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This article is written for helping men or women build social confidence. The plan is to break out of your comfort zone, or coccoon. It's okay to admit that you aren't a social butterfly, I was in the same boat. Luckily, I was introduced to the writings of Neil Strauss and Robert Greene. After discovering the secret community of pick-up my life has drastically turned for the better.

The first thing to do is realize that everyone else is too caught up in their image too much to care or notice any of your minor imperfections. We are our harshest judge when it comes to everything about ourselves. Some ways to get rid of this insecurity is to go out in public without showering and you may feel 'icky' but youll see that noone else will notice. That was Neil Strauss' routine that he called caveman. After you realize that you should feel like a million dollars next time you go out, assuming you showered and dressed up.

Another thing that you can do is before you go out (whether it be to meet members of the opposite sex, hang out or make a good impression on someone) think of your best social experience. For me, I think about when I met a girl and hooked up with her in a matter of minutes while we were sober. What this does is centers yourself. When you go out any negative feelings become optimistic, because you are thinking about a time when you were king of the world. Attitude is huge! If one were to go out to a club to meet some hopeful singles and you sit in the corner not talking to anyone that draws negative attention, and the alpha males or females are taking all the attention. So, what do you do to beat them?

There are multiple things to do, including being louder, funnier or more interesting than the others. If you aren't this way then you can learn to act as this is the best way, or you can use subtle things to draw attention. Being loud, funny and interesting is obvious as to what you need to do. The subtle routine (I will use the word routine because there isn't a better one, don't look at it as what you need to do word for word) can be something like your clothing by adding something abnormal to your outfit such as a weird hat, bracelet or something along those lines.

Put your own personality into it, if you were to do exactly what I do then that wouldn't be natural and people will pick up on it. For example say your into music, try getting a pick hemp necklace and wearing it out while it's on display. Look for my next article which will be a continuation of steps to eradicate shyness and build one's social confidence.

Challenger 200 - Inflatable River Fishing Raft 2 person Boat SET with Pump and Oars

2 Small person (one Adult and one child) Infatable boat raft. Rugged SUPER-TOUGHTM high-molecular vinyl construction. It is highly resistant to damage from abrasion, impact and sunlight.

love it!
put it to the test today on the waters and i must say it really held up. good price, only downfall is the pump isnt really good until u get to filling the main hull where u need it, otherwise just use ur mouth, much quicker. in the water, thing really holds up…its weight limit is like 250, but me and my friend took it out to the lake and our combined weight was easily into the 300s and it held up fine. a little small but it wasnt as bad as it could be. cant wait to go back out soon and use it again!

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Insurance is for many of us a necessary expense. Most states mandate minimum amounts of coverage, and many creditors require you to buy insurance to offset any loss should something happen to your assets. As we all know one of the biggest expenses behind your car payment and home loans is often your insurance. But where it can be difficult to reduce your mortgage payment or car payment, reducing your insurance payment is actually fairly easy and can save you thousands of dollars every year. As an licensed insurance agent I am going to give you six insider tips to get the most for your money.

Beware Too Much Coverage

As an agent many people I see come in for a quote often are paying to much for their insurance, not because the prices are not reasonable but simply put they are being charged for coverages they really don't need. But what do you need and what don't you need? Often your best bet is to ask for a bare bones quote with the absolute minimum coverage required by law or creditors, then have them add on the extras according to what you feel you need. Most major insurance companies run on an A la carte system, you pick the options you want, or select from a list of packages. Every single option or package has its own price and it is fairly easy to see exactly how much your paying for extras like towing, rental car reimbursement, or a lower deductible.

Most often customers never know that your insurance agent is picking your options. Many agents choose a pricier package to start. This is a common tactic to all salespeople, push the pricey merchandise first, then if you're losing the customer, come to their rescue with a cheaper option. Whats your best bet to avoid getting the double diamond platinum package special? Always ask for a detailed quote, or multiple quotes of various packages. Going from a platinum package to a basic package can often save you as much as half your monthly premium without giving up to much in the way of tangible value. If any option you choose not take however requires you to sign a waiver saying your agent advised you it was in your best interest to take it, you may want to revisit that option. Most often the only options that require this per state guidelines is uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage and medical coverage.

Use Fewer Companies

Insurance is like a lot of retail businesses, the more you buy the more you save. A lot of customers do the smart thing, they get a lot of quotes from several companies for the type of insurance they need right now. This can actually cost you a significant amount of money. Most major insurance companies that write many different policy types give discounts for having all your insurance products in one place.

Most commonly this affects people with home owners insurance and auto insurance. You may be saving money having them separate one for one, but your best bet is to call both companies and ask them how much it would be per year for having both in one place. A typical discount for auto and home insurance is 10% off both policies for having them both in one place. Even if your auto policy is slightly more expensive with one company than another, the discount to your home owners insurance often still makes the overall savings worth it.

Don't own a home? Even if you are a renter you can get a discount. Renters policies are usually very in-expensive and several companies offer a discount to your auto insurance for having a renters policy in addition to auto. If your paying a lot for car insurance you could actually save money overall by having a renters policy also.

