Boots are one of my favorite things about winter – once the novelty of snow and sweaters has worn off, anyway.

Boots can be practical or sexy, although rarely both in the salt-laden streets of harsh winter climates. Speaking of which…

While it may often seem like store clerks are just trying to boost their commissions by ringing up protective sprays and gels, their sales gimmick is not totally bogus.

It is essential to understand that not all boots are created equal. The word ‘boot’ is not synonymous with water-proof or snow-friendly. Respect your fashion investment by weather-protecting and cleaning all of your winter footwear regularly.

Realize that protective and restorative shoe applications cannot perform miracles. Have the common sense to know when to air on the side of practicality and not to wear your suede stiletto calf-cut boots. Salt and water produce damaging, lasting stains which – in addition to ruining boots’ finish – actually corrode the integrity of genuine suede, leather and fabric. Purchase a swank boot bag in which to tote your trendy footwear to work in nasty winter conditions while opting for damage-proof snow or rain boots while en route.

Boot Tip: If you remember nothing else: Be seasonally consistent when putting an outfit together. Do not wear boots and a skirt with bare legs; tights, nylons, or even flesh colored fishnet stockings help bridge the (thermal & fashion) gap between your knees and your hemline.

Ankle Boots

Very funky footwear when worn with tights and a skirt. Avoid wearing ankle boots with long skirts past the knee – this tends to look frumpy and matronly.

Mid-Calf Boots

A unique cut that looks great with skirts of all lengths. This style accentuates your calf muscle and stands out from the crowd of knee-high boots. Very sexy, indeed.

Tall Boots

The classic knee-high boot. Ensure that the boot fits snugly around your leg; if the boot gapes open you may need to have it altered for a more chic look—a standard procedure at most cobblers.

Fur-Lined Boots & UGGs

Narrow, fur-lined lace-up tall boots are a sweet accompaniment to a flirty short skirt. For a funky casual style, try wearing knee socks over your tights and letting them peek (ever so slightly) over the top of your boot. This look works best if your socks and tights are contrasting colors.

UGGs have become all the rage as the surfer-type’s (and urban wanna-be surfer type’s) winter foot-wear of choice. These robust, wooly sheepskin boots have been fashioned for years by Australian craftsmen, and were first mass introduced to North America in 1978 by Brian Smith, a young Australian surfer seeking to spread the UGG-love across the United States.

Twenty-five years later, and while UGGs aren’t exactly the height of chic sophistication or glamorous sexiness, they are hailed by wearers as the ultimate in comfort and warmth at 30 below.

Johneen Manning is Editor-In-Chief of http://www.GKFA.com, a hip, savvy & fresh online magazine for the ‘Sex and the City’ generation of women.

This article describes where to look, what to look for, and how to choose day-hiking boots. Knowing where to look and what to look for, you can be sure to get the high-quality hiking boots you need without paying extra for features you don’t need.

Day-hiking boots range anywhere from $40.00 to $150.00. The high end of that range is beginning to cross into backpacking boots, but anything below that range is either an exceptionally good deal or an imitation hiking boot that will disappoint you badly.

So, let’s talk about the kinds of places to shop for hiking boots, features to look for, pitfalls to avoid, and techniques to make sure you have the right fit.

Where to Shop for Hiking Boots

If you have never done any serious hiking, you will want to buy your first serious hiking boots in a hands-on experience. I’m being honest here (habit of mine). Yes, it is in my interest to persuade you to buy your hiking boots through my Web site, but I won’t do that if it is not appropriate for you. Even aside from ethical considerations, it would be bad business for me to create a lot of dissatisfied customers telling their friends about their bad experience. No, I’m just being honest. I don’t want to take your money and leave you unhappy. Buy your first pair of hiking boots at a brick-and-mortar store where you can handle the boots and try them for proper fit. Then, when you have enough experience to know what you want in your second pair of hiking boots (or third, or …), you can take advantage of the lower prices available on the Web.

When shopping for hiking boots, look for an outdoor equipment store rather than a shoe store. The sales clerks in a general shoe store are not likely to know the difference between real hiking boots and fashion imitations of hiking boots. You might pay more money at an outdoor equipment store, but you will realize the savings out on the trail.

Once you’re in the store, ask about some of the things you read in this article. If the sales clerk doesn’t know what a scree collar is or why soft outer soles are better than hard, look for another sales clerk, or another store.

