Marriage Counseling

Terry Ross asked:


With so many marriages struggling with marital conflict and communication being a major cause of problems in a marriage it is no wonder that marriage counseling is in such demand.

Couples often look to marriage counseling when they can no longer communicate with each other, when they are so frustrated that they no longer know what to do. Many marriages struggle for years before couples finally take the decision to do something about it, go for marriage counseling and try to save the marriage.

The earlier couples seek marriage counseling the better, obviously the further down the road you are and the greater the marital conflict the harder it is to resolve marital issues although if you are one of those who has struggled for years, don’t give up, just get the right marriage advice which will renew your energies, refocus your attentions and add a whole new perspective to your relationship.

Everyone deserves to be happy in marriage, it is something that should be enjoyed and cherished and not just suffered in silence. Don’t just assume that this is how life is and how it’s always going to be, marriage can bring ultimate pleasure and your partner should be the best thing that has ever happened to you. Whether you choose to sort your marital conflict through marriage counseling or any other means, one thing is for sure, married life should not make your feel shackled, tied to a life you hate, it should bring you pleasure and joy and that should be your ultimate aim.

If you don’t feel that marriage counseling is for you because you don’t believe your partner will want to get involved, you don’t want to discuss your problems or you just hate the whole feel of the thing then the other alternative is to get on-line advice through, articles, forums or ebooks written by marriage counselors. There is a lot of material out their all designed to help you solve your marriage issues, get you back on the right track and help you save your marriage.

Please, don’t just assume that nothing can be done, no one can help you and you are on your own. Don’t continue to believe that the only way out is divorce. For some marriages yes, no one has to tolerate abusive relationships and some infidelities can prove impossible to forgive but by the sheer fact you are looking for advice part of you must want to save your marriage.

So go for it and remember, if marriage counseling just isn’t for you then seek alternative methods to get the help and guidance you need to put you back on the right track and make your marriage better and stronger than it ever was before.



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Roberta Hochreiter asked:


Helpful Steps To Choose A Great Lightweight Portable Tripod

by Roberta Hochreiter

The tripod is an absolute must because after hiking into an area you become winded and tired and are much less likely to hold your camera still. Also, if you are using a telephoto lens, setting up a panoramic shot or using long shutter speeds you will need a tripod to eliminate shake and create sharper photos. You’ll want a tripod that is lightweight, compact but still has the features you need.

1. Important Elements in Chosing a Tripod

No one tripod will meet all your requirements, so you must determine the elements most important to you and chose the ones which meet your main needs. When you are purchasing a tripod you want to pay attention to these five things.

Weight Height [with and without the center column raised] Stability Durability Ease of adjustment

The lighter tripod is easier to carry around. There are trade-offs, of course. The lighter tripod is not as stable particularly when raised to its maximum height. There are materials on the market now such as carbon fiber, which help cut the weight of larger tripods. The down side of these tripods is the price. They are quite a bit more expensive than those made of aluminum.

Height is crucial, because standing hunched over your camera all day will really put a crimp in you enjoyment. Also, you want to think about the portability of the tripod. The smaller it compacts down, the more portable it is.

Stability is very important because this is basically the point of using a tripod. Some tripods come with a hook in the bottom of the center post so you can hang a weight on it to keep it steady, particularly if it is windy. Camera shake, even just a little will decrease the quality of your photographs. A tripod is just about mandatory if you are going to take long exposures, use a telephoto lens or take panoramic shots.

When you use your tripod for out door photography and/or nature photography, you want to make sure it will stand up to the elements. A tripod should be able to withstand hard use over a long period of time without breaking. It makes no sense to invest in a product if it is just going to break in a few weeks or lock up because it got wet.

Last but not least you don’t want to fumble around with ungainly controls. You want a tripod that will adjust rapidly and easily so you avoid missing important shots. Flick lock legs that adjust individually are great. A ball-head and a quick lift enter post makes for fast adjustments once you get the tripod set to the right height.

