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Have you ever avoided a career or business opportunity because it required you to speak publicly?  Did you ever have a great idea you wanted to share in a group setting but didn’t because of your fear of speaking in front of a group of people? 

You are not alone in the fear of public speaking.  In my travels, I have seen where the fear of public speaking have kept otherwise very successful people in all walks of life from achieving their full potential.  When you let this fear dominate your life, you lose out on promotions, business opportunities, community activities, and most of all self-confidence.

The following are seven powerful secrets to empowering you to overcome your fear of public speaking and achieving a new level of success in your career, your business, and your life:

1. Ask Yourself the Important Question

Ask yourself, “Where does my fear come from and is it real?”  Was there a public speaking opportunity in the past that you think didn’t go well or that you felt was poorly prepared?  Maybe you had to stand up in front of your classmates in high school or college and someone made what you perceived as a negative comment concerning your presentation.  Maybe you gave a good speech but you started to over analyze every detail of the speech.

First, realize that whatever happened did so at another time and place and you are no longer that person.  With new experiences, you have grown into a more confident person with much to offer.  Second, embrace feedback, extract the true areas of improvement from the feedback and work to improve your public speaking ability.  Be honest and fair with yourself and determine if the feedback is coming from someone who is qualified to give quality feedback.  I had one presentation skills student whose manager told her she was a poor speaker because she moved her hands and arms during the presentation.  Was the manager giving qualified feedback?   Doubtful.  Yet, this manager’s feedback affected this employee in a negative way for years until the employee became my coaching student. 

Again, separate qualified feedback from unqualified feedback and learn from it.  Also, don’t allow negative public speaking situations that happen in the past apply to your present or future public speaking opportunities.

2. Face Your Fear of Public Speaking

The fastest way to overcome any fear, much less the fear of public speaking, is to face your fear and attack it. Look for and embrace opportunities to make presentations.  Start with non-threatening opportunities such as your children’s school meeting or a non-work related situation and work your way up to more important, high pressure situations such as work meetings.

Realize that each time you speak is an opportunity to improve your speaking ability.  Look at your public speaking skills as a muscle.  The more you exercise your public speaking muscle, the stronger it becomes and you will improve your speaking abilities.

Go into each public speaking opportunity with a clear set of goals.  Maybe for your first speech, you may have a goal of eliminating “hums” and “ahs.”  For another speech you may have a goal of completing your speech with a powerful ending. 

3. Visualize Your Public Speaking Success

Invest time the night before you speak to visualize what a successful speech looks, sounds, and feels like and how you will feel while giving it.  If you don’t see it yourself, it won’t happen.  Most presentations can be dramatically improved just by investing time ahead of the presentation to visualize a successful outcome.

4. Master the Material

Invest the time to know what you are presenting.  Invest time to rehearse several variations of your speech.  Rehearse your speech as if something goes wrong.  What if your PowerPoint goes down, you forget a section in your speech, or someone heckles you?  How will you react?  If you know your material well enough, you will be able to overcome any presentation challenge.

5. Master Your Public Speaking Mind

During a group coaching session, a presenter started speaking, made a mistake and promptly announced, “I hate speaking in public!”  In this instance, she did not manage her public speaking mind, and let her fear of public speaking take over her performance.

When you make negative statements concerning public speaking, it will reinforce your fear of public speaking.  Take the time to replace negative statements with positive public speaking affirmations.

6. Take Time to Analyze Your Performance

In most cases, we are our own toughest critics when speaking. Whenever you speak, videotape or audiotape your presentations, sit down, and honestly analyze your performance.  Once you start to record your presentations, you will realize that some of the issues you were worried about aren’t in your speech and you will instantly see areas of improvement and address them accordingly.  As the old saying goes, “The video doesn’t lie.”

Ask for feedback from people you respect and who can give you quality, supportive feedback that will empower you to want apply the feedback in your next speech.  Before your speech, tell the person you ask to give you feedback what your public speaking goals are and what you are working to improve.

Once you analyze your areas of improvement, immediately go out and exercise your public speaking muscle and apply the improvement.

7. Reward Yourself

Reward yourself for any improvements in your public speaking skills.  The reward is up to you, but make sure to immediately reward yourself.

Bonus Public Speaking Secret:  If you forget a word or a phrase during your speech, never apologize and keep speaking as though nothing happened.  Unless the audience has a detailed transcript of your speech, they won’t know what you forgot.  Don’t let the fear of forgetting something in your speech keep you from giving great speeches.

Now, go out and exercise your public speaking muscle to give outstanding presentations.  When you apply the seven secrets to overcoming your fear of public speaking, you will realize more opportunities and gain a new level of confidence.

Ed Sykes is a highly sought after leadership, motivation, stress management, customer service, and team building expert, success coach, professional speaker, and author of “Jumpstart Your Greatness.”
You can e-mail him at mailto:esykes@thesykesgrp.com, or call him at (757) 427-7032.
Go to his web site, http://www.thesykesgrp.com, and signup for the free success newsletter, OnPoint.

