A Long The Way.

February 14, 2008, 6:04 pm
Youth ‘Choking Game’ Can Be Deadly
Posted by Sarah Rubenstein
The Health Blog’s adolescent years faded into history long ago. Maybe that’s why we’d never heard of a game that teens today sometimes call Space Monkey, Airplaning, Space Cowboy or Flat Liner.

The names may sound funny, but the game is deadly serious. The nicknames refer to what is more accurately called the “choking game,” in which youngsters wrap everything from dog leashes to bungee cords around their necks to temporarily cut blood flow to their brains, as this AP story explains. The goal is a dreamy, floating-in-space sensation when blood rushes back to the brain.

In a first, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published an estimate of the death toll from the choking game that relied on reports in the media and on two Web sites. Death certificates, the researchers wrote, aren’t precise enough for the task. The researchers found 82 probable deaths among youths aged 6–19 years, from 1995 to 2007, due to the choking game. Seventy-one, or 87%, of the victims were male, and the average age was about 13 years. (Deaths ruled to be suicides or from auto-erotic asphyxiation were excluded.)

Through the CDC report, we came across a youth health-risk survey that lists nicknames for the game as well as danger signs for parents to watch for:

Suspicious mark on side of the neck sometimes hidden by wearing turtlenecks, scarves and up-turned collars.
Changes in personality, such as overly aggressive or agitated.
Straps, rope or belt lying around without any reason.
A flushed face or bloodshot eyes.
A thud in the bedroom or against a wall.
For more info and an online forum for discussion, see the Web site Games Adolescents Shouldn’t Play.

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While staying or playing in California’s Monterey Bay area, how about taking a Whale Watching tour? Monterey Bay is situated near the mid-section of California’s coastline. The bay not only has a shallow shelf by the shore, it also has an enormous and deep submarine canyon.

These extremes in habitats permit a large variety of marine creatures to dwell there. By taking a whale watching tour, you may be able to see some of the marine life listed below which varies depending on the time of the year that you go.

Marine Life of Monterey Bay: Whales - There are Blue, Gray, Minke, Fin, Humpback, Beaked and Sperm Whales. Dolphins and Porpoises - There are the Common, Bottlenose, Pacific White-sided, Risso’s, Orca (Killer Whale) and Northern Right Whale Dolphins.

Also, the Dall’s and Harbor Porpoises. Pinnipeds - There are the Stellar and California Sea Lions. Also, the Northern Fur, Pacific Harbor and Northern Elephant Seals. Sea Otters - Southern Sea Otter Sea Turtles - Leatherback Sea Turtle Sea Birds - There are Pelicans, Loons, Terns, Black-footed Albatross and Gulls.

There are several tour companies operating in the bay. Besides price, check with each one to see what their particular whale watching tour offers. Ask what time or times of day they go out. Which type and size of vessel will you be on?

Does it have indoor and outdoor seating and heated cabins? Are there ample life jackets? Does it have a live or taped narrated tour? Will there be a marine biologist or naturalist on board to identify animals and answer questions? Can you bring snacks and beverages or are there some available on the boat?

Inquire about the length of the trip because tours can range anywhere from two to four hours. Find out about their cancellation policy. Will they cancel for poor weather conditions or under booked tours? To insure that your outing is a pleasant and comfortable trip it is important to do a little preparation.

Before your excursion, it is a good idea to purchase your tickets. This way you can book the day and time that you want and not have to worry about getting there and the trip being sold out.

Also be certain to arrive at least a half of an hour before departure so you will have enough time to check in. Since out on the ocean it can be breezy and chilly no matter what time of the year, be sure to put on warm garments in several layers.

It is recommended that you dress in long pants and wear flat closed-toed shoes with rubber soles. A wind and waterproof jacket or light raincoat, hat and gloves for the outermost layer is best should it start to rain.

If it gets hot later on, you can always remove a layer. For additional weather protection, remember to bring your sunscreen lotion, lip balm, seasick medication and sunglasses. You may also wish to bring a camera, video camera or binoculars for extra enjoyment.

While there is no guarantee that you will see any whales, the captain and crew with all their experience and knowledge, will do their best to find them.

Should your boat be lucky enough to locate a whale, please realize that you are not allowed to attempt to touch it or any other animal. This is for the animal’s safety as well as yours. Whether or not you see a whale, you surely will view some of the wonderful marine life that makes their home in the bay or just visits at certain seasons of the year.

So make plans for an unforgettable day out at sea and have a whale of a time!

Resource Box: Author James Dodson Email: datasan6@gmail.com

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The best way to defend yourself is to avoid putting yourself in dangerous situations to begin with. When out and about town or even in their own home, a person needs to be aware of what is going on around them and who is around them. Keep your eyes open, look ahead, and look behind you. Recognize a possible threat before it is close enough to bring you and others you care about, physical harm.

