Sunday, June 9, 2013

Best cheap Lenovo A2107 7-Inch Tablet

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

How to Choose the Right Bowling Ball

How to choose the right bowling ball is the first important decision you will make at the bowling center. Even a certain guy from Bedrock named Flintstone had to choose the right bowling ball, although his choices were stone or...stone. Nevertheless, he picked the rock that fit his game the best. As a matter of fact, bowling historians believe that stone was actually the first material used for bowling balls about 5000 years ago. When bowling finally moved indoors in the 1800's, wooden bowling balls were all the rage. Then, throughout much of the 20th century, most bowling balls were made of hard rubber. Choosing the right bowling ball during each of these periods wasn't too difficult; pick the appropriate weight and ensure the finger holes fit right-done.    

Technology has had a dramatic effect on the game of bowling. Electronic scoring systems, lanes made of synthetic materials, and bowling balls made of various materials to react differently to varying lane conditions. Fortunately, if you only bowl a few times a year and you're not interested in buying your own bowling ball, figuring out how to choose the right bowling ball from the selection of "house" balls  can be very easy. Actually, as compared the rubber bowling ball era, there is only one additional consideration, but I'll get into that after discussing weight and fit.   

First, how heavy should the ball be? Well, a pretty good rule of thumb to follow is one pound of bowling ball for every 10 pounds of body weight. So, if your first time bowling child weighs 80 pounds, start with an eight pound ball. From there, you will have to watch and make a judgment as to whether they seem to be able to physically handle that weight. If he/she seems to be able to swing the ball comfortably, without losing balance, that is probably to right weight to go with. Most bowling centers have balls from 6-16 lbs. in one pound increments; the weight of the ball is usually engraved on the surface of the ball. So if you need to adjust, you can go up or down by ones until you find the right weight.  

How to Choose the Right Bowling Ball

Second, how should the holes fit my fingers? Simply stated-comfortably. More specifically, not too loose or too tight. You shouldn't have to worry about the ball falling off of your hand or any of your fingers getting stuck during delivery. Most house balls are drilled for the thumb to go all the way in to the ball and for the ring and middle fingers to go in to the second knuckle. Another fit factor is how the ball "sits" in your hand. With your fingers and thumb in the ball as explained above, the ball should lay in your palm making full contact.   

Now for the mystery third consideration when choosing the right bowling ball. This applies especially to those who choose to buy their own bowling ball. Back in the rubber ball day, there was only one color to choose from, black. Now there are so many different colors and patterns to choose from you can find a bowling ball that suits your personality. Whether it's your favorite color, has your favorite sports team logo on it, or it looks like you're bowling with a giant golf ball; the choices can really make it fun to go out and buy a new ball.

How to Choose the Right Bowling Ball
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So now that you're practically an expert on how to choose the right bowling ball, let's do a quick review. Go to the bowling center; start with a ball that is one pound for each ten pounds of your body weight. Ensure your hand fits in the ball comfortably, fingers snug enough to not drop the ball and not so tight that you can't let it go. Most importantly, go out on the lanes and have a great time!

Gary Oakes is an avid bowler who enjoys sharing his experience with others. If you are interested in more bowling information from Gary, click here

Monday, February 25, 2013

Shopping in Kuala Lumpur - Malls, Bazaars and Flea Markets

Kuala Lumpur ranks as one of the top shopping destinations in Asia. As all budgets are catered for, you will be enticed to shop till you drop! You can also expect both a fantastic variety of products as well as value for money. From designer labels to home-grown brands, even the discerning shopper will be spoiled for choice. But you may like to bring home something typically Malaysian, in which case, spare some time to shop for ethnic crafts. A wide range can be found at the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex and the Central Market.

Among the recommended items are batik (hand-painted or in block motifs available in traditional and contemporary designs, available as pareos, sarongs, scarves, shirts or dresses); songket (cloth intricately handwoven with silver or gold thread); silver items (jewellery, tableware and other home adornments); pewterware (various decorative and functional items); woodcarvings (aboriginal); pottery and ceramic (the choice is mind-boggling, but look out for Sarawak pottery or the Perak labu sayong); and weaved products (from practical bags to trinket boxes).

