolenic acid or ALA
• Lignans
• Fiber, both soluble and insoluble When Can My Baby Begin To Eat Flax?

Most often pediatricians will say that incorporating Flax into your baby's diet is safe around 7-8 months old. Ideally, you would begin offering you baby Flax in the form of either Flax meal (finely ground Flax Seeds) or Flax Oil.

How Much Flax Should I Offer my Baby?

We would recommend offering your younger baby no more than 1 tablespoon of Flax per day. Note that 3 teaspoons are equivalent to 1 tablespoon so you may add up to 3 teaspoons in several meals during a day. While one cannot really overdose on Flax, it is important to keep the dosage relatively low as Flax is a natural laxative. It is possible that very loose stools and/or diarrhea will occur with eating too much Flax. Many parents who give their babies Flax increase the amount once baby has turned 1 or 2 years old.

As with any new food, it is important that you watch out for any possible reactions. While Flax is not considered a high allergen, you still want to watch for any digestive upsets!

How Can I Add Flax to my Baby's Meals?

Many people add whole Flax Seeds directly to their baked goods and cereals. It has been found that the seeds may not prove to be as healthful as using the Flax Oil, Ground Flax or Flax Meal. The whole seeds may not break down enough in the digestive system to completely release all the wholesome and healthy goodness of the Flax.

Flax Oil, Ground Flax or Flax Meal may be added to your Baby's food in a variety of ways! (ensure your choice of foods is age appropriate for your baby!!)

• Add Flax Oil, Flax Meal or ground Flax Seeds to your baby's infant cereals
• Sprinkle Flax Meal or ground Flax Seeds in your baby's yogurt, mixed in or over baby's fruit pur?es, add it to veggie purees and meat/rice/veggie meals too!
• Flax Meal or Ground Flax is great in J&J's Baby Meatballs, meatloaf, fish cakes and homemade chicken nuggets too!
• Baked goods with added Flax Meal give your teething biscuits and rusks an extra nutritional boost too! Try Flax Meal or Ground Flax in Baby Cereal Pancakes too!
• Flax oil may be added to porridge, yogurt and anything else you may wish to add it to!

Can I Use Flax Oil as a Substitute for Other Oils in Cooking?

You cannot cook with Flax Oil as you do with Olive Oil! Flax oil will burn and go rancid when heated.

How do I store Flax?

Flax must be stored properly as it is very delicate. Whether you are using Flax Oil or Ground Flax, store your Flax in the refrigerator! Flax can go rancid very quickly and then it will be unhealthy to eat! Whole Flax Seeds are not as delicate and may be kept for up to 2 years in a dry cool sealed container.

How Will Flax Benefit My Baby's Health and My Family's Health?

One tablespoon of ground Flax Seed has about 40 calories, 2.3 grams of fiber and 2.8 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of which are omega-3s. Flax Seeds also contain Iron, some Calcium, Vitamins B-1, B-2, Vitamin C and E and some Vitamin E and carotene too! WOW! That's a lot of healthy nutrients packed into seeds!

Flax Oil is not as nutritious en masse as Ground Flax Seeds or Flax Meal. Your baby will still obtain all the Essential Omega 3 when using the Flax Oil however the protein and other nutrients decline when Flax Seeds are pressed into Flax Oil. It is worth grinding your own Flax Seeds or purchasing Ground Flax Seeds so that you can obtain all the healthy goodness of Flax!

Due to it's high soluble fiber content, Flax Seed or Flax Oil is a great natural laxative! Use Flax Seed Oil to help your baby with Constipation and to help keep the whole family on schedule!

Flax Resources & Learning More

• Flax Council of Canada - http://www.flaxcouncil.ca/english/index.php?p=home
• Seattle Times - What is Flax? - http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2003192279flax13.html
• Whole Foods - Flax Seed Information - http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=81

Margaret Meade is the Editor of http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com and is the mother of 3 boys. The boys were raised on all Homemade Baby Food; and since Mommy had been studying nutrition for many years, she knew homemade was best! Visit wholesomebabyfood.com and find out how easy it is to make your own baby food. Once you begin, good healthy eating habits will automatically flow!

Should You Buy Real Estate Now?

As has been reported in the media lately, the real estate market has cooled off dramatically. This raises the question of whether you should buy now or wait for a bit for prices to fall further.

Should You Buy Real Estate Now?

First off, timing anything in the financial arena can be a bit of a misnomer. History has shown that real estate is a good investment over time regardless of when you buy. Real estate also has the secondary benefit of being something you can actually live in even if the value drops, a dramatic difference from stocks which make very leaky homes. While stocks can be traded on a daily or hourly basis, the nature of homes is such that you pretty much have to sit on your investment for some time regardless of how the market is going. That being said, the market always heats up again. The time it takes for it to do so is time you can build equity in your property by paying down the mortgage.

If the market is cooling down now, does this present you with the golden opportunity to purchase properties at a discount now? Maybe or maybe not. Every location in the country is different. While formerly hot markets like San Diego are definitely beginning to stagnate, other local markets like Jacksonville are actually picking up. In practical terms, the first thing you need to do is evaluate what is happening in your local market.

