Paranormal Walk and Talk

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My Favourite English Sporting Icons

My dad is a sports fan and during my early life i also became a keen sports fan. As a sports fan I thought I would list my favourite English sporting icons that I have followed during my lifetime from the 1960's to the present day.

My first sporting hero was Graham Hill the 2 times World Formula one Champion in 1962 and 1968. I am also a fan of other great drivers including: Barry Sheen MotorCyclist World Champion and Formula One Champions James hunt, Nigel mansell, Jensen Button and Lewis hamilton. Many a time in the 1980's watching Nigel Mansell racing in Formula One wheel to wheel with Ayerton Senna was intoxicating.

When England won the football World Cup in 1966 against Germany the English team became icons worldwide. I was 5 years old and have memories of watching the final (on our black and white TV). The whole team were greats and ever since we won the world cup the shadow of 1966 has haunted English football teams. In the 1970 F.A. Cup Final Chelsea were playing Leeds United and my brother mark chose to back Chelsea and I

backed Leeds United. Chelsea won the final after a replay and I followed Leeds united all through the 1970's. The team included the hardest shooter in World Football History -

Peter Lorimer whose shots were registered at over 130 miles an hour.

My favourite players past and present include: Gordon Banks, Bobby Moore, Jimmy Greaves, Gary Lineker, David Beckham.

At Bayhouse Secondary School I ran 1500 metres against other local schools at Portsmouths Alexandria Stadium so this created an interest in athletics. I remember watching David Bedford break the World 10,000M record in 1973 and destroying the field.

During the seventies and eighties English athletes ruled the world and to name a few: Seb Coe, Steve Ovett, Daley Thompson, Linford Christie etc.

I have always been a fan of Rowing and followed Sir Steve Redgrave at all of his 5 Gold Medal winning Olympics was amazing.

My sporting hero's today include: Lewis Hamilton, Jensen Button, Phillips Idowu, David Beckham, Ben Ainslie, Johnny Wilkinson, Rebecca (Becky) Adlington and the new Rugby Union sensation Chris Ashton.

My favourite English Sporting icons:

• England 1966 World Cup Winning Team

• Sir Jimmy Greaves 1950's to 1970's.

• Graham Hill Motor Racing 1960's to 1970's

• Sir Alf Ramsey England Football Manager 1960's to 1970's

• Gordon Banks Footballer 1960's to 1970's

• Bobby Moore 1960's to 1970's

• David Bedford Athletics 1970's

• Leeds United F.C. 1970's

• Lord Seb Coe Athletics 1970's to 1980's

• Steve Ovett Athletics 1970's to 1980's

• Daley Thompson 1970's to 1980's

• Barry Sheen MotorCycling 1970's to 1980's

• Duncan Goodhew Swimming 1970's to 1980's

• James Hunt Motor Racing 1970's to 1980's

• Sir Ian Botham Cricket 1970's to 1990's

• Gary Lineker Footballer 1980's to 1990's

• Rory Underwood Rugby Union 1980's to 1990's

• Nigel Mansell Motor Racing 1980's to 1990's

• Linford Christie Athletics 1980's to 1990's

• Sir Steve Redgrave Rowing 1980's to 2000

• Chris Boardman Cycling 1990's

• Dame Kelly Holmes Athletics 1990's to 2000's

• Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff Cricket 1990's to 2000's

• Tim Henman Tennis 1990's to 2000's

• Jensen Button Motor Racing 1990's to Present

• Johnny Wilkinson Rugby Union 1990's to Present

• Phillips Idowu Athletics 1990's to Present

• David Beckham Football 1990's to Present

• Ben Ainslie Sailing 1990's to Present

• Lewis Hamilton Motor Racing Present

• Rebecca (Becky) Adlington, 2000's to Present

• Chris Ashton Rugby Union 2000's to present

Please visit my Sports Playing Funny Animal Art Prints Collection http://www.fabprints.com

My other website is called Directory of British Icons: http://fabprints.webs.com

My List of fun past articles can be found at http://Bloggs.resourcez.com

The Chinese call Britain 'The Island of Hero's' which I think sums up what we British are all about. We British are inquisitive and competitive and are always looking over the horizon to the next adventure and discovery.

Copyright © 2011 Paul Hussey. All Rights Reserved.

About the Author

I have recently decided to write articles on my favourite subjects: English Sports, English History, English Icons, English Discoveries and English Inventions.

At present I have written many articles which I call "An Englishman's Favourite Bits Of England" as various chapters.