Places to shop include countless spick-and-span shopping complexes, duty-free shops, department stores, hypermarkets and handicraft centres to make-shift stalls and open-air night markets. Almost all shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur open for business from 10am till 10pm daily, public holidays included.

Shopping in Kuala Lumpur - Malls, Bazaars and Flea Markets

While the Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival which runs from July to September and the Malaysia Savings Sale in December draw hordes of shoppers from around the region with offers of up to 70% discount on store products, you can still find bargains and sales at independent retailers outside scheduled sale carnivals.

Besides larger malls such as Berjaya Times Square, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur Suria KLCC and those at the Bukit Bintang and Imbi area, many shopping complexes and departmental stores also offer economical buys such as Pertama Complex, Sogo Departmental Store, Kota Raya and Campbell Complex.

Then there are the numerous shops, flea markets, bazaars and side street stalls, notably dotting Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Masjid India (Little India), Brickfields (another Little India), Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Petaling (Chinatown), Plaza Mont Kiara and even the Sunday Night Market on Jalan Telawi in Bangsar.

On Saturday nights, Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman is closed to vehicles and transformed into a bright and bustling night market with hundreds of stalls selling a gamut of products from foodstuff to leather goods.

Jalan Petaling Night Market in Chinatown sizzles every night while on Sundays, the Pasar Minggu Kampung Baru (Kampung Baru Sunday Market) turns into a treasure trove of shopping delights with local colours, sights and sounds. Below are the major shopping malls in the city:

AMPANG PARK
Jalan Memanda 3, Ampang

Ampang Park is the oldest mall in Kuala Lumpur, and also happens to be the grand dame of bargain buys, especially for electronics and electrical products as well as ethnic clothes. The bazaar-like atmosphere of its shops and stalls that line its corridors make for an interesting visit.

AVENUE K
156 Jalan Ampang

Avenue K is a top-end lifestyle mall with eight levels, designed for retail and leisurely pursuits. It's the place to shop for international brands and local labels.

BANGSAR SHOPPING CENTRE
285 Jalan Maarof, Bangsar

Located in the heart of one of Kuala Lumpur's posh suburbs, BSC is the place to shop, dine and most importantly, to be seen. The Cold Storage supermarket here stocks a fair amount of foreign foodstuff which is often hard to come by at your regular supermarket. The mall is also home to the Actors' Studio, one of the country's most definitive stage performance companies. You can catch seasoned and budding actors performing regularly at the studio.

BANGSAR VILLAGE I & II
Jalan Ara, Bangsar

The complex is spacious and its anchor tenant The Village Grocer attracts many shoppers with reasonably priced fresh fruit and vegetables and other supermarket items. F&B outlets there are cool places to hang out. Shops sell varied items, making the complex vastly popular in vibrant Bangsar.

BERJAYA TIMES SQUARE
1 Jalan Imbi

Berjaya Times Square offers over 500 retail shops. Foodies will be pampered by over 100 choices of cafes, restaurants, bistros and fast-food outlets. Its major attraction, Cosmo's World, the largest indoor theme park in Malaysia, is a stand alone theme park with an abundant variety of entertainment and thrilling rides catering to all ages. Cosmo's World also houses one of the longest indoor roller coasters in the world.

BB PLAZA
111 Jalan Bukit Bintang

Located adjacent and connected at all floors to Sungei Wang Plaza, BB Plaza houses some of the more notable tenants which are shoppers' favourites. These include the Metrojaya departmental store and several jewellers lined at its entrance. Al fresco cafes at its entrance offer shoppers a welcome respite from the busier pursuits of shopping.

CAMPBELL COMPLEX
Jalan Campbell

A compact spot that's great for watches and men's shoes at affordable prices.

CENTRAL MARKET
Jalan Hang Kasturi

Once the city's busiest wet market, Central Market was dramatically transformed in the late 70s to become one of the topmost destinations to hunt for souvenirs and local arts and crafts. Here, tourists will get to soak in the artistic and cultural aspects of Malaysian life as artists ply their skills. Batik and craft shops provide a great shopping experience.