If your local market is cooling down like much of the nation, you are definitely coming into a better position as a buyer. The reason primarily has to do with the timing of previous buyers during the hot phase of the real estate market. Those that got in during the beginning of run up, say five years ago, are sitting pretty on big appreciation gains and will be able to handle any temporary dip in prices. These people are not going to be interested in dumping their properties, but another group certainly is going to.

Imagine purchasing a property in March of 2006. You would have picked up the property at literally the highest point in the market. As real estate cools down, so does the value of your property. Demand for homes is dropping, which pushes prices down. Individuals that bought during the last year of the seller?s market are facing going upside down on the mortgages. Unfortunately, many of them have no realistic way of getting out of the mess. This means foreclosures by banks. Yes, it is going to be one of those periods again.

If you are considering buying, it may be worth waiting till the end of 2006 or early 2007 to see how the market is doing. My suspicion is prices will drop significantly as more and more properties come on the market.

Raynor James is with the site - FSBO America - homes for sale by owner.

Steel Arch Buildings

Steel arch buildings are pre-fabricated structures that can be designed to fit almost any situation. It is an affordable option providing temporary and permanent covers or structures for your investment. Steel arch buildings are very useful for a variety of applications including carport, agriculture and equipment storage, trucking, office or retail, garage kits, aviation application, storage sheds and workshops. Steel arch buildings are also perfect for government and military use.

Some of the benefits of steel arch buildings are strength, simplicity, expandability and clear span space. They can also be erected in remote areas, even in severe weather zones.

Most steel arch buildings are made of heavy commercial steel with galvalume, galvanized, or stainless steel coating. These are available from 6 ft to 280 ft in width with unlimited lengths. Steel arch buildings are offered in a wide number of models. Some of the popular steel building styles are A-model, S-model and Q-model.

The A-model comes with high sidewalls and a peaked roof. It is great for residential and commercial purposes including backyard shops, garages, woodworking shops and equipment and supplies storage. These are available in 16' to 90' widths.

The S-model is best suited for distribution centers, warehouses, storage sheds, heavy equipment storage and aircraft hangars. The S-series features high sidewall clearance and a column free interior. The column free interior provides maximum floor space.

The Q-series is suitable for bulk material storage, architectural applications and livestock shelters. These are available from 20' to 120' widths. Apart from these models, some manufacturers offer building styles such as R-model, T-model and X-model.

These versatile structures can be easily customized according to individual needs. Steel arch buildings are great protectors for all your assets and satisfy all the requirements of customers. Compared to conventional wood structures, steel arch buildings are very simple and easy to erect. Any kind of heavy equipment is not required for the erection.

Most manufacturers offer warranty programs and easy to follow instruction manuals. A full line of accessories including doors, vents, windows, hatches, ventilator systems and ladders are also supplied.

Steel Buildings provides detailed information on Steel Buildings, Commercial Steel Buildings, Pre-Fabricated Steel Buildings, Steel Storage Buildings and more. Steel Buildings is affiliated with Metal Building Kits.

How to Get PSP Games Quickly And Easily..

Do you know the lastest PSP games nowadays? Or how cool would it be
to be able to play old Nintendo or Sega games on your PSP?

Just like the PlayStation 2, the PSP was designed to do more than play
games, though playing games is, of course, its main function. So how
does the PSP hold up in comparison to other handheld game consoles like
Nintendo's GBA and DS? And is it any good as an MP3 player or a portable
video player? PSP is the first truly integrated portable entertainment
system designed to provide consumers with a comprehensive entertainment
experience including music, movies, communication, and wireless networking.
PSP features graphics rendering capability comparable to that of the
PlayStation 2, allowing users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality,
full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio. The PSP also adopts a
newly developed proprietary, compact, but high-capacity optical disc,
Universal Media Disc (UMD), as its storage medium. Personally, I think
it's a great machine all around, and I use most of its functions on a
regular basis.

As its name suggests, the PSP -- or PlayStation Portable -- is a smaller,
lighter version of Sony's PlayStation. It's not as powerful as the PS2,
but more powerful than the original PlayStation, and it has a built-in
screen and speakers so you don't have to plug it in to anything to use it.

Unlike the PlayStation or PlayStation2, the PSP comes equipped with Wi-Fi,
so you can connect with other players wirelessly and, if your firmware is
version 2.00 or higher, get online to browse the internet.

But what about the games ?The good news is that there are around 30 games
out now, with more to come before Christmas

The highlights are Virtua Tennis World Tour and World Tour Soccer. The former
is a cracking tennis game that is highly addictive and has a real one more
go feel. WTS meanwhile, is a surprisingly decent footy game, that does the
decent thing and rates Southampton as better than Spurs.

Other games to watch include MediEvil Resurrection - a well-presented hack n'
slash - and the driving game Ridge Racer.

Sports fans are well catered for on launch but the real recommendation is the
cute Everybody's Golf.

If you fancy something different then try Fired Up - a vehicular combat title
set in a series of GTA style cities. Talking of GTA, Liberty City Stories is
due out in October and set to become massive. Puzzle games Lumines and Mercury
are worth a look too.

Children will enjoy Ape Academy, but overall the launch titles highlight the
older demographic Sony is looking for.

The high profile lineup includes a wide range of products that will appeal
to every type of gamer - from the sports fan to the action enthusiast -
providing consumers with the ultimate entertainment experience in the palm
of their hands.

How can I transfer the movies to my PSP?