If you are ready to buy your hiking boots on the Web, you can take advantage of the best of both worlds. You can buy from a high-volume store that has the best prices, but first get your advice, recommendations, and reviews from affiliated Web sites that specialize in hiking equipment.

Wherever you choose to buy your hiking boots, make sure there is a reliable, knowledgeable person in the loop somewhere. If the sales clerk or Web site seems too eager about making the sale and not interested enough in discussing and comparing features, you should look somewhere else before you make a final decision.

Especially when you are shopping the Web sites, you may need to pay attention to brands. Certain brands have a well-deserved reputation for good quality, and you should not ignore that. On the other hand, some brands have an overblown reputation that often has more to do with fashion than with genuine quality. The only way to know the difference, and to find the quality you need without paying for fashion that you don’t care about, is to talk to those who know the difference and to read reviews from people who have actually used the hiking boots in the field.

Features to Look For in Day-Hiking Boots

Here is what you need to look for:

* Deep tread in a soft sole for traction.

* Appropriate height (just above the ankle).

* Soft, wide, thick scree collar (the padding around the top that keeps pebbles out without chafing your Achilles tendon).

* Fiberglass shank. Steel is okay, but fiberglass is better in day-hiking boots because it’s lighter. Full-length is preferred, but shorter shanks may be acceptable if you are planning more moderate hiking.

* Tongue attached at least up to the top of the foot, or higher if you plan on crossing streams frequently.

* Crampon attachments (good, but not essential, unless you do a lot of hiking in icy conditions).

* Hooks for the laces above the top of the foot.

* Choose eyelets, D-rings, or webbing for the lower lace attachment points as a matter of personal taste. My experience does not indicate any one to be better than the others for day-hiking boots.

* Good insulation and padding all around, firm on the bottom, with a tough but smooth lining.

* Double stitching on all visible seams.

* More leather and less fabric is better. Split leather is fine (and you’ll almost never find full-grain leather in a day-hiking boot), but not full suede.

* Fewer seams is better.

Most of these features are self-evident, but here are a few techniques for evaluating specific features.

* Tread should be at least two fifths of the total thickness of the sole.

* Measure the softness of the tread surface by pressing your thumbnail into it. You should be able to make a visible indentation that springs out in a second or so.

* Measure the stiffness of the shank by holding the heel in one hand and the toe in the other, and twisting the sole. You should not be able to twist it at all.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Hiking Boots

The biggest problem you’re likely to find in shopping for day-hiking boots is cheaply-made “imitation” hiking boots. They look like hiking boots, but they’re not built to stand up to trail conditions. They will not last long, and they will not give you the traction and water resistance you need.

You can tell an “imitation” hiking boot from the real thing by these characteristics:

* Mild tread, less than about two-fifths the thickness of the sole.

* Hard tread surface that you can barely indent with your fingernail.

* Non-attached tongue.

* Non-rigid sole that you can twist by hand.

* No scree collar. There may be patches of leather or a different color of fabric that look like a scree collar, but if it doesn’t have thick, soft padding around the top, it’s not a real hiking boot. It won’t keep the pebbles out, and it might chafe or constrict your Achilles tendon.

Fitting your Hiking Boots

You must fit your hiking boots with any orthopedic inserts, off-the-shelf insoles, and the hiking socks you intend to wear with them. A good rule of thumb is to start with one full size larger than your regular street shoes.

With all the inserts and insoles in place and your hiking socks on, but with no laces in the boot, put the boot on and push your foot all the way forward until your toes touch the front. You should have just enough room behind the heel to slide your finger all the way in.

Next, lace the boot up snugly and walk around. The boots will be stiff and uncomfortable because they’re not broken in, but they should not allow your foot to slide or rub.

Stand on a steep slope with your toes pointing down. (Use the fitting horse where you’re supposed to put your foot to lace the shoe while sitting. Go ahead and stand on it.) You should be able to wiggle your toes, and they should not touch the front of the boots.

If you bought the boots via the Web, do this fit-test as soon as you get them. Even if you think you know your size, boots from different manufacturers might fit differently. Check the size and fit immediately, and return them for a replacement if they don’t fit right.

Conclusion

If you are looking for your first pair of serious hiking boots, you must do your shopping in an outdoor equipment store where you can handle the boots and talk to knowledgeable sales staff. Only if you have some experience with day-hiking boots, take advantage of the bargains available on the Web.

Check for the features that identify a quality hiking boot, and avoid “fake” hiking boots.