GREAT EASTERN MALL
Jalan Ampang

Located along the prime "Embassy Row" of Jalan Ampang, the mall is home to many specialty stores, including British India and Guess as well as designer cafes like Starbucks. Cold Storage Supermarket is its anchor tenant.

KL PLAZA
Jalan Bukit Bintang

For up-market buys, head for KL Plaza, home to luxury watch shops, jewelers and beauty salons. The famed Planet Hollywood is located here. Several al fresco eateries along the Bintang Walk belt offer great food and entertainment.

KOTA RAYA COMPLEX
Jalan Cheng Lock

A bargain hunters' haven, Kota Raya Complex, located across from KL's Chinatown, has a wonderful selection of gifts and trinket shops that are just as colourful as they are varied. This is also a favouriete hang-out spot for Filipinas on Sundays.

KUALA LUMPUR CRAFT COMPLEX
Jalan Conlay

The complex showcases quality Malaysian handicrafts in both contemporary and traditional designs. There is a large collection of locally produced batik, songket, wood carvings, rattan trinkets and pewter products. There is a Do-It-Yourself Batik-making corner with resident batik makers on hand to assist tourists. At the Artists Colony, tourists get to mingle with local artists and learn about their craft.

LOT 10
50 Jalan Sultan Ismail

Boasting an eye-catching green facede, Lot 10 is a popular haunt for both local and foreign shoppers with Isetan as anchor tenant. It caters for the average income as well as the wealthy. As part of the Bintang Walk area, it also has several al fresco eateries and cafes along its immediate surroundings.

LOW YAT PLAZA
Off Jalan Bukit Bintang

Fronting BB Park, Low Yat Plaza is dedicated to IT products such as computers, laptops and peripherals. It also has a good measure of camera shops, fashion and leather goods stores.

MAJU JUNCTION MALL
1001 Jalan Sultan Ismail

Strategically located at the busy junction of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Sultan Ismail, the mall attracts discerning shoppers with its specialty fashion stores such as Wh by British India and Nichi Fashion City. Besides a food court, it also has an indoor archery centre.

MID VALLEY MEGAMALL
Lingkaran Syed Putra

Mid Valley Megamall offers 5km of shopping, leisure and dining outlets. With more than 430 shops, the mall is also home to three retailing giants, namely, Carrefour, Jaya Jusco and Metrojaya. It also houses a Cineplex, state-of-the-art bowling centre and a one-stop IT centre. If you need to refuel after all that glorious shopping, there's a whole world of culinary delights just waiting for you. From chic-bistros to fast-food outlets and food courts, they are all teeming to satisfy any tastebud.

PICCOLO GALLERIA
Jalan Bukit Bintang

A medium-sized shopping galleria sandwiched between Lot 10 and KL Plaza, Picollo Galleria adopts Italian shopping ambience with specialty stores offering lifestyle fashion products and art pieces. Ristorante L'Opera, a restaurant specializing in Italian cuisine located on the ground floor, is one of the most popular places at Bintang Walk.

PERTAMA COMPLEX
Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman

Though Pertama Complex is one of the oldest shopping complexes in KL, it still has a faithful following of shoppers due to its reasonably priced products, ranging from telecommunication devices to leatherwear such as Cowboy boots and jackets.

SOGO DEPARTMENTAL STORE
Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman

Located on busy Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Sogo offers a wide range of merchandise with prices ranging from high-end to mid-range. The centre has a well-stocked department store, supermarket, bookshop, restaurants, food court and offices.

PAVILION KUALA LUMPUR
Jalan Bukit Bintang

Consisting of seven levels, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur boats of more than 450 stores offering some of the world's renown brand names. Shoppers are spoiled for choice in terms of fashion, food and urban leisure.

STARHILL GALLERY
Jalan Bukit Bintang

Undoubtedly one of the classiest malls in the city, Starhill offers a great selection of top-end designer labels and luxury watches. There is also a great selection of spa and beauty treatments on its Pamper Floor.

SUNGEI WANG PLAZA
Jalan Sultan Ismail

Having the biggest concentration of hair and beauty saloons among the city's malls, Sungei Wang Plaza offers almost 500 stores offering almost everything under the sun at affordable prices. The complex is anchored by Parkson Grand. Its main entrance is lined with several interesting eateries. It's the kind of place that shoppers keep returning to.

