Dangers of Drinking and Driving

One night years ago, while me and my friend Jeff were out driving around (drinking etc.) and listening to music, even singing along a little (badly, of course). As we came over a hill on the 4 lane divided highway, an object appeared. It was, a baby? Before we could respond, BAMM! Crunch! Eww! "We hit it..!" I said. "It looked like a baby, what would a baby be doing in the road at 11:00pm?". We went silent and any buzz we thought we had was long gone now. I said, "Maybe it was a pig..? This is out in the county..I mean, what would a baby be doing in the road?" Meanwhile, both of us stunned by the incident, we where just coasting up the road trying to grasp what had just happened. "We have to go back..", I said, "Maybe it was just a pig.". So we turned the car around and went back. The mile or so return trip to the scene of horror seemed to last forever. Finally, we reached the point of impact and turned the car around to look at what we had done. There it was bright red, smashed and destroyed, to never be the same again. It was a watermelon!

Avoid Dangers of Horseback Riding

Horse And Rider Safety by: Trish Haill
There is no beating around the bush - horse riding is a risk sport. Apart from the obvious dangers of falling off when mounted, these large animals have always got to be treated with respect when handling them on the ground and in the stable.
Riding need not be any more dangerous than any other risk sport, as long as certain precautions such as those listed on this page are followed. Horse Rider Safety should always be borne in mind when riding or near horses.
Safety for Visitors on the Yard
Horses are large prey animals and have been designed through evolution to protect themselves from things they do not understand! Anyone standing behind them is in danger of being kicked. Horses characters can vary greatly - some can bite (either if they are in a bad mood, or if they genuinely believe the hand reaching out to stroke their nose is actually a carrot!) Visitors to a Riding Stables or Livery Yard, especially with young children, are asked to remember this, and keep their children under control at all times! Riding stables are not playgrounds, and children running round corners unexpectedly can cause a horse to rear.
Riding Hats
Riding hats or helmets MUST be worn at all times when riding, and are paramount to horse rider safety. They are also advised to be worn at other times when handling horses. Riding hats come in various designs - some designs suit one shape of head better than another, and of course some designs are more appropriate to your favoured riding discipline.
The most important thing about a riding hat is that it much be fitted correctly ideally by someone who had attending a hat fitting course. It must also conform to standards PAS 015 or EN 1384. Hats cannot prevent serious injury in all circumstances, but help in the majority of cases. Your skull is fragile - it is not worth taking a risk with.
If the hat suffers a severe impact, either as a result of a fall or a drop onto a hard surface it MUST be replaced. Riding hat prices start from around the mid £30s, and you can spend up to over £100.
Hats do not last forever as the protective padding gradually compresses with use, and the hat becomes looser on your head. You should purchase a replacement hat as soon as this happens.
Riding Hats and the Law
It is a legal requirement that children under the age of 14 MUST wear a riding hat which conforms to the appropriate standard when riding a horse on the road.
Body Protectors
Horse rider safety can be helped by a body protector which can give protection to the chest and back area if you fall from your horse. These are particularly useful if you fall onto a hard surface (such as a jump), or if your horse stands on you after a fall. Body protectors can help prevent serious injury.
There are three standards of protection, and each has a different coloured label in the shops to identify the level of protection offered.
Level 1 Black label
Protectors providing a lower level of protection that is only considered
appropriate for licences jockeys.
Level 2 Brown label
Protectors providing a lower than normal level of protection that is only
considered appropriate for use in low risk situations. These DO NOT include riding on roads or other hard surfaces, riding over jumps, riding young or excitable horses, or riding while still inexperienced.
Level 3 Purple label
Protectors providing a level of protection that is considered appropriate for normal horse riding, competitions and for working with horses. Protectors to this level should:
Prevent minor bruising that would have produced stiffness and pain.
Reduce significant soft tissue injuries to the level of bruising.
Prevent a limited number of rib fractures.
