Rock Climbing - Christmas Gift Ideas

We all know someone whos idea of a good time is hanging off cliffs. If youre looking for Christmas gift ideas for a rock climbing enthusiast, heres some unique rock climbing gift ideas.

Rock Climbing Gift Ideas

You can always tell a rock climber by their appearance. White chalk fingers, bleeding knuckles, bent fingers anda grin a mile wide. Whether they are climbing in indoor climbing gyms or hanging off Half Dome in Yosemite, rock climbers are very receptive to rock climbing gifts. Here are a few gift ideas that will make you a favorite with them.

1. Rock Climbing Gym Most metropolitan areas now have rock climbing gyms. These gyms are typically indoor areas where rock climbers can work on their techniques. Walls come in a variety of terrains and with differing holds. Membership costs range all over the place, but climbers will love the gift. This is a particular good rock climbing gift idea for people living in big cities and who cant head off for an afternoon of knuckle crunching.

2. Climb International DVD The Climb International DVD is a highly recommended financial planning tool for rock climbers. Why? Well, the DVD contains climbs from exotic locations such as Thailand and China. After watching the DVD, the average rock climber will suddenly start saving every penny from their paycheck, rolling nickels and generally being as cheap as possible. The goal? To save enough money to travel to these locations for a personal rock climbing adventure. The DVD can be a bit hard to find. Search for it by name on any search engine and you should be able to find it. Expect to pay roughly $20 for this mouth watering movie.

3. Build Your Own Indoor Climbing Wall You have to be very careful when giving this gift. This book gives step by step instructions on how to build an indoor climbing wall. This, of course, requires one to have a space in which to build said climbing wall. Basements and garages are typical locations, much to the chagrin of spouses. Personally, I wouldnt put my name on the from section of the gift card. You can expect to pay $10 or so for this evil little book.

4. Climbing Holds Climbing holds are plaster molds that are put on a climbing wall. They come in all kinds of vicious shapes, which are perfect for bending fingers in truly unnatural positions. If you know someone who has built a climbing wall in their garage or house, this is a perfect gift. Since each climbing hold is more or less unique, just pick the ones that grab your fancy. They come in a wide range of prices, so it is often best to shop by what you can afford. Helpful Tip: Look closely at the holds. If you cant imagine how a hand would possible hold onto a particular hold, that is the one to buy!

5. Nomad Rock Climbing Journals - A little self-promotion. Nomad Rock Climbing Journals are great gifts for rock climbers. These writing journals allow climbers to keep track of their climbs, impressions, people the climbed with, routes and any additional information they feel necessary. Over time, the climbing journals become a history of climbs and a great keepsake. A great Christmas gift, you can see the rock climbing journals by clicking the link in the byline of this article and expect to pay $25 for the journal with case.

As you know, there is simply no way to keep a climber from climbing. You might as well give in and give them a Christmas climbing gift.

Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com/climbing.cfm - makers of rock climbing journals which make great rock climbing gifts for him or her.

Nirut in, Brutes Across the Trench (And Armies that Howl)

(22,493 BC)

Advance: the Brutes of Planet Moiromma (originally part of the: Cadaverous Planets), done in several episodes for the series (2005-2006). THE Cadaverous Planets were originally written in 2004, and added on to ever since. So for Nirut to go to conquer Moiromma, should not be unusual for the reader should she or he know the history of Moiromma, and the Cadaverous Planets, which now Nirut somewhat belongs to, and is somewhat independent of, since he is from the Black Galaxy, and Moiromma is really a neighbor to Earths solar system, and part of the Milky Way Galaxy.

The Brutes appear in about five episodes in the Cadaverous Planets, and is a conquering group of Moirommalits, perhaps similar to Hannibal in his day. They ruled Moiromma for a short period of time. And now Nirut has decided to conquer this planet, since he has done so to all those around Moiromma, or is doing so at the present, or about to do so.

