A Beginner’s Fly Fishing Guide

Fly fishing has been known to man since ancient days; historians say since 2^nd century AD in Mesopotamia. However, with the passage of time it has gained immense popularity among the countless fishing buffs all over the world. Unlike the other angling methods, fly fishing is fishing with artificial flies; ribbons, hair, feathers, fur, strings and other synthetic and natural materials are used as a lure to catch fish.

Trout and salmon are the most common fly fishing fish species. Carp grayling, striped bass, pike, bass, redfish, snook etc are also among the favorites of anglers. For most anglers, fly fishing is more a challenge; hooking a fish with only artificial fly fishing lures. The important thing to be noted here is that practically any fish can be targeted to be lured by an artificial fly but it has to be imitated to look like as real as possible. One has to thus know about the different types of artificial flies used for this type of fishing.

Since fly fishing is a very different sort of fishing, it is but natural to use distinctive range of fishing tackle. This includes fly rods, fly reels, specialized fly lines, terminal tackle along with a wide variety of accessories like tools, gadgets maintenance apparels and many more. It is a little overwhelming for a beginner to keep a track of all the different things required in order to prepare for going on a fly fishing trip.

Fly fishing rods are longer than the other fishing rods- it is the most important tool for fly fishers. They come in different length, weight, and material. A hollow fiber glass rod is the best suited for a beginner as an alternative of bamboo rod which needs to stored carefully.  Fiber glass rods are easier to handle, lighter, far more agile, cheaper as well as low maintenance. One should only use strong and durable graphite fishing rods only after having gained enough confidence and know-how of how to fly fish.

How you cast your line is what distinguishes fly fishing from regular fishing. Since there are no live baits to rely on when you are fly fishing, nothing but sheer expertise is what you have to rely on with an artificial lure at the end of the line. To cast a line and the lure to mimic insects, floating and wriggling on water, at times dipping it in water and managing to entice a fish to bite requires expertise and loads of practice.  

  

A Line that is used for fly fishing is larger in diameter and thus is visible. There is a tippet attached to the fly line’s end, which fools the fish into thinking it is actually an insect. These lines are designed to float on the surface of the water while others are made to sink.

A fly fisher must also be familiar with the lures that are used in this case. Nowadays artificial fly fishing lures are made keeping in mind the exact prey of the fish and made accordingly. This makes it a lot convenient if not any easier.

However, in order to master this fascinating sport, one not only needs a technical know-how but at the same time practical experience. Seeking instructions from a proficient fishing guide is the best way to do so.  He will familiarize you with all that there is to know about fly fishing.    
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By - Mariam
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How Does Bluetooth Work (Simplified)

Bluetooth is a term well-known to almost everyone nowadays, here we shall quickly inspect the basic working principle of Bluetooth communication.

The communication between humans and between electronic devices is more or less the same. While starting a conversation with anyone, we need to know what language we will be speaking in and also need to make sure that we speak in a grammatically correct manner so that it makes sense. Similarly, when two devices need to talk, they have to decide on how they will talk (through wires or without wires,etc.), what is going to be their data transmission specifications (size,speed,etc), and many such technical aspects on which both devices have to come to an agreement before communicating. Bluetooth is essentially an agreement of this sort, technically known as a ‘networking standard’.

When a bluetooth device wants to exchange any information with another Bluetooth device, it first tries to setup a connection and then forms a little personal area network with it (like making an introduction to a stranger and then making him/her your friend). Most of the Bluetooth communication process works automatically through software. The user is asked to add Bluetooth devices to ‘trusted devices’ list and enter a security code to ensure that viruses or spam are not received onto the device.