When first using a body protector it will feel very strange and restrictive. Most protectors mould to your body's shape, and do so more easily in warm weather than in cold. Although the body protector feels uncomfortable at first you really must persevere with wearing it. After a few times of wearing it when riding you will find you feel naked without it, and it will become second nature to put it on and use it every time you ride.
Body protectors cost from £60 up - a good investment for something that may save your life!
Body Protector Fit
Fitting is of paramount importance and a visit to a properly trained retailer is recommended, for example anyone displaying the BETA Safety course attendance certificate.
Ensure that you are wearing the correct size of body protector and that it is adjusted to give a close fit to the body, and that no RED VELCRO is exposed at the shoulder or waist closures. If RED VELCRO is visible the protector is too small or is incorrectly fastened.
The body protector should be tried on over light clothing. Check that is comfortable to wear in all simulated riding positions. The garment should fit securely and reasonably tightly to avoid movement during activity and to ensure that it is in place in the event of an accident.
Footwear
It is essential that you ride in appropriate footwear. Serious injuries can be caused if you fall off and your foot gets stuck in the stirrup. Proper riding boots are recommended - these have a heel to stop your feet sliding through the stirrups. Boots can be short (jophur boots) or full length. The most comfortable footwear is often short boots and half chaps - chaps keep the stirrup leathers from chaffing and bruising your legs. However, what you choose to wear is personal choice and how much you can afford (long leather riding boots can set you back around £100 up).
It is not appropriate to ride in trainers as they have no heel and can be dangerous.
Safe Tack
You are now equipped with riding hat and body protector, and proper footwear. Now it is time to turn to your horse!
The object of riding and of horse rider safety is to stay on top of your horse - your riding apparel may help protect you if you fall off, but really you want to avoid doing this at all costs! You do not want to part company with your horse due to faulty tack!
Tack needs to be checked regularly so you can spot a problem before it occurs.
Leather tack needs to be kept clean and well conditioned so that it remains supple - stitching needs to be checked to ensure there are no points of weaknesss. Buying quality tack in the first place is essential. You may find bridles costing little more than £20, and wonder why you should pay over £100 for the similar item. However, the more expensive bridle is undoubtably going to be made of better leather, and with good care will last you longer and be more reliable. The last thing you would want is for your reins to break when your horse is in mid gallop!
Tack can be repaired, but don't skimp here. If it is in bad condition, replace it! If your girth breaks you will fall off your horse and may suffer serious injury - is it really worth risking it?
Buy the right tack for your riding discipline. Also make sure the tack fits your horse properly for the comfort of both of you.
Finally it is good if you can develop a relationship with your tack supplier - for example, having the person who provides your saddle come out and check the fit regularly. They will be able to advise you on things that you may have missed.
Visibility on the Road
Wearing hi viz protective clothing when riding on the road can make you more visible to a car driver approximately 3 seconds earlier than would otherwise be the case. These seconds could be vital in saving the lives of you and your horse.
It is not always in poor or dark conditions that hi viz equipment is necessary - on a bright summers day the driver's vision may be hampered by bright sunlight!
Slogans on tabards, such as 'Pass wide and slow' also help remind drivers of the need to take care when passing horses. Unfortunately too many drivers nowadays seem unaware that horses cannot be depended upon in the same way as bicycles, and often come far too close and too fast.
Equestrian Road safety also includes thanking drivers who show consideration for horses and their riders - this encourages them to be as thoughtful in future. Sometimes riders do not help themselves if they ignore couteous behaviour! A simple 'thank you' can go a long way - so remember every time!
At any time in your horse riding career you may part company with your mount when you least expect it (or less politely get dumped!). Being prepared can help you get back into the saddle as quickly as possible, with little or no serious damage!
Horses weight half a ton or more – they must be respected!
About The Author
Trish Haill is the Webmaster for Limebrook Farm Riding School and Livery Yard. This ever growing website is a great resource for riders and horse lovers everywhere. Check out the site at http://www.limebrook.com.

Sports..sort of.

