Garden Jenga - Fun to Play With Your Family

When you are looking for an option that can keep you, your family and your friends busy or that can get all together, you might just think about some activity that one can perform in his garden which is capable of occupying everyone around. A game would be a better idea as this is something that people among all ages enjoy. From kids to the middle aged, all enjoy getting involved in games. So, it would be a good get together or family time for all.

There are a number of games that one can take up in the garden. But keeping in mind the age factors as well, there is one game that everyone would be keen on trying. This game is known as Jenga. Leslie Scott was the founder of the game. Since then, it has been widely acclaimed by people all over the country and around. The garden Jenga involves a lot of physical and mental skills. One needs to be calculative to be a winner of the game. The number of players to this game is not limited. The greater number of players you have, more fun would you have.

The kit that you receive on buying the game would include minimum 54 blocks and a tray. The size of the blocks may vary depending upon the manufacturer. The general ratio of the size of each block is three times the width of the block to its length; and one-fifth of the length is its thickness. Depending upon this ratio, different companies have different sizes for the blocks of the game. To start with, you have to arrange the blocks in the given tray in a tower of 18 levels.

The blocks should be arranged in such a manner that if at the first level, the blocks are placed in the north-south direction, then the next level should be in east-west direction. As the game progresses, each player has to take out one block from the tower at each turn. The first player, to start with the game is the one who built the initial tower. The player must use only one hand to pull out the block. He can place that block back in the tower at the same place if he feels he needs to pick up a different one. But this must be done within 10 seconds of picking it up or before the other player touches the tower. Once a block is pulled out, it has to be placed on the top level.

If the tower falls or partially falls, i.e. if either of the blocks fall out, the game is supposed to have ended. The winner of the game is then declared to be the one who placed the last block successfully in the tower. It is calculated that the maximum number of moves that are possible in this game is 6 * (X - 2) +2, where X is the number of initial levels that were set out at the beginning of the game. If you wish to purchase a set of garden Jenga for yourself then you can either look for it in a local store or even order it online.

The Author of this article show you exactly how garden jenga involves a lot of physical and mental skills. If you wish to purchase a set of garden jenga for yourself then you can either look for it in a local store or even order it online.

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3 Lessons Our Female Athletes Should Learn

While I wouldn't necessarily call myself a feminist, I do think there are certain things that coaches of female-athletes must talk to their athletes about. I don't mean sit them down at a team meeting and talk, but it can be an in the bus talk or a between tournament games talk... you know, casual.

What are those things? Title IX for one. This is a great time to do it because it's the fortieth anniversary of the amendment this year. I've found that women don't understand that we didn't always have fancy pants uniforms and stay at nice hotels like the guys. We didn't always even have the same access to athletic facilities... our women need to know and appreciate these things.

As coaches, we're trying to prepare our athletes for the next stage... of athletics and of life, so that's where these other three things come in. With the goal always being creating a group of young women who are so informed and confident that they're ready to take over the world (seriously!), here are three areas where we can affect their growth.

3 things we should try to teach our female-athletes

It's okay to talk about being a woman. Sheryl Sandberg is the COO of Facebook and was recently named the first woman to its board. Beyond all of her amazing accomplishments, she's been quite vocal about being a business woman. You can click here to hear her great TEDtalk. She says that early on she felt that she shouldn't focus on the differences and that she was actually counseled to not talk about it. In the past, I had similar reservations about talking to my team about female specific issues. Now, I feel that I'm doing them a disservice if I don't talk to them about it.
There can be work/life balance. Life is all about choices. I give private lessons to a Division One athlete who says that I should move up to that level. I've gotten numerous calls from folks at bigger and higher level institutions than mine and my answer is always the same: I'm happy here. I'm not saying all of this to toot my own horn, but to show our players that they have a choice. Luckily I've got plenty of people to use as examples for my team: myself... I've chosen to stay at a manageable level for myself. But I've also got friends who are higher up corporate big-wigs who have families (and probably a lot more money than me!) and love their life. We've also got to let our players know that not wanting it all is okay too. But they should be warned, there's no work/life balance for a stay-at-home mom... it's work/work balance!
Women are good enough. My sister-in-law is a big shot with a major corporation and is in charge of leading hundreds, if not thousands, of people. One of the things she's talked to me about since I was in college is that women don't advocate for themselves. She would tell me about entering the negotiation process with women and not having to do much, even though she had additional thousands available to offer, because women just take what is offered. Whereas men would negotiate for salary, stock options, and vacation time. She's not alone, check out this post about negotiating salary. I tell my players this story because I want them to understand that they're not being rude by negotiating... it's expected!

