Thursday, January 3, 2008
Why Dive? How Do I Begin? [Part 1 of 7]byRobert KeeneyCopyright (c) October 2003Thought-provoking question...with many answers...A Way of Life - My time spent underwater is always a selfawakening experience. Life embraces me more closely duringthese all-to-short moments. Life forces all around me... Iflow with this dynamic Universe. Well...I'll do my best notto get into a coffeehouse rap here...This calming stillness... This Natural order of theUniverse... This environment where no politics exist... Noheated controversy over opinions. Light years away from thecacophony of TV, radio, trains, planes, motorcycles, crowdsof humans and automobiles. A wonderful life-centeringmoment...This underwater experience is ever-changing - a living workof art. I never see exactly the same composition of subjectmatter, texture, size, color, motion, light...all blendingin a Natural life. Each moment is unique, dynamicinteraction between all...including myself.When I surface, my batteries are re-charged...I'm morealive. My life has become in-tune with Nature.Yes...we can better understand life from underwatercreatures...their social order...only a short distance belowthe sea's surface...When you desire to understand and practice a fullerlife...you must experience this underwater environment. Youcan breath-hold dive for short moments. To totally relax andhave time to become in-tune with Natural life forces...youwill seek training and purchase necessary equipment. Venturebelow for extended periods...I earned my first certification from a very environmentally-oriented NAUI dive instructor. In those days BuoyancyCompensators, if used at all, were the olde horse-collar.Regulators were double-hose. Later the single-hose regulatorcame into being...with a steel mouthpiece which could easilyknock out a few teeth if not careful. Training was severe(glad I had it though). Imagine your kit in 16 feet of waterand you had to dive down holding your breath...and put itall together.Well...training and equipment have come a long way sincethen. In the bad olde days the general concept was "Managainst Nature" and diving was a "man's sport." Today thephilosophy has changed to "Man and Woman cooperating withNature." Equipment has become much safer and diver-friendly.Training has become far better and consistent.My later certifications were with PADI. It wasn't until Iearned my Rescue Diver certification from the "right-for-me"instructor that my underwater world began to open up for me.Up until then I was totally clueless of my surroundings. Noperipheral vision...physical or psychological.It does not matter where you earn your basic OpenWaterC-card. All PADI instructors teach exactly the same PADIStandards. What does make a difference is your choice ofinstructor. The instructor/student relationship is verysimilar to the doctor/patient one. You must feel a mutualsimpatico. This relationship has to "feel right."OpenWater instruction includes three areas - KnowledgeReviews, Confined Water Training Dives and Open WaterTraining Dives. There are three options how to handle theKnowledge Review phase -* Class sessions at your local dive shop.* Video at home and spend time with instructor going overmaterial learned.* Interactive CD and spend less time with instructor goingover material learned.PADI recognizes different students learn at different ratesin different environments. PADI makes it enjoyable and veryeasy for you to become certified."But...I don't want to shiver in the cold ocean, lake orquarry doing my Open Water Training Dives in the middle ofwinter." No problem. PADI's got you covered through theirReferral Option. Complete all your Knowledge Reviews in yourhome town. Complete all your Confined Water Training Divesin your local, warm-water pool. Upon completion yourinstructor will sign you off and give you your paperwork.You have a year to complete your Open Water Training Divesin the warm-water dive destination of your choice. Bonaireis always a nice option.In this article I told you why and how diving enhances mylife. I also mentioned how you might begin yourtraining...how easy PADI makes it for you to safely venturebelow the surface. Go visit your local PADI dive shop anddecide for yourself.Dive S.A.F.E.------------------------------------------------------------Robert Keeney, a PADI Instructor and Dive AdventureSpecialist, has arranged dive adventures since 1993.His Soft Scuba arranges - accommodations,discounted airfare and diving. Learn more -( http://www.SoftScuba.com )...and receive yourFree eReport -"How To Enhance Your Dive Adventures"
The revival of Scotland's Castles
How heartening after decades of decay and the destruction of many old fine homes, to see a revival of Scotland's Castles. After the war when many properties which had been either closed up or badly damaged by their war time guests, were facing a grim future. Many had been used as hospitals or temporary billets for servicemen and to use a modern expression, they had been pretty much trashed. Of course the end of the war also coincided with a period of heavy taxation and a huge shortage of raw materials. Many families simply buckled under the pressure and either sold up or pulled down the ancestral pile.
