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Archive for May, 2010
Making Soldiers Laugh During War Time
Author: admin
Comedian Don Barnhart tells what it takes to make the soldiers laugh in a dangerous setting like a war zone. My name is Don Barnhart and I am a professional stand up comedian. What do I mean by ‘professional’? Well, what I mean is that I have been fortunate enough to make a comfortable living travelling the world making people laugh which should answer the follow up question that yes, I actually am very funny. I’ve been on a few TV shows and appeared in some movies. If you’re a rabid fan of comedy, you might recognize me as I tour over 250 days a year but I’m not quite up there in the celebrity status the likes of Jim Carrey, Robin Williams or Jerry Seinfeld but I’m right behind them. Since 1992, I have also tried to spend several weeks a year entertaining the military troops stationed overseas. I’ve done this during peacetime and during times of war and everywhere I go people ask what it’s like to perform in a dangerous setting like Afghanistan or Iraq so here is my story. First and foremost, I consider it an honour and privilege to be asked to come over and entertain the troops. As I said before, I’m extremely fortunate to able to make a living doing what I love and I feel we all have an obligation as an American citizen to support our troops in the best way we know how even if you object to the war itself. The reason I started doing ‘my part’ is that it’s part of my work-release program and I only have 30 more hours of community service then I’m done! (Just kidding, that was a joke. ) Seriously, the men and women in the military defend America and all of her Freedoms and I’m able to make a great living using those Freedoms. I also feel it’s important to support the troops in any way you know how. If I knew how to bake cookies, I would do that and send over a care package but I’m much better at telling jokes so I go there and entertain, shake hands and thank the men and women who serve our country. It’s both emotionally and physically tough but there is such an immense sense of pride I feel when I get to do my part and be part of the team. But honestly, I kinda feel like I’m the least significant person out there. I kinda feel like the water boy on the super bowl team. The whole reason I started doing military shows goes back to mid, 1992. I went through a bitter divorce after I found out my wife was ‘dating again’. (A joke but not really a joke) I took off to Europe to find myself (actually to get as far away as possible from everyone I knew or that knew me and my ‘situation’). Anyway, while I was doing shows throughout Sweden I found myself sitting in a cold, dark and gloomy smoke filled café feeling sorry for myself and I looked out the window and noticed a sign for the USO. I finished my cappuccino and trudged across the snow-lined street and went in. I starting asking if they would be interested in a comedy show as I had a whole lot of free time and nothing to do so they gave me the main info and I sent in my demo and next thing I know, I’m on a plane heading to war torn Bosnia with the Gin Blossoms and 49 Cheerleaders. Each show is different and it really depends on who’s booking it and for the bigger shows with celebrities and bands they need a lot of lead-time. For them, it’s a much bigger production and the logistics are a nightmare as they have sound equipment, staff, costumes, gear and who knows what else. For one celebrity, the tour never manifested, as she wanted a four-star hotel and limo for her Afghanistan concert. She didn’t get it. We’re there on a military base in the middle of a war and not on the beach on the French Rivera. Anyway, she went in to rehab the following month so she never did make the tour. For groups like Comics On Duty who specialize in just comedy shows, it’s much easier and we can be prepared to go at the drop of a hat but on the average a few months lead time is the best. With comedy, it’s much easier to change venues, add shows and adjust to the constantly changing conditions on the ground. When it is just comedians, we try to add shows whenever we can on a tour and we try and get out to the troops that really need it the most. We’ve added shows in hangers with no sound gear, on flight decks, flat beds, in front of a land-mine field. It all pretty non-glamorous. Performing for the troops is different than performing at a regular comedy club in the states and once you’ve done a few tours, you are bonded with the soldiers and there truly is certain sense of camaraderie and understanding. Underlying the shows is an awareness that at any second, we might have to scramble and be caught in a firefight. We might have to run for cover or return fire. So even though I’m in the middle of a joke, my senses are on full alert. Once when I was in the middle of show I heard a huge explosion just outside and I dropped to the floor for cover and the crowd roared with laughter, as this was a ‘normal’ sound to them. I just about wet my pants but I was now part of the team. I’m there to get laughs whether it’s something I say or something I did, I’m there to entertain. I don’t flinch as much but I’m still fully aware to all the external sounds and surroundings when I’m performing over there. The reason we come over is to entertain and show our support and to let them know how much we care about them and the job they are doing. . . how much we respect them and I think they have a certain respect for us coming over there. We’re all in it together as we eat the same food and have to deal with the same amenities. If there’s no hot water, then there is no hot water for everybody and sometimes it’s MREs (Meals Ready To Eat) for weeks at a time. The troops are so accommodating to us and go out of their way to make us feel at home. We were doing shows in the Persian Gulf and getting choppered from ship to ship and a really bad storm came up and they were going to cancel a show because if we flew in, we would have to overnight on the ship but there was no place to put us up and the guys on the ship offered to give us there cots and they would sleep on the floor just so their ship wouldn’t miss getting some entertainment. The real difference between a so-called ‘regular’ audience and performing for the troops is that by far, the troops are the best audiences ever. There really