 Bluetooth communication takes place between the radio frequency bands 2.4Ghz and 2.48Ghz (approx.), which has been set aside by Internationally for such purposes (Think of the band as a super wide Bluetooth highway with hundreds of lanes). The Bluetooth devices select around 75 frequencies from this band and keep changing the frequency thousands of times every second together (a process called spectrum frequency hopping), (imagine a high traffic road that have groups of cars going in a synchronised manner) Since the frequency changes thousands of times in a second, even if any interference happens from another Bluetooth device, it will only last for few microseconds. Such little interferences are overcome through built-in features in the Bluetooth software. Thus data is transmitted from one Bluetooth device to another effortlessly. Bluetooth usually has range in a 30 foot radius and transfers data at speeds around 3mbps. Bluetooth is highly energy efficient and uses only around 1milliwatt of energy during a transmission. 

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World Alzheimer's Day - For a disease that threatens everyone

Today is World Alzheimer's Disease Day, and hence an appropriate time to spread awareness about this dreaded disease.Alzheimer's disease is a progressive degenerative type of dementia in which the patient suffers from memory loss, loss of cognitive abilities,language breakdown,etc. Alzheimer's disease is presently responsible for destroying the lives of around 20million people worldwide, and is expected to double it's toll of victims by 2020. And most of the contribution is from developing countries which do not have enough awareness about the disease.

The distinguishing factor and danger with Alzheimer's disease is that it is not an active disease like a cold or flu which readily shows distinct symptoms and hence is easily identifiable. The signs of Alzheimer's appear in a much more subtle manner in most cases. The first signs include mild forgetfulness, inability to learn new things easily, failure to relate simple concepts,etc. Such signs are mostly attributed to aging or stress and hence neglected by most people. But, if you find yourself repeating such instances often then it is worth consulting a doctor.

As the stages of Alzheimer's advance the symptoms start to include shrinking vocabulary, inability to perform simple tasks such as writing or reading,forgetting names,etc. The patient may feel embarrassed to openly admit to having difficulties with such basic tasks, either due to ignorance about the disease or due to thinking about how others would react.

As Alzheimer's disease gets a more firm grip over the person, he/she begins to lose control over short-term memory, looses cognitive abilities, and starts to almost have the mind of a baby. This stage of advanced Alzheimer's disease makes it necessary to keep the patient under continuous surveillance as they lose all sense of intelligence. The patients may start repeating the same narratives again and again due to not remembering whether they already said it or not. There are even cases of people walking out alone and then not remembering their address or name. They may not remember how to cross roads, swim or stay away from any other dangers.

Though rampant studies and tests are being done worldwide, a proper cure is yet to be found for Alzheimer's. But, the lack of cure doesn't mean there is nothing that we can do to slow it down or partially prevent the onset of the disease. Lets look at a few things we can do to help ourselves and our fellow human beings.

WHAT WE CAN DO

Observe carefully- An early diagnosis could give you an extra 8-10 years of normality. hence it is of utmost importance that you observe any unusual changes in your normal activities and not consider symptoms insignificant. The same advice also holds valid to help others. Observe your family members for any changes or inabilities in carrying out simple tasks. Though things may seem silly to you, it may be of great concern to a doctor. Hence, do not delay a medical consultation out of embarrassment.

Be Supportive- Alzheimer patients often don't mention their symptoms due to fear of mockery from others. Being supportive and understanding of little things,it can be of great help to encourage the patient to be frank. The more details a doctor gets about the condition, the better are the chances of reaching a proper diagnosis. And before you ridicule someone with Alzheimer's disease, always remember that you may also suffer the same fate some day.

Spread Awareness - Most often, people are not aware of diseases such as Alzheimer's even existing. Hence it is of utmost importance that we do whatever we can to spread knowledge and information about such fatal diseases. Knowing that ones symptoms match with those of a specific disease can speed-up the process of diagnosis and can save lives. The wide use of internet and social networking has made it easier to spread information and hence acts as an apt medium to spread awareness.

Though a cure for Alzheimer's disease is still not achieved, it does not mean that we cannot handle it or make the condition bearable. There are many factors which contribute to speeding up the disease and some habits which can maybe even keep the disease at bay. Lets look at a few simple changes in lifestyle that can make the disease manageable.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES REQUIRED

Eating Right - It is well known that a healthy diet plays a vital role in maintenance of health. A balanced diet is essential in keeping not just Alzheimer's disease but also other such degenerative diseases from occurring. The availability of nutrients and anti-oxidants can help the body to repair damaged cells and keep the organs functioning smoothly.

