How to Effectively Use Improvised Weapons

There are many items around each day that could be used as a self defense weapon.

In this issue of our self defense newsletter I'm going to explain how to use five of the most common items which most people have access to.

Before I start explaining how to use each of these improvised weapons, I want to emphasize a few important points.

-Always keep your head up and look around so you'll be more alert.

-If possible avoid people who seem suspicious and also avoid dangerous places.

-Learn to recognize how to use any object as a weapon.

-You must be sly when using these weapons so the attacker (bad guy) won't realize what you're doing.

-All items should be held tightly in your hand down at your side so that you appear relaxed and unprepared.

-Dont' wind up. (Reaching backwards first to gain momentum) We have provided an alternate way for you to gain momentum. A way that won't alert the attacker.

-Get away as soon as possible.

Here's how to practice:

KEYS

Hold your largest, strongest key (or just any key if you suddenly need to act) in your hand the way you would hold the key to open a door. Your hand should be relaxed down at your side so your key won't be recognized as a weapon.

When someone tries to harm you, step towards them with your leg that is on the same side of your body as your hand that holds your key.

As you step toward your attacker, stomp your foot at the same time you quickly throw your hand out to poke with your key. Aim for the area between the attacker's chin and his upper chest. This is the 'Target Zone.'

You might need to strike 2 or 3 times in case your first strike misses.

Your hand should go quickly out and back in a path as close as possible to a straight line. This will give you more speed.

Another thing that will give you more speed is to explosively bring your other hand in towards the center of your chest.

Perform all of these steps as one move, striking, stomping and bringing your other hand into your chest. This movement is called the 'Dynamic Delivery' and we'll use this same move for every improvised weapon we apply to defend ourselves.

PEN

A pen should be held tightly just the way you use it to write with.

An alternative would be to place the end not used for writing into hand touching your palm with the writing end sticking out between your ring and middle finger. Your hand should be closed tightly. You would place your pen in this position only if you have a few seconds advance notice that you're about to be attacked, otherwise just hold the pen tightly the way you would write with it.)

When someone attacks use the 'Dynamic Delivery'.

Your hand should be in a relaxed starting place and go in a straight line quickly out into the attacker's 'Target Zone' and then quickly return.

Remember that since you're applying this defense with the 'Dynamic Delivery' you'll stomp your foot as you step toward the attacker to strike him.

The stomp and strike occur at the same time.

Also quickly bring your other hand in to the center of your chest. This part must be performed slightly before your stomp and strike.

Review the details in these first two improvised weapons to gain an advantage using the 'Dynamic Delivery.'

TWIG

Twigs can often be found near trees, on grassy lawns or even in open fields. A twig should be held tightly in the palm of your hand just the way you would hold the handle of a suitcase or briefcase, relaxed down at your side. (repeated for emphasis)

To apply this weapon, move your hand forward in the same manner that you swing your arms when walking. Focus on the movement being smooth and comfortable, raising the twig up into the 'Target Zone.'

For the sake of practice just imagine that there is an attacker coming at you, as you perform all of these moves.

Use the 'Dynamic Delivery' to have greater speed and power.

BOOK

Using a book as a weapon is simple. Just clamp your hand tightly on it however you are holding it and use the 'Dynamic Delivery' to apply it into the attacker's 'Target Zone.'

Its okay to strike the attacker's face when you have a book. Normally you should avoid the face, specifically the nose and mouth which bleed easily and could transmit a disease to you.

If you do end up getting the attacker's blood on your body, wash with soap and water as soon as possible, and seek medical attention if appropriate.

However, the book should extend far enough from your hand that your hand won't contact the attacker's face.

Another thing to consider with a book or any improvised weapon is that it could be tossed into the attacker's face using the 'Dynamic Deliver' (repeated for emphasis) following up with a very quick kick to his shin.

Normally, you wouldn't throw an object because you'll want to use it more than once since there are usually more than one attacker.

CELL PHONE

This could be a cell phone, PDA, pager iPod or anything similar shaped.

Like a book you'll clamp these items tight in your hand, however you happen to be holding them when you're attacked. Again, try to have a relaxed starting place, hand down at your side to be sly, or you can just start from wherever your hands happen to be.

Apply these items like the twig swinging your arm up in the same manner as when you swing your arms when you're walking, and of course use the 'Dynamic Delivery' which will give you the element of surprise, total force and incredible quickness.

