Nearly every brand of kite manufacturer started offering newly designed kites which feature nearly 100% depower, super easy relaunch and other various features. The traditional kites which we have been using since the beginning, referred to as c-kites, u-kites, or classic kites, worked great. As a matter of fact many pro riders prefer to ride them. However, learning on a kite which probably depowers 25-35% means that if you make a mistake on the control bar, you get to suffer the consequences. With the newer style kites, push the bar away and the kite won’t throw you. Does this make learning easier? You better believe it! However…..

…..anyone who learns kiteboarding / kitesurfing with a flat kite or bow kite, will not learn to respect kites the way the rest of us did. In the c-kite years most people got thrown around by the kites until the subtleties of kite control were mastered. So let this be your warning, if you take your kiteboarding lesson with a new kite you are not necessarily prepared to rent, buy or operate a c-kite.

In the beginning we used two line c-kites which had 0% depower, unless you landed the kite and made bridle adjustments. Then various varieties of four line and later five line kites made learning easier and safer allowing the pilot to adjust the power while the kite was in the air, even while riding the board. Changing the power was accomplished by pulling the bar in closer for more power, or pushing it away for depower. Additionally, one could tune the trim strap for how much power was available when the bar was pulled in for full power. Nearly everyone agreed right away that being able to depower a kite was a great feature and the designers began to look for new ways to design kites which would allow for 100% depower.

The c-kites generally turn in a wider arc, which means that it uses up more of the wind-window to complete a loop, and generate a longer duration of power when being looped as they have farther to travel. A no frills 4 line c-kite can be tricky to relaunch, especially the larger they get. Many brands offer variations of a trailing edge relaunch system in which the rider pulled in on a steering line which caused the trailing edge to pinch in and create lift causing the kite to roll over. This system worked fairly well for moderate to high aspect ratio kites (aspect ratio is the length / width), and not so well for low aspect kites, again especially for larger kites. The next innovation was the fifth line system which could be used to self launch, water relaunch, and usually was the safety system as well. The system worked great as long as the kite didn’t somersault resulting in the fifth line getting wrapped around the back side of the kite, which was a big problem sometimes resulting in damage to the kite. Throughout the years we can see a definite progression in the safety and user friendliness of traditional kites.

The new designs for kites rely on a bridle system, usually with 2 or more integrated pulleys, this bridle allows the kite to flatten out and spill wind to a much greater extent than ever before. The huge depower allows riders an incredibly huge range of wind speeds for which one kite size is usable. For the beginner being able to get the kite to depower 70-90% means that big mistakes can be made without getting thrown by the kite every time. This year I have witnessed many students progress much faster than years past. Mostly it is the average Joe who is learning faster and the reason is the old kites were very intimidating which for most people slowed down the learning process. It is understandably hard to learn if you are intimidated or hesitant.

The flat kites also turn very tight which can be a plus or a minus depending on one’s riding style. Most intermediate riders like this feature. Another benefit for those aspiring to ride waves is the depower allows you dump all power and truly surf the wave. Many seasoned riders have gotten their best wave sessions ever on the new bow kites. The final difference in these two kites is the hang time, and wow is there a difference. Learning to stick the spins, rolls and board offs is much easier when you have more time in the air.

In summary I can attest to this being the safest, and most efficient year to date to get into kiteboarding because of the ease of use with the new flat kites. Having said this, remember that if you learn on a bow kite stick with bow kites only, until you can get instruction on c-kites. Everyone must take lessons with a certified instructor before trying solo. Would you purchase a hang glider and just figure it out on the way down? I hope not!

Captain Jeff Hoxtell

PASA, Kiteboarding Instructor, Level 3

Air Padre Kiteboarding

www.airpadrekiteboarding.com

info@airpadrekiteboarding.com

Cooking doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming. If you’re struggling with how to make your cooking time less of a struggle, then here are some tips.

1. Look over how you are cooking – Are you making the same meals over and over again and not making larger quantities to put in the freezer?

2. Get recipes that work – If you’re stuck and can’t find anything to make, just ask a friend for her favorites or look on the internet or in the library.

3. Set up your kitchen in meal centers – Look at how your kitchen is organized. Is all your dinnerware together (i.e. plates, cups and silverware)? Are all your baking items together (i.e. mixer, flour, sugar, spices, mixing bowls and spoons)? Are all your meal preparation items together (ie. Pots, pans, cooking spices)? If everything was organized together you might find it easier to cook.

4. Make the most of your time in the kitchen – if the meal you are making can be doubled or quadrupled and frozen, then do it! It’s not any harder to put a tablespoon of oregano in a pot that it is to put a teaspoon. It isn’t any harder to cook 4 cups of rice than it is to cook 1 cup. You can eat the meal that night and put the other meals in the freezer for another busy day.

5. Get help if you need it – ask a friend for some advice, read a book, look online. There are many resources out there to help you take the stress out of cooking and eat many delicious home cooked meals.

