Tennis Humor - The Gift Of Making People Laugh At The Game Of Tennis
To those of us who love to play the game of tennis, it is the competition, the athletic challenge and the potential for artistic shot making that usually gets us going emotionally. There's little time for tennis humor as we focus on ripping that next shot for a winner.
But take a step back or just start watching some tennis matches at your club and you'll begin to see the humorous situations that abound in our game. Of course, just like mother-in-law jokes are a staple of marriage humor, dysfunctional tennis dynamics are the source of most tennis humor. And tennis humor in the form of tennis jokes or tennis cartoons on mugs, tshirts, mousepads, or greeting cards make great tennis gifts.
So, without further adieu here are a number of tennis dynamics that lend themselves to humor:
1. The married mixed doubles team. Need I say more? This classic dynamic has caused guffaws at the best of times and divorces at the worst. And for those still in dating mode -- tread very carefully!
2. The poseurs -- look great in their new tennis clothes which they claim they received as tennis gifts from a well known-touring pro, carry at least 3 of the latest hi-tech rackets, and are the epitome of style until they have to hit that first ball. Of course, if truly desperate, they will feign injury while opening up a new can of balls to avoid public display of their atrocious strokes.
3. The emotional player versus the " classic tennis dinker". Nothing can drive a tennis player more quickly to the asylum that having to play a talented retriever who gets everything back with no pace. Sit back, have a drink, and start betting pools on the number of times you're going to see a racket tossed in frustration.
4. The obsessive tennis nut -- can't be standing in a line anywhere without starting to practice his or her swing - without a racket of course. Observers often inquire if they're watching some new martial art.
5. The interfering tennis parent -- can't play, never studied the game
except for having watched an instructional video or two, but feels free to walk on the court and correct former Wimbledon champ who is instructing his or her child. Just watching the tennis pro try not to explode at this preposterous chutzpah is priceless.
Of course, there are many more of these funny tennis dynamics which I'll address in a later article. So for now, keep your eyes open at the club and you may be very entertained by the gift of tennis humor happening right in front of your eyes.
Glenn Sheiner M.D. is the author of the world's top selling tennis cartoon book THE WACKY WORLD OF TENNIS. Treat yourself to a laugh and split step over to http://www.cafepress.com/wackytennis . Check out great tennis gift items or just browse some of the cartoons.
Hunting By Moon Phase: Your Best Season Ever
Every season, millions of hunters take to the woods with renewed enthusiasm and vigor. Unfortunately, many come away empty handed, returning day after day to face similar results. It's every hunter's biggest dilemma, but some have found the perfect solution, and that is hunting by moon phase.
Fishermen have long been aware of the powerful influence of the moon on the tides and chart the various phases of the moon in order to determine the best time to fish. Similarly, animals are in tune with their surroundings and certain shifts in natural forces trigger corresponding responses in the wild.
For years, researchers have studied the reaction of wildlife to changes in the position of the sun and moon and have come up with some rather interesting observations in relation to hunting by moon phase.
So, how does this work? How can paying attention to the phases of the moon help ensure a hunter's success?
Animals and the Moon
Animals in the wild tend to be less active during daylight hours. Feeling safer under the cover of darkness, many animals will increase their activity as dusk falls.
However, many observers have noted that activity amongst all animals is greater when the moon is full and that this one form of hunting by moon phase -- hunting during periods of full moon -- can yield excellent results.
In other words, if you're aware of the phases of the moon, you're in a better position to anticipate the peak of animal activity. The more active they are, the better your chances will be of finding them.
Moon Phase Deer Hunting
Much of the research that has been done on this subject has involved hunting deer, and many hunters swear that hunting by moon phase is the only way to accurately predict deer activity.
But the moon doesn't only have an impact on deer activity. The various phases of the moon also seem to have a direct effect on deer mating patterns, which in turn make them easier to locate. It's because of this that moon phase deer hunting -- as it's becoming commonly known -- is quickly gaining acceptance.
Being aware of when the breeding season begins helps to determine travel patterns and areas of increased deer activity. When the breeding season is at its peak, finding deer is easier and finding more than one in a particular area more likely.
So what does this have to do with the moon? A female deer's reproductive cycle is influenced by the different phases of the moon, and peaks in the three or four days surrounding the second full moon after the autumnal equinox. When the does are in heat, the bucks begin rubbing and scraping in an attempt to attract them. If you know when the full moon occurs, you can be at the right spot, at the right time, and have the best chance for success, luring the bucks into your site.
By being aware of the different moon phases, deer hunting can be far more successful. But not only that, it can also help you figure out when not to hunt. You aren't going to be successful after the deer have mated and even the phase when the bucks are chasing the does can be pretty fruitless.
By becoming familiar with these patterns and planning ahead, hunting by moon phase will almost certainly lead to your best hunting season ever.
About The AuthorDavid Rose is an avid outdoorsman and the creator of QuickPhase Pro, a popular moon phase software program. Visit http://www.calculatorcat.com/moon_phases to discover the fun and easy way to view the phases of the moon and enjoy a successful hunt.
Inflatable Boats: An Overview
Inflatable boats are made from flexible material, usually rubber, canvas, or neoprene, and hold air at high volume but low pressure. They need to be fitted with a frame to which an oarlock mount is firmly attached. Such frames are either made of metal or wood, or a combination of the two.
Inflatable boats with motors are high speed, maneuverable, stable and can be easily launched from a ship. For this reason, US Navy SEAL's use the inflatable boat small (IBS) for their operations.
Twenty-three foot long Rigid Hull inflatable boats are best suited for retrieving people stranded on rocky pinnacles among the waves, and are used by the US Coast Guard during Search & Rescue operations.
There has been a lot of development in Inflatable boats. The large inflatable boats have rigid boards in them, and are called Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIB's). They can be driven by oars or outboard engines. The large ones are considered good enough to be used by the Lifeboat men.
The modern life raft is a well thought out, well-equipped, seaworthy fully inflated boat. However, if there isn't enough air inside, inflatable boats are apt to fold in the middle. Thus, they need to be pumped up to the proper pressure using bellows.
Most Inflatable Boats are portable rafts. An inflatable yacht that is 8 feet (2.4 m) long is rated to carry three people when used with a motor. It weighs 35 pounds (15 kgs.) when dry, which makes it a reasonable load for one person to carry for a long distance if necessary. The next size is 9 feet long, which does not sound much more, but the difference is great, in fact. The 9 feet boat is heavier and has much larger air tubes.
People use inflatable boats for exploring, and manually haul them to remote places. There are many brands of high quality inflatable boats available in the market, but whatever brand is chosen should be roughly 8 feet long, rated for 3 people, have a motor, be a reasonable load for one person to carry, and does not have a wooden floor, or other heavy parts.
Inflatable Boat Sales are taking place online. Inflatable boats are available for sales – both as new ones, and as used boats. Prices range from $25 right up to $2,800. The range covers 8-foot yacht tenders, fishing boats, and 14-foot inflatable sail boats.
Inflatable Boats Info provides detailed information on pontoon, rigid and fishing inflatable boats, as well as trailers, repairs, used inflatable boats and manufacturers. Inflatable Boats Info is the sister site of River Rafting Web.