This post was inspired by this great article about Sheryl Sandberg, Sheryl Sandberg's lessons on women and success, check it out!

Dawn Redd is the Head Volleyball Coach at Beloit College. Come visit Coach Dawn's community of coaching nerds and team leaders over at her blog, http://www.coachdawnwrites.com/, where she teaches how to become an excellent coach, motivate individuals, and build successful teams.

Her book, Coach Dawn's Guide To Motivating Female Athletes, is available for purchase on her website.

Follow Coach Dawn on Twitter: @CoachDawnWrites

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Improve Strength Today With These 4 Simple Techniques

As an athlete, one thing that you must be sure you're not missing out on is strength development. Being strong is going to allow you to exert more power, meaning that you can perform better as each movement you execute will be done more easily and with greater speed.

In order to improve your strength, you must pay attention to technique. There are a few key points that you should remember as doing them will enhance your strength in any exercise that you might perform.

Breathing

Nothing will sap your strength faster than a build-up of carbon dioxide in the body. To prevent this from happening, make sure you maintain regular breathing patterns throughout the entire exercise. Many athletes get into the habit of holding their breath, which just causes a build-up of pressure in the body and can even cause you to feel light-headed.

Mental Focus

Next, you also must sustain good mental focus. This means thinking about each contraction that's taking place. As you move through the strength exercise you're performing, imagine the muscles shortening and then lengthening with each move that you make.

Doing this will instantly boost your strength and help you put in maximum intensity to the exercises you're doing.

Time Under Tension

Time under tension is a training technique factor that refers to the speed in which you execute a given exercise. For optimal strength gains, you want to maximize your time under tension.

Do be sure that you're doing this throughout your workout, focus on executing the reps you perform in a slow and controlled movement pattern, taking at least 2-3 seconds to lift the weight, pausing at the top for a second or two, and then lowering the weight over a 2-3 second time period (or longer!).

This will stimulate more muscle fibers with each rep you do, increasing your overall strength gains dramatically.

Note that in some instances you may want to perform the first section of the exercise faster as this can help to improve your power abilities, but always be sure that you are slow to lower the weight so that you can sustain a good amount of time under tension.

Core Support

Finally, the last technique factor that you must make sure that you have in place is good core support. If you have a strong core behind you as you execute each and every exercise you do, this will significantly ensure that you are preventing injuries and able to maximize your power output.

To achieve good core support, think of contracting the abs throughout the entire movement pattern.

Never allow your stomach to go weak or un-flexed. There should always be some minimum level of contraction being held in the core muscles throughout every exercise you do.

So keep these simple yet highly effective strength technique tips in mind and watch your workouts progress dramatically.

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The Ultimate Telescope Equipment Checklist for Astronomy

This is used as the ultimate checklist for anyone who intends to head out for a night under the stars. The article is structured into 4 Sections. The Basics, Optional Accessories, Telescope dependent Accessories & Astrophotography Accessories. All of which is available at most specialist stores.

The Basics

Telescope of any kind. If you have not purchased a Telescope yet and still shopping around. I would strongly recommend that you visit a specialist (Online or in Store) and not a Department Store. I would recommend an Aperture of 130mm and above for Reflector or 90mm and above for a Refractor.

Eyepieces. Minimum of 2. You should have received 2 Eyepieces with your telescope anyway. If you are a beginner, the brand is not vital but Plossl eyepieces are highly recommended and well worth the money.