Physical Activity - A healthy lifestyle is incomplete without adequate amounts of physical activity. An idle organ becomes weak, and thus it is necessary to improve circulation and keep your body fit. A healthy mind stays in a healthy body, and a healthy body requires exercise. It doesn't mean that you have to strain yourself. An optimum brisk walk session or games like table tennis, badminton,etc are all enjoyable exercises which can help you relieve stress and keep your body fit.

Mental Activity - Since Alzheimer's disease is a brain degenerative disease, it is naturally relevant to give your brain enough strength through adequate activity. The neurons in the brain rely on frequency of usage to build and maintain memories. Hence it is of prime importance that we rejuvenate the brain cells as much as we can. Some simple yet effective methods include yoga, meditation (check the post on Sleep Meditation for details), sudoku, boardgames, crossword puzzles,juggling etc. Though they may seem like insignificant measures, these simple activities can be of substantial help in reinforcing your memories and cognitive abilities.

Social Interaction - Though there is no doubting the domination of social networking sites in today's world, it is often the good old face-to-face interaction which will help you. Having a weekly session to socially interact with family and friends can help in relieving stress and in ensuring that you keep your mind and memories active. The necessity to speak about old incidents and the need to speak spontaneously, greatly help to keep the brain at it's peak. It has also been found that people who have some sort of weekly social interaction tend to have a life expectancy of 7-10 years more than those who don't.

Please use this noble occasion of World Alzheimer's Disease Day to spread awareness and help your fellow beings to lead a happy life. Wishing you all good health and happiness.
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BEST & WEIRDEST CREATIONS OF CONSPIRACY THEORISTS [PART 2]

Conspiracy is the weapon of manipulation and has lead to many historical events.We continue with the series on conspiracies in the second part of the post BEST & WEIRDEST CREATIONS OF CONSPIRACY THEORISTS. ( Check out Part 1 at Best and Weirdest Creations Of Conspiracy Theorists )

Northwoods Operation
A conspiracy to create an anti-Cuban sentiment in the U.S and hence justify the invasions against Castro. This conspiracy is said to be more genuine than the others since it was once made public by President Kennedy. Conspiracy theorists have also linked this particular conspiracy to be the reason which lead to the assassination of President Kennedy. The Joint chief of staffs is said to have ordered to destroy Some American airliners and hijack a few of them. This has fueled the belief that the September 11 world trade center attack was a conspiracy,due to the similarity in execution.

MK-Ultra Experiments
A widespread use of mind-controlling chemicals on random subjects by the CIA is what this conspiracy claims. Such experiments are said to be the reason behind some mass suicides in places like Guyana. The CIA is said to have destroyed all files related to MK-Ultra and  hence the conspiracy theorists were left without enough evidence.

Pearl Harbor
Conspiracy theorists are of the opinion that the Pearl harbor attacks were deliberately allowed by the U.S. It is speculated that the U.S intentionally instigated Japan to attack them so that the effects of the war could be spread out and eventually they could make Hitler enter the mayhem. It is said that the U.S was forewarned about the attacks by all allies.

Hope you have enjoyed the look at some of the weirdest conspiracy theorist creations. Don't forget to share the post, and to always question the facts before you accept them. :-)
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BEST & WEIRDEST CREATIONS OF CONSPIRACY THEORISTS [PART 1]

Truth is often so strange that we would rather believe fiction. Conspiracy and doubt have been around for as long as mankind itself. Here we present a list of some of the BEST AND WEIRDEST CREATIONS OF CONSPIRACY THEORISTS, in two parts.

The Philadelphia Experiment
According to this conspiracy, it is widely believed that during an experiment by the U.S Navy at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in 1943, the ship Eldridge was made invisible. Conspiracy theorists say that the scientists were able to manipulate light around the ship and managed to make the ship invisible for a few minutes. But, when the ship became visible again, most of the sailors on board were missing. It is believed that around 3 sailors were found dead with wounds all over their body, while around 11 sailors went missing. Some conspiracy theorists are of the opinion that the missing sailors either got transported to another dimension or got embedded with the structure of the ship.

