The People's Sports Network | War-torn.com

Archive for April, 2010

Purchasing anything new can be a lot of fun, but it can also be very frustrating. Purchasing a pair of Running shoes is no different, and do the nature of our bodies I wouldn’t recommend rushing into a pair of shoes just because they are cheap or convenient.

No two people have exactly the same foot; however manufactures have divided shoes into three different categories: Cushioning, Stability, and Motion Control. Within these three categories their can be a lot of variation, but it is a good base guide to start with.

Cushioning – Cushioning shoes are shoes that have little to no lateral support. These shoes are good for runners who do not need this support, and have neutral feet. Generally this type of shoe will be for the runner with a high arch. Instances where this type of shoe is not right is in a case where you are a pronator or an overpronator.

Stability – Stability shoes are a mid range shoe category which offer a balance between cushioning and motion control. This shoe is for a runner who has a normal arch, lands on the outside of the foot and rolls forward. If you are unsure of where else to be this category is a good place to start.

Motion Control – The motion control category is for runners who really need support in a running shoe. Extreme pronators and overpronators can take advantage of a Motion control shoe, as well as a runner with weak ankles and other foot problems that would benefit from a shoe with a lot of stability.

Of course with only three categories like I mentioned above, there is a lot of room for variation. This is only meant to be used as a quick guide for things to look for in running shoes. I would recommend visiting a running store and having an employee look at your feet to give you a good idea of what category your feet fit in. If you have serious foot complications like extreme pronation, fallen arches, etc I would recommend visiting a foot doctor, as running shoes by themselves might not be enough. You could require orthotics, or even just simple strengthening exercises to get and keep you on your feet.

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In the USA, every two minutes a woman is being raped.

A 1993 survey revealed that 50% of Canadian women have experienced an incident of sexual assault or physical violence.

In Australia, 19% of women aged 18 to 24 experienced an act of violence in the last year.

Statistics show that one in very four women in America will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime.

These are SHOCKING statistics!

For more than 30 years I have been running specialized self defence courses and seminars. Over that time I have shown thousands of people how to protect and look after themselves.

Increasing personal safety ALWAYS commences with awareness.

Since most women fear attacks of a sexual nature more than anything else most of my quick tips are geared towards that.

If you are a woman, here is a list of ten simple things that you can do immediately that will increase your safety:

1 – Do not wear revealing clothing in public places. Doing so will ensure that you attract plenty of attention, including attention from those people with evil intent. Be discrete and leave provocative wear to those times when you can enjoy the intimacy of your partner.

2 – Trust your instincts. Women are very intuitive. If you think a situation might be dangerous then it probably is. That little guardian angel should be trusted rather than ignored.

3 – Rape and other sexual assault is always increasing. In the event of the worst outcome use your fingernails to gouge your attacker’s cheek. It marks him for identification and you will have DNA under your nails.

4 – Drive your motor vehicle in a courteous manner. Nobody appreciates rude hand signs. Remember – eventually you have to stop, even if it is to refuel. Psycho cases might follow you for many miles “just to teach you a lesson” – all because you made yourself a target to their twisted minds.

5 – Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, taking mind altering drugs and leaving ANY food or drink unattended where it may be tampered with is a recipe for disaster. Give your self an even chance.

6 – NEVER pick up hitch-hikers and ABSOLUTELY NEVER hitch-hike yourself.

7 – If you live alone make sure that all your mail is addressed by just your first initial followed by your surname. Never allow mail to be addressed to you with salutations like Miss, Mrs, Ms or with your christian or given name. Those letters and parcels pass many eyes before they get to you. Change them. Make them nondescript as to your sex and marital status. Why allow anybody even one extra shred of information about you?

8 – NEVER walk alone at night or at any time in isolated areas. Predators love these locations. Avoid them.

9 – Many sexual acts are committed by people who the victims knew – or, at least, thought they knew! Be friendly and polite by all means but be vigilant for tell-tale signs of “strange” behavior. Do NOT flirt. Be firm about any unwanted attention, particularly in the work place.

10 – Sexual attack is usually preceded by some visual sign, which is usually preceded by some verbal approach before the physical action. Recognize the sequence: the look – the talk – the attack.

Please feel free to distribute this safety list to every woman you care for. The only condition is that the resource box remains intact and that this article is not altered in any way.

There are so many predators out there. Let’s help our women to PROTECT themselves! Don’t let somebody YOU know become the next victim.

Sea kayaking Archipelago destinations take boaters from the ordinary into a world where nature’s ordinary has been left untouched. Marine life, wildlife and birds thrive. The following are just a few popular sea kayaking destinations.

Galapagos National Park

The legendary Galapagos Islands are said to be enchanted. Kayaking the area is an enchanting experience, according to those who’ve been there. Iridescent turquoise waters, lava channels, blue lagoons, deserted coves and white sand beaches are the stuff of dreams.

The islands are usually sunny, another kayaking plus. Both shores and water teem with life. Sea lions, iguanas, giant tortoise, blue footed booby, and the Galapagos hawk are regular residents. The ocean houses the Pacific green sea turtle, Galapagos penguins, rays, dolphins, whales and white sharks in addition to other aquatic life.

Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park

Broughton Archipelago is a maze of little islands off Northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The area is accessed only by water. This very popular sea kayaking destination houses a large collection of birds and wildlife.
While kayaking the Archipelago, paddlers are likely to see orcas (killer whales), Harbour seals, Harbour porpoises, sea lions, sea otters, river otters, mink, raccoon, black-tailed deer, black bears, Bald eagles, Harlequin ducks, cormorants and Great blue herons.

The islands are undeveloped and the setting is primitive. Organized Archipelago kayaking tours are available through various providers.

Sormlands Archipelago

Located just south of Stockholm, Sweden, this sea kayaking Archipelago destination features untouched wilderness. Kayakers can tour the calm inner area, the lush central region or the outer regions.

Mergui Archipelago

Located in the southern part of Burma, the Mergui is a collection of over 800 islands, most of which are covered in rain forest. This kayaking Archipelago destination takes paddlers deep into the rain forests. Kayak Jungle Rivers visit the sea gypsy village on Nyaung Wee Island and learn about Moken culture.
Stunning beaches and a variety of wildlife and birds give the islands a lost paradise feel. Kayaking visitors have reported seeing wild elephants, flying foxes, civet cats, gibbons, crab-eating monkeys, wild boar, monitor lizards, turtles, armadillos and fruit bats. Birds include sea eagles, hornbills and parrots.

Dover Archipelago

Nova Scotia’s East Dover sea kayaking destination lies in a protected Atlantic harbor. Numerous uninhabited islands invite exploration.

The preservation area lies between East Dover and Peggy’s Cove. Granite boulders dot the landscape, spread by melting ice over 20,000 years ago.

Many of the islands are accessible via sea kayak. Some islands are so rocky that it isn’t possible to beach the kayak.
Island plant life includes rare orchids, Pitcher plants, lichens, juniper, and wild rhodendron. Osprey, loon, Blue Herons, and Bald eagles reside on the islands. Starfish, mussels, and lobsters can occasionally be seen.

Blackfish Archipelago

This British Columbia sea kayaking destination is well known for the abundance of whale sightings. Whales aren’t the only creatures causing a stir. Dall’s porpoises, Harbour Porpoises, Harbour seals, Stellar sea lions, Pacific white-sided dolphins, Orca whales, Minke whales, and Humpback whales are seen often.

Sea kayaking at night gives paddlers a chance to see the area lit up by bioluminescence. Kayaking Archipelago destinations take boaters away from everyday life and into undiscovered, uninhabited, truly natural areas.

Everybody knows what camouflage is, but far fewer people have seen a ghillie suit. And unless you are looking very hard, you may not see it period. Barons would hire guys to go around their lands and hunt poachers in the beginnings of the ghillie suit. They were called ghillies and would make suits from rags and frayed materials to hide themselves in the brush and wait for poachers.

Today ghillie suits are implemented for a variety of activities from the lethal art of sniping to the much less deadly game of paintballing. The materials have changed but the concept behind the covering remains the same. Even when the enemy or target comes within a really close range to them, the modern ghillie suit wearer can stay undetected and look like a pile of brush in the woods.

Ghillie suits have been associated with sharpshooting because of their uncomplicated design and effectiveness. Around the time of the conclusion of the eighteenth century the act of sniping began. To defeat and break the spirits of the opposition, rebels would shoot at enemies from hidden areas. When rifles became more exact and were efficient from more than one-hundred meters, snipers became more prevalent in the battlezone.

The way battles were carried out was changed because of the implementation of shooters. Before sharpshooters were used officers would stand with battalions and give orders during battle. Infantry warfare went from face-to-face encounters to more covered, flanking techniques as more and more commanders were assassinated. Commanders had to attempt to blend in with the common soldiers to keep from being killed. covered spots such as woods and mountains became the preferred area over open areas as sharpshooting techniques became more popular. The rules of engagement that troops in the past held onto was abandoned as more vicious and hidden tactics were implemented to fight.

To pick off high-ranking commanders and to demoralize opposing armies during WWI, all sides had ghillie suits and shooter tactics. The same design used then is basically mimiced today; suits are made from textiles that hang down and give the sharpshooter the uncanny ability to remain hidden. Whatever climate they are in, there are so many different kinds of the suit that the wearer can blend in with their terrain anywhere. A desert ghillie suit, for example, would appear a lot different than a woodlands ghillie suit.

On imperative missions the ghillie suit is still implemented for safety and cover by the modern sharpshooter. Since a shooter often works solo or with one other man the talent to remain unseen is essential for a sharpshooter’s safety. Besides the rifle, a well-crafted ghillie suit to cover the sharpshooter is a sniper’s most critical asset. A sniper’s life would be severly compromised if they didn’t have the ability to stay unseen until it was time to take the shot. The getaway after a shot was taken is just as important to a sharpshooter as the actual shot. Many times during the escape the sniper will use the camouflage of the suit to get him out safely.