Are you wanting to try your hand at hiking and camping? Does the sound of the great outdoors, the smell of fresh air, the smell and sound of a campfire under the stars sound appealing to you? Will this be your first camping trip? Well then maybe this article can be of some useful information.

First of all, one of the most important things to do before planning your camping or hiking trip is to let someone know at home or at work details of where you plan to camp or hike, how long you will be gone and any other details about your trip that you can leave that will be helpful in the event of an emergency or you fail to return when you said you would.

So now plan your trip. Where will you go? How do you learn about the area you plan to hike and camp into? Where can I get a map? Make sure you get a map for the area you plan to hike or camp in. Most U.S. Forestry Centers carry free maps of wilderness areas. You can also find maps online and at most outdoor stores. You will also want to check the weather of your camping location and plan accordingly.

So what will I need? What kind of equipment will you need?

Camping requires equipment, and the basic equipment is the same for seasoned experts or those just starting out. While there is plenty of high-quality camping equipment to make your stay outdoors a lot more comfortable, most of these items aren’t necessary, especially for beginners. Choose good quality equipment, but don’t blow your budget buying the most expensive gear. Remember that costly doesn’t always mean top quality.

Here is some basic gear you’ll need for your trip:

Tents: Decide how many people will be sleeping in one tent. You may want to have one tent for adults and one for children if you will be camping with the whole family. For a more comfortable arrangement, purchase a tent that will hold two more people than the number you expect to have sleeping inside. See my Article on camping tents for more information.

Sleeping bags: Sleeping bags are graded for temperature and come in different shapes and sizes. Choose sleeping bags that are appropriate for the season and that have a comfortable size. See my Article on tents and sleeping bags for more information on these pieces of camping gear.

Cooking and meal equipment: A small, portable propane stove is very handy and makes mealtime as easy as if you were cooking in your own kitchen. You can also purchase a barbecue or find a stove that has both burners and grill. Choose washable dishes and utensils to be environmentally conscious. Don’t forget two plastic bins for washing up!

Coolers and food storage: Choose coolers big enough to allow for blocks of ice. It’s a good idea to have two separate coolers in different sizes as well, one for frozen foods and one for refrigerated foods. Select coolers with a snap-lock lid and handles. Purchase plastic bins to hold food that doesn’t require refrigeration.

Luggage: The best luggage for camping is a cloth bag like as a hockey bag. Stiff-sided luggage doesn’t hold as much clothing and takes up space.

Extras: Buy two tarps – one to use as a ground sheet underneath your tent and one to shelter the tent in the case of rain. Bring some rope for a makeshift clothesline. A nighttime lantern is always handy, especially for trips to the bathroom. You’ll also need a basic survival kit, a cell phone, and a flashlight in case of emergencies. If you’re going on a trip that lasts more than two nights and three days, bring biodegradable soap and shampoo.

When considering extra items to bring, try to think of functional items that fit your lifestyle like as sunscreen, bug spray, a pair of extra sandals, and a doormat for entry to your tent. Browse the aisles of the sporting goods section to determine what other items would be good to bring along.

Don’t get caught up with gadgets and unnecessary items. They’ll just take up space and probably won’t be used more than once, if at all.

Clothing and Packing

Determine how many days you are going camping, determine how many sets of clothes you will need for that period, and then cut that number in half. Pack only the necessities, minimal lgear is key to a great camping trip experience. Hauling, packing, storing, and trying to fit everything in the car before you leave for your trip and when it’s time to come home and unload it all is no fun at all. When you pack, fold each piece of clothing – and then roll it up. Rolled clothing takes up less space than stacked, folded clothing.

Food

Camping involves plenty of planning, and that goes for food planning too. Prepare your menu ahead of time, and have a menu for each meal that includes every item you’ll need. The more detail you have on your menu, the better prepared you’ll be to shop for exactly what you require, no more and no less.

Choose supper meals that you can prepare ahead of time and freeze, and freeze as much as you can in plastic bags to save space. The advantage of freezing food is that you will have “ice” ready for your cooler and not have to buy as many blocks of ice, and the food can safely defrost in the cooler. If it’s frozen tight and you’re planning on eating it that night, transfer the food from your frozen food cooler to the fresh produce cooler. Alternatively, thaw it out by placing the plastic bag in a bucket of cold water.

It’s a good idea to prepare food you can freeze a couple of weeks ahead of time and the rest of the food the day before you leave. Remember, the more you can prepare at home, the less time you’ll have to put into cooking while you camp.

There are tons of other camping tips for beginners, but most camping trips involve common sense, creativity, and keeping calm when things get stressful. Camping is experience you have to try at least once. If all goes well, you will probably want do to it year after year!

A camping trip can be a fun and educational vacation for the whole family. However, for that to be a reality, it’s essential for every family member to be aware of some general and useful rules to follow. Camping tips can keep you from getting frustrated and will make the experience more fun for everyone, especially if you have smaller children. Here are some camping tips you need to consider before you leave:

1. Choose your tent wisely

When choosing a tent the most important things to keep in mind are size, weight and weather rating.