Pick Your Primary Drivers

This is a really big one. Depending on your vehicles and the drivers in your household assigning drivers to cars makes a huge difference in premium. Some companies do not assign primary drivers, but many major companies do. This is an important and often never known hidden insurance cost for customers.

Generally speaking the person who drives a vehicle more then 51% of the time is the primary driver of the vehicle. Often a insurance agent must pick who is the primary driver of each vehicle in the household, they should ask, often they do not. If you want to get the best rate for your auto insurance it is often cheaper to have young drivers in your household listed on the least valuable car. If all your cars are newer however and must carry full coverage it can actually save you a lot of money to buy and insure a used car with just liability for the kids use.

Often when a couple comes in with two brand new cars, and wants to add a youth to their policy I give them the same advice, it would be cheaper to buy their son/daughter an older vehicle and put liability on it than add him to the policy as it stands now. It seems a bit odd for most people at first, but insurance companies set prices based on risk. If the kid is always driving a brand new car he is going to, if he makes a mistake, damage a brand new car. If however he usually drives an older vehicle the odds are he will be in that vehicle and not mom and pops should a fire hydrant come out of no where when he is backing up. Pick a car with a good accident rating, and add medical coverage to the vehicle. It won't cover his vehicle in case of an at fault accident, but it can offset any medical expenses of an at fault accident.

Pay by The Policy Period Not Monthly

A common hidden fee for insurance is monthly premium fees. Most people don't realize they are paying extra every month for a monthly payment plan versus a policy period. In some cases this fee is waived or reduced if you choose direct deposit, but most often the cheapest option is to pay the entire policy period at once. A policy period is the amount of time the policy lasts before it goes up for renewal.

Most companies you do business with will offer various payment plans, make sure to ask if there is any cost difference month to month Vs. policy period. If the monthly price quoted and the yearly price quoted do not add up it could mean hidden fees, ask for a detailed explanation of any discrepancy from your agent.

Do Not Pay Full Price All Year

Many people pay for boat insurance, ATV insurance, trailer insurance all year despite only using their toys a few times a year. If you only use your boat in the summer, or your sleds in winter why pay full price all year?

To reduce cost, ask you insurance agent, or company if you can put the vehicles in storage or garage status until you wish to use them. By doing this you lower the monthly costs greatly and your toys are still covered from various acts while not in use. When you want to use them call your agent or company and have them taken out of storage status. Being charged only for time you actually use the things you love can really add up. If it is your first time using the storage option make sure you understand the restrictions on coverage before putting anything in storage or garaged status. If your company doesn't allow you a storage option you may want to look around.

Make Sure You're Covered

Though it won't save you money now, making sure you have coverage for specific risks is very important. Lack of proper insurance coverage can really cost you. Some people who make a claim on insurance and are denied had no idea that a specific risk was not covered. A very common type of claim to be denied is one based on a natural disaster or act of god. State regulations vary widely on what types of coverages must be in property, casualty, life and health policies. Don't assume because you had tornado coverage automatically in one state you will in another.

Read your policy, it lists everything that could be covered and specific exclusions that are not covered. An exclusion is a provision within an insurance policy that eliminates coverage for certain acts, properties, types of damages, or locations. In most states if it is not specifically excluded in the policy, you have a legal leg to stand on. This is why in addition to reading your coverages it is equally important to read any exclusions. If you have any doubts or questions about what is and is not covered in your policy ask your agent or insurance company directly never wait until you have a loss to find out.

Hopefully using this advice at least one strategy saves you money on your insurance. If you are looking for additional advice try contacting a local insurance agent. Often someone local is better able to relate to your concerns than corporate customer support.

Challenger 200 - Inflatable River Fishing Raft 2 person Boat SET with Pump and Oars

2 Small person (one Adult and one child) Infatable boat raft. Rugged SUPER-TOUGHTM high-molecular vinyl construction. It is highly resistant to damage from abrasion, impact and sunlight.

love it!
put it to the test today on the waters and i must say it really held up. good price, only downfall is the pump isnt really good until u get to filling the main hull where u need it, otherwise just use ur mouth, much quicker. in the water, thing really holds up…its weight limit is like 250, but me and my friend took it out to the lake and our combined weight was easily into the 300s and it held up fine. a little small but it wasnt as bad as it could be. cant wait to go back out soon and use it again!

Boat Shop Online | Shopping Cart

I don't know how Alaskans survived before duct tape. I know there was a distant past when it didn't exist, but trying to remember it is like trying to recall when there was no television. Or automobiles. It remains one of those things that so crucially became a part of life, no one could imagine living without it.

It's used primarily for mending things. In the wear and tear of rural life, a lot of things need mending. This becomes immediately evidenced in any home. There is duct tape rapped around leaky hoses, the pipes and plumbing, patching cracked water jugs, covering the holes the cats made in the back of the recliner, wrapping the arms of desk chairs that had been worn to the cotton from constant hand rubbing. Rakes, shovels, hand axes and hammers all eventually wind up with their dressing of duct tape.