Once you have downloaded any video format (a movie, a music clip,
a TV show, etc) the only thing you need to have
is a USB cable and you're set.

How much does it take to download a game? Is it a complicated
process?

Searching and downloading a game is not at all a complicated process,
even if you use a regular 56K internet connection. Obviously, using a broadband
connection will give you a much faster download experience.
http://tinyurl.com/jd8zy

About the Author

My name is Nick Lim and I want to thank you for reading my
article.As revealed,if you want to know the latest PSP games from all countries and
even imported from Japan or you want to play old Nintendo or Sega games on
your PSP.Take three minutes and visit this site to find out more..

Introducing GRML

Some Suggestions For Inexpensive Baby Shower Gifts

Note that a lot of raditional baby shower gifts - like infant car seat covers and even stuffed toys - may turn out to be expensive. If you're strapped for elegant gifts to give to a special child in your life, you may do well to look up a couple of inexpensive baby shower gifts that will nonetheless remain treasured by your baby and his/her family for years to come.

First of all, it would depend on how you perceive the term inexpensive to mean. Do you mean it's something haphazardly put together, something CHEAP and unwieldy, and definitely unworthy of gracing a joyous celebration? The term inexpensive baby shower gifts doesn't mean something put together without a care. Don't just pass off a rattle you hurriedly put together in your basement using industrial glue, pebbles and plasticine (all non-kidsafe, by the way!) as a shower gift.

If you truly care for the person you're giving the gifts to - in this case, the child's parents and/or the child him or herself - you have to invest a lot of thought in the endeavor. A lot of creativity has to come in too, because you don't pay for an offering such as that - it comes from the heart. A gift from the heart is sure to be treasured for a longer time than any other material gift.

Baby showers usually come with cute and happy themes related to infancy, such as pacifiers and bibs. You can try coming up with something similarly cheery, such as a small cupcake for everyone attending the shower, with frosting made out in either the shape of milk bottles and other recognizable baby things... or else the soon-to-be-baby's initials. This is something you can definitely do in your own kitchen!

Speaking of initials, you can make a lot of other inexpensive baby shower gifts with the baby's projected name - that is, of course, if the parents have already selected a name for him/her. You can, for example, come up with a hypoallergenic matching bracelet for baby and his/her mommy or daddy, with the baby's name spelled out in the beads. Or, if you're good at crafts and sewing, you could opt to embroider a set of items, such as a set of handkerchiefs, so that they would have a fancy way of showing the baby's initials. She or he will surely appreciate it when the time comes for such things as baby shower handkerchiefs to come in handy!
About the Author

Your-Babyshower.com provides you with info on Baby shower, inexpensive baby shower gifts and much more, come take a look at http://www.your-babyshower.com/

How to Improve Your Odds when Selling Your Home

Sellers, it is time to polish your presentation if you intend to sell your residential property in today?s changing market. With increasing inventories of unsold homes and the softening of real estate activity in many areas, you will probably be facing greater competition in the marketplace. Knowing what buyers want will greatly improve your chances of making a profitable sale.

Buyers want reasonable asking prices. Gone are the days of multiple offers on overpriced homes, with desperate buyers waiving appraisals, contingencies and inspections in an attempt to win a bidding war. Get professional opinions of the current market value of your home before establishing your asking price. Ask your real estate agent to conduct a comparative market analysis (CMA), evaluating the selling price of nearby properties with similar features and square footage. Also keep in mind that just because the house next door to yours got one price, this does not necessarily mean that there is another buyer out there willing to pay the same for your home. If your agent agrees it is necessary, hire an independent appraiser to establish an objective opinion of value.

Buyers want quality and dependability. With economic conditions in transition, homebuyers are looking for home construction, features and finishing that can withstand the test of time. Classic designs that have proven their popularity tend to be more in demand when market conditions are unpredictable. For example, bamboo and oak flooring and custom-designed kitchen cabinets made of durable fine woods add significantly to a home?s buyer appeal. Neutral wall colors sell better than trendy designer tints or wild wallpaper, because buyers find it easier to visualize their furniture against a neutral backdrop.

Buyers want amenities that offer comfort and convenience. Homes that provide ways to pamper the homeowner are exceptionally attractive. Examples include master suites with his and her bathrooms (or at least his and her sinks), soaking tubs and rainforest showers, private exercise rooms and well-organized walk-in closets. Buyers appreciate homes that have high-speed Internet wiring and multiple phone lines for personal computers and home offices. Amenities that set your home apart from the ordinary will catch the attention of buyers.

Buyers want to work with savvy sellers. During the past several years, homebuyers were at a disadvantage in the hot seller?s markets that dominated Rio Rancho?s real estate climate. They had to study local market conditions, pay attention to economic trends, watch the mortgage interest rates and work intensively with their real estate agents to beat the competition for homes. Such well-informed buyers will not be eager to purchase property from a seller who is out of touch. They will prefer to work with sellers who know what their home is worth, list a property in top showing condition and are willing to give concessions to the buyer when negotiating the terms of the purchase agreement.

Ask your agent for feedback from buyers who visit your home. Selling your home could require you to invest in upgrades or cosmetic improvements such as new carpet, paint, lighting fixtures or hardware. Your real estate agent may suggest deep cleaning, home staging or replacing window coverings. It might take more effort than you anticipated, but placing your home above the competition will help secure the sale.