is no comparison. These men and women are putting their lives on the line each and every day and they don’t have time to laugh if it isn’t funny. They’re honest in what they like and don’t like and that makes you a sharper comic. In the states, people can go out on a date have dinner and a few drinks and if you don’t like the show, you can always leave and go do something else. When you’re entertaining the troops, the show may be the only new thing they get for months at a time so you have to bring your ‘A’ game and be on top of it. That’s why it so important to bring the best headlining comics and not a bunch of amateurs over here. To give the troops an inferior product really makes my blood boil. There are several agencies that are booking comedy shows, pocketing the money then sending really unprofessional and amateur shows over here. That’s why I started booking my own shows and tours. The comics I use are all headlining comics that you’ll see at the top comedy clubs in the nation and on TV. You won’t see them at an open mic night. You also have to be a headlining act to do well over here as you might have to switch up your act based on the logics and sensitivities of what’s going on that day. . . or you might have to follow a celebrity act Kid Rock or Tim Allen. After doing so many tours, I also created and host a new TV show called, The Freedom of Speech Comedy Series featuring all the great comics that have come over to do military shows. It’s ironic; when you say Freedom of Speech everything automatically thinks it’s a dirty show. Freedom of Speech also means the freedom of thought and the concept of the show is that we let the comics loose to do whatever they want. Some might be a bit dirty, some political but the goal is it has to be funny. At first, I really didn’t understand the direct and positive impact doing shows for the troops had on their morale. It’s the greatest feeling after a show when everyone is coming up to thank us for entertaining them. We are there doing our shows to show our gratitude to them! At the end of one show, the colonel brought all the comics up on stage to present us with a certificate of appreciation and their coin and all the men and women stood up and saluted us in thanks. It literally brought all four comics to tears. We couldn’t believe how grateful these young men and women were to us for coming over while we were there to show our thanks to them. It’s why I keep doing these tours over and over again. The comedy shows are something to talk about, it breaks up the routine and monotony and laughter truly is the best medicine. Remember, some of these men and women over here haven’t been home in a long time and we’re the closest things to being home as we do get to leave. I truly feel that these men and women are my family and my job is to make them laugh and forget their troubles, sorrows and hardships for a little while. I’ve seen the toughest looking soldier laugh so hard he had tears rolling down his checks and after the show, everyone said that guy never even smiles. He came up after the show and gave me a bear hug that almost broke my rib cage but it was great to see him laughing. Let’s face it. It’s not always easy being away from your family and friends in a war zone. We all know the dangers and possibilities. It’s sort of an unspoken truth but it also creates and underlying tension and some people have a hard time dealing with it. On one recent tour, we had a chaplain travel with us and he sat in the front row every show. It was a bit unsettling at first but then he explained that if the soldiers could see him laughing at even some of the questionable material that maybe he was approachable to their needs and problems and that he was just a regular guy. It was great because we included him in the show and pointed him out, teased him a bit but letting everyone know him by face. Sure enough, several days after I got back I received a letter from him telling us what a difference it made and that it really opened up a dialogue of communication for him and some of the soldiers. We’re all a part of the same team. You might think it’s difficult to get laughter from soldiers that are face with war, destruction and horrific conditions but it’s not. As long as you’re funny! Comedy has always been a pressure relief valve and it lets the tension out before you snap. The more uncomfortable the situation, the more tension there is and the more you need to release that tension before something breaks. We’ve all been in those really high-pressure situations. Even as a child when your parents told you to go to bed and keep quite or you’ll be in trouble and then you can’t contain your own laughter. Or on your wedding day when you’re about to take your vows and then start crackin’ up. My wife and I both started giggling but that also brought us closer together. As for entertaining the troops, there is no room for mediocre comics at this point. It is a tense situation and I’ve seen really bad comics loose the crowd. This is why you have to be so picky when putting a show together. We’re grunting it out just like the troops so you can’t have any prima-dona entertainers running around crying because they couldn’t get their eight hours of sleep and mid-day brunch. Being funny in an environment that represents the ravages of destruction can be a bit intimidating at first. I was planning on wearing Depends the first time I came over. Seriously though, at first it’s truly rattling and unsettling but the soldiers go so far out of their way to make you feel at home and after a short while it’s time to ‘step up’. If they can be here and live under these difficult conditions, then so can I. Although, it’s not for everybody. It takes a strong person to be here both as a soldier and a comedian. There is a lot of pressure but that’s why it’s so important to be the best at what you do. It’s pretty nerve racking to hear explosions going off when your trying to deliver your punchline or have sirens whaling and planes taking off but you sort of get used to it. It sure makes going back to the states and auditioning for some big agent a lot easier. The last audition I had, they commented that I seemed so relaxed and unlike all the other actors. I told them I just got back from Afghanistan where mortars were going off and there was a missile attack during the middle of my show. . . and no, they weren’t