Bring all the inserts and socks you will wear with your hiking boots, and check for a firm but comfortable fit with no rubbing or sliding.

Look for quality, and expect to pay for it, but don’t pay more than you have to for features that don’t contribute to the durability and comfort of your hiking boots.

Chuck Bonner is a lifelong hiker and amateur naturalist, and webmaster of http://www.HikingWithChuck.com For more information about hiking boots and other hiking equipment based on many years on the trail, visit http://www.hikingwithchuck.com/Gear/HikingGear.htm

titleHow To Get Your Dog To Stop Jumping On You (And Pee On Cue)/titlepDoes this scenario sound familiar? Youre dressed to impress, ready to leave home for an important business or social gathering. Youre about to open the door when your dog-who doesnt want you to go without him-jumps up on you, leaving smudgy paw marks and pet hair on your best clothes. Feeling exasperated, you raise your voice and shove your dog away from you, which does nothing to change his future behavior and quite possibly leaves him feeling a little confused and with hurt feelings in the present./ppOr, youre walking your dog right before bedtime. The hour is late, youre tired, its beginning to rain and your umbrella is back at the house. You really want your pooch to hurry up and pee so you can both go back inside-but your dog is having such a tough time finding the perfect clump of grass to water that getting to bed looks like being an hour away./ppDont feel like the Lone Ranger. Even the most experienced animal communicators can find it difficult to alter canine behaviors like these. Just remember that the trick to changing a dogs natural behavior lies in creating positive experiences, preferably ones that provide multiple positive reinforcements for the behavior you desire./ppConsistently visualizing what you want your dog to do is tremendously important. Because visualization is the most ancient and powerful means of communicating, animals always give precedence to the images we hold in mind over our verbal cues. Unfortunately, we humans tend to unconsciously hold the image of the behavior we dont want in our minds instead of the action we would like the animal to take. When our mental images are different from the verbal commands we give, animals choose to obey the mental image almost every time!/ppTeach jumping on before staying off/ppNow, to help you solve the first of the two very common problems mentioned above: In order to teach your dog not to jump on you, you must actually teach him to jump on you first./ppThere are two psychologically sound reasons for this approach. The first is that teaching your dog to jump on you is easy because jumping is something most dogs enjoy. The second is that teaching him to jump on you provides a frame of reference for staying off of you./ppBegin by changing into some clothes comfortable for playing with your dog. Invite him to come and sit in front of you and provide a soft food treat when he does. Picture your dog standing on his hind legs with his front paws on your chest as you pat your chest invitingly and say, Come up! in a friendly, playful tone of voice./ppThe moment your dog obeys, spend a minute petting and praising him, telling him how smart he is. Then, using the same friendly tone of voice, say, Off as you gently place your hands flat against on his chest and lower him into a sitting position in front of you again. Spend no more than five minutes repeating this sequence before ending the training time./ppAdd visual reinforcement/ppRepeat the sequence several more times during your next training time, which can be later the same day. This time, after praising your dog for jumping up as instructed, hold your hand palm facing out in front of the dogs face for a second before saying Off. This adds a visual reinforcement to the verbal command and helps you to shift the mental image youre holding from on me to off of me./ppGradually increase your emphasis on the hand signal until you feel confident your dog understands what it means. Then call the dog to you, but hold your palm up and say off before he begins to jump. Reward him for staying off with praise and a treat. When your dog has this sequence down pat, youll never have to worry about his jumping on you without an invitation again!/ppOnce you have taught your dog when he can and cant jump on you, you can take it a step farther and teach him he can jump up and down with you. Just start jumping up and down yourself after you have given the off hand signal. Your dog may initially misinterpret this as an invitation to jump on you, but just continue to give the off signal and continue jumping, and your dog will soon catch on and enjoy this new game./ppAnd now, a few words about peeing…/ppFinding precisely the right spot to pee is terribly important to dogs. They can spend hours sniffing every tree, shrub and blade of grass in an area no bigger than the average garage. And while allowing our pets to retain as much of their culture as possible, sometimes we simply need them to hurry it up a bit./ppThe way to speed up your dogs relief trips is to cue the dog to do what you want as he or she is actually doing it. In other words, when your pooch starts to pee, say, find a spot, find a spot, find a spot over and over again to set up an association in your dogs mind between the cue phrase and the action you want./ppBe patient-it usually takes a number of sessions for this association to be firmly made. But once it is, all you have to do is say, Find a spot, Spot and youre on your way back home!/ppCopyright Julie S. Crawshaw 2007. Julie S. Crawshaw is a freelance writer, animal lover and the author of Talking With Animals, available at a target=_new href=http://www.howtotalkwithanimals.comhttp://www.howtotalkwithanimals.com/a ./ppPlease feel free to use this article with attribution and without changes, and to visit a target=_new href=http://www.howtotalkwithanimals.com/books.htmlhttp://www.howtotalkwithanimals.com/books.html/a for more articles about interacting and communicating with animals./pbrbr