2. Consider pitch position.

When you pitch a tent, one of the best tips to remember is to choose the location very wisely. If you can, try not to sleep on a slope. Think about where the sun comes up, and goes down. Think about some shelter in the day, it’s often useful to have trees on one side of you to provide some natural protection from the heat, or any foraging animals that may decide your tent looks interesting enough to explore. If you plan to have an open fire, be sure that the flames won’t reach any overhanging canopy of branches that could trigger a fire. Take note and follow any posted warning signs and look for animal tracks on the ground. Do not disrupt mother nature.

3. Rent the instructions!

An obvious but often overlooked camping tip is to read the instructions to learn how to put your tent up before you even go off on your camping trip. If you have a new tent, which you haven’t used yet, and are unfamiliar with how to put it up, it’s a good idea to pitch the tent in your back yard for practice. When you do this see if each pole is marked and if not, take some masking tape and label each piece in a manner that it is foolproof. Mark pole 1 a-b, pole 2 b-c, pole 3 c-d and so on. Also if you return from your trip and your tent is wet, it is a good idea to set it up in the back yard and let it dry out before storing for your next trip.

5. Deal with your food needs appropriately.

You may not know the area you will be camping in very well and therefore not know what shops if any are in the local vicinity. If this is the case, try to take some basic food items with you, so that if you are unable to obtain any extra food, no one will go hungry. If you are planning on cooking all your own meals, make sure the gas cylinders are full, and you have packed everything you need to make meals from scratch. Don’t forget the matches and remember to keep them dry! When you leave your campsite, make sure that all food is out of reach of wildlife. They will rip open boxes and climb trees to reach food if they really want it! It’s a good idea to carry your food in a plastic container so that it will be kept safe, especially if you’ll be camping in areas where there are larger animals, like bears. Keeping the food out of site (and smell) will prevent these dangerous creatures from being lured to your campsite. If you are camping in a location where there are bears it is imperative to use bear boxes. Bears can rip a car apart looking for food and can easily open a cooler and eat its contents if left out overnight.

6. Stay organized.

Be neat, tidy and organized inside of your tent and outside on the campgrounds. Although too much of a routine can be bothersome, having a few general rules is one of those camping tips which prove invaluable in the long term. Simple things such as not allowing dirty shoes inside the tent will not only make the camping trip a cleaner and more enjoyable experience, but also protect the tent’s material making it last longer than it otherwise might. Assign everything a place inside the tent. Also have specific places where things that are often needed can be found so that you aren’t fumbling in the dark and waking others looking for a flashlight or spending hours hunting for the matches.

7. Leave no trace.

Once your camping trip is at an end, make sure you tidy up after yourself, leaving no trace you were even there. If using a private or public campsite, this is essential, since people arriving will be arrive to use the same spot after you’ve left.

8. Prepare for next time.

You should be preparing for your next camping trip from the moment you end the current one. This means packing away all your equipment, including the tent in a way that makes it easy and simple to start the next camping trip. Make sure the tent goes away dry (if it’s raining as you pack up, air the tent out once you get home) and clean so that it’s suitable to use without any fuss in future. As you pack away, make a note of any equipment you may need to buy, such as new pegs or a replacement gas bottle. Also make a note as to items that need to be repaired.

Camping Code of Ethics

While traveling to your favorite camping spot, stay on designated roads and trails. It is a good idea to follow best practices for negotiating terrain for your type of travel. Don’t disturb the natural habitat by creating new routes or expanding on an existing trail. When you come to a stream, only cross at fords where the road or trail crosses the stream. When you come to a posted sign, comply with all the signs and barriers, they are there for a reason. It is always a good idea to go camping with two or three campers. Traveling solo can leave you vulnerable just in case you have an accident or breakdown. Always leave details with someone at home before leaving as to; where you are planning to go camping, how long you plan to be gone, and any other details that could be helpful in the event of an emergency or if you do not return when you planned. Respect the rights of others including private property owners and all recreational trail users, campers and others to allow them to enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed. Be considerate of others on the road, trail, or campground.

Keep noise to a minimum especially in the early morning and evening hours. Be considerate of other campers’ privacy, keep your distance and avoid traveling through their campsites.

Camping supplies in natural colors blend with natural surroundings and are less intrusive to other campers’ experiences.

Leave gates as you find them.

If crossing private property, be sure to ask permission from the landowner.

When driving yield to horses, hikers, and bikers.

Educate yourself by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies, planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes, and knowing how to use and operate your equipment safely.

Obtain a map of your destination and determine which areas are open to your type of travel.

Make a realistic plan, and stick to it. Always tell someone of your travel plans.

Contact the land manager for area restrictions, closures, and permit requirements.