The Chinese call Britain 'The Island of Hero's' which I think sums up what we British are all about. We British are inquisitive and competitive and are always looking over the horizon to the next adventure and discovery.

Please visit my Blogs page http://Bloggs.Resourcez.Com where I have listed my most recent articles to date.

Copyright © 2011 Paul Hussey. All Rights Reserved.

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Amaranth: Book One of The Resistance Trilogy

Excerpt CHAPTER 6: La Bise

 

I felt the car slowing, then he glanced into the rearview mirror and gently steered the car off to the side of the road, putting it in to park. The only sound now was of crickets outside.

I shifted my body in my seat and looked around, confused. All I could see around us was the field and some trees, along with a breathtaking number of stars above us. The moon was full against the dark sky. The humidity began to suffocate me, but the silence that now filled the car demanded my attention.

"What's wrong?" I practically whispered.

He sat casually in the driver's seat and placed one arm on the armrest, then turned to look at me. "Do you always have to know what I'm thinking? I thought you were so good with silence." He flashed his signature killer smile. "Please do explain."

"It's different. I don't know. Your silence makes me uncomfortable. But in a good way. I mean, I want to know what you're thinking. All the time. I don't feel that way around other people. And you don't exactly wear your emotions on your sleeve."

"I don't?"

"No." I paused. "But you reveal a lot when you're thinking."

He didn't break his stare, just motioned with his hands for me to continue.

I shrugged. "I mean, your silence says a lot. I can see you processing your thousands of thoughts ... see you analyzing them. But I can't see the thoughts themselves. It makes me curious. Makes it harder to be quiet with you. I constantly want to hear you." I realized I was rambling, so I waited for him to respond.

"That sounds like it's frustrating for you," he said. "Especially since I told you that your thoughts are transparent to me."

"To say the least." I laughed.

"If it makes you feel any better, I only meant I can see you're genuine. It's proof that you act and think exactly as you feel. And I like that." He reached out in the darkness, and I felt him take my hand.

"Okay, but ... why did you stop again?"

"You're relentless."

"You're dodging."

"Well if you really must know, seeing you get all worked up about that song made me think about how crazy I am about you, that's all." He leaned toward me across the armrest, lifted his head slightly to peer at me, his faint smile making an inexcusable assault on my lungs. "And just think, it's only a twenty-first-century rock band. What would you say if we listened to Mozart or Beethoven? I don't know if I could handle an outburst of that proportion."

"You wouldn't have to." I swallowed nervously, suddenly aware of his intention. "Beethoven? That expression of love can't be verbalized."

I knew it was coming, but his face being this close to mine was something I hadn't had time to get used to. Each time his skin had touched mine before now, in even the minutest of ways, I became faint. Now the proximity of his mouth was making my heart pound straight out of my chest. I had never felt this way about anyone. It terrified me.

"You're right," he declared, nodding. "It's only felt." He leaned in farther, placed his hand on the side of my face, pulling me toward him. I didn't flinch, as I so often did when Andrew touched me. Instead, I welcomed him. I was fiercely aware that the instant his mouth touched mine, I was no longer my own. He would love me or break me, the choice was his.

He slid his hand underneath my hair around the back of my neck. His fingertips glided over my skin, giving me goose bumps. Nope, definitely not the same chills Andrew gave me.

"Breathe, Camille," he whispered. "I won't bite." He chuckled softly. "But I would like to kiss you."

I let a small breath escape my unreliable lungs as I nodded. The soft collision of his lips on mine shocked me with a jolt of pure electricity. My thought of a moment before had been correct. There would be no more war permitted in my mind's battlefield, for I had surrendered to being made his immortal captive.

Our lips parted and I lifted my hand to graze my fingers across the scar on his forehead. Looking into his eyes, my fresh existence inhaled, desperate for its first breath of air.

"Camille? You all right?" He sounded winded. No words yet.

"Camille. Talk to me. Are you all right love?" He looked concerned now.

Still nothing.

"Camille?" He grasped the sides of my face.

Finally, an alien on a new planet, I made my attempt at communication with the beautiful creature in front of me. "What are you?" I gasped, my eyes locked on his.

"Uh ... excuse me? What?" His look of concern turned to confusion.

"No human being can possibly have this effect on someone," I repeated, still fascinated with my new discovery. "What are you?"

He backed away slowly, leaned back in the driver's seat. "Camille, I didn't know kissing you would ..." He hesitated at my smile, took a deep breath. "I mean, I didn't know a human being could have that effect either." He leaned back toward me, relaxed again. "You have no idea how good this feels."