Sean Remington is a REMAX Platinum Club Member along with a Committee Ambassador - Albuquerque Economic Development. To learn more about Sean or Albuquerque Real Estate, point your browser to Albuquerque Real Estate.

Everything You Need To Know About Buying The Perfect Backpacking Tent.

Whether alone or with friends, backpacking can be a fun and adventurous way to spend a weekend. It gives you a chance to escape the madness of the city, explore a natural surrounding and get some great exercise to boot.

One should never go unprepared, however. Take it from me, not having the right gear or equipment can make a backpacking trip go from an exciting weekend to a frightening two day disaster with no end in sight. There's nothing worse than being stuck on a mountain in a sudden and unexpected rainstorm, without the right water resistant protection. One of the most very important items a backpacker should bring to avoid such a watery suffering is a good backpacking tent.

Though important, backpacking tents are a tricky commodity it can be difficult to pin down exactly the kind you should get. If you are planning on going backing soon and are in the market for a tent, here are some simple tips that may give you a place to start.

First of all, the kind of environment you plan to be mountain climbing through is important to keep in mind as you choose your tent. Even if it is suspect to rain, it is a good idea to purchase a tent that is completely water resistant and closed on all sides.

Even though a 'lean to' or cover like tent with open sides is an well organized and simple form of shelter, these kinds of tents can only protect from the mildest of weather conditions. Additionally, most wilderness areas popular for backpackings are safe places for insects, such as mosquitoes, and an open tent will offer no protection against these pests.

Secondly, you should consider the length of your trip when looking for a backpacking tent. Also, what kind of land are you going to pass through? Are you going for a rough and nearly vertical thirty mile plus climb, or a pleasant and easy five mile trip through the woods? If the latter is the case, weight is not an issue and you can purchase as large a tent as you please. The larger the better; you can house all your equipment inside to avoid damage from morning dew or from night animals with a sufficiently large tent. If you are taking a more arduous journey, you'll want the lightest possible tent you can get that offers adequate protection.

Lastly, choose a good brand name. Ask for advice at the store you visit, or if you are ordering one online, choose a name that you are familiar with. Backpacking tents are important, and not an area to hold back on on financially speaking. If you are pressed for cash, bring cheaper food items. I'd rather eat freeze dried sauce while warm and dry in a nice, functional tent, than eat bone mignon while soaking wet in a heap of junk that fell apart as soon as it started really pouring.

Personally I prefer to sleep under the stars while backpacking, if the weather permits. A good insect disgusting can reduce the mosquito problem and there is something refreshing about waking up covered in dew. However, it only took one bad and very wet experience for me to learn that you should always bring a tent on a backpacking trip, whether or not you plan to use it.

About the Author:

Tavis J. Cooper provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for travel, leisure and other related issues.

2007 Residential Real Estate Forecast

In many ways 2006 was the non-year for real estate. The National Association of Realtors(R) reported that sales will be down in 2006 about 9 percent from 2005, a record setting year.Many markets waited for spring market which was disappointing. Markets then believed buyers would re-group in summer,and buyers were a no-show. Fall and last market hopes were dashed when fall came and went, with plenty of traffic at open houses, but few contracts.

Pent-up demand from a lackluster 2006 should drive buyers back to market. But, these savvy buyers will be on the lookout for realistic prices and seller give-backs. Most buyers will tell you point-blank that their income gains in the last five years have not matched rises in home home prices. Real estate markets won't bounce back until home sellers realize as prices go up, the pool of buyers shrinks proportionately. Buyers with a home to sell will include a home-sale contingency, so sellers should be prepared to accept one.

Inventory levels will remain in the six to seven moth range. Listing leftover's from 2006, will roll into 2007. The leftovers are either un-realistic sellers whose pricing is from the froth years or thier homes haven't been updated to keep up with the stiff competition and time-starved buyers.

Mortgage rates will remain in the 5.5% to 7% range. Historically low, but low rates by themselves haven't motivated buyers to write real estate contracts in 2006.

Foreclosures will rise. Risky loans such as Interest-Only, Option ARM's and 100% financing will tap out buyers whose used these appreciation-oriented mortgages.

Prices will drop 4-10% before leveling off in the majority of non-seller's markets. Homes that are priced right and are in good condition which offer features and finishes that buyers demand, will sell close to list price in moderate market times. Flat or negative appreciation.

Florida, Arizona, California and Washington D.C., will have unstable markets. Until sellers get a reality-oriented wake-up call markets in these locales will sputter and hiccup.

Ten states posted solid sales gains in the second quarter of 2006 versus 2005. Reported the National Association of Realtors(R). The gains ranged from an impressive 48% in Alaska to a low of 5.3 percent in Georgia. The other eight states included Arkansas, Texas, North and South Carolina, Vermont, Tennessee, New Mexico, and Wyoming.

Residential real estate will return to being viewed as shelter and housing and trend away from being viewed as a speculative investment.

What about 2008? Stable, pre-frenzy market with appreciation at 1% annually.