Automobiles sport duct tape. Sometimes, it's used to secure plastic over a broken window or to cover the dents when the car skidded on the ice and banged sideways against a tree. It might hold a gear shift into place, tape down an ash tray or hold up a loose bumper. The more duct tape it wears, the more you're given to understand, this is one tough vehicle. The engine will have to be beat to death after the rest of the body can no longer survive on pure duct tape.

Duct tape is part of our wearing apparel. Duct tape wallets, jackets held together at the seams with duct tape, duct tape covered gloves. No Carrharts is ever thrown away until you've run out of places to apply duct tape. When Walmart held a National contest to demonstrate all the things that can be done with duct tape, an Alaskan boy won after exhibiting a suit of clothing made completely from duct tape.

Fishermen especially need duct tape. They might as well leave their fishing poles at home then be without it. Duct tape makes tiny crosses on their tents. It cushions the banged corners of their fishing boxes. It repairs their hats and the cracked edges of their rubber boots. It lays in strips like ribbons across their down-filled sleeping bags. There isn't anything they can't repair on a camping trip as long as they carry along their duct tape.

She was so amazed at the resourceful use of duct tape by the local people, she decided nothing would do for a souvenir but to bring a duct taped item home. While we thought about this little conviction, we took her for a few hours of deep sea fishing. It was a charter boat with a fish finder, guaranteed to bring her a couple of nice, fat halibut. She couldn't have just halibut to carry back to California as an example of Alaskan's eating habits. We decided she'd better carry a couple of salmon, as well. The question was carrying her fish aboard a plane. Although I suggested a Coleman cooler, her mind began to wander in a separate direction. She noticed some cheap, styrofoam coolers on a grocery shelf. An idea came to her. After paying for the cooler, she took it back to my house and filled it with fish and dry ice. She then proceeded to sill it with a roll of duct tape. When she was finished, she had a well wrapped box that would make any Alaskan proud. I watched her get on the plane, proudly lugging her styrofoam cooler, bringing home the symbol of the culture she had visited.

Challenger 200 - Inflatable River Fishing Raft 2 person Boat SET with Pump and Oars

2 Small person (one Adult and one child) Infatable boat raft. Rugged SUPER-TOUGHTM high-molecular vinyl construction. It is highly resistant to damage from abrasion, impact and sunlight.

love it!
put it to the test today on the waters and i must say it really held up. good price, only downfall is the pump isnt really good until u get to filling the main hull where u need it, otherwise just use ur mouth, much quicker. in the water, thing really holds up…its weight limit is like 250, but me and my friend took it out to the lake and our combined weight was easily into the 300s and it held up fine. a little small but it wasnt as bad as it could be. cant wait to go back out soon and use it again!

Boat Shop Online | Shopping Cart

Everyone knows that if you want something cheap, you can get it at two places: yard sales and the Internet. When it comes to boat parts, you're going to be waiting a while to find that 300 HP Mercury outboard motor at a yard sale (at least, for a reasonable price). That leaves the Internet, and while there are lots of websites touting the lowest prices, I'm here to bring you the best of the best!

Rancho Marine Recycling: http://www.boatrecycling.com

This is a good website. They have parts boats and newer boats for very reasonable prices. For example, right now they are featuring a twenty-one foot 2002 Bluewater boat for $12900. This is over $6000 off the MSRP. They also have an eBay store (certified power-seller), and the company itself received an “A”-rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Doug Russell Marine: http://www.dougrussell.com/

I find this also a good company. They have been in business since 1956, and have almost 300,000 parts in stock. Everything is serviced and repaired before it's sold. It is a BBB Accredited business (since 1992), and has received an “A+”-rating. They have no complaints on file in the past 18 months.

Sailorman.com: http://www.sailorman.com/

Reasonable prices on lots of items. I recommend it. This is also a BBB Accredited business; “A+”-rating as well. As with Doug Russell Marine, there are no complaints on file.

Iboats.com: http://www.iboats.com

There are lots of boats. They have mid-price range on actual boats, but heavy discounts on parts (up to 60% off). No BBB accreditation yet, but the company still gets an “A”-rating from officials. Nine complaints in the past 3 years, all resolved to the satisfaction of the customer.

I also recommend online classifieds like Craigslist and auction sites like eBay, but make sure the seller has a good rating! Anyone with a “Power-Seller” rating is a good choice. With a little work, you can get the best deal on the best parts. If you order from an Internet company, be sure to check their Better Business Bureau rating!

Contact Info:
Sailorman
350 SE 24 St
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: (954) 522-6716
Fax: (954) 760-7685

Iboats.com

170 Election Road Ste 100

Draper, UT 84020-6410

Phone: (801) 571-0071

Fax: (801) 571-9862

Doug Russell, Inc.