shooting at me because of my act. (laughing) For the most part, there really isn’t any way to research the idiosyncrasies associated with doing shows in ‘the field’. It’s sort of a trial by fire and it’s hard to explain it to a new comic, as you really just have to do it to understand. You just immerse yourself into it and figure it out. The variables are always changing and the only thing you can count on is something is always changing so you have to really be able to roll with it. Sometimes there’s no sound gear or lights, sometimes the audience is standing in 120 degree heat with the sun in their eyes and they can’t even see you, sometimes you’re wearing your flac jacket and helmet, sometimes you doing a show in a tent for 6 guys that look like they haven’t seen a shower or razor or fresh meat in months. . . it’s just really such a unique experience that you have to see it for yourself. Every tour that I’ve done there is always something memorable. Even the comics that have toured overseas have a bond with each other. Oh, you’ve been to Afghanistan or Iraq, UAE, Dubai or Saudi? There is a certain amount of respect we give each other for doing these tours as well. At the end of the day, we’re just a bunch of goofballs who are fortunate to make a living telling jokes but there is a respect among those of us who choose to do these shows. It’s important to be able to edit on the fly and tailor your act to fit your surroundings. The military are not allowed to discuss certain topics and it’s important to know how far you can take a joke. We’ve done shows all around the world and each location is different. The irony here is that America is based on Freedom but with Freedom comes a huge amount of responsibility. You can talk about anything you want but if you cross the line, you will certainly lose the crowd so you better know what you’re doing. With this in mind, we have to take in consideration that we are invited guests in many countries that are very different than what we are used to and it’s important to remember that as a guest, we need to respect the cultural differences and traditions of our host nations. It’s also important to be very aware of what conflicts are going on within the soldier’s lives as well. Almost any topic is open but with anything tragic, a certain amount of time must pass to be able to ‘find the funny’ in something. If something has just happened, it’s probably not wise to try and joke about it until some time has passed. It might be too raw. Often times we get local dignitaries coming to the shows to see what comedy really is. I think that’s great because so many people are not allowed to speak up and be critical of their government where in America you can talk about our political leaders and make fun of them. However, if it’s not funny, yikes! The crowd will turn on you. My rule is, as a guest, you don’t go to someone’s home and start breaking dishes and kicking their pets and the same is true with comedy. Know your crowd and be respectful while still pushing the boundaries. Most of my topics are about my everyday life and I bring a lot of my military tour’s experiences into the show, as there’s a common bond. You also have to read the crowd. Are they young or old, are they the dignitaries or higher ups and you have to call your show as it’s going on. I’m constantly editing in my head. Did this joke work? If it did, I’ll go to this bit or if it didn’t I’ll switch it up. That’s where an amateur will get into trouble as he/she only has a small amount of material and they’re going to do it whether the crowd likes it or not. That’s why it’s so important to get rid of these smaller agencies that are sending what I like to call comedy rejects over here. They get a contract and then pay some lame ass comic that can’t get work in the states a few bucks and the agent pockets the rest. It’s comedic profiteering and it really makes my blood boil. My material comes out of my life so it’s not uncommon for my field experiences to become a part of my regular show. Crowds at home really want to know what’s going on outside what they see on the news. People come up after every show and want to know all about my tours. They ask how the troops are and what’s it like over there? They are really concerned and interested in how our soldiers are doing. I kinda feel like the middleman exchanging pleasantries back and forth. The logistics of actually getting overseas ranges from the simple to the most complex. For most tours, we fly the main leg of the trip commercial then it’s time to ‘soldier up’. On one trip, our commercial flight had problems and we got diverted to Russia but we couldn’t leave the airport for almost twenty-four hours till another plane was ready. We all felt like Tom Hanks in that movie where he’s stranded at the airport. Once we are ‘in country’, we are pretty much considered in the military and get to ride like the troops but if there is an emergency, then all personnel and equipment are diverted and we sit on the sidelines till all is secure. We do get a security briefing, which is much more than a handshake and bottle of water. They want us to be as prepared as they are in the event of an emergency and depending on the venue the amount of briefing varies. Let’s just say, we’re trained and ready for combat should the need arise. I truly have never felt safer than when I am with the troops. We’ve done so many odd venues. We did a show if front of a land mine field, Saddam’s palace, and a coliseum in Greece, on a flatbed, in the mud and in the rain. The great thing about comedy shows is that we can go almost anywhere unlike a band or another type of group that need instruments, sound gear, lights and more than a few people to pull it off. I was on one tour that was under lockdown so the band couldn’t perform with all their lights and sound so we just did a makeshift show in the dark telling jokes to the soldiers. With comedy, we can adjust to just about any situation. We don’t need a sound check, just turn on the mic and let’s go and if we don’t have a mic, then we do it the old fashioned way and project to the back of the room. As for the unpleasantries of war, I have seen more than I would have ever wanted to that’s for sure but it’s not nearly as much as the men and women serving our country. It’s not something that I, or most soldiers care to discuss or share. If you’ve been there, you