A Quick Introduction to Fantasy Professional Football by: Kevin T. Fairbanks
Football has become a gigantic sport in the United States. Heroes are being made each weekend and the number of people watching football on TV is at an all-time high. With this popularity, more and more people want to get more from their experience with football. With computers and gaming on computers also gaining popularity, Fantasy Football is gaining popularity, also. Have you caught the bug yet and started participating in a Fantasy Football League? Now would be a great time!
Whether you already know every professional football team and player like the back of your hand, or you just want to learn enough to look less blank when conversing with friends, family or coworkers, fantasy football can enhance your NFL viewing experience.
As a lottery commercial says, "you have to be in it to win it". In order to join the fun, you have to pick a "host", select your preferred NFL players, and join or start a league.
You have a ton of options when considering where to host a fantasy football team. Some of the most commonly played "hosts" include CBS Sportsline.com, SportingNews.com, YahooSports Fantasy Football and CDM Fantasy Sports.
Depending on the host and league, you'll play one of several formats. One requires an upfront payment to enter your league, but doesn't charge you for players you pick up during the season from a free agent or "waiver" pool. Generally, the higher you pay as your upfront fee, the larger your prize if you win your league for the season.
The second format is free to join, but will cost you for most or all players you claim off waivers or as free agents after the initial draft period ends. Generally, trades with other players are free of charge. Be careful, though! Those trades can be costly in another way to you if you give away too much to get that must-have player.
The most common formats allow you a team made up of one or more quarterbacks, one or more running backs, one or more wide receivers, one or more tight ends and one or more defense/special teams (DST) units. Depending on the league, you may play all of your players at once or pick some players as "starters" and assign others as "reserves". Only your active players (starters} earn you points for that week. You get points for their league-defined accomplishments each week. What and how much your team will score will vary from league to league.
Now you need players on your team, so it is time for you to "draft" some football players. Using your basic understanding of football, and drawing on your NFL savvy, or some free or paid information sources to review, you'll rank real NFL players before your league draft. You may also be able to use the players as "pre-ranked" by your host.
You'll also need to decide whether you want the excitement and time commitment of a live draft, or the relative ease and less time offered by an automated draft. If you are a beginner, the automated draft is highly recommended.
During the season, there are "BYE" weeks, during which an NFL team and its players get the week off to recharge. Real players also can be injured, so you lose their productivity. On the other hand, you and your team don't get any time off, so you'll probably have to make trades and perform waiver wire moves to ensure that you have a full, strong team playing every week.
Those are the basics. Now, it is up to you to apply your special knowledge, instinct or hunches, and "Win one for the Gipper". Before your draft, you might want to challenge friends, family members or co-workers who have similar skills to yours to join your league. Some healthy competition can make your fantasy football experience even more enjoyable.
As with any game, keep in mind that it is only a game. You will not become rich or popular dependent upon how well you play. It is mostly purely entertainment. If you keep this in mind and don't take yourself or the game too seriously, you will have a great time. It is a great game and you should have no trouble finding others with your passion and skill level. Have fun and good luck!
About The Author
Kevin T. Fairbanks is the husband of Becky and the father of 2, Nicholas and Kirsten. He is an avid sports fan and over-all good guy. He has taken his love of sports and developed web sites that offer that love of sports to others.
http://CollectibleSport.com
http://www.Collectible-Sports-Memorabilia.com
http://www.GolfClubsHome.com