SURIA KLCC
Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC)
Jalan Ampang

Suria KLCC is an up-market shopping destination with hundreds of shops offering a wide range of goods and services that pamper the needs of shoppers - from fashion, entertainment, arts and culture, to local delicacies and international cuisines. The mall is surrounded by hotels, office buildings, a scenic park and dancing fountains. Its anchor tenants include Isetan, Parkson Grand and Tanjong Golden Village.

THE MALL
Jalan Putra

Located across from the Putra World Trade Centre, The Mall is a relatively large mall with a penchant for leather shops and boutiques. The Parkson department store is its anchor tenant. It also has a Malaccan-themed food court on its top floor.

THE WELD
76 Jalan Raja Chulan

A pleasant medium-sized mall, The Weld has an assortment of shops from bookstores to watch shops, a pharmacy and also a ladies' wellness centre. Several eateries are located at its concourse area.

Flea markets are great places for browsing or to shop for exotic jewellery, household items, second-hand books, ceramics and other bric-a-brac. The main flea markets in Kuala Lumpur are listed below:

Bangsar Utama Flea Market
Kompleks Niaga Utama
Bangsar Utama
Daily: 10am-10pm
Sat-Sun: 10am-8pm

Amcorp Mall
Jalan Timor, Petaling Jaya
Daily: 10am-4pm
Sat-Sun: 11am-3pm

Carnival Flea Market, BB Park
Jalan Bukit Bintang
Daily: 10am-4pm

Central Market, Jalan Kasturi
Daily: 10am-8pm

KL Arts Market (Laman Seni)
National Art Gallery
Jalan Tun Razak
First Saturday of the Month: 8am-5pm

Little India, Jalan Masjid India
Daily: 8am-10pm

Mont' Kiara Craft Mart
Plaza Mont' Kiara
Sundays: 10am-6pm

Sogo Flea Market, Ground Floor
Sogo Shopping Centre
First Sunday of the Month: 11am-7pm

Souk Al-Tar, Maju Junction Mall
Daily: 10am-10pm

Shopping in Kuala Lumpur - Malls, Bazaars and Flea Markets
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For more details about the author, please visit his website at http://ewepaikleong.blogspot.com

Sunday, February 3, 2013

How To Sew Lined Shoe Bags For Golf, Tennis, Bowling, Gym, Dance or any Other Drawstring Bag

Sewing shoe bags for the guys or gals in your life is a great gift idea. No matter what sport or hobby they enjoy or where they travel. . .far away or to the gym, shoe bags or drawstring bags come in handy.

The how to sew sewing instructions are for a lined drawstring shoe bag.

You are the designer. You can decide the purpose, fabric, design and size of your drawstring bag. Here are some suggestions.

How To Sew Lined Shoe Bags For Golf, Tennis, Bowling, Gym, Dance or any Other Drawstring Bag

Fabrics

Use whatever fabric suits your fancy. About 1/2 yard of fabric makes one shoe bag.

Sturdier fabrics like denim, canvas, slipcover fabric, fake suede, corduroy, etc. work well for sturdier shoes.

Fine fabrics like velour, velvet, cottons, flannels, etc. are good for dressier shoes.

Think about satin or silk for lingerie bags or jewelry bags. Or use mesh or terry for the beach or laundry bags.

Lining is optional. But, if you line the bags, choose a compatible lining fabric that won't tear easily especially for the sturdier shoes. Sometimes the same fabric is the best lining. The instructions here are for a lined drawstring bag.

You may want to use washable fabrics so you can launder the bags later.

Preshrink all fabrics before cutting.

Drawstrings

Use a pair of 36 inch long decorative shoe laces or leather laces for each bag or heavy cord or sew your own fabric or fake suede drawstrings. Ribbon also works.

Sizes

Sew a test bag to see if the dimensions are right for you.

Cut one bag with the following suggested dimensions. Place the shoe inside and check to see if it fits well. Add or subtract from the length or width to adjust for whatever shoe or item that you have.