titleTrademark Law India/titlepTrade Mark means a registered trade mark or a mark used in relation to goods for the purpose of indicating or so as to indicate a connection in the course of trade between the goods and some person having the right as proprietor to use the mark; and a mark used or proposed to be used in relation to goods for the purpose of indicating or so as to indicate a connection in the course of trade between the goods and some person having the right, either as proprietor or as registered user, to use the mark whether with or without any indication of the identity of that person, and includes a certification trade mark.(See Section 2(v) of the Trade and Merchandise Marks Act, 1958)/ppIn other words, a trade mark is a visual symbol in the form of a word, a device, or a label applied to articles of commerce with a view to indicate to the purchasing public that they are the goods manufactured or otherwise dealt in by a particular person as distinguished from similar goods manufactured or dealt in by other persons. A person who sells his goods under a particular trade mark acquires a sort of limited exclusive right to use of the mark in relation to those goods. Such a right acquired by use is recognized as a form of property in the trade mark, and protected under common law. A person can also acquire a similar right over a trade mark, not so far used but only proposed to be used, by registering it under the Trade and Merchandise Marks Act, 1958. The law of trade marks is based mainly on two concepts ; distinctiveness and deceptive similarity./ppFunction of Trade Mark/ppThe function of a trade mark is to give an indication to the purchaser or possible purchaser as to the manufacture or quality of the goods, to give an indication to his eye of the trade source from which the goods come, or the trade hands through which they pass on their way to the market. It tells the person who is about to buy that what is presented to him is either what he has known before under the similar name as coming from a source with which he is acquainted, or that it is what he has heard of before as coming from that similar source. It gives the purchaser a satisfactory assurance of the mark and quality of the article he is buying, the particular quality being not discernible by the eye. It is on the faith of the mark being genuine and representing a quality equal to that which he has previously found a mark may be used to indicate not only that the goods are of a particular maker but are goods of that maker of a particular kind or quality. Thus a trader may indicate his best quality by one trade mark, his second quality by another trade mark and so on./ppUnder modern business conditions a trade mark performs four functions:brbr(1) it identifies the product and its origin, brbr(2) it guarantees its unchanged quality,brbr(3) it advertises the product, andbrbr(4) it creates an image for the product./ppObject of Protecting Trade Mark/ppWith the immense growth in the scale of business, and the advertising that accompanies it, modern customers rarely have that personal knowledge of suppliers which is the hallmark of a village economy. Even so, their interest in source of supply has not in essence changed. Information about origin is only a means towards an end : their main concern is in the quality of what they are buying. In the case of some goods, part of that quality may be bound up with source in a specific way : as for instance, when the goods will need servicing and the manufacturer or supplier is looked to for the services. But in a great may cases source, particularly when indicated by a Cypher such as a product mark or get-up, does not have even this significance. What it does is to enable the purchaser to link goods or services to a range of personal expectations about quality which derive from previous dealings, recommendations of others, attractive advertising and so on. Nor should it be forgotten that, however persuasively the advertiser may seek to promote this sort of symbol, it retains a neutral character in one sense : once a consumer learns that he does not want particular goods, the mark, name or get-up becomes a significant warning signal./ppA law protecting marks, names and get-up accordingly, seems unavoidable in a capitalist economy. In various aspects, however, these laws have tended to develop in a manner that may appear to confer power without responsibility. The trade mark owner acquires the all important right to stop imitations of his indication of source, but his own use is conditioned by few limitations of positive requirement. It is perfectly possible for the public to be taught that a box bearing a particular mark and get-up contains 500 gm. of chocolates and then, by discreet expansion of the packaging, to reduce that amount to 475 grams. (See Surya Roshni Ltd. v. Samana Steel Ltd., AIR 1997 Del 321, where plaintiff was held entitled to temporary injunction for protecting its trade mark)./ppDifferent forms of Protecting Trade Mark/ppIf the mark is a registrable one the best way to protect it is by registration. Infringement of the mark can be easily established. If the infringing mark is identical and the goods covered by registration, the success in an action for infringement is almost certain unless the registration can be attacked on the ground of invalidity of registration or the defendant could established honest concurrent user, or acquiescence on the part of the registered proprietor, or prior user. If the marks are not identical but only similar then the plaintiff will have to establish that the defendants` mark is deceptively similar, that is to say, the similarity is such as to be likely to deceive or cause confusion which is a proposition not easy to establish. Ultimately the question of similarity is one for the judge to decide on which opinion may often differ./ppIn the case of unregistered marks and marks which are not registrable the only way they can be protected is by an action for passing off. The plaintiff will have to prove sufficient use of the mark so as to create valuable goodwill of the business connected with the goods bearing the mark./ppProperty in Trade Mark/ppUnder common law a trader acquires a right of property in a distinctive trade mark merely by using it upon or in relation to some goods irrespective of the length of such user or the extent of his trade. As between two who are each desirous of adopting the same mark it is entirely a question of who gets there first./ppProperty in a trade mark which is only proposed to be used in relation to some goods can be obtained by registration of the mark under the Trade and Merchandise Marks Act, 1958./ppThere is no right to the exclusive ownership of a trade mark apart from its use or application of it in connection with some vendible commodity. In other words property in a trade mark does not exist in air./ppa target=_new href=http://www.delhilaw.firm.in/patent_intellectualpropertyright.htmhttp://www.delhilaw.firm.in/patent_intellectualpropertyright.htm/abr a target=_new href=http://trustman.org/lawfirm/trademark_india.htmhttp://trustman.org/lawfirm/trademark_india.htm/a br Trustman Co – A Law Firm at Delhi India for patent, patent PCT application filing real estate Intellectual property right corporate law company formation/ incorporation/ registration international trade trademark real estate debt collection credit report due diligence legal risk business law foreign direct investment approval / permission to set up business/ company legal outsourcing LPO./pbrbr