Check the weather forecast for your destination. Plan clothing, equipment, and supplies accordingly. Carry a compass or a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and know how to use them. Prepare for the unexpected by packing emergency items. Avoid sensitive areas such as meadows, lake shores, wetlands and streams, unless on designated routes. This protects wildlife habitat and sensitive soils from damage.

Other sensitive habitats to avoid unless on designated routes include cryptobiotic soils of the desert, tundra, and seasonal nesting or breeding areas. Avoid disturbing historical, archaeological, and paleontological sites. Avoid “spooking” livestock and wildlife you encounter and keep your distance. Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in areas designated Wilderness. Do your part by leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species, restoring degraded areas, and joining a local enthusiast organization. Pack out what you pack in.

Carry a trash bag and pick up litter left by others.

Repackage snacks and food in baggies. This reduces weight and amount of trash to carry out.

Whenever possible, use existing campsites. Camp on durable surfaces and place tents on a non-vegetated area. Do not dig trenches around tents. Camp a least 200 feet from water, trails, and other campsites. For cooking, use a camp stove. They are always preferable to a campfire in terms of impact on the land. Observe all fire restrictions. If you must build a fire use existing fire rings, build a mound fire or use a fire pan. For campfires, use only fallen timber. Gather firewood well away from your camp. Do not cut standing trees. Let your fire burn down to a fine ash. Ensure your fire is completely extinguished. Do not wash in steams and lakes. Detergents, toothpaste and soap harm fish and other aquatic life. Wash 200 feet away from streams and lakes. Scatter gray water so it filters through the soil. In areas without toilets, use a portable latrine if possible and pack out your waste, otherwise it’s necessary to bury your waste. Human waste should be disposed of in a shallow hole (6″-8″ deep) at least 200 feet from water sources, campsites, or trails. Cover and disguise the hole with natural materials. It is recommended to pack out your toilet paper. High use areas may have other restrictions so check with a land manager.

Hopefully this was useful camping information. Enjoy the great outdoors and please leave it the great outdoors when you pack up and go home.

You can read more of my Ezine articles on camping and also visit my “Your Summer Ideas” site below.

[http://www.summerfunandtravel.com]

This article shows you, as a vehicle owner, how to prepare yourself for a breakdown even

before they occur. And to help you fix problems quickly if you are into Do It Yourself auto repairs.

Breakdown Can Be Really Nasty:

Though we don’t pray for breakdowns, they do occur, and at the time we least expected.

The frustration, time wastage, and other losses incurred from breakdowns can be reduced to minimum

level, if adequate preparation are made for it.

The following steps will guide all vehicle owners who are into do it yourself auto

repairs, and help them to quickly tackle problems that surface in time of breakdown.

1. Prepare Yourself Psychologically:

One of the first thing you will experience
during a breakdown, especially if you are not familiar with car repair and maintenance is panic, you
don’t just know what next to do.

Just have it at the back of your mind that a vehicle can breakdown at any time, and even
without giving any sign, prepare your mind for this and use other points I will also show you to
deal with the situation.

2. Study Your Auto Repair Manual:

Get yourself a well detailed and well illustrated repair manual, and familiarize yourself with your car parts, systems and their functions. These are the
basics of Do It Yourself auto repair jobs.

Study the areas dealing with troubleshooting car engines very well, so that you can easily discern what happened when your car broke down, and you know where to go to solve the problem.

3. Become A Do It Yourself Auto Repair Mechanic:

This will actually help you to
tackle the problem, not only to identify it. Start trying your hands on some little repair and maintenance work now.

Join an auto repair site for guide and instruction (especially those crucial to your vehicle) so as not
to fail. You will be glad you did when next you have a breakdown.

4. Always Get Your Tools Ready:

Get a small toolbox, with necessary repair and
maintenance tools (you can get the details from your repair manual), and go anywhere with them always. You can’t repair anything without the right tools, and with them Do It Yourself auto repair becomes easy.

5. Always Keep Some Money With You:

It requires that you need to buy auto parts and accessories in the cause of a breakdown. Money can actually bail you out, so always keep them handy.

6. Get Some Auto Parts Ready:

You can buy and keep some necessary, highly-susceptible-to-breakdown auto parts and accessories in your car, like fan belt, plugs, etc, and you can just pick them and use, to replace faulty ones instead of wasting time buying another one.

7. Use The Service Of Auto Centres:

Register with a good auto centre and keep
their phone number handy. This is good if the problem is such that you cannot solve it, you can quickly call them to tow the car for repairs. Because you have registered, you can get prompt and cheap services from them.

Tope Olawumi is a seasoned auto-infopreneur, for more info on how on how to prepare yourself for a breakdown and Do it yourself auto repair visit http://www.all-about-auto-part.com/Do-It-Yourself-Auto-Repair.html You can also get the latest in cheap car part blog from http://www.all-about-auto-part.com/Auto-part-blog.html

The Dallas tennis community is one of the most active in the US. The city offers a variety courts, public recreational facilities, public parks, private country clubs, racket clubs, and hotel resorts. In addition the Dallas tennis players have excellent opportunity to experience the game in multiple fun or competitive activities such as adult and junior tennis programs, private lessons, drills or leagues. This article provides information about some of the popular Dallas tennis facilities. If you are looking for tennis in Dallas, or if you are interested improving your game by meeting new competitors, this article can point you in the right direction.