Shopping malls, for example, are huge gathering places. Whether its social one on one, shopping or checking out the scenery, it’s easy to forget what’s around you, especially if children are involved. Start defending yourself when you arrive at a shopping mall, before you ever exit your vehicle. You should park in a well-light area.

Always park as close to the front of the building before you unlock and get out of your vehicle; determine the safest route to the building. Be certain to have all of your belongings gathered together and be ready to exit the vehicle as soon as you unlock the door. Keep your keys in your hand, space the keys between your fingers so that if attacked, you can use this as a defense weapon. Identify possible threats as you walk and attempt to avoid when walking near them.

The same rules apply when leaving a shopping mall. You must be aware of those standing around outside. Take note of people that may be watching you or individuals near your vehicle. Your instincts are powerful tools so don’t ignore them.

If you feel there may be a possible threat, go back inside and ask a security guard to escort you to your car. Have your keys ready to open your vehicle. Once inside, immediately lock all doors. If you have an electronic key, use it only when you are standing next to the door. If it unlocks more than just the driver’s door, avoid using it all together and open your car door the old fashioned way.

You’ll find that unlocking a car door with a key is in some ways a lot faster and easier than fiddling with keypads too. Keep car doors locked at all times while driving. Today’s newer vehicles often come standard with automatic door locks that engage when a vehicle reaches a certain speed. However, in low speed areas such as a mall or parking lot, door locks may not work at these speeds. So as a precaution manually lock your doors in low speed areas.

You must be aware of all your surroundings at all times. Being aware of possible threats can help you avoid them and keep you and your loved ones safe. The information in this article comes from personal experience.

Resource Box: Writer: James Dodson, Email: datasan6@gmail.com

Saturday Clean Sweep for Obama
Huckabee Takes Kansas, Blunts McCain in Louisiana Primary
Ahead of Tuesday’s “Potomac Primary,” thousands of University of Maryland students turned out to see Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., stir up more support, Feb. 11, 2008. (Jeff Haynes/Reuters)

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I first became acquained with the value of color after I left the Army. I thought I had a good sense of colors but I did some research to check it out,

The colors of the clothes that you wear actually are an expression of yourself. A good selection of the colors help to bring balance to both your inner as well as outer self.

The clothes act as color filters that decide the extent of color energy absorbed into the body. This means that the colors that you choose to wear affect you, and it is worth considering what colors to wear to create harmony and balance.

1. Red

Red is an attention grabber. When wearing red, a person feels more energetic, outgoing and ready for action. This person is also seen as passionate and strong. Action and drama are characteristics of such people.

2. Orange

Orange indicates courage and adventure and people wearing this color are assertive, like to smile and have a tendency to make others smile as well. It is also an energetic color but not to the extent as red. They are full of enthusiasm and zeal in their actions.

3. Yellow

Yellow is a color that allows in the light and it encourages open-mindedness and also attention to detail. This color is typically worn by intellectuals, the studious types and people who hold positions of authority and control.

4. Green

Green brings about a calm, balanced and soothing atmosphere, and represents harmony and equilibrium. This color is normally worn by people who prefer not to attract attention to themselves.

5. Turquoise

Turquoise brings clarity to thoughts and feelings that helps in producing clear communication. It also encourages others to show an interest in you.

6. Blue

Wearing blue indicates spirituality and order. People wearing this color reflect a wish for tranquility, peace and quiet. It is a non-threatening color.

7. Violet

Violet is a color of dignity, self-respect and self-worth. It is typically associated with the monarch, wealth and extravagance. Because of its creative and spiritual nature, artists have a tendency to go for this color.

8. Magenta

Wearing magenta generates feelings of gentleness, softness and kindness. It creates affection and feelings of love and compassion.

9. Black

Black historically has been related to death, grief and penitence. However, it is now a very popular color worn by people these days. This color denies the light and those wearing it are rejecting the light in themselves, by pushing it away and not allowing it to be absorbed. Black is also a color that reflects power, authority and sometimes also mystery. It is also worn by people who appear traditional and respectable.

10. White

White has been normally associated with cleanliness, innocence and purity. It is a color of detachment. People may wear white to keep cool in the heat of the sun’s rays as it reflects all colors.

11. Brown

Brown is associated with the earth and stability. People who like to wear brown are known to be highly dedicated and committed to their work, family and friends. They are practical in life but can also be deeply insecure and unstable. Their practical nature makes it possible for them to get to the root causes and deal with matters simply and directly.

Color should be a natural expression of what we are as it is an essential feature of what we wear. When our clothes colors reflect who we are, we will feel more confident and self-assured than if the colors clash.

If you are looking for a vacation not easy to forget, plan on taking yours on the Hawaiian Island of Maui. From breathtaking ocean views to panoramic sunrises high atop Mount Haleakala, Maui is the undisputable playground of Hawaii. And whether you are enjoying luscious treks through bamboo forests or coasting your bicycle down 10,000 feet of volcano, there is almost nothing you cannot do on Maui. If there is a heaven, Maui is the road that gets you there.