Mark Nash, is a residential real estate author, broker, columnist and writer based in Chicago. His fourth book 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home received eighteen five star reviews on Amazon.com. His latest book; Real Estate A-Z for Buying & Selling a Home will be published in December 2006. Mark publishes a free monthly ezine for real estate professionals. Agent to Agent features ten articles that offer free reprints for agents, home buyers and sellers through EzineArticles.com . Real estate news and book reviews, Celebrity Homestyles, Home selling and buying tips and advice, Joke-of-the-Month, Help this Agent, and agent marketing tips. Over 5000 subscribers in the U.S. & Canada. Subscribe at: http://www.1001realestatetips.com/forrealestateagents.html

4 Elements Of A Great Fundraising Event

 



4 Elements Of A Great Fundraising EventSubmitted By: Jayson Krause  

Hundreds of fundraising events are held every year - maybe even thousands. Unfortunately, many of those fundraising events don't meet the target that organizers have set for them. It could be due to anything from lack of proper planning to a lack of ways to encourage donations.

My experience in fundraising up to (and in some cases over) $50,000 per year, I learned that the key to securing large and lasting funding from a variety of sources was in the quality of the event I held. But, you can't expect to gain all of your money from one event - it's what you do during and after the event that actually matters the most!

The event is where things start. It is an opportunity for you to get the ball rolling (or keep it rolling in some cases) with many prospective donors. So, here are my 4 elements of having ensuring a great fundraising event:

Keep things moving - If people get tired, or if there is a lull in the action, people generally sit on their wallets or keep the clasp on their purse tightly closed. Keep your event moving - give only short pauses in the event itself for people to mingle and move about the venue. Speakers, activities, draws, etc, will keep people engaged in the event. Once engaged, the purse strings loosen.

Provide 'money opportunities' - Anything like a 50/50 draw on the evening, or games of chance, or a silent auction tied to a fundraising event is usually a good idea. People are there to help out an organization, so you might as well give them every opportunity to do so - without going overboard, of course.

Take time to meet people - This element comes third on this list, but it is probably the MOST important element for continued success in fundraising. Think of your organization like a house - the stronger you build the foundation, the longer it will last. Each potential supported can be part of a strong foundation for fundraising. The leaders of your organization (and fundraising team) should make an effort to meet and speak with as many people at the event as possible. Take an interest in their donation and tie it to what the organization has planned or is current doing.

Leave them with something - It might be a magnet with your organization's logo; it could be a golf ball and tee with your organization's stamp on it - anything that is going to remind those in attendance at your fundraising event of your organization is a good thing. You don't want them to forget as soon as they walk out the door. You want them to remember the fundraising event, maybe take a look at the website you have set up, and possibly subscribe to a newsletter so they can keep informed.

An event is a great way to fundraise - especially if you can bring people together to fundraise, rather than trying to get to everyone for their support. Running a good fundraising event can be tricky, but if you have guidance on how to get it done - then it can pay off in a big way!

Florida Real Estate Agents

Access to easy mortgages has encouraged a large number of people to buy their own property rather than live in a rented house. People who earn well and are able to pool in their own finances also prefer to purchase property as an investment venture. This aggressive consumer behavior has been a boon for the real estate trade.

It is sensible to hire a Florida real estate agent when considering the purchase, sale, lease, of a property. Most real estate agents are trained professionals who understand the intricacies of the trade and have mastered the art of real estate trading. They possess first hand knowledge regarding most properties they deal with. They are also aware of several legalities involved with Florida real estate deals. Florida real estate agents can clarify doubts related to property costs, evaluation, and reason of sale. They are knowledgeable about size of property, maintenance charges, and limitations regarding specific deals.

Prospective clients may contact a Florida real estate company and set up an appointment. It is important that agents and customers meet and talk about property facts wherein customers may be able to put forth their requests. It also helps agents to short list properties suitable to their client's requirements.

Florida real estate agents provide details about mortgage types in case of outright purchases. They may also propose names of neighborhood financial institutions that could provide ready loans upon presentation of documents. Florida real estate agents work through an extensive network and are competent of taking clients in all areas of Florida. They function as a contact between buyers, sellers, and rental agencies. Real estate agents are empowered to complete the deal in case one of the clients lives outside Florida.

Real estate trade follows a pattern in which only authorized agents can deal with property issues. Most real estate firms hire agents as salaried employees. Apart from this, they receive commissions for completed deals. Commissions are realized through service charges paid by clients. This sum is fixed and made known to clients in advance. Payments made to agents are proportionate to the volume of business.

Real Estate Agents provides detailed information on Real Estate Agents, Find A Real Estate Agent, Las Vegas Real Estate Agents, Commercial Real Estate Agents and more. Real Estate Agents is affiliated with How To Get A Real Estate License.

800 Number Directory Helps Take Care Of A Baby

Sharpen Your Edges!

The exercises that have been selected, serve a specific purpose of preparing your body for the forces and the demands that you will be exposed to while you ski. To help you accomplish this goal, exercise does not need to look like the sport that you are training it for. Exercise is simply movement. It is our goal to move your body in a variety of different movement patterns that will help you handle whatever is thrown at you. With this program, your body will be challenged in ways that are similar to the challenges that you will face while skiing. It will be difficult the first time you do it and your muscles will get sore from it. You MUST stick with it consistently to get the benefits and the results that you are looking for. Through hard work and diligence you can expect the best results and expect to enjoy your upcoming ski season.