There are many tennis courts in Dallas to choose from and many places for Dallas tennis lessons. If you are looking for a larger tennis Dallas tennis club you might want to check out private facilities such as T Bar M Racket Club or Brookhaven Country Club. These are by far the two most prominent and popular Dallas Tennis clubs in the Metroplex. Both are full service tennis facilities that have indoor and outdoor courts as well as programs to the tennis players of all ages and levels.

T Bar M Racket Club is located at Dilbeck and Preston Road, just a half a mile north off of 635. Each of these two clubs has over 20 well trained and seasoned teaching pro’s. T Bar M Racket Club has 8 indoor hard courts and 8 outdoor clay courts as well as 14 outdoor hard courts. The fitness center has a complete weight room, palates room. Sectors of T Bar M Racket Club include a wellness center, massage rooms, outdoor basketball court, pool, and in indoor bar and dining area. T Bar M Racket Club hosts the Men’s Dallas Tennis Challenger every year in the beginning of February where profession players compete from all over the world.

Brookhaven Country Club is located in Farmers Branch, Texas and has 22 outdoor tennis courts and 16 indoor courts. Brookhaven is known for a strong junior development program and has about 20 pros on staff at all times. Brookhaven Country Club has a solid foundation that is run by Club Corp, which operates a bunch of golf courses, country clubs, and private business clubs around the country. This is a Great Dallas tennis club for junior development training and a highly recommended Dallas tennis club to join if you love the sport.

There are other clubs that have a solid following such as Canyon Creek Country Club which is located on the boarder of Richardson and Plano. This club is also operated by Club Corp and has 18 outdoor tennis courts to play on along with 4 indoor courts. Canyon Creek Country Club hosts Texas Open every year in the late summer and has been around since 1963.

Glen Eagles Country Club is another highly prestigious country club located in west Plano that operates 18 courts and is operated by Club Corp. There are about 10 teaching pros that cater to all levels of skill and hold a variety of programs for juniors and adults to select from.

The Village Tennis Center in located in Dallas and is has 12 outdoor tennis courts made of hard court and has a full service pro shop. The facility is operated by U.S.P.T.A. instructors that offer training for every type of player. This is a very popular location for Dallas Tennis tournaments to be held at. The Village Tennis Center is a prime spot for lessons, mixers, and leagues for those who love the sport.

As far as the Dallas public tennis courts that are operated by the cities, there are few that are stronger than others but most of them contain about 15 courts on average. L.B. Houston Tennis center is owned by the City of Dallas and has a complete pro shop inside along with 16 tennis courts. L. B Houston Tennis Center is a great facility for joining a league, booking private lessons, or competing in the Dallas tennis tournaments.

Fretz Tennis Center on Hillcrest at Beltline Road in North Dallas right next to the public library has always been a very popular location for Dallas tennis leagues as well as junior development, and private lesson. This location also has a recreational center that has a basketball court and outdoor pool.

Samuel Grand Tennis Center located in East Dallas is just outside of downtown and it is known as the largest public Dallas tennis center that has 20 out courts, and also provides private tennis lessons, programs and host a number of Texas tennis tournaments throughout the year.

Keist Tennis Center in Oak Cliff another public tennis facility that is run by the Kick Serve Tennis Group and offers private lessons for all age levels. Keist Tennis Center is a great facility with 16 courts and has holds a variety of state tennis tournaments every year. Keist facilitates Dallas tennis leagues such as TCD which known as the Texas Competitors of Dallas, and it is another fine location to sign up for programs, drills, and private lessons.

Fair Oaks Tennis is located in the heart of Dallas and holds a variety programs for juniors and adults of all ages. Fair Oaks hosts many Dallas tennis tournaments throughout the year on their 16 courts and is very active amongst the Dallas Tennis community.

If you are an adult and you are thinking of joining Dallas tennis league than you might want to consider joining the Tennis Competitors of Dallas. The Tennis Competitors of Dallas also known as TCD is specifically designed for league match play against different clubs and city communities that meet at numerous locations to battle it out. The Tennis Competitors is a die hard and highly competitive organization of the Dallas Tennis community that loves the sport of tennis so much it tends to get a little dramatic.

If you are looking to compete in some tournaments, it might be a good idea to join the Dallas Tennis Association so that you are kept up date with the all the tennis tournaments around the city. The Dallas Tennis Association hosts a number of tournaments throughout the year and can help you with the enrollment process when you are ready to compete in the tournaments that you desire.

Our operations in the Dallas Tennis community specialize in world class class top notch training catered to all levels. If you are interested in improving your game check us out.