If you’ve ever been around Christians or in a church setting, you have probably heard someone say “I read that in the Bible” or “That’s a passage from the Bible.” A lot of people seem to know parts of the Bible, but how often do you run across someone who has actually read the entire Bible? It’s an ambition many people have, but it seems so impossible and such a lofty task that many don’t undertake it. At the beginning of every year a lot of Christians begin their ambition to read the entire bible in a year or for some in six months, but since a year even six months is such a long time, things happen, life happens, most of them end up abandoning their ambition. Ted Cooper Jr. thought of these facts when he came up with The Bible in 90 Days. He came up with this curriculum to make it easier for people to actually complete the task of reading the entire Bible. When you look at the way he has laid it out, it is much easier than you might think.

First of all, The Bible in 90 Days is written in the New International Version (niv) so it’s written in “today’s” language and very easy to understand. Second, it’s only reading 12 pages a day. Everyone has the time to do that no matter how busy they say they are. If you think about it, you probably already do that between reading the newspaper, a magazine, or a book on your nightstand. Third, it’s only 90 days of your time! When you consider that there are 365 days in one year and most people live around 80 years, that’s 29,200 days and you’re only using 90 to fulfil a task that you may once thought of as impossible!

You must be cautious though. Even though it’s only 90 days out of the 365 the year gives us, committing to do this isn’t easy. Things come up, days come up where you don’t feel like doing it, and people get busy. Getting even one day behind makes you feel like you can never catch up. The good thing is that Ted Cooper Jr. has included 2 “grace” days in his Read the Bible in 90 Days plan during the reading period, which can help you to catch up. Also since its twelve pages a day if you fall behind and need to catch up you can always do 24 pages the next day or 18 pages for the next two days to catch up, so don’t worry there is room to work around if need be, but please do try to keep to the schedule as you do not want to put yourself under pressure. As I said this is not easy but if you commit to do this and read The Bible in 90 Days, it will be so well worth it. It will fulfill a goal that you have set. It is something that seems lofty and hard, but it is something you can achieve. Think of the sense of accomplishment you’d feel knowing you managed to read the most widely published book of all time in only 90 days. Get someone to do it with you so you’re motivated. Get someone to hold you accountable to the task. Do whatever it takes to complete it. You won’t be sorry. You do not have to use The Bible in 90 Days to achieve this task, you can use a different Bible but studies have shown that people who use a different bible tend not to finish the reading. You can find more information, help, tips and resources on how to read The Bible in 90 Days and where you can get a copy of The Bible in 90 Days HERE [http://www.readbiblein90days.com]

Nothing else comes as close to bottling reality as the moving image. Maybe that’s because a film unspools in a continuous progression – just as life does. And video has sound as well as images – putting it ahead of photographs, bare sound recordings and even biographical writing in terms of capturing personality. So when it comes to keeping our loved ones alive – even cheating death in a way – the best option is a memorial video.

Memorial videos are usually played at the funeral during the memorial service. Typically, it is a 7 to 10 minute funeral slideshow somewhat hastily assembled by a son or daughter who knows a bit of PowerPoint – or it may be the funeral home which puts it together. For older folks, the slide show is usually a steady progression through their baby photos – to school pictures – through wedding shot – to snaps of the kids – to pics with the grandkids. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

But the passing of a loved one gives us the chance to create something memorable. Something that truly reflects the personality and the legacy of the deceased. Something that will be kept and handed around and treasured. And with the wonders of modern technology, it has never been more true that “surviving death has never been easier”.

Don’t wait for death

The best memorial video celebrates a life and features the person – in person. How many of us say, after a passing, “Oh, I wish I had spent more time with them,” or “I regret I didn’t record some of their stories.” As humans, while we know that death will visit, we are very good at pretending each day that it won’t be today. And we are always right. Until that one day when we are not.

So, don’t wait for death. Get started on that memorial video before you need it. Dig out that video recorder, set it up on a stand, and film the oldest members in your family. Capture them talking, laughing, crying. Ask them about the happy times, the challenges, what their hopes are for their family. You don’t need to do anything with it now. Its value will become apparent, and you will make use of it, when the subject passes.

Find out who all those people are

When a person does die, so much information goes with them. So much knowledge is lost. Have you ever had the experience at looking at an old photo album and wondering who all those people are? You know some, but there are many others who seem important – but who are they?

Before it’s too late, spend time with your subject and go through the old photographs. Get a pad of those yellow sticky notes and write down who’s who. Ask about the people, their relationship to the family, what the occasion was, and where it took place. Maybe you are able to scan and upload the images to a photo-sharing site and have members of the family – who may live some distance away – add details.

A life in words and print

Few things are as revealing as old letters. Letters written between siblings or lovers – or to a parent or child – often show a side of a person that you may never have guessed at. They can be very personal. They can explain some of a life’s big turning points. Intelligence really shines through in a letter – even more than the spoken word.

Encourage family members to hold on to their letters. And within the limits of propriety, include them in your memorial video. Ask your subject to read them. Film their handwriting. Have them talk about the times. Look at the addresses – who was living at those places at the time?