1 Southwest Cutoff

Worcester, MA 01604-1517

Phone: (508) 791-4917 ext. 100

Rancho Marine Recycling

3761 Recycle Rd Unit C

Rancho Cordova, CA 95742

Phone: (916) 638-8908

Fax: (916) 638-8099

Challenger 200 - Inflatable River Fishing Raft 2 person Boat SET with Pump and Oars

2 Small person (one Adult and one child) Infatable boat raft. Rugged SUPER-TOUGHTM high-molecular vinyl construction. It is highly resistant to damage from abrasion, impact and sunlight.

love it!
put it to the test today on the waters and i must say it really held up. good price, only downfall is the pump isnt really good until u get to filling the main hull where u need it, otherwise just use ur mouth, much quicker. in the water, thing really holds up…its weight limit is like 250, but me and my friend took it out to the lake and our combined weight was easily into the 300s and it held up fine. a little small but it wasnt as bad as it could be. cant wait to go back out soon and use it again!

Boat Shop Online | Shopping Cart

Color symbolism can captivate a wide range of cultures that pulls on their emotional and subconscious strings. Author Stephen Crane's work did just that utilizing the meaning of colors meshed together with realism to create multiple points of view and stimulate the minds of his readers. Ultimately leaving different opinions of his work from the vast cultures that have been able to enjoy his ironies. You will find that the use of color symbolism in Stephen Crane's stories will leave debate on exactly how he was trying to express himself to his readers. Some of his best, often contemplated work was the Open Boat, the Red Badge of Courage, the Bride Comes to Yellow Sky, and the Blue Hotel where this particular writing structure was evident.

As colors are used for “canvasing”, or painting a picture for readers of the surrounding environment, Crane uses them as symbols sometimes even without giving one. “None of them knew the color of the sky” left a lot of room for thought for the readers in the very first sentence of “The Open Boat”. As the story moved on it was evident that the danger the four men were enduring, the color of the sky was oblivious to them, as their concern was concentrated more on the cold crashing waves, sharks, or weak dingy they were all sharing and just trying to survive a situation that had was never thought to happen. Crane would continue to use colors to blindly describe different settings of environment that were mixed with emotion. “The black waves were silent and hard to be seen in the darkness” leaves you pondering if he is saying they are black because he cannot see them in the dark, or if he is associating them with death rolling upon them.

Many cultures believe that black represents many different things in life. The Western cultures believe black is more hidden, mysterious, an adventure into the unknown. Above all else it is associated with death and worn to funerals, and yet to Native-Americans it is considered a good color because it is the color of soil that gives life from the earth. Others associate black with ethnicity, elegant and formal dinners, power, sophistication and many other concepts throughout the world. Ironically the color black is not technically a color at all, but an absence of all colors.

Another great association of the story is when Crane uses the color gold as a symbolism to describe the color of the reflection in the distance as the night settled upon them. Gold is seen as wealth by many, but in this instance it could also be seen as optimism or good health. I believe that is what Crane is portraying as he calls this the great furniture of the world. Being optimistic that they will once again in their weak conditions be able to see home and cherish the simple things in life. There is also another color small bluish color he sees towards the northern horizon that gleams off the water as well. Describing it as furniture as well it can only be said that he might be noticing a lighthouse from a distance but I believe it's the closest thing they have seen to something to form the shape of land at this point in the story. The colors themselves creating an everlasting imagination of sitting in the water in the middle of nowhere with nothing else to think about, and so you change the scene into a positive one for all to see.

War, danger, determination, passion, and love are just a few things people associate with the color red. Some exclaim rage, anger, courage, and willpower are more suited as does Stephen Crane in “The Red Badge of Courage”. A story about a soldier who flees his post, only to realize his mistake after many events and becomes one the best soldiers in the regiment. The title comes from Crane's interpretation of a battle wound representing courage for staying in the battle and not fleeing. After the soldier (Henry) finds his way through the woods to a wounded camp he hears men talk about how proud they were of themselves for being wounded in the war as opposed to running away.

You could also contend that the color “red” would determine that of love, and devotion to one another as soldiers during the second half of the story. As Henry watches a fight from a far, a scared soldier comes out of nowhere and hits Henry with the butt of his gun splitting Henry's head wide open. Many thought he had been shot and cared for him all the while it was from hiding. Then when he finds out that his friend Jim Conkin has been shot, he tries to help him hold on from the inevitable. Conkin dies which spurs Henry's anger to wind up being a great soldier. I would also almost say Crane is using red for the readers and Henry to take notice of what is going on around. As red is considered a very visible color, as to why stop signs and stop lights are red, Crane I believe could be trying to prove that there is only one color in war, the color of bloodshed.

Crane's work in “The Bride Comes To Yellow Sky” is a masterful title in itself as although it was the name of the city in Texas that the story was built around, a reader could read more into the storyline and realize that because yellow is considered to be associated with joy, happiness, and intellect that it reflected solely on the character Jack who comes to Yellow Sky as the town Marshal. Married, it is not the conventional way Marshals live as they are constantly interacted in situations where they could leave any loved ones behind. Feeling guilty Jack relinquishes his duties and becomes a normal citizen of the community which yellow could also be perceived as cowardly in this instance. Although later on when confronted by the town drunk, intellect comes into play realizing that his decision to deal with Scratchy (the town drunk) without a gun was the person he had become.