Brian Marshall 214 336 1891 dallastennis@gmail.com

The old myths are shattered. You’ll be introduced to fly fishing in an entirely different way. Fly fishing is no longer considered difficult to learn or expensive to participate in. You’ll soon come to realize that this sport is easy to learn, and will reward your efforts with many fantastic days on the water!

Learning to fly fish is an excellent way to utilize all of the natural resources that are available to everyone — world-wide. Oceans, streams, lakes, bays and estuary’s literally teem with game fish, and are easily accessible . By learning to fly fish, you will enjoy the natural world around you, get some easy exercise, relieve the strain of everyday life, and even better, there are no greens fees or country club dues – no membership tab, and no lines to wait on!

Here’s the list of myths:

1. Fly Fishing is difficult

Fly casting will take a few practice sessions to become proficient enough to hit the water — but that’s all you’ll need to get started. Why not take a look at some online fly fishing lessons (see the resources section at the end of this article) — then practice in a park, your backyard or another private place. Hit a lake or pond, where you won’t find many obstructions behind you to get in the way. Catch a few pan-fish, learn to land fish – now you’re ready for the stream, ocean or wherever you’d like to fly fish!

2. Fly Fishing is expensive

It simply is not. Fly fishing can be expensive if you spend a lot of your hard earned mullah on premier, top of the line (dare say – overpriced?) fly gear. Don’t go bottom of the line either – inexpensive equipment is hard to use because inexpensive materials are heavier and not as stiff as quality graphite. Very inexpensive gear simply does not hold up to rugged fishing use – and we are rugged, aren’t we?

So — look around. There are some great deals on beginner fly fishing outfits — don’t let the word “beginner” scare you away. This gear is not only fairly priced, but the rods are specifically designed to be easier to cast and will last a long time if you take care of them. Take this from a fly fisher that broke his very first (and precious!) fly rod in the hatchback of a Toyota Celica! Some fly rod outfits even come complete with a protective rod & reel traveling case!

3. You can only Fly Fish for Trout

You get the picture. Trout stream, pipe in mouth, tweed jacket, leather patches, wicker creel…

Wrong. Today’s fly fishing is so much more exciting than that (but if the above excites you – by all means – knock yourself out!).

I took up fly fishing in my early twenties as the result of a childhood memory of my father and other fly fishers on the famous Beaverkill in Roscoe, NY. Let’s just suffice to say that there was a lot of tweed and wicker in the ’60’s. Today the world has changed! Now — picture this forty-something year old with his wife on the flats in the Florida Keys hunting down barracuda, bonefish and permit. All tropical, all cool, all hot, we were fishing machines — it was everything you’d ask for in the excitement department!

Species: so many – let’s see, OK – trout, bass (large-mouth and small-mouth), carp, pike, pickerel, perch, sunnies, crappies, steelhead, salmon (many varieties – and Lox is not a variety of salmon!), then there’s striped bass, bluefish, false albacore, bonito, weakfish, bonefish, barracuda, permit, mangrove snapper, snook, Spanish mackerel , jack crevalle. Oh the list goes on! But I’ll stop.

4. Fly Fishing has to be done in Exotic Locations

Although the Florida Keys are very nice, as well as New Zealand, Christmas Island, Belize and the like…

There are so many places close to home that can and will provide you with the total fly fishing experience. Your local park probably may have a stocked pond. That pretty little stream with the bridge that you cross every day — may be a trout stream. The beach that you take the dog to for a run — there are fish to catch there! Fly fishing is a great sport in that it enables you to open your eyes and enjoy the world around you.

Then again, a vacation sounds nice too!

Places: rivers, streams, creeks, brooks, tributaries, lakes, ponds, farm ponds, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, bays, estuaries, jetties, flats, reefs…

5. You need a PhD in Biology to Succeed

You won’t need a PhD in any subject to succeed in fly fishing! You might think so after conversing with some fly fishers. The reality is that you can over-complicate this sport as much as you’d like. Yes, here are times that fish are selective (won’t take the fly you’re fishing) — but in most cases you can dupe them with a selection of about two or three flies properly fished.

6. You have to be an Olympic Athlete to Fly Fish

Just as in any other sport, you can participate to the level of your physical abilities and derive complete enjoyment! Groups continue to build handicap access sites on streams and lakes — all over the US (and worldwide), and you can find a location to fly fish right outside your car!

7. You can’t learn to Fly Fish on your own

Many have, and many will. Guides, fly shops, fly fishing schools and the like will try to convince you that you’ll need those expensive lessons to get started. We disagree. And here are the key words — “to get started”. There are so many great resources for the beginner fly fisher — just read a little, online or off, and get out on the water and fly fish!

8. I thought you had to attach a real live fly to the end of the line

Negative. Fly Fishing is all about imitating fish food with a hand-made “fly”, often constructed of fur and feathers, but can also be constructed from man-made materials. The key here is imitating the natural food of the species of fish your are fly fishing for. For instance, saltwater species often feed on small minnows — and saltwater “flies” often imitate small fish or minnows.