Suggested Sizes

For 2 golf shoe bags, cut 4 pieces of fabric 20 inches long and 11 inches wide. Cut 4 pieces of lining 19 inches long and 10-1/2 inches wide.

Note: Cut an extra drawstring bag for a golf ball bag.

Two bowling shoes will fit into one shoe bag. Cut 2 pieces of fabric 20 inches long and 11 inches wide. Cut 2 lining 19 inches long and 10-1/2 inches wide.

One bag may also hold 2 tennis shoes or 2 ladies dress shoes.

Gym shoes vary in size. For extra large or small shoes, measure around the shoe and adjust the size of the fabric plus seam allowances to accommodate the size of the shoe.

How To Sew Sewing Technique

Decorate the Shoe Bag

Make the drawstring bag unique with a special design or emblem. Think about monogramming the bags or adding a sport motif applique or embroidery design prior to stitching. Place the design about 3 inches from the bottom in the center of one of the 20 x 11 pieces.

After you trim the bag, place 2 bag pieces right sides together.

Measure and make a mark 5 inches down from the top of the bag on both sides.

Stitch 1/2 inch seam around bag starting and stopping at this 5 inch mark. Do not back stitch. For the first and last inch, use short stitches.

Repeat stitching as above for the lining.

Press all seams open on both bag and the lining.

Press under 1/2 inch on the unstitched 5 inch bag side edges. Fuse or stitch to hold.

Do the same for the lining.

Turn the bag right side out.

Turn the lining right side out.

Machine stitch 1/2" at the bottom of the lining as if you were making a French seam. This creates a strong edge.

Turn the lining wrong side out.

Slip the lining down into the bag so that the top edge of the lining is 1/2 inch below the the top edge of the bag.

Fold the top edge of the front of the bag down 1/2 inch over the lining.

Press this fold to make a crease.

Now, bring the top folded pressed edge of the bag down to meet the side edges at the bottom of the opening.

Pin to hold and stitch close to this fold edge.

To make the casing, stitch 1" above the previous stitching.

Repeat for the back side of the bag.

Insert Drawstrings

Use a safety pin or bodkin to help slide the drawstrings through the casings.

Slide one drawstring through the casing of the bag back and front having ends on the same side of the bag.

Insert the other drawstring starting at the other side of the bag, sliding through the casing of the bag back and front having ends on that side of the bag.

Tie the ends of the drawstrings together.

That completes the lined drawstring shoe bag.

Note: If the shoe bag is wide enough for two shoes, you may want to stitch up the center of the bag from the bottom up to (but do not include) the casing through all the layers to create separate compartments for each shoe to help keep them
from scuffing.

Pin before stitching and test to see if there is enough room
for the shoes. If not, you may want to increase the width
of your shoe bag.

Sew bags any size for anything. Everybody needs a bag for
something. Kids love treasure bags. Make big bags and little bags. Give drawstring bags to family and friends for Fathers' Day, birthday gifts, Christmas gifts, etc. Enjoy sewing bags!

It just makes sense!

How To Sew Lined Shoe Bags For Golf, Tennis, Bowling, Gym, Dance or any Other Drawstring Bag
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©2006 Marian Lewis - All Rights Reserved 1st Step To Sewing Success

Marian Lewis is a sewing instructor and the creator of an amazing new fitting method for hard-to-fit sewing folks. In her ebook, "Common Sense Fitting Method For Hard-To-Fit Sewing Folks Who Want Great Fitting Skirts And Pants", find out step-by-step WHAT you really need, WHERE you really need it and HOW to apply that to a commercial sewing pattern.

For more information, go to [http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/fitting.html]

Marian is also the author of other eBooks related to sewing including, "Sew A Tee Pee And Accessories For Your Tribe Of Kids" and "Classy Designer Straight Skirt" where she teaches basic and advanced sewing techniques.

To learn more, go to [http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/sewing.html]

To discover sewing and fitting secrets to achieve sewing success, follow the link [http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com]

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Vince Lombardi's Nine Principles of Success

Vince Lombardi's Nine Principles of Success:

"The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have." Vince Lombardi

1. Commitment- "The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor." Vince Lombardi. Lombardi goes on to state, "A winner must be committed to discipline, committed to sacrifice and self-denial, and committed to hard work."