They, the Brutes, have what is called victory fights (perhaps similar to cockfights), in the Brute Ville, close to the cave-dwelling on Moiromma, where the king lives. Kahg is presently king, and will be defending his title soon. But at present a battle is developing (a war of sorts), and Nirut is in the middle of this battle. It is a different kind of battle in that the land of Moiromma is an arctic like planet, except for summer, which is six to ten weeks lone, and it is now summer, a the present time. Yob will be trying to win the title of kingship, after the battle is over. But none of this should matter to the reader, for it is the one main battle here that counts, and the Brutes howl as they fight, howl when they die. The Moirommalits are a primitive people, race, large structured people, and when they die they have a hundred resurrections before they give up life completely. They end up usually on another planet, upon resurrection. And I think this is enough to entice you into the battle of the Trench, or armies that howl, that is now taking place on the planet Moiromma, by the Ville of Brutes. Their world has been invaded by Nirut, and there are about 20,000-inhabidents, and that is about the number of infantry Nirut has at his disposal, with his five-hundred ships, that now have landed on the planet.

Armies that Howl

Back through the sharp cold winds and across the trench they fled, the hordes of Moiromma, the Brutes, whom were cut down at the ville, hands, feet, and allthe rest, only after they reached the Kings dwellings, stood fast, washed-out with fear, whipped in frantic flight.

This moment, Rue awoke on the heights of Adi,
beyond the valley of the Brutes, and dwellings,
King of the cosmic throne; Nirut leaped to his feet,
as the Brutes army routed, rushing here and there.
Nirut attacking, and the god Rue, watched in lay,
and Marduk the demon, saw what Rue saw; struggling hard for breath, Niruts senses shocked, he panted,
blood pouring from his side the man that pierced
him was among the strongest, Yob, contender for kingship
on Moirommaperhaps in proxy, under Nirut.


At the sight of Yahoo King Kahg, of the Brutes ran,
(the strongest of men), and Rue filled with pity now.


Marduk, now shooting a dark glance down at Nirut,
burst out at him a howl (echo), What a debacle you craft! To uncontrollable Marduksaid, Rue,
What is your treachery? Halting his assault to be on Niruts army.


And a whirlwind from Rue spread like a whip, and
struck Marduk, on stroke, he fell to a kneein mid-air.
And Rue slung a massive anvil with iron chains
at him, it lashed around both hands and feet
(as below the armies of the Brutes, howled and howled
in defeat).


Kneeling there helpless, Nirut seized the moment, and
sent the Brutes plunging over one another to their deaths.
Headfirst many were hit on the head, and fell to the dirt.
Not even then did Rue lament for Marduk, or the Brutes,
the godless ones, as he called them, Always plotting
miseries for your own kind, and fight for the crown of
Moiromma, save, besides those of men, as you torment
and embrace, lust and waylay, seduce the blind, and aged,
this is your reward. (So shuddered his voice in
thunder, so all could hear, protesting their ways.)

Note: No: 1909, 7-18-2007

See Dennis' web site: http://dennissiluk.tripod.com

How to Change Your Car's Motor Oil

First, let's answer the question; Why should you change your own oil? Because you can save time and money. You don't have to wait in line at the service garage or quick oil change shop. For ten bucks you can get the best oil and a brand new oil filter. And, it's so easy to do that you could train a monkey to do it.

Changing your cars motor oil is a very simple three-step process: 1. Drain the old oil. 2. Replace the oil filter. 3. Add the new oil. But before we go through the steps, lets answer a few basic questions.

When should I change my oil?

Look in your cars owners manual. Most auto manufacturers recommend changing the motor oil every 6,000 miles for normal service, or every 3,000 miles for severe service. I change my oil every 6,000 miles, and my engines run like new when I trade my vehicles in with well over 100,000 miles on them. One thing that I do is change a new cars oil after the first 300 mile break-in period. Then, after that, I change the oil every 6,000 miles.

What kind of oil should I use?

You are not going to save money by using an off-brand oil because your engine will wear out sooner. Use oil that meets the American Pertroleum Institute (API) classification SL. I use Valvoline, Quaker State, Pennzoil, or Havoline brand oil. These quality oils contain additives that make them work better and longer.

If you are changing your oil just before winter, use SAE 10W30 weight oil. This number means the oil will have a thin 10 weight viscosity when the engine is cold, helping the engine to start easier, and then the oil will thicken to 30 weight viscosity when the engine warms up, protecting the engine better. If you are changing oil just before summer, use SAE 10W40 weight oil. The extra 40 weight viscosity will protect your engine better when it's hot.

What's the First Step?