If you benefited from this article and would like to learn more, please contact me at AL@hikuta.com.Also please forward this email onto your friends.

Can you think of a subject you'd like to see featured in our newsletters? Please let us know. Do you have no self defense training or are you unsure of your skills? If so make a habit of always carrying a pen in your hand. You'll always have something to write with and you'll always have a weapon.

Remember to use the 'Dynamic Delivery' and to always assume there is more than one attacker! To find out more go to http://www.hikuta.com/index.htm

Buses and Large Vans in Washington DC Need Spiked Tires to Prevent Sliding - Road Safety Issues

There have just been too many bus accidents in Washington DC, and several involving school buses, and young children. There have also been accidents where people get thrown under the bus which is quite common in Washington DC our nation's capital. It occurred to me the other day that what we really need is to have spiked tires on the buses to prevent them from sliding and slipping in the snow and ice in the wintertime.

You never know what slimy grime you might run over, which could cause you to skid and slide and go out of control, perhaps hurting the people on the bus. You see spiked tires will work great in case you have to throw someone under the bus; something that is often done in Washington DC, so they can save their own skins. But all kidding aside, something needs to be done to prevent any harm from coming to the young children that ride the bus to school.

Any accidents that happen in Washington DC often hit the national and international media, and we need to prevent that so we don't end up scaring parents around the country or all over the world. Recently, one thought we had was to have the exhaust of the bus point towards the rear tires, actually just ahead of them. This would help keep the tires warm, and also help melt the ice every time the bus stopped to pick up more people.

We quickly realized that wouldn't be enough to deal with those bureaucrats who are thrown under the bus, along with the politicians, as that could cause a bumpy ride, or grease and slime which might cause the bus to skid. Therefore, it makes sense that about the only thing you could use his spiked tires. These spiked tires work with really good in places like North Dakota, and Washington DC should consider all this. After all, this article is all about bus safety! Please think on it.

Osprey Rucksacks: Every Adventurer's Indispensable Companion

Back in 1974 Osprey founder Mike created the first Osprey rucksack as his own adventuring companion. There was simply nothing on the market that met his needs for comfort, durability and convenience. Since then, Osprey has kept in mind that each pack is meant to be used and reused time and time again. They are known for their quality workmanship and great design, offering dozens of features, many of which cannot be found on any other maker's bags.

Osprey started out as a producer of hiking packs, and this is still their main focus. But they have branched out into travel packs and gear haulers, even making some every-day use bags. But they have continued their tradition of quality throughout their models.

Whether you need a bag to take to work every day, or a pack to take to the top of Everest, you are sure to find an Osprey bag suited to your needs, and will probably find several. And once you own one, it will be your companion on every adventure.

Osprey's line of packs is large and diverse. They produce what they call 'series' in two categories, outdoor/backpacking and travel. Each series contains several bags that share functionality, features, and some specifications. There are series for men, women and youth, as well as multifunction series, travel trekking series, gear hauling series, and every day use series.

Osprey packs in general have several distinct features, which set them apart from their competitors. One of these is the shoulder strap and hip belt pockets on the majority of their packs. While it may seem like a small feature, the pockets are extremely useful. They can hold a cell phone, GPS device, camera, snack, chap stick, keys, or anything else you need to access while the pack is still on your back. If you've ever had to take off your 50 pound pack just to get a granola bar or map, you will appreciate this feature fully.

A second feature of backpack style packs by Osprey is that they are all hydration compatible. While the bike commuter may not need a drink on his/her way to work every day, it is nice that he/she could use the pack on the weekend for a long day hike, and just slip the hydration bladder in the bag. The hydration compartment on Osprey packs is external, meaning it is between the main compartment of the bag and the back panel.

Third and fourth features that will keep you using your Osprey packs are their variety and durability. They come in great colors, and are exactly as they are marketed. Osprey offers a lifetime guarantee, which shows their own belief in the quality of material and workmanship of their products.

You can't go wrong getting and Osprey rucksack. From serious trekking packs to light day packs, Osprey's line of bags is both durable and attractive. They are well worth looking into if you are thinking of investing in a quality pack.

Take Your Children Hunting

Few things can bring you more joy than to pursue two of your passions at the same time. This is easy to do by taking your children hunting with you. The first time I took my son with me he was only about 4 years old. We walked a couple hundred yards behind the house and sat down on a log. It was only a few minutes later he said that he needed to go back to the house to go to the bathroom. There was no talking him into relieving himself out in the woods, so back to the house we went. Our first hunting experience together wasn't very satisfying or very long. After this first trip I wasn't looking forward to taking him again for a while but in the years since it was I who had some learning to do about hunting with children.