I laughed, more comfortable now with my foreign acquaintance. "Believe me, you couldn't possibly be more surprised than me right now."

 

 

About the Author

Residing in Orlando, Florida, Rachael Wade is the author of Amaranth, the first installment of the paranormal fantasy romance series, The Resistance Trilogy. She is a member of the FF&P (Futuristic, Fantasy, and Paranormal) Special Interest Chapter of the Romance Writers of America, and her work recently appeared in The Storyteller magazine. Visit http://www.RachaelWade.com for more information.

halloween ghostly

Halloween Safety and Nutrition

The natural health researchers at Institute for Vibrant Living have prepared the following handy tips for a safe and nutritious Halloween:

 

Ghosts, goblins and ghouls are not half as scary as the nutritional nightmares our children face on a candy-centered holiday like Halloween.

 

With childhood obesity at epidemic levels in this country, parents are understandably concerned about limiting the amount of sugar and empty calories in their children's diets.

 

First lady Michelle Obama apparently agrees with that premise, as she has taken center stage in America's ongoing battle against childhood and teen obesity.

 

Recent surveys have revealed that one in five children in this country are overweight, putting them at an increased risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and other serious health problems early in life. 

 

However, Halloween does not necessarily have to wreak havoc with good eating habits.

 

There are many delicious and fun treats that you can purchase (or better yet, make at home) that will be a big hit with little ghosts and goblins this season!

 

Here are some handy nutritional hints:

 

• After you carve out the Jack-O-Lantern, remember that Pumpkin is a very healthy natural food that can be used for baking muffins, cakes and of course, pumpkin pie. You can also dry and toast the seeds for dad, since they have been shown to be beneficial for prostate health. (It's still a month before Thanksgiving, so you won't wear out the welcome for pumpkin's edible treats.)

 

• Small bags of pretzels, popcorn, pumpkin seeds and trail mix are great substitutes for candy. Dried fruit, juice boxes, sugarless gum and pre-packed cheese and crackers are also good choices.  (If you decide to give juice boxes, be sure to purchase all natural juices that don't have added sugar.) 

 

• Another excellent way to delight kids is to offer non-food items, such as spooky stickers, colorful pencils and erasers, novelty toothbrushes, crayons, coloring books or small inexpensive story books as your treat.  

 

• If you are having a party at your home, prepare foods that are festive, colorful and nutritious. (Be sure the party also includes active games that will help children get the 60 minutes of exercise that they need to get each day.)

 

• Serve the ‘trick or treating' gang a healthy meal before leaving your house and take along some pretzels and fruit in case they get hungry before returning home.

 

Here are some important safety tips to observe for the All Hallows Eve (Halloween) nightfest:

 

• Children should wear brightly colored costumes and carry flashlights so that they are easily seen by motorists.

 

• Make sure costumes aren't a tripping hazard. (Statistics show that falls are among the most common Halloween-related injuries.)

 

• Avoid costumes that are too long or that limit visibility, as many masks do.

 

• Develop a costume theme that incorporates face painting instead of risky masks.

 

• Avoid oversized, floppy shoes (even if they're in fashion at school) and make sure that sidewalks and stairs are well lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls. 

 

• Make sure your child understands that candy wrappers and lollipop sticks can be hazardous if swallowed.

 

• Consider keeping your pet in a separate room away from the fracas. (Do the kids know chocolate can sicken or even be poisonous for some types of pets? Keep the sweets away from the pets!)

 

 

Once home, go through your child's "loot" to look for any suspicious items (such as razor blades cleverly hidden in apples) and report them promptly to the authorities if found.

 

Then work out a "deal" (on your terms) with your child to ration the candy. Discuss the high cost of dental care and put a definite number on what constitutes a reasonable amount of treats to consume over a given period of time, with a mandatory (trust, but verify) tooth brushing required after consumption.

 

While Halloween can be great fun for kids and adults alike, it can also be fraught with numerous hazards and hidden dangers for all concerned.

 

It can also be very terrifying for animals, so be extra considerate of dogs and pets that can easily be spooked.

 

So, hopefully you've picked up something from this article that will help you and yours to have a happy, nutritious (as possible) as well as a safe Halloween celebration!

 

About the Author

David Flores is a natural health researcher for Institute for Vibrant Living, a leading source for all-natural supplements, vitamins, and minerals that address many health and nutritional concerns and challenges. To learn more about the products offered by the Institute for Vibrant Living, please visit http://www.ivlproducts.com

 

If you found this helpful, you might like to visit http://www.theivl.org where you'll find more free healthy living articles to help improve your health today.