First let your engine cool off. Modern engines run at close to 300 degrees (F) and hot oil will definitely give you a severe burn. You shouldn't have to jack your car up unless you have some kind of ground hugging sports car or low rider. Almost all cars have enough space underneath to reach under and change the engine oil.

Step 1: Drain the old oil.

Locate the oil drain plug and place a pan under it to catch the oil. With a box wrench, remove the oil plug.

Note for newbies: To remove the drain plug, turn it counter-clockwise.

- If you have a GM dual-overhead-cam EcoTec engine you may have a difficult time locating the drain plug on all that aluminum.

When the oil stops draining, reinstall the drain plug.

Note for newbies: To replace the drain plug turn it clockwise. Start the plug with your fingers. If it seems even slightly hard to turn, back it out! You are crossing the threads.

Step 2. Replace the oil filter.

Move your oil catch pan under the oil filter. Using an oil filter wrench to get it started, remove the oil filter. (newbies: counter-clockwise, and you will get some oil on your hand.)

- A strap type oil filter wrench is the best kind to use. A socket type oil filter tool is used with a ratchet just like a regular socket. The problem with the socket type is that it tends to get stuck on the filter. Use the socket type tool if you don't have enough clearance around the oil filter to use the strap type.

With your finger put a thin coat of oil on the new filter's gasket to make it seal better.

*! Now pay attention - here's were you can screw up royal!

With your hand, install the new oil filter. If it seems even slightly hard to turn, back it out! You are crossing the threads. Most filters have an instruction printed on them to give the filter one more turn after the gasket has made contact.

Here's what I recommend: screw the filter on until its "hand tight". Then use the oil filter wrench to snug it up another 1/8 to 1/4 turn. This is critical!

When the vehicle is running, the oil pump puts the oil under pressure. If you don't install the oil filter tight enough, the oil will come gushing out. If that happens shut down the engine immediately! Without oil, an engine will lock up within seconds.

The first time I changed my oil, I used the filter wrench to tighten the filter as tight as I could get it. Wrong! The next time I went to change my oil, I couldn't get the filter off. Luckily I had plenty of room around the filer, so I hammered a screw driver through the body of the filter and used the handle of the screw driver to turn the filter off.

Warning! Don't over-tighten the filter. Follow the instructions above carefully!

- The GM dual-overhead-cam EcoTec engine has an unusual oil filter located on top of the engine. Remove the engine air intake hose. That's the oil filter canister just to the right of, and below, the end of the open air intake tube. Use a proper size wrench to remove the canister lid. This engine uses a special filter cartridge.

Step 3. Add the new oil.

Locate the oil filler cap on the valve cover. I've seen newbies pour motor oil in everything from the master brake cylinder to the radiator cap. Make sure you have located the the oil filler cap. Remove the oil filler cap.

When pouring the oil, you would be wise to use a funnel between the oil can and the valve cover oil filler hole.

How much oil should you add? Look in your cars owner manual. Most engines have a capacity of four or five quarts. Don't overfill the crank case. When you run the engine the extra oil will be blown out through the PCV value, possibly stalling your engine.

Tip: If you don't know the oil capacity of the engine, add four quarts, then check the oil level, if it's a quart low add another quart.

Replace the oil filler cap.

Step 4. Start the Engine.

Yes, I know, I said there where only three steps. You're finished, this is not really a "step".

Start the engine and make sure the oil warning light goes off. Look under the vehicle to make sure oil is not leaking out. Turn off the engine and let it set for a minute to let the oil drain down to the crank case. Then use the dip stick to check the oil level.

How to check the oil level: Remove the dip stick, wipe it clean with a rag, reinstall the dip stick. Make sure the dip stick is in all the way or you will get a false reading. After a few seconds remove the dip stick and examine how far up the stick is covered with oil. Most dip sticks have a "full" mark printed on them.

Note: I find the best way to dispose of the old oil is to use a funnel to pore it from the collection pan into the bottles from which the new oil came. When I get a big pile of used oil bottles I bring them to the oil recycling center. Be sure to mark the used oil bottles so you don't accidentally think they are new oil.

Copyright(C)2004 Bucaro TecHelp.

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About The Author

Stephen Bucaro

To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on the Web visit bucarotechelp.com. To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter visit http://bucarotechelp.com/search/000800.asp