Discover Movement LLC assumes NO LIABILITY due to any actions undertaken as a result of reading this program.

CAUTION:

Always consult a physician before starting an exercise program Complete a thorough warm-up before embarking on your workout Always finish your workout with a cool-down session It is imperative that one follows proper progressions and does not rush into anything that they cannot do without control.

TRAINING SAFETY

Exercise in a pain-free fashion, it if hurts don?t do it. Move with deliberate control. Make all of your movements smooth and coordinated.

The first few ski magazines make their way around in August. It starts all over again, the fantastic cycle that we look forward to; the ski season. We are sure that during the summer, many of you just walk past your skis in the garage and don?t even glance at them. While a few select others might still have those shapely skis up in the bedroom and you playback those intimate memories that you both shared in the past.

Either way, come early fall, you start putting together plans for that first ski vacation and can?t wait until that departure date arrives. You do your research and finalize your ski trip with all the necessary reservations that secure your date in snow heaven. Now you have the calendar marked at work, at home, and quite honestly; anywhere and everywhere to keep it fresh in your head.

Now what do you do? Just keep working and wait until the day arrives? Or do you prepare your gear, your mind, and your body for the adventure about to come? The good news is that there are a few simple things that you can do to ?winterize? your body and improve your skill this season. The bad news is that a countless number of skiers will do nothing and will end up putting a damper on their ski trip and possibly their entire ski season by not taking a few simple steps.

Every year we plan at least one ski vacation to hit the slopes in search of that feeling we had when we first skied. Nobody goes away to have a miserable or a bad time; although, sometimes things happen to really put a ?ka bash? on the whole trip. These can include things like injuries, aches, pains, or things like not being able to progress to the next level, or not being able to ski with the rest of the group. That doesn?t sound like a ?good time? to any of us. We go away with family of friends to have a blast and hopefully etch those memories into our minds forever (all the famous ?watch this? wipeout stories that we will never forget!).

Let?s face it; there is a lot of stress being placed on the body while we are on the slopes. With so many terrain options like the steeps, glades, moguls, terrain parks, and the backcountry, we all could use a little ?tune up? to help us deal with all these environments a little better. In addition to the numerous terrain options, the conditions also vary from day to day and resort to resort. From ice to powder, and hard pack to mashed potatoes, there are so many different overall conditions that the body must be able to sense, interpret, and translate into the beautiful language we know as skiing.

Get ready to have the best season you have ever had! Your approach will be different this time. Your preparation will provide the perfect recipe as you get on the lift and get ready to kick off your first run of your most memorable ski season.

CHAPTER 1

If it?s broke, fix it! We all remember our first day every season where we can feel muscles we never knew we had and in places we never knew existed. The next few days are spent walking around like we got off a horse! The good news is that there is something you could do about this (unless you are a sadist). The better news is that it is not only your solution for your sore issues (pun completely intended), but it will also help you ski faster, harder, longer, and more consecutive days. Doesn?t this sound like it will help you have a great vacation?

CHAPTER 2

Sharpen Your Edges We have the secret to help you beat your friends down the mountain this season and looking good doing it! These tips can be executed entirely by themselves or in addition to any current fitness program. You can do them anywhere; at home, at the gym, or even outdoors. Feel free to get anyone involved (except your friends) and even your kids can do it! Sharpen Your Edges is a perfect pre-season tool that you can use to help you prepare yourself for your ski vacation or your entire ski season. As we mentioned earlier, the goal of all the movements is to get your body to ?think? and move in ways that will help you perform better while you are on the slopes. So read on and get ready to be challenged!

?Sharpen Your Edges ? Ski Conditioning Recipe? (VIDEO AND PICTURES OF THE EXERCISES AT WWW.TRAINFORSKIVACATION.COM)

The Recipe:

Perform all ingredients sequentially with minimal rest. All exercises are to be done for the specific number of repetitions. Once you perform one whole circuit, rest for 2 MINUTES. Then repeat the ENTIRE circuit for a second time. You will always perform 2 sets of the program. In addition, your repetitions for each movement will be to complete a total of 10 repetitions. For any exercise that has 20 reps as the goal, it is so you get 10 reps on each side. The program should be done 3 alternative days a week. The Progression: The only alterations in the program will be the REST period. The following template will utilize a 6 Week Training Program. Everyone will start at Week 1 and work their way to Week 6.

Weeks 1-2  60 Second Rest

Weeks 2-4  30 Second Rest

Weeks 4-6  0 Rest (This is a crowd favorite!)

The Ingredients:

1.Inchworm: GOALS ? Hip Mobility/Core Strength/Core Stabilization

Start the exercise in a push-up position. Walk forward with your feet (towards your hands), inching forward with small steps while keeping your knees locked out and hands flat on the ground. Continue walking forward until your feet are flat on the ground. At that point, walk forward with the hands until you are back in the push-up position. Perform 10 repetitions and move on to the next movement.

2.Spiderman: GOALS ? Hip Mobility/Core Endurance

Take a long lunge and place the hands down on the ground (inside the knee) in line with the front foot. Try to keep the back knee locked out as much as possible. Then stand up and step forward with the next foot and repeat. Take 20 steps and continue to the next exercise.