Let’s face it; in the fun department, baby boy clothing often just doesn’t measure up to the clothing choices offered for baby girls. From frills and bows, to lace and gingham, the variety of baby girl clothing is just plain cute, cute, cute – from the top of their bonnets to the bottom of their Mary Janes. But, in many cases, an outdated perception of baby boy clothing has actually perpetuated its negative image. When, in reality, baby boy clothing has made great strides in recent years due in large part to the commitment of cutting-edge designers.

The trend can be seen everywhere from retail outlets to high-end department stores. It seems the word is out; being a baby boy does not mean you are condemned to a wardrobe of strictly yellow ducks, red fire trucks, and blues of every variety. Rather, there seems to be an ever-growing understanding, that baby boy clothing – just like clothing made for girls – should be offered in a multitude of styles and colors from which to choose.

Today, in many stores, you can see firsthand the evolution of such clothing. Baby boy clothing now comes in a diverse palette of colors. Of course, baby boy clothing changes depending on the age of the child; newborns are most comfortable in that clothing provided in a layette – onesies, baby “sacks” with a drawstring at the bottom, one-piece sleepers, and receiving blankets. Baby boy clothing at this age should be comfortable and safe beyond anything else.

As baby grows, clothing styles continue to change to keep pace with activity levels. Older babies who are crawling are most comfortable in soft, elastic waist pants, onesies, and a simple shirt to match. But even at this stage you don’t have to sacrifice form for function. Classic khakis, deep hues, even designer styles you love in your size, are available as baby boy clothing.

Baby boy clothing takes on even more sophisticated styles as your toddler begins to walk around. You’ll find fashionable – even trendy – designs that incorporate comfort as well as style. And, as always, high-end department stores and small boutiques most often offer a line of formal wear baby boy clothing perfect for that special occasion.
When it comes to baby boy clothing, you don’t have to settle for the status quo. Check around to find those stores that offer creative designs that are out of the ordinary and full of personality.

For easy to understand, in depth information about baby boy clothing visit our ezGuide 2 Baby Clothing.

Falling off a horse is a very dreadful scenario. After the fall, the pain is made worse by the thought of giving up horse riding due to serious injuries.

Even if you have been riding for several years, an accident will make it hard for you to regain the confidence to go horse back riding again. It may help though if you think of other people who went through the same ordeal but was able to overcome the fear and enjoy riding again.