know and if you haven’t then it’s probably best not to ask someone who has been there what they’ve seen. War is hell and the details can lead to judgement. It’s hard enough returning home without reliving the horrors. There is a common sense of what you should and shouldn’t do or talk about We are all a part of the same team so it’s important to know your boundaries. Obviously, you wouldn’t want to pull a “Heraldo” by going on the news, draw a map and say, “Look everyone, I’m right here and we’re sneaking up on the bad guys”. With that in mind, the first time I went overseas was to Bosnia during some very tough political times. We were on alert from snipers 24/7. Much like Hilary but without the publicity. It really showed me the good and bad side of doing these tours and confirmed for me how important these shows are to the men and women serving our country. When you’re under fire, the mundane annoyance of everyday life really doesn’t matter, as you truly have to live in and for the moment. This is why the troops really get a kick out of the comedy shows. There is not much laughter and enjoyment in their life during an active war so they cherish what little they have. Since then, I’ve tried to do several tours each year. Some years, I’ve done seven or eight tours and each one is usually two to three weeks at a time. One recent tour was thirty days in Afghanistan. Kinda sounds like the title of a movie or really bad nightmare. Because of the war, the last few years the tour have been mostly Southwest Asia: Afghanistan, Saudi, Egypt, Israel, Abu Dubai, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Jordan but I’ve also done all of Europe, Japan, Iceland, Greenland, Korea, Micronesia. . . basically, if there are American troops somewhere, I’ve been there. At first my wife wasn’t always thrilled that I’m heading out to a war zone to tell jokes but she understands and supports me when I do go and wants to do her part as well. We have several pending tours coming up again throughout the year and she is going to go out on one with me. She recently starred in the movie thriller China Dolls that I wrote and directed and she (Linda Vu) will go out and host the shows and do a meet and greet autograph session afterwards. My website has my current schedule and I always try and blog, post pictures of my tours to keep it current. Both my brother and brother-in-law served and my dad was in the reserves so I feel like the military is a big part of my family. When I do a meet and greet after the show, I always try and find out what the soldiers want to talk about and what’s on their mind. Every once in awhile, you meet someone who really needs a friend. Sometimes they need to talk and sometimes they just want to be entertained or reminded of home. People always ask me to describe my act or to tell them a joke. My act is story driven by punch lines. Like before I left to go overseas, I had to get vaccinated and they gave me a shot for Anthrax. Now I can eat worry free at any Taco Bell for the next twenty years. . . I grew up in Los Angeles and got fed up with the fake people and pretentious attitude so I moved to Las Vegas. We were poor growing up and I’m finally glad my mom turned sixty-five because she’s been using a fake id to get the senior citizen’s discount for years. One of the greatest thrills is getting feedback from the soldiers. It’s great to take pictures and do handshakes after the shows. And now with the Internet, Facebook and Myspace, many of the soldiers I meet send me pictures and emails to stay in touch. I’ve made so many great friends with the soldiers and I still tour throughout the states and it’s so cool when a guy or girl comes up and says that they saw me overseas. It means they made it home and that brings a smile to my face. You don’t really spend too much time thinking about the security issues or threats. We get fully briefed so I feel we are ready for whatever comes our way. I try and stay focused on giving the best show I can no matter the conditions. Remember, we get to go home in a week or two so no matter how tough we have it as entertainers, the troops have it even tougher and we are here for them. There’s a great saying, if you’re looking at the obstacles, your not focused on your goal. The soldiers make it safe for us to do our jobs. There really have never been any harrowing experiences or close calls unless getting shot at and having missiles flying all around you is frightening. I do have some horror stories but it’s not something I choose to focus on. I try and find the funny in it if I can, that’s part of being a comic. There was this one time though. I guess my worst experience while entertaining overseas was eating some unwashed fruit in Turkey. We had just started the tour and I couldn’t stand for more than a few minutes without having to run to the bathroom but as they say, the show must go on. We had 3 comics on that tour and I told them to just be ready, as I would do as much time as I could then run off the stage and launch my own weapon of mass destruction. There was this foul cloud following me around. I felt like Peg Pen from the Peanuts cartoon. Anyway, after a few of my sprints, the crowd actually got into it and it became a part of the show. They were actually timing me as to how long I could stay before sprinting to the bathroom again. Let me tell you, I’m a pretty physical comic with lots of facial expressions and body movement and it’s not easy trying to be funny and squeezing your glutes at the same time. Once we get on site, we try and work out and stay as fit as possible as these tour are really gruelling. We might travel 24 hours then have to do a show right away and we want to give our best so being out of shape doesn’t help. We usually do what the troops do. If they have volleyball, then we’re out there sweating it up or if it’s movie night, then we chill out an hang with them. Each tour is different. If it’s a bigger base, we might be there for several days then branch out from there to do satellite shows to the smaller bases or just pop from on location to the next. It’s all based off of what is actually going on that day and whether there is an active battle or security threat. That’s what is so great about producing a comedy show as we can we go to a different base and then circle back later with little set up time unlike a band or bigger production style show.