One of the most confusing symbolism of colors in my opinion that Stephen Crane used was in his short story “The Blue Hotel”. After reading over the multiple meanings of the color blue, it's hard to determine exactly why the hotel itself was painted blue, but because it is confusing, it's the most intriguing. Four gentlemen who are nothing like one another seclude themselves into the Palace Hotel to play a friendly game of cards. The main character is paranoid over the stories he has heard about the West and when he catches another player cheating his thoughts become realizations as he starts a fistfight with the other player. Eventually, he (Swede) is murdered in another fight at the local saloon caused by his own fears.

As blue is pronounced as a color often associated with depth and stability while symbolizing trust, loyalty, wisdom and truth I am beginning to believe that the point of the Palace Hotel being blue was a mockery of the story. Although shown to us as a building where people are well trusted I am starting to believe that it was a point that Crane was making to show that even for someone that is a paranoid schizophrenic, the walls will still close in and collectively collapse around you if your fear controls you. Setting the building apart from the others in color could also constitute how within the walls of the hotel society was different from the surrounding area. After thinking about this I am even more impressed with this story.

Crane has many other works that also used the symbolism of color to bring together with natures surroundings and build the readers imagination although not in the title itself. Although it is a fantastic way to mix color and nature, regardless it is up to us to decide and interpret what Crane is trying to tell us. Where one may understand seeing a black wave, another may wonder how he actually saw a black wave in darkness surrounding him or why he thought it was black in the first place. As those who understand that red is used to describe the color of blood throughout, others may find the devotion to one another easier to bare. Living in a city with yellow in it's name could be foreseen as happiness and jubilation at the beginning, but occasionally revert back to the new civilization meeting the new one. Then of course the irony of an old west town with a big blue hotel in it might be funny to the naked eye reader trying to paint that picture. However, using the hotel as a place of isolation where only good is done could possibly change their mind throughout the story. It's quite unfortunate that Stephen Crane died long before his time should have come, passing from tuberculosis at the ripe age of twenty-eight in the year 1900. Although a storied troubled life of his own, there was more work to be displayed whether through realism or symbolism or what his work was eventually known as naturalism. If only the green doctor would have arrived for us to experience more of Stephen Crane's work and naturalism.

Challenger 200 - Inflatable River Fishing Raft 2 person Boat SET with Pump and Oars

2 Small person (one Adult and one child) Infatable boat raft. Rugged SUPER-TOUGHTM high-molecular vinyl construction. It is highly resistant to damage from abrasion, impact and sunlight.

love it!
put it to the test today on the waters and i must say it really held up. good price, only downfall is the pump isnt really good until u get to filling the main hull where u need it, otherwise just use ur mouth, much quicker. in the water, thing really holds up…its weight limit is like 250, but me and my friend took it out to the lake and our combined weight was easily into the 300s and it held up fine. a little small but it wasnt as bad as it could be. cant wait to go back out soon and use it again!

Boat Shop Online | Shopping Cart

When I was a kid , dad got a tie, after shave or an ashtray from art class. Well, times of course have changed. And the gifts we give dad need to reflect those changes. It's important in these days of higher costs, to be more careful with our cash. And we also need to be mindful of what dad really wants for Father's Day.

There are a questions to consider before choosing a gift. What does dad like? What are his hobbies? Does he play sports? What books or magazines interest him? Because a Father's Day gift needs to be essentially a gift focused on relaxation and rest.

Choose gifts that are useful, personal and not too work related. Don't waste money on silly gimmicks or expensive cards. That only indicates that you hurried to the store at the last minute and grabbed the first thing you saw. If you shop around, watch sales and ads and consider carefully, you can find dad a very nice gift at a reasonable price.

Here is a list of the top ten gifts for under $50 that will please dads, husbands, grandpas or any man on Father's Day. They are in random order.

1) Tickets/Fare to an event he enjoys. Plan an outing for him based upon what he needs (a date with the wife, an outing with the family, or some alone time). Most any dad needs to get out more and have some fun! They need a break from work. Check websites for local venues for game schedules if he's a sports fan or concerts, movies or plays for the arts enthusiast. I am hiring a charter fishing boat for my husband and kids to go out on Lake Michigan.

2) A hammock: You can purchase a free standing model inexpensively. Look for one with an awning or cover for shade.

3) A complete dinner. We splurge every year and get dad all his favorite treats. Good steaks, scallops, onion rings and we turn our kitchen into a buffet. He never seems to get full or have time to enjoy his meal. We prepare it for him while he lounges. This is a meal we set out to make memorable.

4) A wheeled cooler: This useful item can go anywhere with Dad and it's much more portable with a long-handle to pull with. Use it for fishing trips, kids games, outdoor concerts, picnics, the beach, to the stadium, etc. If you shop around, you can get a reasonably priced one and a stadium chair or canvas folding chair so dad is all set for fun.