The fear that you experience after an accident is normal. If you broke your leg or your shoulder, there is physical pain and you might doubt your abilities to control your horse again. What is important is to look inside you and discover your deep passion for horse riding.

Horse riding is a relationship between two living creatures. The element of trust is displayed when you go on top and the horse is being sensitive to your cues through your body language, look, and tone of your voice. Horse riding is having confidence with your horse and the horse trusting you in return.

Things you can Do to Overcome Fear After an Accident

• Take a Break- it is true that time will heal. Take a long break rather than force yourself to go back and mount a horse again.

• Rediscover your Comfort Zones – When you ride your horse again, try to rediscover situations or places that make you comfortable to each other. You may start out by doing slower gaits during horse riding, or maybe do not ride at all but help grooming your horse. Sometimes it may help if you ride a more mature horse which you can trust. Try to regain your skills starting from the lowest level of difficulty, and advancing at your own comfortable pace.

• Mental Programming- it will help to practice movements through your imagination first. Mentally plan out all moves, from the way you mount the horse, how you gallop, how you canter and how you jump with the horse. You will notice how this mental programming will help when you do the real thing. Through this mental exercise our brain will correlate our movements and help our body execute properly when the need arises.

• Hypnosis- Using self hypnosis will help you overcome your fear, your anxiety, and your doubts. Your fear due to the horse riding accident might be over triggering your instinct of fight and flight even when not needed. Hypnosis will help balance out your negative thoughts with all the positive things you know about horse riding.

• Discuss Your Fears- opening up to friends or support group and talking about your horse riding fears may actually ease up the situation. Holding that fear inside may actually worsen it. Do not let that fear take control of your whole being, use will power that you have inside you.

• Talk Positive- Always think that you will do things to conquer that fear. Before you know it, confidence will be back and you will be enjoying horse riding again.

Remember that it is all in the mind. No matter how much fear has taken control of you, you can always overcome it. The more you know yourself and your horse will give you the courage to trust each other again.

Prestige Horsebox is a leading manufacturer of Horseboxes in the UK.

It’s perfectly acceptable and, actually, highly recommended to take a surfing lesson when you’re just picking up the sport. You might think surfing is logical and that you will have the natural ability to pick it up right away, but the reality is that surfing is a very awkward sport when you first start out and there are tons of little tips that you can acquire only from a surf instructing professional.

Surf lessons can be private or in groups and last for about an hour. You will likely ride on a completely foam board that is nearly 10 feet long and very lightweight, which catches waves easily and gives you a lot of float. Most surf schools guarantee that you will stand up on a wave. If you don’t, you can usually come back for another lesson for free until you do. It might appear unnecessary and dorky, but a beginning surf lesson will likely accelerate your surfing ability more than the trial and error of learning on your own. If you go it alone, your learning curve will likely be slower, more painful, and in some cases more dangerous.

Another thing you must keep in mind is that friends who surf are not the same as surf instructors. Some of your friends may have been surfing for years, but if you ask them to go surfing with you to help you learn, they could well be worse than your least favorite middle school teacher. You and your experienced surfing friends might paddle out together, but your friends might leave you treading water at the lineup while they’re catching all the waves.

That’s why you are much better off shelling out the $50 or so for a first lesson. Surf instructors get paid to answer questions and push you into a wave. Their main goal is for you to have a good time while riding your first wave. To take full advantage of the time you have with your instructor, it is advisable to prepare a list of questions you can ask. There’s no limit to the silly or stupid questions you can ask a surf instructor, so fire away.

Surf instructors take their students to beginner surf breaks that are usually a bit crowded. This will be a most humbling experience, but you will be among others who are in the same boat as you. One thing is for certain: Wherever it is you go with your instructor, he or she won’t paddle you out to a break that you can’t handle, so you know you will be safe and taken care of. For this reason, surf lessons ensure that you will paddle back out another day wanting more. Goodness knows you don’t want to be in over your head or get injured and be too scared to try the sport again. So start off on the right foot by taking one surf lesson. Once you get that initial lesson out of the way, you’ll feel far more confident going it alone thereafter.

Robb Bailey works for South Coast Surf Shops, San Diego’s premiere surfboard distributor and surf apparel dealer for more than 30 years. He has been inducted as a lifetime honorary member of his college surf club, the Cal Poly Surfer’s Association, and has traveled the world surfing for the past 11 years. Find out more about Robb at SouthCoast.com

If you’re just learning to surf, the kind of board you use is second to learning the ins and outs of the sport, but once you’ve gotten a handle on the sport and the different ways boards ride on a wave, you will come to understand the art of choosing your perfect surfboard.