read comments (0)Buy Beats For Sale Now
Author: admin
Are you tired of going into the studio and meeting with producers to buy beats? I know the feeling and recently discovered a more convenient way to buy beats for sale. You don’t have to deal with negotiations and you don’t even have to leave the house. I’m referring to buying beats online. I have a resource you should definitely check out, but let me first give you some tips on how to buy beats for sale online and save you tons of time and money. When looking to buy beats for sale online, first decide what you want to use the beats for. Are you an artist that is trying to make a song with the beat and sell it for profit? Or do you just need a beat for promotional uses like a mixtape where you won’t be making any profit? This is a very important decision you need to make before you buy beats. The difference is that you may need an ‘Exclusive Contract’ or ‘Royalty Free Agreement’ with the producer. Usually if you need a royalty free agreement, the price per track is usually more because the producer knows you will make money from it. For promotional uses, it would be less because you want to use it for free. Make sure that whichever program you choose to use, the producer offers both royalty free beats and beats for promotional uses. Another advantage of buying beats online is that you don’t have to leave your home. I used to have to go into the studio or producer’s place in order to hear his/her beats, and then negotiate a price just for that beat. When buying beats online, I usually would pay less than a one time fee of $30 bucks. And with that, I would have unlimited access to hundreds of high quality tracks for a lifetime. Producers nowadays try to charge artist anywhere ranging from $100 up $8,000 for one beat!
Fly London Shoes-the Best Footwear of The Generation.
Author: admin
Fly London shoes-The best footwear of the generation. Whenever we talk about Universal fashion culture, one name strikes and that is FLY London Shoes. The best footwear of the generation is FLY London Shoes with best comfort, and ease for the feet. FLY London Shoes have many varieties in Formal Wear, Sports Wear, Boots, Slippers, Trainer, Classic, Terrain, and Beach etc. They specially designed for styling your feet, giving comfort freedom. It is specially designed to meet the needs of youth for fashion, comfort and style. Unique and uncompromising designs are at the cutting edge of international standard fashion. Fly London is the key brand which has something for everyone which makes the consumer different and high up to standard. The incredible designs, styling and the extreme of immense comfort of FLY London Shoes is aiming to tough the roof of Global fashion popularity and grabbing the top position. The world of international shoes is stunned with the most popular styled shoes that is “Gladiator Shoes of FLY London”. London FLY Shoes took this from the ancient Greek and Roman history, when people love to put on these styles of shoes. This year record shows that the Gladiator Shoes of FLY London has gained a niche on the top roof of the international fashion rating and made the younger generation in a rage. The exceptional way of using traditional techniques techniques is one of the best qualities of FLY London Shoes. Try this internationally known brand to give your walk a different style and get impressive by all. enever we talk about Universal fashion culture, one name strikes and that is FLY London Shoes. The best footwear of the generation is FLY London Shoes with best comfort, and ease for the feet. FLY London Shoes have many varieties in Formal Wear, Sports Wear, Boots, Slippers, Trainer, Classic, Terrain, and Beach etc. They specially designed for styling your feet, giving comfort freedom. It is specially designed to meet the needs of youth for fashion, comfort and style. Unique and uncompromising designs are at the cutting edge of international standard fashion. Fly London is the key brand which has something for everyone which makes the consumer different and high up to standard. The incredible designs, styling and the extreme of immense comfort of FLY London Shoes is aiming to tough the roof of Global fashion popularity and grabbing the top position. The world of international shoes is stunned with the most popular styled shoes that is “Gladiator Shoes of FLY London”. London FLY Shoes took this from the ancient Greek and Roman history, when people love to put on these styles of shoes. This year record shows that the Gladiator Shoes of FLY London has gained a niche on the top roof of the international fashion rating and made the younger generation in a rage. The exceptional way of using traditional techniques techniques is one of the best qualities of FLY London Shoes. Try this internationally known brand to give your walk a different style and get impressive by all.
People like to buy, but no one wants to be sold anything. It’s a control issue. People want to feel that the final decision was made by them. That they CHOSE to buy from you. That they were not SOLD anything. Most people are independent thinkers and hate the thought that they may be manipulated or pressured into any decision. They want the satisfaction of knowing that they made up their own mind based on information that was presented to them or from research that they conducted. Your prospect or visitor has to perceive you to be a helping hand who will assist them in getting what they want or need. It’s this perception that the prospect has of you that will determine how they interact with you. You must do everything you can to appear to be helping and not selling. Top Online Marketers are masters of this art of perception. They are teachers who demonstrate how their products or services work to to satisfy the buyers needs. This is how and why they make sales, or rather, why the prospects buy. You must develop this skill too. If the buyer looks on you as a teacher, you will be perceived as an advisor and as someone to consult with on the merits of the product or service. However, tread well here. If the buyer ever feels that you are trying to sell, then they will withdraw and resist your efforts from then on. Here are two ways to implement this immediately in your business: 1. Don’t view a visitor, prospect or lead as ‘cash in the bank’. See each one as a person with a problem seeking a solution. Do you have the product that can solve the problem? Can you offer the resolution to their uncertainty? If you can, teach them how to escape their predicament. Guide and advice them to the benefits and value of the solution that you are proposing. Help,don’t sell. 2. Now that you’re an advisor, a teacher, treat your sales presentation as a ‘lesson’. Look at the prospect as a willing learner and together explore the problem before you offer the solution. If you’re sincere with this approach your prospect will perceive you as helping to solve his situation and become a buyer. Help, don’t sell. Zig Ziglar said it best: ‘You can have anything you want in life if you just help enough other people get what they want. ‘ Makes sense to me!