This Too..Shall Pass

War and Peace by: Stephen Calder
The history of mankind to date having been one of almost continuous conflict, it should come as no surprise that the third millennium has started pretty much as the second ended. War and rumors of war dominate the daily news, raising fears that the species is again about to threaten itself with mass destruction, perhaps self-annihilation.
Attempts to manipulate the political process in order to avert such a disaster are becoming more inventive. Here in Byron Bay, 700 women stripped naked and lay down in a field, spelling out the words NO WAR with their bodies, and naturally received the gawking media attention they were hoping for. The message was clear, but whether it will be considered by those who matter was not.
Letters to the media, whether they advocate "standing up to terrorism" by invading Iraq, or disarmament to evade the threat of a planetary holocaust, display one common emotion-fear. This is also no surprise, given that fear is the basis of all conflict. The big question, for those who are determined to live in peace, is "What can I do as an individual in order to have peace?"
A moment's reflection should be enough to show that action in the world to solve the endless conflicts and human problems that exist-even stripping for peace-can have limited efficacy at best, and that nothing anyone can do in the world will guarantee a total and lasting solution. The best I can hope to do is enroll enough people to make a noticeable difference to one or another of the myriad problems we seem to face. Even if the Middle East crisis can be resolved, there is an endless list of causes of suffering, hardship and pain that must still be tackled, and no way in this world of bringing about an end, once and for all, to human suffering. Yes, OK
An impossible situation. The despair and helplessness felt by so many in the face of the apparent determination of the politicians to embark on yet another round of death and destruction is now leading some of them to look for a solution beyond this world-a solution that depends not on human efforts but on surrender to the divine within.
Is this possible? Only if you are prepared to undergo a radical shift in your thought system and take the next step in the evolution of man, in the process becoming something other than human, abandoning the self-constructed identity that led you into fear, and awakening to a realization that the totality of all the love in the universe is available to you, is within you, and in fact is you as you were intended to be.
That statement by itself will avail you nothing unless you sincerely desire the radical shift, and in fact may provoke a reaction along the lines of "That's all very well, but if Bush goes to war with Iran, my son/brother/husband may die. And if the war escalates, much worse may happen. There may be attacks on my country, perhaps even my city. How can I have peace when that threat is over my head?"
Well of course you can't. But the radical step just mentioned includes a realization that this world is an artifact of your mind, a collective construct that continually tempts you into fear. Seen from this viewpoint, above the battleground, the battle itself is illusory-a distraction that keeps you in fear now while seeming to offer hope of fulfillment in the future. The world, looked at this way, is full of promises that are never delivered, keeping you optimistic about the future in spite of your bitter experience. A fool's paradise.
Perhaps you can see the contradiction inherent in believing the world is real. On the one hand, it seems to be a fearful place, and you desperately want, or think you want, an end to fear. On the other, the glittering promises the world offers of happiness through material possessions, or power, or loving relationships, or whatever it is in the world that you think will fulfill you, are blindingly seductive, allowing you to forget that every goal you have realized up to now has left you wanting more. Even if this is not your experience, and you consider yourself fulfilled by what the world offers, you are still nagged by the thought that you will some day have to leave it all behind, and this doubt about what happens then is the serpent in the paradise you think you're in.
The answer to the question "How can I have peace in a fearful world?" will always point away from the battleground to what is eternal; while your objection to the ideas expressed here will always point back to the world. Because you have no intention of surrendering, your objection will be along the lines of "Spiritual enlightenment will not help me if a bomb is about to drop." You will insist on an answer to that question when in fact peace is only available to those willing to abandon the fear that the question implies.
For fear is always connected in some way to the body. If that is not clear to you, consider what it is you are most afraid of. If it is not some form of physical pain, it is the emotional distress that would be caused by loss, for example of a loved one or a prized possession. Why is the loved one or the possession valued? It satisfies some bodily need. The experience of enlightenment, or awakening, is the recognition that you are not a body, and that in fact the material world, as experienced by the senses, is illusory. The evidence of the senses is compelling, but for those who have awakened to the unreality of the physical, not compelling enough.
"I am not a body, I am free" is the joyful news from the Master in A Course in Miracles. The realization is available at any time. It may come spontaneously, but it may also come as a result of your decision and determination to be free. If you can recognize that determination and want to know what the next step is, the Course itself is a certain method of discovering the peace within, the only peace there is, the peace that passes understanding, the peace that depends on nothing in this world and is unaffected by the apparent trouble of this world. Peace be to you my brother, and joy and love forever. This, your natural inheritance, awaits you.
About The Author
Stephen Calder found A Course in Miracles in 1996 and, during a seven-year intensive study and practice of its principles, had a number of revelatory experiences and realized the truth it states. He lives in Lennox Head, Australia, and offers the course in audio form on his website, http://www.notabody.com/.
The Miracle Times: http://www.themiracletimes.com/