Many beginners learn how to surf on a long board, a board that is at least nine feet long. Any board longer than nine feet will be much easier to learn on because it will be much more comfortable to lie down on, much faster to paddle out to the break, and much easier to catch a wave. With time, practice, and patience, you will be standing up on your long board and catching waves in no time. At that point, you may consider a smaller board.

Let’s talk a bit more about the advantages of the long board. The factors that allow you to catch a wave are the size of the wave, the velocity of the wave, and the quality of your board. The key for beginners is to not get a board that is too short or too narrow. You will be much happier starting out on a long, wide board, as you will catch more waves and get more practice standing up. You’ll have far less inclination to lug a heavy board around with you, so find a board that is light enough to carry around. The thickness of the board doesn’t matter as much, but try to get a board that will fit comfortably under your arm or one that you can actually carry for at least two blocks.

As a general rule of thumb, you don’t want a board that seems discolored or overly worn or tired. You want a board that still has a little life in it and you shouldn’t be afraid to ding it up a bit. Beginners definitely shouldn’t buy new boards. The ideal situation for beginning surfers would be to borrow a board from a friend, buy a used board, or purchase a long-term (seasonal) rental. Don’t worry about buying something fancy. Just get something that will get you in the water, keep you coming back for more, and will stand the test of time.

Short-boarding beginners might prefer a “fish,” which tends to be short (about six to seven feet in length) and wide (about 20 inches). Fish-shaped boards provide a little more float for the rider, which is a help to beginning surfers. Fish-shaped boards may be a little harder to turn and duck dive, but they will help you get the feel of short boarding and provide enough confidence for you to continue learning. As is the case with beginner long boards, your beginner short board should also be newer (10 years old at most) and should not have dings, holes, bumps, or bruises.

If you have a decent budget, you could opt for the practically indestructible epoxy board. Epoxy boards, as opposed to cheaper fiberglass boards, last longer and are machine made. They’re good for beginners because they don’t ding as easily (and, as a beginner, you will find that your board is difficult to carry without bumping into things).

Finally, if you don’t feel completely comfortable on the board, don’t worry too much – you’ll get used to it. Get something decent enough to keep you paddling out for a year and trade up for a better, faster board when you’re ready.

Learn how to surf & buy top quality surfing accessories, surf boards & long boards only on SouthCoast.com

Think Bill Gates; the image that pops up in your mind is of a suave business tycoon, wearing a Giorgio Armani suit, diamond cufflinks and tiepin, a diamond studded top-of-the-line Rolex wrist watch, Gucci shoes, et cetera. The more imaginative amongst us may even smell the Calvin Klein Eternity perfume he must be wearing. Then there are people who may see the profile of a ruthless monopolistic tyrant with little regards for laws of fair play and equality.

A larger chunk of people will have the vision of their role model, inspiration personified, a living proof of what can be achieved in a lifetime and that is literally EVERYTHING. But probably then they belong to that fortunate strata of society that is just cursorily checking out this article from the confines of their plush offices, comfortable homes or from a swanky, up market cyber cafe. But the name Bill Gates have altogether different connotations for little Ankit.

Ankit is your normal kid apart from the fact that he has been diagnosed as an AIDS patient- the only inheritance his mother, a sex worker living and working in the by lanes of Kolkata, could pass on to him were strains of deadly HIV virus. For Ankit, “Bill Gates” is the name emblazoned on the side of the van that comes to distribute medicines and nutrient supplements in the slum he lives in. He is also aware of the fact that this is the name of individual who along with his wife is paying his medical bills and funding the NGO that runs a school where he is currently studying. Yes, we are referring to the “Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation”, the largest transparently operated charitable foundation which is currently the guardian angel for millions like Ankit across the globe providing them the right and means of living in an otherwise hostile world.

Welcome to the brave new world of successful entrepreneurs who are sweeping the world with winds of change through their considerable works of philanthropy providing succor to the underprivileged amongst us. In this august list Bill Gates is more of a rule then an exception. Here, we are talking about those self-made billionaires and millionaires who having seen the hardships of life are ready to give back to the society and make this world a better place to live in. This is the new crop of business persons who routinely make it to the Fortunes’ list of Who’s who but are still not snobbish or uptight about it.