9. I can’t do it, I tried once

Here’s the thing about fly casting: You are not casting any weight at the end of the line as with a spin rod. You are casting the fly line itself. Here’s a simple analogy: pretend that you are holding a stick with an apple pushed onto the top. You want to toss the apple across the room to your friend. You would have to swing the stick and abruptly stop the swing to let the apple fly off the top of the stick and hurl across the room to your waiting friend. Just imagine now that the stick is your fly rod, and the apple is actually your fly line. Fly casting is much the same as the analogy: your forward cast will start, just as when you swung the stick, and then stop abruptly to allow the fly line to hurl forward. See the resources at the end of this article for a cool animation that you can view, explaining the basics of fly casting.

10. You have to cast really far to catch fish

Most fish are you’ll be targeting are within 30 ft — or, you can get to within 30 ft of them. To cast to a fish this far away, you only have to be able to cast 21 – 23 ft of fly line, taking into consideration that most leaders (your terminal tackle) are 7.5 to 9 ft. We know, for certain, that with one or two practice sessions — you’ll be casting at least that far!

AnglerUniversity.com [http://www.angleruniversity.com] is an online resource for beginner fly fishers that combines online fly fishing lessons (with animations, video, and photos) with a fly shop that offers fly fishing combos, fly rods, fly reels, and accessories. Check out a couple of the resources below for fly fishing information and gear. When you’re ready to fly fish — make AnglerUniversity.com your first stop on the Internet!

I’ve included a couple of resources for you to check out:

Online Fly Fishing Lessons [http://www.angleruniversity.com/enroll3.asp]

Basic Casting Animation/Lesson [http://www.angleruniversity.com/lessons_intro.asp]

Many families across the country own at least one pet. Regardless of what type of pet it is the pet in a way becomes a member of the family. There are some families that take extra care of their pets with pampering them with pet gifts or pet supplies. Pet owners have a number of options when it comes to buying pet supplies.

Perhaps the most common way that a pet owner purchases pet supplies for their family pet is by visiting their local pet store. Most cities in America have a pet store and large cities may even be home to multiple pet stores. One of the reasons why pet stores are so popular is because a shopper can physically examine each item before purchasing it. This gives many pet owners the opportunity to study the quality of an item before bringing it into their home.

While storefront pet stores are a great place to purchase pet supplies there is another option that may be more convenient for many pet owners. Online pet stores are similar to storefront locations; however, they do not require leaving home. There are millions of Americans who currently purchase their pet supplies over the internet and there is absolutely no reason why more shouldn’t be because purchasing pet supplies online has an unlimited number of benefits.

As previously mentioned online shoppers looking to purchase pet supplies do not have to leave their home if they are shopping at an online pet store. Purchasing pet supplies online is all about convenience. Pet owners can purchase their much needed pet supplies all in a matter of minutes. This option is very convenient for pet owners or families who may not have the time to regularly visit a pet store.

In addition to convenience, purchasing pet supplies online can also save pet owners money. America has recently been experiencing a major problem with the increase in gasoline prices. Many shoppers are finding it to expensive to drive to their local pet store. This problem is being especially felt in country areas where a large number of pet owners are located. Many cities have a pet store; however, not all towns do. This may mean that a pet owner living in a rural area could be driving a half an hour or more to their local pet store which could cost a decent amount of money in gasoline.

Online shoppers will have to pay shipping costs on the pet supplies that they purchase. This shipping cost can easily be lower than the cost of gas for a trip to a pet store. There are many shoppers who are successful at finding online pet stores who offer free shipping or reduced price shipping on all of their pet supplies. This would make online shopping for pet supplies even more beneficial.

Perhaps one of the greatest benefits to purchasing pet supplies online is the selection of products available. Most retail stores are limited on the amount of floor space that they have which limits the amount of product that they can carry. Online pet stores do not have the same problem because they do not have to physically display all of the pet supplies that they are selling. Most pet owners find it easier to purchase pet supplies online especially when looking for hard to find products.

Of course pet owners can shop wherever they want to; however, pet owners are encouraged to at least give online shopping a try. The selection of pet supplies that can be purchased online for a low cost is amazing and to top it off those items can be delivered directly to your door.

Grant Morrison is a writer for Brothers Pets where you can find more information about pet supplies [http://www.brotherspets.com/sitemap.htm]

What? A “Pet trust”? Pets as our “children”? We are supposed to consider including our pet animals – dogs, cats, birds, etc – as “family members” and “loved ones” who should be covered in our testamentary trust or will and our estate planning? Aren’t these just mere “animals”?

Well, not quite so any more these days!

Americans own a huge number of pets, including about 68 million dogs and 73 million cats, according to a 2000 estimate by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. What is even particularly fundamental, however, from the sociological standpoint and the transformation of the American society, is this: That for a great many Americans, and a growing number of them, their home pets are now considered a bona fide “member of the family,” and not just “animals” any more.