Vince Lombardi's Nine Principles of Success

How committed are you? If you are an athlete, are you the first one at practice, and the last one to leave? If you are part of an organization - are you making sure that you efforts are helping the entire organization? Are you willing to jump in and help others even when "it is not my job." As an educator, do you take the time to visit with other teachers in your field - learning ways to make yourself more valuable in the classroom? Are you willing to WIT? Whatever it Takes to be successful?

2. Truth- "In football and business, a leader must be honest with himself and the people he is working with. Faithfulness and truth are the most sacred excellences and endowments of the human mind." Vince Lombardi

Are you being honest with your greatest fan and your strongest critic - yourself? Are you doing the things on a daily basis that will allow you to do more, be more, have more? Or, are you being dishonest to yourself and those who count on you on a daily basis? With today business ethics or lack of ethics, people are looking to be able to deal with reliable, trustworthy individuals and organizations.

3. Excellence- "If you demand perfection of yourself, you'll seldom achieve it. Fear of making a mistake is the biggest cause of making one. Instead of pushing for perfection, relax and pursue excellence." Bud Winter

Lombardi stated, "No one is perfect. But boys, if you'll not settle for anything less than the best, you'll be amazed at what you can do with your lives. You'll be amazed at how much you can rise in this world."

Perfection rarely happens...it is the perfect game thrown by a baseball pitcher, but requires the help and support of his teammates. It is a 300 game in bowling, rarely reached by anyone but the best bowlers. It is the hole in one in golf...a feat rarely accomplished. However the pursuit of excellence should be a goal we all seek.

4. Results- "Winning is not everything, but making the effort to win is." Vince Lombardi

Hall of Fame basketball player, Bill Walton, stated this about winning- "Winning is about having the whole team on the same page."

In team sports, there is usually one team that wins, and one team that loses. The team that plays together can often overcome a lack of talent to be successful. A team with lack of character may win games, but will not be successful in the long run, and success will be short lived.

We always set goals for our teams, and winning were not a major goal. We felt if we could reach the majority of the goals set for every opponent, the winning would take care of itself. We wanted results. We wanted improvement each and every time out. What is it that you expect for yourself and your organization?

"There is no limit when no one cares who gets the credit." John Wooden

5. Passion- "I learned that if you want to make it bad enough, no matter how bad it is, you can make it." Gayle Sayers

Are you passionate about what you do? Do you have the first one to the office, practice field, classroom mentality, or are you dragging in as things are starting? Do you believe in what you are doing, in your teammates and/or co-workers, do you have it in your heart, your mind, and in your soul - and are willing to take no excuses from yourself and your teammates? Does that fire burn deep within you?

"There is only one way to succeed in anything, and that is to give it everything. I do, and I demand that my players do." Vince Lombardi

6. Habit- "The difference between a successful person and others in not a lack of strength, nor a lack of knowledge, but rather the lack of will." Vince Lombardi

It has been said that doing the same thing today as you did yesterday and expect different results is a definition of insanity. Habit is an act that we repeatedly do. It can be good or it can be bad. Psychologists estimate that 90% of the things we do is habitual. Think about it, starting with your morning routine, and ending to when you retire at night. There are hundreds of things you do the same way every day, often without thinking about them.

Robert Ringer, author of Million Dollar Habits states-"Success is am matter of understanding and religiously practicing specific simple habits that always lead to success.

7. Mental Toughness- "If you're lucky enough to find a guy with a lot of head, and a lot of heart, he's never going to come off the field second." Vince Lombardi

You often hear coaches tell their players, "We have to be mentally tough." Just what is mental toughness? It is one of those words that are difficult to explain. I think my definition of mental toughness is- proper mental and physical preparation that enables you to forget the price- the sacrifices that you must pay for success. It is the thing that allows us to climb off the mat one more time after we have been knocked down. It gives us the ability to strive on inspire of the hurt and the pain that we may be experiencing. It is what allows us to rebound from temporary failures that life sends our way.