5) A state and county park vehicle sticker: These are purchased from the DNR at any state park for $25. They can be used for parking and camping in any state park in the Union. Get dad a county park sticker which can be used at any county park in your state also. These cost about $15 each. This is a great investment that can be enjoyed by the family all year long! Check out www.statelocalgov.net for more information.

6) Camping Equipment: Walmart carries tents for $49.95. We bought a tent last year for dad. It is large enough for 4-5 people. Be sure that the tent you choose has rain flaps which act as umbrellas. If you don't have time to go camping, set it up in your backyard. This is a win-win plan. All the fun of camping with no cost and bathrooms right inside! We had ours up all summer and used it very often. Or choose a nice sleeping bag. Get one that's rated for cold temperatures. For under $50, you can get a nice bag, inflatable air mattress and pump. We like the Wenzel brand. A Coleman camp stove and lantern are a must for any camper also.

7) Portable fire pit: You can have to fun of a campfire with no need to dig a fire pit. We live in the city and our ordinances allow a small controlled fire in the back yard. Bring marshmallows, hotdogs and a guitar for old-fashioned fun!

Small refrigerator: This is useful for dad for the garage or basement.

9) Mp3 player: We found under $50 models by Sandisk and GFM that hold about 60 songs. People often think of these only in connection with kids or teens but dads really enjoy for use in the workshop, yard work and on the road. Check out www.limewire.com or www.bearshare.com for free music downloads.

10) Sports or Hobby equipment: fishing pole and tackle box, a good baseball and glove, rollerblades, driveway hockey set, free standing hoop and basketball, protective gear, BB gun, paintball gun, bow and arrows, poker table, raft, snowboard, etc.

These are some ideas to get you thinking. The best idea is to find out what dad would like. Be sure to get good quality items that will last.

Challenger 200 - Inflatable River Fishing Raft 2 person Boat SET with Pump and Oars

2 Small person (one Adult and one child) Infatable boat raft. Rugged SUPER-TOUGHTM high-molecular vinyl construction. It is highly resistant to damage from abrasion, impact and sunlight.

love it!
put it to the test today on the waters and i must say it really held up. good price, only downfall is the pump isnt really good until u get to filling the main hull where u need it, otherwise just use ur mouth, much quicker. in the water, thing really holds up…its weight limit is like 250, but me and my friend took it out to the lake and our combined weight was easily into the 300s and it held up fine. a little small but it wasnt as bad as it could be. cant wait to go back out soon and use it again!

Boat Shop Online | Shopping Cart

My brother-in-law Ricky and I take a fishing trip every year with his church men's group. Up until last year we generally had to catch a ride in someone else's boat or just fish from the bank since Rick's boat has been out of commission and I decided to give mine up due to discovering the old adage “a boat is just a hole in the lake you pour money into” is absolutely true.

But last year we had a boat. My brother, Mike, was gracious enough to lend us his. It was a beauty for fishing. Two live wells, automatic oil injector, and plenty of speed to get us to the prime fishing spots quickly after we woke up at the crack of noon each day. The first day we hit the lake it was fairly windy, and after a few hours on the water a storm began to roll in. The waves started getting really bad so we decided to head back to camp. We'd just caught a couple of fish so Rick decided to sit up on the bow and troll as I drove the boat slowly back to the dock about a half mile away.
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I was turning the boat this way and that to keep the waves from washing over the front and swamping us. Suddenly a large swell came toward us that I didn't think I could turn fast enough for. I panicked, gunning the motor to swing the boat around at the proper angle to the wave faster - but it was a wee bit too fast.

I remember it clearly. The lake seemed to drop away from the front of the boat, then the boat literally fell into the valley of the wave below. Ricky didn't stay with the boat. Instead he hovered in mid-air like Wile E. Coyote after running off a cliff. Then he began his decent, just as the next swell caught the bow of the boat and tossed it back toward the sky.

I saw the seat of Ricky's blue jeans eclipse the sun and grow larger and larger above and right in front of me as my life flashed through my mind. A split second later the world went dark blue with gold stitching as he crashed through the windshield and into my face.

Somehow he managed to stay in the boat and rolled off to the passenger side. Wave after wave crashed over the bow and drenched us both as I struggled to regain control of the boat and steer with little slivers of so-called “safety” glass embedded in the padding of the steering wheel, my hands, and my face. We had to cruise over to the bank and beach the boat there for a good hour while we waited for the wind and waves to die down and cleaned up enough to keep me from shredding the remaining skin off my hands.

My next trip on a fishing boat will be perfect. Because if it ain't a nice calm day with not even a breeze in the forecast I ain't steppin' off the dock!

Challenger 200 - Inflatable River Fishing Raft 2 person Boat SET with Pump and Oars

2 Small person (one Adult and one child) Infatable boat raft. Rugged SUPER-TOUGHTM high-molecular vinyl construction. It is highly resistant to damage from abrasion, impact and sunlight.

love it!
put it to the test today on the waters and i must say it really held up. good price, only downfall is the pump isnt really good until u get to filling the main hull where u need it, otherwise just use ur mouth, much quicker. in the water, thing really holds up…its weight limit is like 250, but me and my friend took it out to the lake and our combined weight was easily into the 300s and it held up fine. a little small but it wasnt as bad as it could be. cant wait to go back out soon and use it again!