Hummingbirds The Original Helicopter
Author: admin
Hummingbirds are tiny, but rather sturdy little birds. They are wonderful little creatures and each one has its own personality, not to mention attitude. Hummingbirds are the original helicopter and are considered by many to be little clowns as they dash and dart amongst each other. They are among the smallest of all warm-blooded animals and lack the insulating downy feathers typical of many other bird species. Hummingbirds have long narrow beaks and long thin tongues. Their tongues are incredibly long ,about 2 ½ times the length of their beaks, which are rolled at the back of their throat (the best image to describe this is like a party blower, curled at one end). Their bills come in different sizes and shapes, also. Hummingbirds have muscular bodies, extremely flexible wings and can beat their wings about 80 beats per second. They are famous for their many aerial displays. Hummingbirds are built for power and dazzle, they are little more than flight muscles covered with feathers. They are not very social animals, which is why you never see them flying in flocks. Hummingbirds come in all colors of the rainbow and are often brightly colored and iridescent. Hummingbirds also love to bathe on misted leaves. They are also more reliable pollinators; insects become inactive on cold or rainy days, but hummingbirds visit flowers regardless of the weather. Hummingbirds are thought by evolutionary biologists to have evolved in South America, and the great majority of the species are found there. They inhabit a variety of temperate and tropical habitats from the wettest to the driest, and from sea level to over 14,000 feet in the Andes mountains. Several hummingbirds species will migrate annually between the two regions. Hummingbirds are capable of traveling vast distances through their migration, in human equivalence about 50,000 miles per day. Hummingbirds occur throughout the Americas, but most species inhabit tropical South America. Their habitat in North, Central, and South America is being lost to development and fragmentation, as well as to the exploitation of forested regions for the production of wood, coffee, and other crops. Hummingbirds are called nectivores because about 90 percent of their diet is nectar from flowers. They need to eat a third to a half of their body weight daily to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. Hummingbirds feed every ten or fifteen minutes from dawn to dusk every day. They like flowers that are bright and that open during the day, when they are awake. Hummingbirds are attracted to many flowering plants—shrimp plants, Heliconia, bromeliads, verbenas, fuchsias, many penstemons. They have no ability to smell, therefore, flowers do not need to be scented. Hummingbirds are attracted to red tubular flowers, but you don’t have to plant all red flowers; purple and blue hues will also work. Hummingbirds are said to be most drawn to flowers that are either large and showy or in drooping clusters of red, orange and pink. Hummingbirds may return to some of these locations because they are near a stable wildflower area which has produced a dependable food source for years or decades. Nectar feeders can also be used as a supplemental food source for hummingbirds. Hummingbirds readily find and use feeders and their food is very easy and cheap to make, (usually 1 to 4 ) one part sugar to four parts water. Hummingbirds should never be given honey, brown sugar, molasses, fruit juices, bouillon or sugar substitutes. They have a specialized diet that is difficult to duplicate, so they are hard to feed properly, and they might get sick and die if given these food sources. Hummingbirds are very territorial and will aggressively protect nectar sources. They will defend all of the feeding stations they can see from one perch. Hummingbirds use their beaks like a drinking straw and drink so quickly and come and go in such energetic spurts that it’s easy to think they take a quick sip through their beak and are off. They feed primarily on nectar from flowers, but occasionally they need protein which they get from consuming spiders and small insects. They often eat more than twice their weight in nectar and insects every day. Hummingbirds can also be attracted to a reliable water source like a mister. Hummingbirds are so adept at flying that they have no need to walk. Most of them never walk as far as 2 inches. They are called hummingbirds because of the sound that they produce during flight. Hummingbirds do make distinctive “zinging” noises with their wings and are known for their rapid flight. Hummingbirds can move instantaneously in any direction, start from its perch at full speed, and doesn’t necessarily slow up to land. Hummingbirds are the only species of birds that can truly fly backwards. They can even fly short distances upside down, a trick they employ when being attacked by another bird. Hummingbirds have weak feet and are more at ease using their wings even to shift in the nest or on a perch. Hummingbird feeding for most North Americans is purely a summertime activity, but some species have been sighted in the winter months. Hummingbirds are the tiniest and most fascinating birds that will visit your backyard. Many people get great enjoyment and amazement out of watching these little birds visit year after year. Educate yourself about the study of hummingbirds and also other bird species. Hummingbirds are great fun and you just might learn something!