Appropriate clothing. This is often looked over by people starting out. Remember, you will be out in the open field with no roof above you and in the middle of the night. Dress appropriately. If you are unsure, dress as if you are going for a hike in the middle of the night.

Binoculars. This may seem odd but you will most likely be doing this with a companion and they need to be entertained as well. With a Binoculars, at least both of you can share your observations. I recommend 10x50 or 15x70 Binoculars.

Optional Accessories

Barlow Lens. This acts as a doubler and will multiply your eyepiece collection by 2. I would classify this as a Basic (Must Have) but some people may not need it. Buy one that is of similar quality to your Eyepiece. If you have a Televue Eyepiece, don't buy some chinese OEM Barlow Lens and vice versa. When you are using the barlow lens, it becomes part of your eyepiece and if you buy an inferior quality one, you will notice it.

Red Flashlight. That feeling you get when you get dazzled by a High-Beam while driving. You do not want that in the middle of looking at a planet you've just spent 15mins tracking down. It will take you 15mins for your eyes to adjust back to the darkness before you can see anything meaningful. A Red Flashlight reduces that dazzled feeling.

Sky Maps. Whether it is an iPhone, Star Disc, Night Sky Guide. You will need something to use as a reference. If using an iPhone, remember that you will want it at the dimmest setting preferably with a Red Cellophane paper over the screen to minimize the glare.

Compass. Everything is pitch black and it will be very hard to get your bearings. You will need this as a Reference Point.

Telescope Dependent Accessories

PowerSupply. If your Telescope is computerised. Remember that your AA batteries are only going to last a couple of hours in heavy use. Bring Spares or buy a Power Adapter like a Celestron PowerTank.

Dew Shield. If you have a large Cassegrain and it is very cold. This is a must. Store bought or DIY is fine.

Wooden Board. If you have a Dobsonian. Remember, your telescope needs something flat to stand on to be stable and usable. A large piece of MDF works well.

Astrophotography

Adapters and T-Rings. Don't forget it. Check that the T-Ring fits on your camera before you leave and the threads are all compatible.

Lens. Its not all about the telescope. Trust me. A good 70-200mm Lens will do wonders when you are out in the dark skies.

Laptop/Memory Cards. If you are a keen photographer, you will be shooting RAW. Remember, they are very big files and you will fill your card fast.

Camera. Pretty obvious. Also bring Spare batteries.

So there you have it. The ultimate checklist for your Astronomy Trip. Use this list and you will truly enjoy the experience.

Missing something from this list? Not to worry. In Australia, OpticsCentral is a leading retailer and will have everything in this article. OpticsCentral - Australia's Optics Superstore stocks  Telescopes, Binoculars, T-Rings. Everything. Most of these items are in stock and they have a shop in Melbourne. They offer professional and helpful advice. My personal favourite brand is Celestron Telescopes.

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Here Are Some Excellent Safety And Exercise Tips To Keep You Playing Sports

Sports and exercise safety is important for everyone, but any who's already suffered an injury has to be extra careful. Safety concerns then become even more important than usual, as you definitely don't want to experience another injury in the same spot. Any injury in the foot area can be especially stubborn when it comes to healing. A bad ankle sprain, for instance, isn't something you can quickly recover from, as anyone who's had this experience knows. An injury to a critical area such as the spine can be quite severe and have an impact on basic motor functions. Another, related area that's prone to injury is the neck, and this type of injury can make movement very difficult. Sports and exercise safety are important for active people, and the following are some tips on how to engage in these activities as safely as possible.

Annually there are mishaps in all areas of the sports field, including damages to the head and neck. Unfortunately, sometimes young athletes are paralyzed due to severe neck or spine damage. Wearing the right gear is not a guarantee. Using standard precautionary measures will reduce the risk of serious injury. Saving a few dollars should not be a concern when you buy your sports helmet. Helmets are required to show a sticker by which the helmet design has been approved for safety. We know you want to play hard, so just always be careful with how you use your head. You always want to be sure that your eyes are adequately protected, and if you're involved in sports that involve contact you have to be especially careful. Younger participants, and those just starting out at any age are usually given special protection in many sports. The quality of any eye protection must be good enough to ensure your safety. Use all such safety products as directed at all times. When you are buying on your own, be sure to look for the appropriate and applicable safety certifications by reputable associations. Your eyes are a part of your body that can't be replaced, so take good care of them.