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This summer I had the opportunity to visit London with the Criminal Justice Department from Wichita State University in Wichita, KS. I was over there for two weeks to learn about their Criminal Justice System but I had some free time to myself. I know there are plenty of others out there writing reviews of their experience, but I wanted to focus on a few places and things you should do while your over there. This first article is going to focus on the items you can do for free and only cost money if you decide to purchase items.

Yes, London can be expensive but there are benefits to this wonderful city. Some of the places you should visit for free are the museums. Many of these are free but they have donation boxes to help support the operation, bring in exhibits from many places in the world and to benefit the public in general. You can also purchase items from the gift shops.

If you are considering going to the Changing of the Guard at Buckinghman Palace, I recommend you arrive early and try to get a good spot to watch the events. If you would like more information about this event you can visit the website www.changing-the-guard.com this gives you the approximate dates this will take place along with the times. You can also purchase a guide book either online or when you arrive in London.

The British Museum is an excellent place to visit if you would like to see exhibits from several countries, religions, and ethnicities. These exhibits change periodically you can see items from Central America, South America, Asia, Africa, and North America. Some of these exhibits portray the way of living, customs,rituals, and religion. At this time they had a presentation about the history of African music. I suggest setting aside at least 2 hours to visit but longer if you feel the need. I was impressed with all the history that this building contained from the different places in the world. The British Museum is open from 10.00 - 17.30( 5:30) and open late on Thursday and Friday according the website http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/

If you are into art a place you should visit is The National Gallery. They have paintings from several artist and periods. These painting also change from time to time, I would recommend taking your time going through the gallery. If English is not your first language they provide information packets in a range of languages such as Chinese, Italian,and German just to name a few. If you wish, you can purchase items in the gift shops.There is a lot of walking involved so I would wear comfortable shoes. They have benches and seating areas that you can sit down and rest on, or just enjoy the taking in the wonderful paintings. The National Gallery is open daily 10 am - 6 pm and Wednesday 10 am-9 pm (Closing commences 5 minutes before time stated, this information was obtained from http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk

The Natural History Museum is an excellent place to visit especially if you have children. This building is divided into several zones focusing on different aspects. For example the Green Zone focuses on the Earth, Blue Zone about Dinosaurs, Orange Zone Wildlife Garden. I would allot at least 2-3 hours to see explore this building but if you have time you could divide it into a couple visits, of course this depends on your time and length of stay. Opening times Open every day 10.00 - 17.50 Last admission 17.30 Including Sundays and Bank Holidays If you wish to obtain more information visit http://www.nhm.ac.uk

A place to visit that is free to explore is Oxford Street. You can find plenty of shops to visit and purchase different items. There are clothing,souvenior and food stores that expand for a few blocks. If you go with friends make sure you try to stay together or pick a place and time that you will meet up. You can visit http://www.oxfordstreet.co.uk/ to get information regarding the shops and approximate times they are open.

Finally, I suggest you go visit some of parks throughout the city. Some of them are Hyde Park, Green Park , St. James Park, Regent's Park, Alexandra,Hampstead, Heath, and Richmond Park. These parks are throughout the city and offer a wide variety of scenery to look at. They also offer a wide variety of things to do such as jogging trails, boating, fishing, and of course sitting on the benches and enjoying your day. You can visit the website http://www.london.world-guides.com/parks.html.

Some things I recommend before going on your visit to London would be to research the attractions and places you want to visit beforehand. This will save you some time and then you can plan according to the day. When you arrive your plans may change but at least you will have an idea of what you want to do according to your interest. Make sure you take a comfortable pair of shoes since there will be a lot of walking involved. In terms of the research goes. Check out websites, read magazines, books,and talk to others that have visited.Most of all enjoy your time in this wonderful city.

Challenger 200 - Inflatable River Fishing Raft 2 person Boat SET with Pump and Oars

2 Small person (one Adult and one child) Infatable boat raft. Rugged SUPER-TOUGHTM high-molecular vinyl construction. It is highly resistant to damage from abrasion, impact and sunlight.

love it!
put it to the test today on the waters and i must say it really held up. good price, only downfall is the pump isnt really good until u get to filling the main hull where u need it, otherwise just use ur mouth, much quicker. in the water, thing really holds up…its weight limit is like 250, but me and my friend took it out to the lake and our combined weight was easily into the 300s and it held up fine. a little small but it wasnt as bad as it could be. cant wait to go back out soon and use it again!

Boat Shop Online | Shopping Cart

If you are taking a boat trip in North Carolina, there are several great marina's that you can stop at and spend the night. Elizabeth City is known as the City of Hospitality and offers several nice marinas for you to stay and the city even offers free docking for 48 hours. Here you can safely leave your boat and visit the town.