After that experience I realized that I did want my children to hunt with me so I decided that we would keep trying. Since they had showed an interest I didn't want to stifle it by telling them that they were too young. I wanted them there with me when they were old enough but I thought that if I stopped them when they were young that they may not want to hunt when they get older.

In the few years since, we have had some great times together in the woods. Stories about having young children with you usually do not conclude with the description of the trophy buck that you shoot, but the memories of being there with them are better trophies. I'll never forget watching my son jump out of his skin when a grouse took off and scared him or of the first buck that he shot.

It is hard for us serious hunters to accept that sometimes we will go to the woods and not realistically have an opportunity of shooting a deer or that the chances could be lessened because there is someone else with you that likes to move a lot and is a little noisy. Once you accept this and just watch them enjoy being there with you, you can have the time of your life.

Over the years I have found some ways to make the hunt more enjoyable for everyone. Quiet woods will only hold a child's attention for a little while and then they will look for something to do. One of the first things that I do is to make sure that I have plenty to eat. A couple of apples and some candy can usually get another half an hour or so. Not that I eat any of the candy myself, it's just for the kids.

I also take something for them to do. Word search books and crossword puzzles will deter them from moving around a lot and keep them interested for a while longer.

The hunt will be very short lived if they get cold. Make sure that they are dressed warm. On one hunt I took a sleeping bag for my son and he stayed nice and warm while the snow was falling on us. It also helps if you can keep them sheltered from the wind and rain. We used to get into an old building and sit, but we now have a camouflage hunting blind that we use. Last season we spent several hours in it staying out of the wind and rain. On one hunt my 8 year old daughter was the first to spot a group of does that came from behind us. She was real proud of her accomplishment.

The best way to keep them interested and coming back is to see game. I take them no matter what time of the day it is even during the non peak activity hours. It's often hard to get them to go with you at dawn or dusk when activity is at its peak but it is usually colder during these hours anyway. They don't have to see something to have a good time, but they will tell everyone about the animals that they saw.

Last year I had watched a group of young bucks that would come to a food plot and feeder. At the end of the season I took my son and a video camera and we climbed into two treestands side-by-side. After being there for about thirty minutes there was a shower of rain and he wanted to pack it in. I convinced him that if we could stick it out another thirty minutes we would probably get to see some deer. He decided to stay and the deer showed up and we had a great time watching and videotaping them. I used the opportunity to try to teach him that it's not always easy and that the effort can pay off in the end. At eleven years old he is now learning more about hunting and is becoming a good tracker. I'm hoping that I have two hunting partners for life.

Small Digital Cameras Are Bigger Then You Think

In today's technologically-savvy world, we enjoy choices that weren't as diverse even 10 years ago. For example, wireless phones can now text, surf the Internet and even take pictures. But if taking pictures by cell phone, beware the quality, which can oftentimes be dismal.

If you desire to take quality digital pictures while conserving space, then small digital cameras are the ticket. Many of today's digital cameras are as small as, if not smaller, than your wireless phone, and will offer you benefits that a traditional cell phone camera can't.

Resolution will determine how detailed your pictures will turn out. The higher the pixels of the camera, the clearer your images will be. Lack of depth and grainy images are what you can expect from cell phone cameras due to the low resolution of those cameras. If you're used to trading images via email, then you'll be satisfied with a camera that offers between 6 and 7 megapixels (6 million to 7 million pixels). With the added bonus of a flash on small digital cameras, your pictures will turn out crisper and clearer than cell phone pictures.

Cell phone cameras also lack image stabilization. The smaller the unit, the more it will respond to the slightest shake or jar, resulting in blurred images. Image stabilization is available in many pure small digital cameras, a feature formerly found on larger, more expensive models.

While they're probably easier to drop due to size (pulling one thing out of a pocket, and catching the camera accidentally), the manufacturing of small digital cameras has advanced to a level where there's very little worry about damaging them. Materials and manufacturer's warranties should comfort the buyer and not necessitate the purchase of an extended warranty.

Remember, however, that sacrificing in size may mean sacrificing in other ways, too. Battery life may be shorter, zoom options may be limited, and user interface options may be reduced.