When I was coaching, we were down 92-75 with five minutes left in the game. I called a timeout and asked my players how much gas they had left in the tank. I knew the other team was tired. I needed them to tell me that they could reach down inside - give it their all for the remainder of the game. We began to press. Our frame of mind is we were not going to lose. The gap closed, slowly at first, and then like someone had opened the flood gates, we were magically back in the game. With :08 seconds left in the game we hit a three to send it to overtime. Our opponent was spent......but mentally we were ready for the challenge. We wound up winning the game 119-111 in overtime.

8. Discipline- "Some people regard discipline as a chore. For me, it is a kind of order that sets me free to fly." Julie Andrews

Normally when we hear the word discipline we associate it with punishment. According to Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, discipline can be defined as: to train or develop by instruction or exercise- especially in self-control; to bring a group under control. George Washington stated, "Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to all."

For most of my coaching career, I did not saddle my team with rules. Our basic rule was to be where you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to be doing, when you are supposed to be doing it - and doing it to the best of your ability. By following that simple set of rules, my players graduated, for the most part grew into the individuals I can be very proud of today.

9. Perseverance- "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." Calvin Coolidge

Persistence and perseverance may be the single most common quality of successful people. They refuse to lose, to give up. They know the longer they hang in there, the greater the chance for success. Thomas Edison failed to invent the light bulb over 1000 times. When asked by a reported how it felt to fail so many times, Edison responded he didn't fail, he discovered ways not to invent the light bulb.

H. Ross Perot, Texas billionaire and former presidential candidate says this about perseverance- "Most people give up just when they're about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game, one foot from a winning touchdown."

There are going to be times when it isn't easy. People will doubt your ability, your effort, or your value to the organization. They may not believe in your dream, or have the same passion you do. They may think you are over your head or over the hill. What if Kurt Warner had believed all of the things people were saying about him before the Arizona Cardinals run toward the Super Bowl?

I have been fortunate to know some people who have overcome tremendous odds to reach their goals. Kevin Saunders, bronze medal winner in the Para-Olympics (Barcelona, Spain) wrote a book about his journey title appropriately enough, "There's Always a Way...Never Give Up!

I leave you with this thought- "The power to hold on in spite of everything, the power to endure-this is the winners quality. Persistence is the ability to face defeat again and again without giving up-to push on in the face of great difficulty, knowing that victory will be yours. Persistence means taking pains to overcome every obstacle, and to do what's necessary to reach your goal." Anon.

Vince Lombardi's Nine Principles of Success
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Tom Hughes is a coach, educator, author, and motivational speaker. He has an MEd from Pittsburg State University. He has taught and coached on the high school, college, and professional levels. Since 2001 Tom has written Motivational Moments, a free motivational newsletter. He authored "Power Thoughts for Coaching Basketball, a multi-purpose source book for basketball coaches.

Tom has spoken to business and civic groups, college and high school students, faculty and staff workshops, and athletic teams. The most popular program topics are - Goal Setting for Success; Team Building - On the Court or in the Office; Developing and Maintaining a Positive Attitude; Leadership Training; Improving Performance Through Achievement Motivation.

His website is: http://www.motivationnmore.com

Tom has posted a link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlvLPLLm3Rc A short segment of the speaking engagement with Coldwell Banker Real Estate.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Rip Van Winkle

I believe Washington Irving's purpose in writing Rip Van Winkle was to teach his readers a lesson as well as entertain. Irving is telling his readers through this story that if you live an idle life, never accomplishing anything, and are always satisfied with the bare minimum life will pass you by.

Rip Van Winkle is a character who always has been, is, and always will be. There are millions of people around the world who take his nonchalant view of life, his uncaring, unmotivated attitude and accomplish absolutely nothing. Rip is an icon to the stagnant, the lazy, and the useless. He is the person who goes through life never fully living it and before he knows it, is old and dying wondering where has the time gone.