Assembling the video memorial

The key to a really meaningful video memorial is the diversity of material you include. This is where you go beyond the ordinary funeral slideshow. So, you should include interview footage if you have it; you should include home movies – maybe from a vacation or a special occasion. You must include photographs of course – it wouldn’t be a memorial video without photographs. But take care to bring back some luster to them – these days it is easy to retouch a photograph with digital editing software. And be sure to include captions on the photographs in “lower third” text.

Did the subject have a favorite author or poet? Ask someone to read a bit on camera and include that in your memorial video. Are there significant documents – diplomas, discharge papers, immigration documents, a first pay stub? Bring those in.

Often, after a passing, friends and relatives visit. Sit them down and ask them about the deceased – record them on video. Have them speak to their eulogy – if they have written one. What about the ancestors – do you know anything about them? Where did they come from? Where did they settle? If you know those things you can include them as narration to the memorial video.

Give them wings

Once you have assembled your video memorial, you will want to send it out to the world. Again, today’s technology gives us endless possibilities. First off, you will want to burn your memorial video to DVD. And make a nice box cover using your best images and with important details of the life. If you are organized, you will be able to give out copies at the service. If you have interview material to incorporate, it will follow later.

Inevitably, some people will have been unable to attend the service. Maybe there were grandchildren who are at school in another state. So why not upload the memorial video to YouTube or another online video hosting service? You can compress it for an iPod or even a phone.

It is prudent for a student that he or she makes repayment of loans easier, so that the collage studies go well without any stress and interruptions. Therefore, if there are number of loans to be paid, then it is better to take out student debt consolidation loan that is especially carved out for merging all the loans into single low monthly payments. This way, the new loan is easily paid off and you get rid of all the old loans, which may be of higher interest rate as well.

The students have two types of loans-Federal loans and private loans. It is possible that there may be both the loans against your name. Both these loans can be consolidated separately into manageable single monthly payments.

All types of Federal loans, such as Stafford, Perkins and PLUS loans can be merged under federal student debt consolidation loan. One benefit is that the interest rate is reduced by 0.6 percent as per federal rule if they opt for consolidation of the debts within 6 months of graduation, which also is called as grace period. You should note that under Federal Family Education Loan Program [FFEL], a new consolidation loan is made available to the student after all his or her federal school loans are paid off completely. This program combines all types of Federal education loans into a new loan that is easy to repay. While old federal loans may have different repayment schedule and terms-conditions, the new loan has just one schedule of repayment. As a result, the student can manage the debts and is less likely to default.

The federal consolidation loans are also ideal for bad credit students, as past history of the borrower is not taken as barrier in the way of the loan.

As for the private consolidation loans for students is concerned, these loans can be availed in secured or unsecured options. The secured loan is a bit risky as it is given against your property. Its advantage is low rate of interest and larger repayment duration ranging from 5 to 30 years. The unsecured loan gives smaller amount in the range of £5000 to £25000 at higher interest rate for short-term of 5 to 15 years.

To pick up a suitable loan as per your requirements and circumstances, you should compare various offers of student debt consolidation loan on internet. Surely, these loans are a way to easier collage studies but you should avail them in a wise manner.

There are few things better than coming home from work, kicking off your shoes and trotting on out to the patio for some relaxation time. It sure is a lot easier to cope with the drive home knowing that your private little tropical paradise is waiting out back just for your arrival.

Now you could just sit out on the lawn on an overturned milk crate or one of those really ratty and cheap looking aluminum chairs with the webbing but truth be told, relaxing is ever so much sweeter when you have your very own set of outdoor bar patio furniture.

Some folks pick up one of those patio bar sets at the local discount store. And for some people that might be all they really want out of life. But others are willing to take a few minutes searching through the internet for a great deal on clearance outdoor bar furniture. And the way things are right now, it is pretty easy to find great deals.

Sometimes you can come across a great discount on teak furniture. This is one of the most beautiful furniture woods in the world. Dark brown with a smooth finish and enough luxury for a cruise liner. A fine looking barstool set off with a nice deep cushion and you have all the ingredients you need for a peaceful summer evening.

Well, except one. You kind of need a drink and a place to set your drink on when it’s not in your hand. And that is why you need a bar itself.

Many times you can find good deals online on a set of bar furniture that includes the bar itself, some nice bar stools to make a high bar set and a table or two for you or your guests that don’t fancy sitting on a stool all day or night.

But if you don’t like the look of teak furniture, there is no lack of other styles in patio bar furniture. Sometimes you can find a nice selection of furniture pieces manufactured from another kind of wood like pine, or oak or sometimes even cypress. These make great fashion statements all on their own, but when you combine them with a couple of chaise lounges or extra patio chairs, you will never want to leave your personal patio oasis.

It’s easy these days to find excellent deal online on outdoor bar patio furniture on many great websites. Just a few minutes spent on the internet can save you a big pile of cash.