3.Single Leg Balance Reach: GOALS ? Core Endurance/Core Stabilization/Leg Deceleration

Stand next to a wall or another tall object and balance on one foot. Take your other leg and reach with your toes and your hands as if you are trying to touch the object. Then return to the starting position. Perform 10 repetitions and then switch legs. When you are finished, continue to the next exercise.

4.Skater to Hold: GOALS ? Hip Power/Hip Strength/Hip Mobility/Core Stabilization

Stand on your right leg and jump to your left and landing on your left foot. You want to land with a soft and absorbent landing. When you land, stick and hold the landing for 2 seconds before you take your next jump. Your goal with the landing is to land as far as you can control and balance. Do 20 repetitions in an alternating pattern and then continue.

5.Backwards Squat Jump: GOALS ? Hip Power/Hip Strength/Hip Mobility/Core Stabilization

Jump up and backwards and land in a squat position. Your goal is to land on the balls of the feet; with the hips back. Perform 20 repetitions and then continue to the next exercise. *NOTE ? You will probably be a little warm by now!

6.Hip Twister: GOALS ? Core Strength/Core Stabilization/Core Endurance/Hip Mobility

Start in a push-up position. Focusing on your hips, twist one side and push the hips down towards the floor. Alternating sides, repeat for 20 repetitions and then continue to the next exercise.

7.Single Leg Squat w/Reach Down: GOALS ? Hip Strength/Hip Mobility/Core Strength/Core Endurance

Stand on one foot and squat down (slow and controlled) and reach down in front of you with your opposite hand. Keep the weight on the heel of your foot. Your opposite leg should be straight and in the air behind you. Do 10 repetitions and then switch legs.

8.Alternating Lunge Jump: GOALS ? Hip Power/Hip Strength/Hip Mobility/Core Endurance/Core Stabilization

Position yourself in a lunge position. Jump up and switch legs in the air so that when you land your opposite leg is in front of you. Your landing should be soft and quiet. Jump up and land 20 times so you get 10 repetitions on each leg.

9.?Fonzie? Quick Legs: GOALS ? Hip Power/Core Stabilization

Set yourself up in a squat position with your feet together. As fast as possible, move your feet out (to about shoulder width) and then back together. Think about keeping your head at the same height without moving up and down. Do this for 20 reps as fast as possible. *Notice the ?thumbs up,? just like the Fonz! 10.Alternating T ? Stabilization: GOALS ? Core Strength/Core Stabilization/Core Coordination

Start in a push-up position. Lift one hand off the ground and turn your whole body to the side so it looks like a letter ?T? on its side. Your eyes should stay focused on the hand that remains on the ground. Alternate the pattern for 20 repetitions and then this will be your first 2 minute rest period. *NOTE ? If you are breathing hard and your heart rate is racing, then something is happening!

Overall Program Goal: All of these movements combine various components of athleticism. Each exercise has a specific component(s), all of which will help you on the slopes. By performing them in a circuit, you help build muscular endurance which is vital for skiing. In addition, you can also help increase your lactate threshold (ability to tolerate those cooking quads). The first few times will be the hardest, but hang in there. Before you know it, you will be looking for more!

Sharpen You Edges

EXERCISE REPETITION REST INTERVAL PROGRESSIONS(secs.)
Inchworm 10 60/30/0
Spiderman 20 60/30/0
SL Balance Reaches 10 60/30/0
Skater to Hold 20 60/30/0
Hip Twister 20 60/30/0
SL Squat w/Reach 10 60/30/0
Alt. Lunge Jump 20 60/30/0
?Fonzie? Quick Legs 20 60/30/0
Alt. T-Stabilization 20 120 seconds

CHAPTER 3 Skiing translated! The demands that are placed on the body are very clear to everyone when we ski for the first time every year. Depending on the style of skiing, the body has to deal with many forces on our way down the slopes. The body will move in a three dimensional way and your training should also be performed in a multi-dimensional environment to expose your body to the countless movements that it will be reflexively doing on the snow. Whether we are in a turn loading the edges, racing down a slalom course, going down a field of moguls or doing a run in the pipe, the physical challenge with each scenario is not for the weak and frail. Skiing requires a precise recipe of balance, strength, flexibility, power, and endurance that can always be enhanced and will only lead to greater success on the slopes. Any flaws in the required skills will definitely impact someone during a ski trip, either on the slope or once you get off the mountain and you walk like a penguin for the next two days. Our Body?s Requirements:

♦ HIP STRENGTH ? Our hip musculature (quads/hamstrings/adductors/glutes) must be able to work in all three planes; concentrically, eccentrically, and isometrically. Think of this as the difference between jumping off the ground (concentric), landing on the ground (eccentric), and holding a squat position on the ground (isometric). Each of these places a different demand on our musculature.

♦ HIP POWER ? The forces that we are exposed to on the slopes cannot be mimicked by traditional exercises (machine based). As we are in the middle of a carve, the force and power that we need to create to overcome the forces that are being placed on us are huge! As we link a string of carved turns together this process of loading and unloading the edges is being driven by a loading and unloading of the body. If you cannot load the body properly (and thus the skis), you will not be able to get an effective unloading response.