R4DS Vs R4i: A Comparison

R4DS and R4i are wonderful media flash cards you can use on your Nintendo console. Oftentimes many people wonder which of the cards is better; in this write-up, an attempt is made to unravel the features and qualities of each of the cards so that you can make a better choice.

R4DS

This stands as the very first original card that hit the market in the year 2007. As at that time, it was very popular among users. The card came with wonderful features that support all kinds of games, applications, movies, videos and music files. It also supports Micro SD cards with capacity up to 2 GB. However, in the middle of 2008, the manufacturers of the R4DS stopped producing it. This gave rise to the introduction of newer models such as R4i and others.

The Pros of the R4DS

The R4DS is still very compatible with Nintendo DS consoles. However, it doesn't work on DSi or DSi XL versions. It only supports Micros SD cards with 2GB capacity. It doesn't support Micro SDHC cards and other newer models. In any case, the card remains very useful to all Nintendo users.

R4i

The R4i is a newer media flash card. It came onboard as an improvement upon the former R4DS. The current version of the card known as R4i Gold is known to be very popular among Nintendo DS users. Since the year 2009 onwards, the R4i card has remained very popular both in Europe and American continents. The card is actually causing waves online especially in the lives of game, video and music lovers.

The Pros of the R4i

The R4i is compatible with modern versions of Nintendo DS consoles such as DSi and DSi XL. It also supports the new DSi v1.4 firmware in a most unique way. The card supports Micro SD cards up to 32 GB. Everyone who desires to have a perfect gaming experience needs to go for this card as it supports all kinds of gaming systems.

Comparing R4DS and R4i

From the above descriptions, it's very clear that the R4i is much better that R4DS. The R4i has better improved features than R4DS. For instance, the R4i is compatible with newer versions of Nintendo DS consoles such as DSi and DSi XL. Again, the card supports Micro SD cards with higher capacities.

When it comes to price, the R4i is costlier than R4DS. This is obviously because of its improved features. Thus, it's always better to go for the R4i Gold if you really want to enjoy your Nintendo console. Moreover, the original R4DS is no longer being produced by the manufacturing company; hence, you may find it difficult to locate it. To be on a safer side, the R4i or even the newer R4 SDHC can serve you. With such cards, you can download all kinds of gaming systems, music, and video and movie files. The sky is indeed your limit when using the cards.

Repossessed Houses - 3 Simple Tips To Get Good Value For Money

Studies show that most Americans would rather buy a home instead of building one from scratch. This is because it takes time to build one and there are a lot of old homes that are quite affordable.

There are two places that the individual can turn to. The first are the banks while the second is the government.

In both cases, when someone fails to pay the monthly amortization, the institution has no choice but to confiscate it. Instead of this just being an idle asset, this is offered to prospective buyers to earn some revenue.

Another report shows that more people turn to government repossessed houses because the price being offered is much lower than those given by the banks that is attributed to the condition of the home.

There are a lot of government repossessed houses being offered in the market. Before the person decides to invest in one, it will be a good idea to follow these three simple tips to get good value for money.

1. The first tip is to do some research. The individual should first check in newspapers and the Internet for the ideal home. If the price of the property is beyond the individual's budget, this should be crossed out to further narrow down the search.

There is a saying that goes "to see is to believe." The best way to find out if this is an investment worth getting into will be to make an ocular inspection. It will be a good idea to take notes of potential problems in the place so an estimate can be made as to how much will also be needed to fix up the place.

Another way to get the necessary information will be to go through a broker. The specialist can check if the repossessed home is under or over valued.

2. The second tip is for the person to weight the options. Surely, there are other houses that could be much better than the one just visited and the only way to find out is by also looking at other properties. There might be something bigger out there that could cost almost the same price.

3. The last tip in buying is coming up with a reasonable offer that is within one's budget. There are times that a person may win but in the end cannot afford to live up to the agreement. This is something the individual should think about so as not to suffer the same fate as the previous owner.

Those who win the bid are not obliged to pay the whole amount up front. The best thing to do will be to negotiate the payment terms. It is possible to fast track the process in the future if there is enough money on hand.

How To Use Water As A Beautiful Focal Point And Attract Wealth At The Same Time

When sculpting a beautiful outside space, one element which can feel peaceful, comforting, inspirational and welcoming all at the same time is water. Water offers many people a deep sense of peace and well being, whether the water is found at the seaside, at a lake, a river or in the form of some feature, such as a pond, fountain or water feature - the inner calm that it brings can be quite profound.