Lots of people, including those training for various sports, engage in weight training of one type or another. Football obviously comes to mind first, but there are others such as basketball, baseball, swimming and others. When weight training, make sure you always include stretching, and you should also stick to a regimen that's appropriate for your particular sport or exercise objectives. Different types of workouts will yield different results, so you have to focus on your own goals. So, as an example, you do not want to get huge and bulky if you are a basketball or baseball player. While weight training causes your muscles to grow, it also makes them shorter; that's why you should include stretching in all your workouts. You can avoid tears to ligaments, tendons and muscles by keeping them limber and stretched. The above are some of the sports and exercise safety tips that can help you enjoy your favorite sports and other activities in the safest possible manner. Always take the time to do proper warm-ups and cool-downs to give your body the greatest advantage possible.

Gregory Avery is a professional and a well inspired writer of different clothes and dresses. He is fun of seeing for that stuff and makes some articles about it. But among those clothes, the one that he loves writing the most is all about the GTM Sports Wear. The reason behind it is because he loves sports. As a matter of fact, he sees to it that he is present in every sports event. He has many collections of Italian Sportswear Brands as his inspiration in doing his work. To get more information, just click here.

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Truck Tents and Tailgate Canopies Make Great Vehicle Accessories

Truck tents and tailgate canopies are gaining popularity in the world of sports and outdoor enthusiasts. These accessories are perfect for SUVs as well as pickup trucks, and some models even fit cars. The great thing about truck tents and tailgate canopies is that they can be utilized in a variety of situations, from camping to tailgating and beyond.

Using a truck tent for camping saves campers from having to prepare a tent site. With a normal tent, campers have to find or prepare a dry, level surface large enough to set up camp. This can take up a lot of time and energy and also require extra tarps to keep moisture and insects out of the tent. With truck tents, campers can easily avoid these things, making camping quick and easy. Even better, sleeping in your pickup bed will better protect you from cold temperatures and windy conditions. Truck tents are also great space-savers. Whether you are in a campground or on a hunting trip in the middle of nowhere, these unique accessories allow you to consolidate your campsite significantly.

Tailgate canopies also make great portable vehicle shelters. Unlike truck tents, tailgate canopies aren't usually fully enclosed. Instead, these accessories provide overhead protection and are perfect to use at tailgate parties, picnics, barbecues, or for a day trip to the beach. Most tailgate canopies are lightweight, portable and very easy to set up and take down, making them virtually hassle free.

As I have said before, these vehicle accessories are gaining popularity and more companies are coming up with their own product lines to answer consumer demand. This means there is a wide variety of products to choose from, ranging in size, price, quality, materials and more. When shopping for a tailgate canopy or a truck tent you should take durability, versatility, and size into consideration.

If you plan on using your canopy or tent often, it is important to buy a model that is durable. Look for models made with rip-stop fabrics and aluminum poles. Products that offer waterproof, UV inhibiting, and fire retardant materials will also offer the best protection against heat, sun, and rain. Higher-quality models will also come with a warranty or a guarantee from the manufacturer.

It's also important to look for models that are versatile, just in case you don't always use the same vehicle for different events. This is an important variable, especially with tailgate canopies as they tend to be made for the type of tailgate your vehicle has - including lift gate, cargo or barn door, and drop gate styles. For truck tents, options might include long bed and short bed or even drop gate models. They might also vary by vehicle make, so look for a Ford truck tent or a Chevy truck tent if you want a tent made specifically for your truck brand. If you can't find a model that fits various tailgate styles, then finding one that fits your vehicle is the next best option.

Size is a big factor in choosing tents and canopies for your vehicle. Take into consideration not only the set-up or in-use size, but also the space it takes up when stored. When shopping, keep in mind the number of people who will be using the product, as you won't need to buy a large model for just two people and you won't want a small model if your group is large.