The City Docks also are known as Mariner's Wharf is located on the Pasquotank River. While this offers no electric service you can dock there for 48 hours for free. They have wireless Internet service that you can connect to. The docks have room for up to 15 boats at one time. There is no fuel there. You can get off your boat and visit some great restaurants that are within walking distance there. There is a restaurant right beside the docks. There are picnic tables there and seats along the piers so you can sit and look out over the river. You can walk and get anything that you really need as everything is close to the docks. You can get a map by walking down the street about 1 block to the chamber of Commerce. This map will help you find you walk walking about the nice old town feel of Elizabeth City.

If you need electric the Pelicans Marina is down the river just a short ways from the City Docks. This offers electric hookups and water. There is a restaurant right beside the marina that has great food. You can still walk to the town from this marina it's not that far of a walk you will have to walk across the bridge over the Pasquotank River it's a nice 10 minute walk to downtown Elizabeth City. Pelican has showers and a store that you can stock up on supplies.

Lambs marina is the furthest of the marinas from Elizabeth City. It is about 3 miles from the city. They have nice clean showers, and a well stocked small store located at the marina. They also sell fresh seafood. They have both gas and diesel fuels. There are 2 restaurants that you can walk to across the road, one is a sit down restaurant, and the other is take-out pizza, but they do have seats there if you wanted to eat it there. Lambs Marina has laundry facility on site. Lambs also have free Internet Connections available.

If you are taking the dismal swamp Lamb's marina is the last place to get fuel in North Carolina. The next place you are able to get fuel will be in Virginia.

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The 35th Annual Lake Tahoe Concours d'Elegance Antique and Classic Wooden Boat Show will show off 110 elegant classic wooden boats on August 9 - 11, 2007. The show of the classic boats, known as “woodies” will start on Thursday, August 9 and continues through Saturday, August 11.

Wooden boats have gracefully glided across the pristine water of beautiful Lake Tahoe since the 1920's. Woodies recall a more elegant era, where form and function combine in a graceful work of art that glides across the waters. The mahogany boats shine in the shimmering lake, as they have for many years.

Wooden boat collectors, and people who appreciate fine craftsmanship will enjoy the show. Antique wooden bots will glide across the pristine blue waters of beautiful Lake Tahoe. The Marque Class of the event feature “Boats of the Thirties”, showcasing boats that were built from 1930 to 1930. The boats, which were largely built in the Depression years, reflect the graceful curves of the aerodynamic Art Deco period.

There will be several different classes of boats shown, including “Boats of the Thirties, Lakers and Launches, Outboards and Canoes, Three-Cockpit Runabouts, Three Cockpit Runabouts, Utility Models, Pre-War Runabouts, Post-War Runabouts, Blonde Deck Runabouts, Riva and other International entries, Youth Entries, Sedan Runabouts, Racing Runabouts/Gentlemen's Racers and an Open Class.

Visitors Concours d'Elegance Antique and Classic Wooden Boat Show enjoy the fine workmanship of these antique crafts, while learning the history of wood boating.

This year the show begins on Thursday at noon. Thursday is a VIP Day, with exclusive viewing and added attractions such as free wooden boat rides, libations, appetizers and live music. The judging of the classic boats will take place on Friday.

Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation at 530-581-4700 sells the tickets for the classic boating event. Thursday VIP tickets are $100. Friday or Saturday tickets are $20 per day. Tickets for both days (Friday,Saturday) are $25.

There are several lodging options in North Lake Tahoe. Lodging can book up in the popular summer months, so event planners suggest booking reservations as soon as possible. Special pricing for attendees of the event is available at

Resort at Squaw Creek. Just minutes from Lake Tahoe is this all-season mountain resort with comfortable accommodations. The resort features a shopping promenade, four restaurants, full service spa, health and fitness center, heated swimming pools, water slide and hiking and king trails. the full service Spa at Squaw Creek has a relaxing atmosphere with soft hues. Spa services include massage therapy, body treatments, facial services and salon services. Dine at Six Peaks Grille, Ristorante Montagna, Sandy's Pub and Sweet Potatoes Deli.

Cedar House Sport Hotel of Truckee, Contemporary natural environment with innovative architecture is a fun European style hotel. The building was b built with green building materials and stays true to its environmental themes. European style guest accommodations have lush, comfortable bedding and amenities. 866-582-5655.

The U. S. Postal Service will be unveiling a Collector's Stamp Series this August. The first class stamps will feature photographs of Dispatch, a 1931 Gar Wood fro Carnelian Bay, California; Duckers which is a 1954 Chris-Craft from Loomi, California, Frolic which is a 1925 Hutchinson Brothers launch from Danville, California and the famous Thunderbird which is a custom designed 1939 vessel which is moored at Thunderbird Lodge on Tahoe's East Shire. Thunderbird is still one of the biggest, faster boats on Lake Tahoe.

The Lake Tahoe Concours d'Elegance is a fantastic opportunity to see the fine workmanship in the fine Woodie's.

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