Fly to Disney World And Save More
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Disney World Vacation is exciting with a bunch of fun but we all know that not all can spend a prestigious vacation like this because of the expenses. However, there are still ways to get cheap Disney World tickets for a wonderful and meaningful vacation escapade. Travel agencies are offering affordable vacation packages to explore Disney World. This is for the reason that vacationing need not to be expensive. Other offers may capture your attention and you book for tickets. Be prudent in choosing the right package for you and the entire family. It is still best to compare rates from each agency so you will have spare money to spend for Disney’s attractions and theme parks. Cheap Disney World tickets will help you experience so many because you have cheapest passes. You will not find authentic Disney World tickets and especially expiring one so be careful when you purchase for it to avoid trouble. To ensure that you are getting cheap Disney World tickets, you must do it with caution. Spend less and hassle-free in buying with your trusted dealer. Look for an authorized agency that offers Disney World tickets at their very low prices. There is an array of Disney World ticket, which is optional. You may go for magic your way base tickets, magic your way park hopper tickets, magic your way base with water park fun and more option tickets and magic your way park hopper with water park fun and more options tickets. Note that unused tickets once purchased has been made will not expire depending on your option. Do you love thrills? If yes, then try visiting Disney’s Kennedy Space Centers and do not forget to avail cheap tickets to feel the out-in-the world experience. This kind of theme parks will give chance to have face-to-face to a real astronaut. Kennedy Space Center includes tickets for space shuttle launches, rocket launches, air shows and more. You will also find there the astronaut memorial carved in a black granite monument in memory of those US astronauts who went and explored the space. If engaging to sports is your deepest passion, book your cheap Orlando Magic tickets for more fun, excitement and magic at Disney World. Orlando Magic has so many fans dying to see them playing on the court. Negotiate your price and buy cheap Orlando Magic Tickets to all events on the 2010 games. These tickets will let you watch NBA games on live and other hottest sports event.
Deep Sea Fishing – The Best Way To Spend Your Day
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If you enjoy the wind, the smell of the ocean, the fast ride in the water and love the feeling when you reel in the ‘big one,’ then this is where you need to find your fun. Key West deep sea fishing offers its visitors the experience of a lifetime. If this kind of adventure you crave for, then you have come to the right place. Whether you are planning this trip alone, with friends, or with your entire family, arrangements can be made so that each and every one of you goes back smiling and satisfied. When you are planning to start your Key West deep sea fishing it is better to do it with someone who is experienced. With the right enquiries and bookings you can take advantage of all that deep sea fishing Key West has to offer you can do this even before you leave your home. Experienced and knowledgeable guides carry the proper licenses and permits to make sure that your adventure does not come at a price. Safety First When you have professional guides aiding you along your Cabo deep sea fishing, there is nothing to worry or think about other than reeling in your biggest catch. The guides know when and where to take you according to your needs. With them on board, you will have a guaranteed wonderfully exciting fishing adventure. Fully Equipped Charters With boats now equipped with sonar and other tracking equipment, there is no difficulty in getting to a spot where you will find your catch of the day. The state-of-the-art hardware will be a perfect accompaniment to Key West deep sea fishing. With GPS locators, depth scanners, radar, and auto pilot system built into a fully equipped boat, it is your safest and surest bet of going deep sea fishing Cabo San Lucas and knowing that you will be completely safe even when you are miles out in the ocean. With cellular phone connections and other tracking devices, you will never be alone in the water. You will have the best of experts guiding you to show you all that can be done. To make sure that you will come back successful from Key West deep sea fishing, there is a host of equipment from custom-made tackle and baits to the conventional fly fishing gear available to serve all your needs. You can also choose from the best of fly and light tackle rods. Deep Sea Fishing With someone who is experienced in the art of fishing, it is easy enough to know where to find the big catch. With a flock of seabirds as guides you can glimpse when a batch of fish is around. If the small fish is not what you are looking for, then this is only the beginning. Following this trail you will surely be able to jump into the action and encounter your prize catch yet. The clear blue waters will allow you to witness the best of Key West deep sea fishing. You will see Marlin, Shark, Wahoo, Tuna, King Mackerel, Snapper, and Barracuda among others. Deep sea fishing Cabo will offer you the very best of experience. When you are onboard and engaged in deep sea fishing Naples, you can be sure that your guide or captain will help you achieve all that you can handle without any pressure. Take-Away Along with Key West deep sea fishing and your prized catch, you will be taking away some memorable moments of fun. You can also choose from the many souvenirs available to remember your time in this part of the world.