Rip was not a bad man as clearly illustrated in the text; he lived his life somewhat contently and simply. People liked him and he did not shy away from helping others. His only problem was his aversion to working for a living, and the problems this caused for him at home. The main character of the story is constantly getting yelled at by his wife and takes all the time he can to get away from her to enjoy himself. One day Rip walks off into the mountains to go hunting where he runs into a man hauling up a keg of beer. He encounters this man and being the good-natured guy that he is, helps him carry his drink to his friends. Eventually he starts to drink with them and before he knows it, he is out cold. He wakes up not yet aware that twenty years have passed and originally thinks he has been robbed of his dog and gun. This part is significant because it tells how he believes he has been robbed, looking at it symbolically in context with the rest of the story he has been robbed of more than just his gun and dog but of his time and life. He than walks down the mountain and everything has changed. He does not recognize the people, all of his old hang outs don't look like they've been inhabited in years and his house is deserted. After talking with a few people he finally figures out that twenty years have passed him by. Rip's daughter takes him in, and he is able to live out the rest of his life idly in old age.

Rip Van Winkle

Using the time period of the revolutionary war was symbolic in this story. For starters in symbolized change, change in the whole makeup of American as well as a revolutionary change in Rip Van Winkles life (he is now an old man). It also could have symbolized a new beginning for Rip in that he no longer had to deal with his nagging wife and could live the life he wanted for himself similar to the new beginning of The United States of America.

I was best able to contrast Rip Van Winkle with Charlie from Babylon Revisited. Although both characters started out in the beginning as being very similar, Charlie changed his life for the better, he made something of himself and gave up his foolish ways. Rip on the other hand just went back to being his same old self. Charlie learned from his mistakes Rip Van Winkle did not.

I agree with the author's message that if you are always idle life will pass you by and you will be old and virtually by yourself before you know it. The most important things in Rip's life should have been his family and providing for them. Instead, he thought of only himself and what made him happy. His wife's incessant nagging was his own fault for falling short as husband and father. Rip Van winkle was selfish in that regard, he cared nothing for his family and only in satisfying himself. I found it to be a great act of charity that his daughter took him in after twenty years; most children would probably be bitter after their father left for so long. Rip is an eternal character. As long as there are people, there will be those who are content doing nothing. Life will pass them by, they will oblivious to what's going on around them and will rely on others to take care of them.

Rip Van Winkle
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John Schlismann has an interest in American Literature.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Teen Birthday Cake Ideas - A Perfect Package For Your Sweet Sixteener

For a teenage girl, it is only a delightful experience to be given a sweet sixteen birthday party! This is the time which marks the start of the development of her sense of independence as she begins her journey of getting absorbed into the adult world.

For today, the sweet sixteen birthday party is kind of extravagant and elaborate. Due to the term "sweet sixteen", most teens today think of none other than but a candy themed birthday celebration.

With this, the color schemes to be adopted could be the pastel ones such as the light pink or blue. Apart from all these, the teen birthday cake idea that has to be adopted should be something that could create a statement.

Teen Birthday Cake Ideas - A Perfect Package For Your Sweet Sixteener

As your daughter would prefer a candy themed party, candy canes may be used to highlight the design of the birthday celebration. They may be glued together so that a heart shape is formed. The personalized candies and chocolate bars mark a wonderful decoration.

Another teen birthday cake idea that maybe considered is the tropical design. Of course the theme of the event should also bear the connection of the tropical design. If you'd rather adopt this, the venue may be decorated with palm trees, some bright colors, and the tiki lamps too. You may serve the guests with daiquiris and non-alcoholic pina coladas. The party would be best if it is held in a backyard, beach, or park.

If your sweet sixteener would rather have a casual celebration, a bowling alley or skating rink may be rented where snack bars and other arcades may be available for easy access. The traditional blowing of the teen birthday cake and the singing of the happy birthday song may be devoted with a little time whereas majority of the time in the event is dedicated to enjoying the available amenities and activities.

Theme parks are also fun especially when her birthday falls on a summer month. Usually, the theme parks pose discounts in the afternoon.

Moreover, whatever kind of party your child wants to push through, it is the role of the teen birthday cake idea to adjust to the party theme. It needs to get coordinated with the actual theme because it would serve as a miniature of the event.

There are shops that specialize in these teen birthday cake ideas and you could let them take care of the best cake you want your daughter to enjoy.

Teen Birthday Cake Ideas - A Perfect Package For Your Sweet Sixteener
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To learn more birthday cake ideas, visit http://www.birthdaycakeideas101.com