However fortunately some hung on and battled through a pretty grim four decades of heavy taxation and diminishing returns from their estates. With the passing of the estates onto the next generation and all the new prosperity that Britain was enjoying, many homes underwent extensive restoration, which breathed new life into these historic old homes. Whereas previously many castles only survived through government grants or by being taken on by the National Trust, Landmark trust or some other preservation organisation, they now were benefiting from new sources of revenue, like property development, mobile masts, wind farms and office developments in old farm buildings.
An even more exciting development was the emergence of new owners, many from the building industry, who had a passion for old buildings. They bought run down and in some cases ruined former manor houses, castles or keeps and restored them to their former glory. This often involved huge amounts of money and real dedication as they overcame many construction problems. However twenty years on, Scotland is dotted with such buildings and it is wonderful to see so many being enjoyed once more as private homes, small inns or as some form of cultural venue. They are a huge magnet for overseas guests and rightly so!
The ongoing battle with all these buildings is meeting the huge cost of their upkeep and as traditional income sources like farming, forestry and sporting activities diminish. Owners now have to find other ways to generate sufficient income and many now rent out their homes for exclusive lets, corporate events, and film shoots. The opportunity to hire a Scottish castle is hard to resist. Even though some properties are still struggling, there is overall a much more positive mood out there and even the tourist board now appreciates that these wonderful old properties make up a vital part of the fabric of Scotland.
Very few owners these days can afford to live in the lavish lifestyle of their forebears and most now work incredibly hard to preserve their homes. Most visitors would be surprised and probably rather shocked at the sacrifices many owners have made to keep their homes in good order. The next generation will inherit properties in far better condition than their parents did but they too will face many challenges as upkeep costs spiral and their homes continue to age. However the revival in the fortunes of Scotland's historic castles and homes, is wonderful to see and encouraging for the future. Many are open to the public and nearly all are well worth a visit.
Andrew Loyd is a director of Loyd & Townsend-Rose Ltd, who specialize in privately owned mansions, historic houses and castles for rent in Scotland for vacations, corporate events, filming and sporting activities.
How to Photograph Your Music Box
Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins
Many antique and music box lovers enjoy collecting musical jewelry boxes, carousel music boxes, wooden keepsake boxes, and other musical gifts. There are some music box and antique collectors who are interested in photographing their boxes. Reasons to take pictures include desiring to preserve details of musical pieces, which collectors have had, and as a way to exchange information with others who are interested. Also, if one has a very valuable and expensive collection, photographs might be needed for insurance purposes (think natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina). That said; let's look into how to photograph a music box.
Since many cameras today are of very good quality and can do most of the work, collectors might think it is quite easy to take a photograph with little probability of making a mistake. The truth is, there is still some necessary steps to take to avoid mistakes. For example, one step to remember is to take picture in a bright and even natural light; flash can be used to "fill in" for a dark side.
If one desires a professional effect, music boxes can be set up on tables covered with a white or a neutral colored sheet that is draped over the table. One might also want to pin up the sheet on the wall behind the table, as this will remove extraneous details of objects behind the box. To illuminate the box, place a large sheet of white paper vertical on each side of the table a few feet from the box. Shining a bright light at the paper is what causes the music box to look illuminated.
It is also important to plan for your picture. Take a few pictures to see what they look like. Carefully frame the picture in the viewfinder and look at the corners to make sure you have what you want. Also, take your time and avoid a common mistake of not remembering where the center of the picture is.
For the music box and antique collector who take video pictures, avoid tinkling with the camcorder while the music box is playing. This can impact the recoding. Minimum movement and camera effect is necessary. Avoid a running commentary as well and don?t zoon in and out on every shot.
Follow these suggestions whether you have antique music boxes, inlaid music boxes, musical jewelry boxes, carousel music boxes, wooden keepsake boxes, or any other type of music box and be well on your way to creating some really great music box photographs.
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Established in May of 2005, http://www.My-Music-Box.com is a music box gift store specializing in music box products such as inlaid ballerina music boxes for ballerina rooms décor, whimsical carousel music boxes, and musical jewelry boxes. The company provides interesting information for music lovers of all ages. Owner Monique Hawkins is also the author of the blog "What You Never Knew About Music" http://whatyouneverknewaboutmusic.blogspot.com , and owner of the eBay store "Monique's Music Box" at: http://stores.ebay.com/Moniques-Music-Box Monique can be contacted at (540) 858-2885.
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