An October 1999 survey by the USA Today newspaper, for example, found that more than 66% of American pet owners said they consider their pets “a member of the family.” In a more recent survey by the American Animal Hospital Association, a whopping 84% of American pet owners were reported to think of their animal companions as being their kids.

In deed, a more telling indices of the dramatic evolution of the pet from mere ‘animals’ towards the highly exulted status of a ‘family member’ in the American society, is the general attitude of the pet owners towards their pets and simply the way they treat, regard and relate with their pets. For example, according to surveys, some 79% of pet owners allow their pets to sleep in their beds with them, while 3% of them even count pets in the number of IRS withholdings they claim for tax purposes. The evidence is simply astounding: 50% of American pet owners talk “baby talk” to their pets; 37% of them carry a picture of their pets in their wallets; 27% of them include their pets in their testamentary trusts or wills; while 8% buy health insurance for their pets. There’s more. Nowadays, the “custody fights” over pets among divorcing couples who own pets, are among the most hotly contested issues in divorce proceedings; pet owners now throw lavish wedding and birthday parties for dogs, cats, and other pet animals, more adults today have pets than children, and so on and on.

Summed up simply, just about all those kinds of special rights, privileges and actions that have traditionally been reserved for and directed towards protecting and caring for human children, are, today, now used to protect and care for pets, as well. In other words, gradually but surely, there is now in the American society a new and increasingly significant kind of “family members” and “children.” It’s called the NON-human or pet animal family members and children!

And that brings us to this major question: how has the American law evolved in response to this developing new sociological reality in the American society? In terms of providing our new-found pet animal “infant children” the essential legal rights, care and protections as would be fitting for our human “infant children”? Suffice it simply to say, that a new specialized area of law has developed in the American jurisprudence pertaining to this issue. One significant aspect of it is what is known as the “pet trust” law. In point of fact, the American pet owners have for centuries expressed concerns and interest in establishing an estate plan for their animals in the same manner as people plan for their spouses and children, but that general impulse had for so long been resisted by the State legislatures and the Courts based on one legal rationale or the other. However, beginning in the 1990s, under the guidelines established by the National Conference of Commissioners of Uniform State Laws, State legislatures (at least 40 of them as of 2006) and the courts have adopted laws which address precisely those concerns and now permit the creation of trusts specifically for the custody and care of designated pets and their offspring in times of the incapacity or death of their owner.

Basically, with a legally valid ‘pet trust,’ you (the pet owner) can make specific provisions as to the care of your pets in the event of your disability or death, and provide for a reliable caretaker and funding arrangement for the pet all of which will be legally enforceable by the courts. Thus, with the “pet trust,” a relatively recent estate planning tool applicable for pet animals, you can assure that in the event of any such emergency, your pets will not likely wind up in the shelter or pound somewhere awaiting euthanasia, but will be taken into a safe home and will be properly cared for by a responsible, caring caretaker.

Affordable self-help dog, cat, pet estate planning [http://www.EstatePlanAndTrustforPets.com/index.html] pet’s future pet trust and will [http://www.EstatePlanAndTrustForPets.Com/id73.html]

Modern-day automobiles are complex, as most auto manufacturers are using high technology to make the cars more durable. However, being machines, automobiles also encounter the usual problems related to breakdowns as well as normal wear and tear. Repairing automobiles can be very confusing and finding someone qualified to make the correct repairs is becoming even more difficult.

It’s a common proverb that “prevention is better than cure.” Similarly, the best way to avoid auto repair expenses is to be prepared and to amass knowledge about how your vehicle works and how to identify common car problems. It’s also important to know a good technician, the kinds of questions to ask, and your consumer rights. Choosing the right repair shop is the most difficult part, and the best way to solve this problem is by asking for recommendations from friends, family, and other people you trust.

One can make telephone enquiries for the best deal, and compare warranty policies on repairs. While choosing an auto technician, look for shops that display various certifications, like an Automotive Service Excellence seal. Certification ensures that the technicians are acquainted with the basic standards of knowledge and capabilities in desired technical segment.

Auto-repair charges can be expensive; therefore, it is imperative that the consumer be updated about the prevailing repair charges. Mostly, these charges vary from one repair shop to another, as some shops charge flat labor charges, while others charge on the basis of the actual time the technician worked on the repair. Many repair shops also charge for diagnostic time. However, if the technician recommends expensive or complicated repairs, it is advisable to get a second opinion. Although repair shops do not offer any “standard warranty” on repairs, it is important to understand what is covered under your warranty and get it in writing. Furthermore, check with the Federal Trade Commission or your state or local consumer protection agency for information about your warranty rights.

It is advisable to prevent common troubles like leaks and smoke, overheating problems, flat tires and the like with proper maintenance and care of your vehicle.

Auto Repair provides detailed information on Auto Repair, Auto Glass Repair, Online Auto Repair, Auto Body Repair and more. Auto Repair is affiliated with Discount Auto Parts.