Some History…

Maui is the second largest island in the chain of eight known as the Hawaiian Islands. Captain James Cook discovered the islands in 1778 while on his third expedition to Alaska. His search for the Northwest Passage linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans would forever change Hawaii, its culture and its people.

In 1894, during Sanford Dole’s Presidency, the United States recognized the Republic of Hawaii and made it an official territory in 1900. Over the next century, sugar established itself as the leading industry and the heavy farming of pineapples a close second. The island of Lanaii was bought for the sole purpose of growing pineapples.

Towards the end of the 20th century with land prices on the increase and competition from other parts of the world, sugar and pineapples became less profitable. And while the sugar industry is all but dead on the islands, pineapples are still grown commercially on Maui and Kauaii. Tourism would become Hawaii’s most popular industry and getaway location.

Getting There…

Unless you live on Maui, the only way to get there is by plane or boat. Cruises are great if you have the time, but if you want to get there quick, hop on a jet. When planning your trip a travel agent can be helpful. However, the Internet has become the preferred choice of shopping some great deals. You will want your hotel and transportation lined up before you get to the island. Travel agents are also great resources for researching activity packages.

Depending on your departure location, expect flight time to be about six hours. Do not worry; you will have a few in-flight movies and a little pillow time to make your flight tolerable and comfortable. Here’s a short list of some stuff you will want to bring. Obviously, you will not bring everything on this list, but you can use it as a guideline when planning your unforgettable Maui vacation.

* A hat or cap for sun protection
* Large insulated water jug to keep in the car
* Waterproof sunblock, SPF 15 or higher
* Bathing suits for plenty of swimming opportunities
* Shoes, thongs or throwaway sneakers, reef shoes, hiking shoes
* A light rain jacket
* Camera with lots of film, or megabytes for that digital crowd
* Mask, snorkel and fins
* Warm clothes (for the top - Haleakala trip)
* Shorts and other cool cotton clothing (for the bottom)
* Mosquito repellent for hiking (lotions with Deet, rather than liquids, seem to work the best and last the longest)
* A fanny pack

A Little Geography…

The island of Maui is made up of two volcanoes. The largest mountain on the east side of the island is known as Haleakala, or “house of the sun”. The other great mountain on the west side was originally called Pu’u Kuku’i, or “hill of the candlenut tree”. That was later changed to West Maui Mountain.

Of the two, West Maui Mountain is the oldest. Streams cut deep into its slopes, which cascade into majestic waterfalls. Hiking is treacherous here but there are plenty of helicopter tours, complete with music and song, to enjoy them. Take plenty of film for this ride.

Haleakala is the youngest mountain. At just over 10,000 feet, the view from the top is breathtaking. The drive will take a little over two hours, barring any stops or side trips. Bring some warm clothing because it gets cold! And make sure you leave early enough to catch the sunrise. Nothing else beats it. Be sure to snap a few pictures of the “Silver Sword” before you leave. Silver Swords are native to the island and you will not find this plant anywhere else in the world.

Hot Spots…

Maui is full of places to see and explore. Here are a few to add to your must see list.

Haleakala

Start your Haleakala trip early in the morning. You will want to catch this sunrise to start your day. Bring some warm clothing and hiking equipment. There are 27 miles of trails on Haleakala so bring plenty of film to capture the incredible views from inside the crater. There is “Sliding Sands Trail” which descends 2,400 feet and the hike around 3 8/10ths miles each way. The “Halemau’u Trail” is about four miles each way at 1,400 feet. And for the professional hikers, there is “Kaupo Trail” which descends all the way down the mountain. But you can only access this trail if you are camping, so plan accordingly.

Road to Hana

The Road to Hana has been dubbed the Crown Jewel of Hawaii and the most desired drive of all the islands. This two-lane highway with many one-way bridges has been compared to the Garden of Eden. All told, there are about 600 turns on this winding road filled with lush forests and beautiful waterfalls. Speed limit on Hana road is a whopping 35 miles per hour, so do not expect getting anywhere fast. As the Chinese say, “Fulfillment is in the journey, not the destination”.

Banyan Tree Park

Located in Lahaina, this park is a must see. As you look into the park, it appears as though there are many trees, but in reality, it is one tree. This tree is so big it encompasses the entire park! Some other sites around the park include the old courthouse, Baldwin House (reported to be the oldest house on the island), and the old prison.

Dragon’s Teeth at Kapalua

Located near Kapalua, this lava formation resembling dragon’s teeth owe its creation to the wind and sea. During the great lava flows, turbulent winds and ocean waves pushed shards of cooling lava upwards toward the sky, giving the formation its unique dragon teeth shape.

These are just some of the wonderful sites you will experience on your unforgettable Maui vacation. There are plenty of vacation guides covering every aspect, nook and cranny of Maui, so plan wisely and plan it now. Mahalo…
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