Many of them have succeeded not because of the society but in spite of it. But still they acknowledge the fact that we all are clogs of the same wheel and well being of the individuals is not a zero-sum game. For them philanthropy is not just an extension of their corporate social responsibility, or the pursuit for the bored wife of a high flying CEO. For them it is a means of defining their existence in the larger scheme of things, something that completes them and provide them a purpose apart from mindlessly chasing money. That is why we get to see most of them so passionately involved in various projects and activities and they are not there simply writing down checks but they are more “hands on” making their presence and influence felt as well as leveraging their experience and intellect for the cause.

Let us try and examine what makes a successful entrepreneur a philanthropist. Is it in their DNA or had they learned the art of giving and sharing on their way up. It is worthy of being noted here that several studies point towards the fact that when it comes to charity self-made entrepreneurs are almost twice as generous as  compared to charitable Heirs that is millionaires who got their wealth mostly through inheritance. So it appears quite ironical that people hailing from the cut-throat world of modern day business where success often comes at the price of morality and innocence are so willing to support others.

But it will not appear so ironical if we study the fine print in greater detail. Most of these entrepreneurs have themselves got a helping hand early in their career. Whether it is in form of an angel investor or the friendly neighborhood uncle who let them use their garage, or the professor at the University who believed in them and polished their business proposal for final presentation; they all have got some help in one form or the other. Most of them were also beneficiaries of various scholarship schemes in the early phase of their career. It all makes them realize how significant even a small help can look from the end of the beneficiary. This ingrains the art of giving and reaching out in their hearts and this is a lesson they do not easily forget later in their lives. Most of the entrepreneurs when they start working on their innovative ideas do so in collaboration with some good friend or associate, someone who believes in them as well as in their dreams. So naturally they learn the ropes of sharing and collaborating and how beneficial symbiotic relations can prove to be.

So this is where they pick their living-for-each-other traits. They have the intellect that keeps them bothering with status-quo and as soon as they figure a way out they get on to work towards achieving it. In this world, ideas are a dime a dozen but success comes only to them who can execute these ideas and shape them into reality. This is a quality that makes them a success in business and this is the quality that distinguishes them in the arena of philanthropy as well since the projects they undertake usually achieves the objectives they have set out for. They bring in money and influence; have an eye for recognizing talent and try to nurture it. They want to be a part of the solution and hence their impact is often very positive and encouraging.

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Many people love to give gifts to their loved ones at Easter. There are so many things to consider when trying to find the perfect gift for someone special. Ideas for Easter gifts are endless and can be customizable. If you are planning to make this Easter a time that your gift recipients will remember for a long time, now is the time to start thinking about what kind of gift they would like to receive and could even come in use long after the holiday is over.

Of course, everyone knows that the Easter Basket is the more traditional gift for Easter. There are so many things you can do with a basket. For children a basket full of Easter chocolates and other candy is an excellent idea. If you are giving an Easter Basket to an adult, the contents of the basket should be a little more adult orientated. You can still through some chocolates in the mix but also add things like bubble bath and body wash for the women and after-shave and shaving cream for the men. Gifts like this can last for a while.

If you are looking for a more sophisticated gift idea try looking at real or even fake floral arrangements. Flowers are greats gifts for parents or grandparents. Some flowers that represent Easter are daisies and tulips. These are the flowers that are most often associated with Easter, also associated with Easter is the Easter lily. The Easter lily also has religious meanings and is a really good gift for the grandparents. You can make your own floral arrangement, buy a premade floral arrangement or have one custom made for your recipient. You can also have a candy floral arrangement, these are more popular for Valentines Day but can also make a great Easter gift.

If you want to go with a less traditional gift basket there are many variations and endless possibilities. You can do a meat, cheese and wine basket or even a mini sausage, cheese and liquor or beer basket for your adult friends. For teenagers who have grown out of the candy and stuffed bunny stage you can create as basket around their particular interests. For example, a couple of small books, a book mark and a reading light for the book lover or a portable CD player, a couple of CDs and batteries for the music lover. You can also throw in some chocolates and a card.

Once again, ideas for Easter holiday gifts are endless. These are just a few that I personally thought were good ideas, and some less traditional options. Whatever gifts you decide to give to your family and friends they are sure to love them because of the simple fact you took the time to think about what they would like, and thought long and hard about them.

Have a lovely easter and wonderful spring.

For a fun Easter, visit easter-bunny.org, where you can find both Easter gift baskets and Easter costumes for adults, children and babies so that you can all dress up and have a great time.