RC Indoor Helicopter: Dual Propellers, 3 Channels, USB Chargeable, Metal Alloy Body Up, up and away! A fighter pilot’s love affair The decision to become a fighter pilot was made way back in the year 1995. That was the year my father, a Wing Commander himself, gifted me the RC Indoor Helicopter with Dual Propellers, 3 Channels, USB Chargeable and Metal Alloy Body. “Bete, love planes and they will love you back”, Pa had said. The ‘josh’ to fight for my nation and to guard my country’s skies was deeply instilled fifteen years ago. Today, I, Flight Lieutenant Ajay Sharma, am being honoured with the much coveted Vir Chakra and I can’t help but remember the first time I flew my toy RC Indoor Helicopter at our house in Dehradun. The whirring sound of the high-tenacity twin propellers as I switched the RC Indoor Helicopter on, the metal alloy body and the smooth blades contributed to my pre-mature acquaintance with sky-machines and aerodynamics. The infrared control system of my 3 Channel RC Control Helicopter laid the foundation for my understanding of the radio control signals later during the AF trainings. The remote controlled transmitter was replaced by the joystick. And once I knew that, along with a heavy dose of theory, I spread my wings and was ready to fly! I remember the childhood air-races with our RC Indoor Helicopters. These races transformed into sorties, practices and watch-keeping drills that I now perform with my colleagues in our Sukhoi-30s. The thrill of the zero gravity, the various maneuvers – the Break, the Scissors, the High-G Barrel Roll, Jinking, the Spiral Dive, and the Vertical Reverse – all had a trail in my early childhood days; thanks to the transmitter of my RC Indoor Helicopter that allowed various flight movements – up/ down, forward/ backward, right/ left, 360 degrees rotation and hovering. I remember running after it, the remote in my hand, just like we chase the enemy’s fighter-planes out of our skies now. About BindaasBargain. com Bindaas Bargain is India’s 1st one deal a day online shop. A shop that works within a time limit. A GenX online store where you can buy products varying from cool gadgets, home theatres, funky watches, smash games, you name it – we have it all. All at incredibly cheap prices, delivered to your doorstep swiftly.
For any person who wants to be familiar with various laws and regulations, the law reference books can be likened to as their idol. It is through these law reference books that the law students of today become good and successful lawyers of tomorrow and make an ordinary person be acquainted with law terms. The information and the knowledge provided by these law reference books lead the students into a bright future that they may enjoy in their coming time. The internet is the finest solution of all problems, may it buying the law reference books for your guidance. On the web, you can easily come across a wide range of online books store that offer you with a complete range of law reference books that you may need for some or the other reference related to the law courses. Picking the best online books store is really uncomplicated for you. All you are needed to do is analyze all the available book stores online and then check out their offers and facilities that you can benefit. Once you are aware of their genuineness and the facilities offered, you can easily register yourself into that online books store and then get the access to as many books as you want. Well, apart from the law reference books, you can also get some second hand text books online at lower rates through the various online books stores. You purely necessitate gaining the basic knowledge regarding all these online books stores that proffer you great prospects to benefit the best law reference books online. So, buy law reference books and carve your own future as a successful lawyer of tomorrow. Here in these online books stores you will find law reference books of many different natures for you to buy from the online book store. Just use the search box or by going through the categories to the left so as to focus your search for the law reference books that you would like to buy. There are also some other law reference books categories you could find online. The online books store offers extensive law resources, including thousands of law reference books from affiliated brands. GrabMore is a leading Online Books Store to buy New and Used Law Reference Books at affordable rates. You could possibly find more number of new and used law reference books in GrabMore that can guide you through a legal problem. Updates for each law reference books are posted at GrabMore.
Are You Looking to Buy Women’s Shoes Online?
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Women”s shoes are always in demand. Women like to buy new shoes. They go gaga over wide selections of beautifully crafted womens shoes. A woman likes expensive shoes. They prefer buying womens shoes that are made of quality and is quite durable for everyday wear. Different styles, designs, colors, and textures are one of the things that they check first when buying shoes. Do you know that most women do not know their exact shoe size? That is why some women buy shoes and feels discomfort right after. There is also the problem when it comes to sizes, every manufacturer has a particular size standard and this can vary from another shoe manufacturer. That is why you should not be surprised if you are buying womens shoes of different sizes. In buying boots a woman should consider the fit of the boots on her calf and heels. Boot size is quite different to other shoe style. The length of your leg should also be considered. It should be the perfect fit, comfort, and length. Another thing to consider in buying womens shoe is the budget. A branded shoe is known for its quality and durability. It does come with a pricey tag. If you will opt for cheaper shoes, I am telling you it will not last long and the comfort does not come near to that of branded womens shoes. The color of your shoes will be of your own choice. It should exude your personality and complement your clothes. There are different colors that are available for you to choose from. Black is the most commonly bought shoe color because this can easily match any of your outfit or clothes for the day. During the summer, it is wise to look for a comfortable pair of sandals. This shoe type can be worn with anything. You can easily wear it with shorts, skirts, dress, or some jeans. Sandals are very comfortable and can let your feet breathe and move easily without the constraints of a closed shoe. A formal shoe is a closed womens shoes. These usually are made from leather. It can either be high heeled or just plain pumps. These are great for everyday wear for the office and can also be worn for dinner parties and other formal occasions.