2. Lightweight Portable Tripods

After a lot of research, the best portable tripod I found is the Velbon Maxi 343E Mini Tripod. I take it with me everywhere. It compacts down to less than 17 inches and weighs just 2 pounds. You’ll never be tempted to leave it behind because it fits easily into your backpack or suitcase. It is constructed of all die cast metal, which means it can put up with a lot of abuse. It is quick and easy to adjust. Each leg has 3 quick lever leg locks and the feet have rubber tips with retractable spikes so you can use it on any surface. The center column lifts easily into position and the ball socket head can be adjusted without taking your eye off the viewfinder. Maximum height is 62.4 inches with the center column fully extended and 52.7 inches with the column closed. Maximum load capacity is 8 pounds. Best of all, you can purchase this tripod for under $100 and it comes with a 5-year manufacturer warranty. Did I mention it comes with a case?

You can read users reviews of this tripod at Amazon.com. They are getting harder to find and I hope that doesn’t mean they will no longer be manufactured.

5/9/06 - I received information from ToCad America who are the distributers for Velbon in the U.S. and this model has been discontinued. If you find one on eBay or another site, grab it now.

Here are some other brands of light weight portable tripods that compare favorably with the Velbon Maxi 343E:

Bogen - Manfrotto Compact Black Digi-Tripod with Integral Tension Ball Head & Carry Case

An ultra-compact tripod - folded length of just under 14″, compact ballhead, quick-action leg locks, a rucksack-style bag is included. Weighs 2.2 lbs. with a load capacity of 5.5 lbs. Costs about $85.

Slik Sprint Mini Tripod with a Ball Head & Tripod Case

Weighs just 26 ounces (1.6 lbs/740 grams) and folds to 14.1 inches, it has a maximum height of 43.3 inches, speed release leg locks, gearless center column, can easily handle a camera up to 3.5 pounds and has a 3-year warranty. Priced about $60.

Slik Sprint Tripod - Silver Finish - with Ball Head & Case

The SLIK SPRINT is a compact model with features that compact digital photographers are looking for. A maximum height of 63.1 inches reaches eye level yet the SPRINT folds to an impressively compact 17.9 inches, weighs 1.9 lbs for easy travel, speed release leg locks, gearless center column and can hold a camera up to 3 lbs. Price is about $70.

Slik Sprint Pro Tripod - Silver Finish - with Ball Head & Case

a maximum height of 64 inches reaches eye level yet the SPRINT PRO folds to a compact 18.9 inches and weighs in at 1.95 lbs for easy travel, has speed release leg locks, gearless center column and can hold a camera up to 3.5 lbs. It has 3 position adjustable angle legs for easy set up on uneven ground or steps. The adjustable legs angles can also be used to lower the tripod. When used with the built-in short center column, (the included center column unscrews into two pieces) the camera is just 6.4 inches off the ground for extremely low angle or macro photography out in the field. Another way to get the camera low is to reverse the center column which could be used for macro photography or copy work. It sells about about $80.

Sunpak DigiPro 4B Tripod with Ball Head

Features: Versatile Quick Lock Ball Head, Flip Lever Leg Locks, Grounder with Split Center Column, Free Nylon Carry Bag w/Shoulder Strap, Load Capacity up to 3.3 lbs., Extends to 55.9 inches, Ultra Light Weight at 1.8 lbs. Sells for about $60.

Sunpak 3300 PRO Tripod

Manufactured from Tritanium, an alloy of Titanium, Magnesium and Aluminum substantially increases the overall strength-to-weight performance of the 3300 PRO. Able to support equipment weighing up to 11 lbs., the 3300 PRO is incredibly lightweight, at a mere 2.7 lbs., while its dual groove leg design adds additional strength without adding any extra weight. With an operating height of 62.9″, the Sunpak 3300 PRO tripod has three leg sections, with integral quick release lock levers, and features multi-angle leg adjust-ments for use on uneven terrain or for extreme low angle photography. With “grounder” capability, the Sunpak 3300 PRO can operate at a minimum height less than 11″, without need for a short center column, and folds to a compact 23.2″. Price is about $70.