♦ HIP MOBILITY ? Think of your whole body as giant a shock absorber. We need to be able to flex/extend, internally/externally rotate, and laterally flex (this is 3 dimensional movement) in order for us to be able to move. If the hip is restricted in any way, then movement with have to come from somewhere else. This is the body?s natural response to help us accomplish a task at hand. This is also when that ?extra? movement will come from either above or below the hips (cranky back or barking knees). Think of your hips as the crossroad to the rest of the body. Without proper function of the hips, skiing may start to become a more labored activity, with more repercussions and less enjoyment. Our ability to drive the ski on its edge, stay on that edge and follow through to the next turn, require certain specifics from our movement machinery. Skiing is a complex task that requires a total body response from head to toe. Importance of the ?Core:? All movement is rotational. This means, among other things, that as your lower body executes a move, the upper body needs to respond in order to balance and support the movement. Any movement's counter-rotation culminates right in the middle of the body, in the core of the body. The core is not just the ?abs.? The core is the area that attaches the upper body to the lower body and vice versa. This famous area consists of hip, abdominal, and back muscles

♦ CORE STRENGTH ? We need to remember that movement happens as a chain reaction in the body and without the active role by each member of the body, the force will leak at its weakest point. As the muscular communication of the extremities is centered in the core, it must be the strongest link in the chain. Without this vital communication, there is chaos.

♦ CORE STABILIZATION ? As our spine is moved in all directions, it is the core muscles that keep a firm hold on our vital yet vulnerable part of the body. Many of our core musculature are deep and are not the superficial abdominal muscles. These core muscles function to protect the spine and act like a girdle to keep us happy in all that we do. Doing crunches or any other abdominal movement will not get the key core muscles firing. These ?spineless? exercises will do little when you watch skiers move and see what the spine is going through in the middle of a field with moguls the size of VW beetles.

♦ CORE ENDURANCE ? The core is responsible for keeping us in our ski pose and able to repeat it all day long. Once it gets tired, you are as good as done since you will probably be bouncing your chin off your knees. Our ability to stay tucked and maintain our posture while we manage our bodies on all types of terrain is one of the most important goals of skiing. Staying balanced and being aware of your center of gravity will benefit you greatly as you navigate all over the mountain. Think of your core as your insurance policy and that you are useless without it!
So take a look at how you train now. Is your current training program getting you ready to ride the chairlift to the bunny slope? Or are you training to get ready for those diamond runs that make you all warm and fuzzy inside?

CHAPTER 4

Even more benefits to ski training! We must warn you of other known ?side effects? that occur as a result of training this way. Your body will be moving in countless directions, various speeds, many positions and at higher intensities. The end result will be a body that not only moves better on the slopes, but a body that has less fat, more muscle, and looks better as you are getting into the hot tub. Who wouldn?t want to lose a couple of pounds of fat? So do away with the extra stuff that just ?weighs us down? and really serves no purpose. In addition, there are the less exciting benefits, like an improved cardiovascular system, lower blood pressure and cholesterol; you know all the things you need to stay alive. So enjoy being healthier, more agile, looking better, skiing better, and most importantly; enjoying your time away. You cannot say that we didn?t warn you!

CONCLUSION

What will this do for me? There are few things to look for when trying to see the benefits of your ski vacation training. While on the slopes, you will be able to ski more aggressively and handle more extreme terrain. Sometimes it is the level of fitness that is holding us back from fine tuning our skills and making us better skiers. So now that your body has the ability to move and sustain forces better, go ahead and challenge yourself. Think of this as a form of athleticism. We all have seen athletes who dominate their sport and they make it look so ?effortless? and ?easy.? The same holds true for skiing. A skier who shows athleticism will be able to handle any terrain, in any condition and do it with excellence. Conditioning yourself to be able to take less rest on every run (which means you get on the lift line sooner) and will enable you to get in more runs per day without feeling like you ?ran out of gas.? When was the last time you skied hard all day and could brag about not having any aches or pains? So not only do you have the ability to enjoy the snow longer each day, but you can enjoy four or five days of skiing in a row and more importantly; live to talk about it! We are providing your body the nourishment that it needs to prepare for skiing. Unlike the other effects from eating too much, an abundant supply of ski food will only help you more! With that said, now you can look to get out and practice hard, get lessons, and dial in your gear to help you improve to whatever level you wish to aspire to. You are ready! So the next time you decide to plan a ski vacation, put yourself in a position where you can get the most out of your body and your movement vocabulary before you get on the skis. Your body will thank you and it will treat you much better before you decide to beat it up on your next ski trip.

Ski you later, Tommi and Alex

For any questions or comments, seminars, or to book Tommi and Alex at your next event; please feel free to contact them with whichever method below that suits you best.

Tommi and Alex have a vision of helping everyone get the most out of their ski vacations. They feel that there are simple things that anyone at any level can do to get tremendous results both on and off the slopes.

Both are active outdoorsmen throughout the year and have ?snow on the brains? all year round. Over the years, they have applied and practiced their philosophies in their ?playground? to bring you the most cutting edge and effective training program.

Their goal is to make fitness fun as many view it as being torturous and boring. At times this may be true, but you will have a smile on your face with these guys, guaranteed. It is their philosophy that if you are having fun and if you have an inspired mindset, you will be that much more successful at accomplishing many new tasks.

http://www.trainforskivacation.com EMAIL: snowbrains@trainforskivacation.com

ALEX CHEMEROV & TOMMI PAAVOLA http://www.trainforskivacation.com