Our Subconscious Reaction To Water For plenty of people being by water gives a sense of an internal "coming home." Of course before we were born we became accustomed and comforted by the sound of water in the womb. The amniotic fluid within the womb makes a watery, warm, safe haven. And so later in life on a subconscious level we identify with this very deeply.

Water In Feng Shui As well as many people's subconscious reaction to being by water, it is one of the five elements in Feng Shui. Now you don't have to believe in Feng Shui for it to work, so don't worry about it if you don't. It works even for those who are sceptical about it!

When the aforementioned five elements are in balance, your environment should be resonating with good fortune and your creative potential. The five elements are fire, metal, earth, wood and water.

Used correctly, the water element is the key which can unlock prosperity. Although if it is used in an unbalanced way it can have the opposite effect and actually block prosperity from being an integral part of your life.

So How Can You Attract Wealth Luck And Make Your Outdoor Space Beautiful Using Water? To attract wealth luck you will need to have, or to create what is termed a Water Dragon. The water dragon is water from either a natural source or an artificial source which is ideally positioned in one of the most auspicious points to encourage prosperity.

For those who live near by, or can create a water dragon of natural water, you will be interested to know that natural water has a superior result to artificial water. However the positioning of the water dragon is very important.

Take for example a property that has a clean, slow moving river near it. This will bring very good prosperity fortune when it is located at the front of the property, where it flows by the main entrance. However it should neither flow in a direct path towards the property or away from it.

As mentioned even with a natural water dragon the positioning is vital to the effect it brings; for example a river at the back of your home will have the tormenting effect of the feeling and occurrence of missed opportunities. So in a sense they are passing you by.

The most ideal situation is to have natural water that fits the positioning criteria. If you are planning to build a property, then during the planning stage designing a pond or waterfall in the auspicious areas will be extremely beneficial for you and the rest of your family who live there.

However as most of us are already living somewhere already, the best and easiest solution is to opt for an artificial water dragon. This can be an artificially created pond and fountain, or a variety of other water feature types. With the right type of feature and orientation this can be extremely effective in bringing wealth luck. With a well thought out design, this feature can be a focal point in your beautiful outside space.

Imagine a customised, gorgeous water feature that looks superb and brings ongoing wealth. Now imagine it with the sunlight reflecting on it. This is magical.

Don't miss the next part of this series which investigates the all-important positioning of your water dragon, plus explains the difference between yin and yang water.

The Benefits of a Fast Bonding Fits-All Surface Adhesive

When it comes to making several small repairs around the home, you will need a reliable surface adhesive at all times. While some types of glue are usually sufficient for paper and cardboard bonding or for craft projects, you will need a stronger adhesive for repairs that usually involve plastic, wood, or concrete. The variety of adhesives available in the market has made it easier for everyone to choose which types are ideal for specific repairs or bonding purposes. One of the best choices however are fast-bonding adhesives manufactured to successfully work with a variety of surfaces, from plastic, glass, and mirror to concrete, wood, and stone. These superior adhesives are a step above regular household adhesives and may be used both for indoor and outdoor applications.

Versatility

Some types of glues and adhesives are built for a specific purpose or for fastening specific types of materials. There are formulations made for non-porous materials such as plastic and rubber, while there are those which are formulated mainly for indoor applications. Choosing an excellent adhesive that bonds several types of materials and works for both indoor and outdoor applications can save you time and money. You can repair anything around your home, whether it's a broken vase, a cracked plastic toy, or a wooden figurine.

Quick bonding

Before fast-bonding, superior adhesives were made available in the market, complete curing from epoxies had to take several hours. This is especially the case for certain types of slow-setting epoxies, which could take a couple hours before thorough bonding was completed. Nowadays, you can easily take advantage of superior household adhesives which can bond faster than regular adhesives. Bonding time can be as short as 25 minutes, while some adhesives built for extreme conditions can bond surfaces completely in as little as 5 minutes.

All season use

An excellent adhesive is also formulated to resist extreme changes in temperatures, which means you can use them no matter what season. These high quality adhesives are also water resistant, making them ideal for interior and exterior applications.

The Loctite Stik n' Seal Extreme Condition ultra adhesive is a versatile and highly reliable household adhesive that is built for outdoor and indoor use and for bonding a wide variety of substrates and materials. Whether you're used to doing small repairs at home or using stronger adhesive for your arts and crafts projects, this versatile ultra adhesive is made for durable, flexible, and long lasting bonding results.