3. Alternatives to Tripods

There are some alternative solutions for steadying your camera if you don’t have a tripod or don’t want to carry one. I have an old (clean) sock filled with rice that acts like a beanbag to steady my camera. You can use it just about anywhere, on a rock, a ledge, car window etc. You could also take an empty sock and fill it with gravel or dirt when you get where you are going if you don’t want to haul rice around. You can also use your pack or a bag of your clothes to steady your camera. If you must take a handheld photo, try to use a shutter speed of at 1/60 second or higher. The longer your lens the faster your shutter speed should be.

Here is a nifty alternative to a tripod that beats rice in a sock all together! The POD Camera Platform ( Bean Bag ) with YELLOW Base, 3.75″ Diameter, 2″ Thick, has A 1/4 x 20 Screw Thread for Securing Your Camera. You can plop this on a rock, post, stump or even the ground for low shots. I will post my review after I get it and try it out.

I’ve never tried one of these but the idea is sound. Here’s the write up: Novoflex’s Chestpod is a great way to lend support when shooting with long lenses in scenarios where monopods and tripods would be impractical or prohibited. It begins as a comfortable neckstrap, which articulates to a wide rubberized base that rests on your chest. Attached to this base is an arm that ends with a swiveling plate that has a 1/4″-20 screw for attaching the tripod collar of the lens.

Bogen-Manfrotto Self-Standing Pro Monopod, Black Anodized A monopod is another alternative to the tripod. It can serve double duty as a hiking pole. All the features of the 681B Professional Monopod with the handy addition of three retractable legs. The 682 is a black anodized aluminum three-section monopod featuring sure rubber grip, wrist carrying strap, quick action lever leg lock system with 45° flip, large 2.3″ camera/head platform with plastic cover and dual 1/4-20″ - 3/8″ camera screw. Weight is 2.4 pounds.

Last but not least, there is the the car window pod. Perfect for unexpected opportunities where getting out of the car could ruin your shot. A car can work well as a blind for wildlife shots. Don’t forget to turn the car off to eliminate shake. There are many brands but for maximum versatility, a ball head works best.

If you follow the advice in this article you will be more likely to bring your tripod and ensure sharp photos without breaking your back or your bank account.

Roberta Hochreiter is an avid photographer, hiker and backpacker with 5 years experience in nature photography. This article gives new photographers advice on how to chose photographic equipment that is lightweight and portable. For more information please to to http://www.womengophoto.com for information on: tripods

http://www.womengophoto.com/tripods/



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the online sports shop asked:


First tip from the hockeysticksonline stick buying guide find the right size. Senior hockey sticks are mainly available in 36.5 and 37.5 lengths. 36.5 is considered the standard size while 37.5 sticks can prove more comfortable for taller players and give a little extra reach which can help you get to the ball first. If you have already played with a few sticks from your club you can probably decide which one feels best. There is no hard and fast rule for what size stick you need its really down to personal preference. As a guide though a stick placed against the outside of your leg that reaches your hip bone will normally be around the right size.

 

Our second tip concerns the weight of the stick you use. This has become less important as most sticks are now made from composites rather than wood. With wooden sticks the heavier the stick the more power a player could get in the shot. However composite sticks get their power from the stiffness and make up of the composite. As a general rule the more expensive sticks contain more carbon fibre which keeps the stick stiff and enables you to get lots of power in your shots. Lighter sticks help you to control the ball while dribbling and reduce fatigue during the game. If you are moving from a wooden stick to a composite one you may find a heavier stick easier to use.

 

Tip three, picking the right head shape for your game. This basically boils down to maxi head sticks and hook heads. The hook tend to be better for dribbling and flicking while the maxi style have a bigger sweet spot to enable powerful hitting and the ability to trap and drag more easily. The maxi tends to be more popular amongst defenders who like to be able to hit the ball hard while hook style sticks are often favoured by attacking players.

 

Hopefully these tips will help you find your perfect stick and in turn help you play your best hockey. You can check out our huge range of hockey sticks here.

 

 

 



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