Truck tents and tailgate canopies are the must-have new accessories for any outdoor enthusiast. No matter what the recreational activity, having these vehicle accessories will provide you convenience and protection. Take the time to shop around for the right truck tent or tailgate canopy for your needs. There are many stores online that offer a wide range of these products, making side-by-side comparisons much easier.

Renee Christenson invented the Bumperchute®, a tailgate canopy that transforms the rear area of an emergency responder vehicle into a mobile incident command post. These EMS vehicle tents were designed specifically for first responders, but have been finding popularity as recreational truck tents for events as well.

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Ten Tips For First Time Nudists

For some people, nudism is just a way to enjoy recreation without the constriction of clothing. For others, it's a way of life. But for all, it fosters the acceptance of their own bodies, whatever age or shape. If you're ready to experience the freedom of clothes-free recreation and learn to stop hating your body, start by reading these ten tips for first time nudists.

1) Do some research. There are different types of nudist places, and one type may be more comfortable for you than another. You may choose to visit a non-landed nudist club, a nude beach, a nudist resort, or any of a number of venues. Just be sure that the place you're considering is not a lifestyle club that covers up its swinger activities by using the term "nudist" or "naturist." Nudism is a wholesome activity that has nothing to do with sex.

2) Enlist a friend. Anything new is easier when you do it with someone you know and trust. But if you don't have any friends who would like to try nudism, go ahead and venture into it alone. You'll soon have new friends who already enjoy clothes-free activities.

3) Make concrete plans. Decide which nudist place you feel you would like to visit. Make a reservation if one is required. If not, set a date to visit and write it on the calendar. This makes it more like a commitment, and you'll be more likely to follow through.

4) Keep it to yourself. If you are at all nervous about visiting a nudist place for the first time, don't tell anyone else you are going. Even if you're not embarrassed about it, other people might be. If they don't understand naturism, they might try to talk you out of going. Don't let their objections deter you.

5) Show up. As the date for your planned visit approaches, you may start to get cold feet. Don't let fear stop you. If you're going with a friend you can encourage each other. If you are going alone, see if there is someone at the entrance who can show you around so you don't have that awkward feeling of not knowing where everything is.

6) Sit on a towel. One of the most common rules of etiquette at a nudist place is to never sit directly on any surface. Always have a towel with you so you can respect this hygienic practice.

7) Be friendly. It doesn't matter where you are or what the situation - if you stay in your shell and don't talk to anyone, you're going to feel conspicuous and uncomfortable. Once you're in the midst of the group, introduce yourself and let people know you're a first time nudist. Everyone has a "first time" story, and soon you'll realize that your initial nervousness is not unique.

8) Don't make inappropriate jokes or comments. Nudism is about enjoying life in a natural state, and participants want to feel they can do so in a safe and respectful environment. Jokes of a sexual nature or disparaging remarks about people's bodies can make the others feel uncomfortable, and you won't be welcome.

9) Show respect for others. At first you may worry about keeping your eyes above or below a certain point when you look at other people. Relax and let your eyes drift naturally. It's okay to look around, but don't stare. Also, don't photograph people without their permission. Some folks don't mind, but others do. Always ask first.

10) Respect the boundaries, both of the location and of the people. Once on the nudist grounds, don't wander outside of the established nude areas. Don't be a pest. Just as in any situation, there are times when people want to have their own space. If you sense someone wants privacy, leave them alone. Refrain from sexual activity. That is not the purpose of a nudist place. Nudity does not equate to sex, and if you overstep this boundary, you will be asked to leave.

Bonus tip for men - Sexual arousal is frowned upon at nudist places, but it is understood that any number of things can cause involuntary arousal in a man. If it happens to you, simply go for a swim or cover up with a towel until things relax.

Go ahead and take the plunge. You'll find that nudists are just like anyone else. They enjoy the same activities as anyone anywhere - they just don't have the usual hang-ups about their bodies. Nudism naturally leads to better acceptance of ourselves and others. Follow these ten tips for first time nudists and learn to be comfortable in your body.

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