The illuminati
A conspiracy quite famous now thanks to hollywood films, the illuminati conspiracy suggests the existence of a secret group aiming at world domination. It is speculated that the illuminati is comprised of people who hold very influential positions in society and people who are the best in their profession. The founding goal of such organizations is said to be the establishment of a New World Order. They are said to control all major facilities of society, like central banks, UNO,NATO,etc. Conspiracy theorists state that most historical events have been tailored by this group to make the world bow to the their aims.

Fake Moon Landing
It is widely believed by theorists that the whole moon landing incident was a huge conspiracy by NASA. Though the moment the first man set foot on the moon is epic, the evidence presented for the incident is said to be fabricated in a studio by NASA. There are many factors like the random shadows, the unusual waving of flags, lack of stars in the background,etc. which support the conspiracy theorists. The fact that only real scientists can actually debate on the topic has made it quite difficult for conspiracy theorists to dominate.

The World Trade Center Attack
The September 11 attack on the world trade center is one of the worst expressions of disregard for human life in the recent past. Although the event is widely related to an exhibition of terrorism, it is also speculated that it was a conspiracy by the U.S government itself. Conspiracy theorists believe that the buildings would not have crumbled merely because of the flights crashing. Also, there are witness accounts which support the conspiracy theory, since they claim to have heard explosions from floors below the ones that the flight destroyed. According to conspiracy theorists, the event was scripted by the U.S to divert attention form other issues and to use it as an excuse to infiltrate other countries as part of their commercial intentions.

Chemtrails
We have all seen trails of ice crystals behind jet planes, but there are some conspiracy theorists who believe not all such trails are only ice. They say that many such trails are actually comprised of undisclosed chemicals which are sprayed as part of mysterious experiments. The governments obviously deny the existence of any such experiments, but the conspiracy theorists suggest that the introduction of diseases like cancer and rapid climate disruptions are the effects of such chemicals.
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BEST & WEIRDEST CREATIONS OF CONSPIRACY THEORISTS [PART 2]
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TOP 9 USEFUL WEBSITES THAT EVERYONE NEEDS

Though the net is saturated with a mess of millions of sites, it is often an herculean task to find the type of useful site that you really want. Here is a list of the TOP 9 USEFUL WEBSITES THAT EVERYONE NEEDS. (I do not have any deals or relation with any of these sites, they are just genuinely useful and already well-established websites :-) ). The list is not ordered in any particular priority.


1. rottentomatoes.com - The only site you will need to find anything about hollywood movies. A strongly inspected rating system from over 100 critics makes it easy for you to select good movies for your weekends.

2. ebay.com - A well known website that lets you browse through a world sized garage sale. There has even been a reported case of a guy who bought a house by starting to trade with a paperclip !! So try your luck and get a dream deal.

3 wikipedia.org - If you have been using the net for atleast a week then you definitely already know about wikipedia. Apart from being the largest active online encyclopedia for reference, it is also a nice way to discover new things about people.

4. weather.com - Any well planned trip needs a detailed weather report to be complete. This website gives you a quick and simple report of the weather of any place.

5. stumbleupon.com - Though google is a dominant force on the net to find anything, stumbleupon is unique and useful because it has a real-time value rating of content from all over the world.

6. download.com - A specialized website for finding easy downloads of any software available on the net.

7. monster.com - An unavoidable website for anyone in search of a job. Very useful to reach a wide database of available jobs from different industries and countries.

8. espn.com - The ultimate website for any sports buff. Know updated statistics and schedules of a wide range of sporting events.

9. allmusic.com - A comprehensive collection of album reviews, music and singer biographies,etc.

SPECIAL MENTION - our very own http://ibreakitdown.blogspot.com/ , your one-stop infotainment station for any useful tips and info about technology,life,health and much more.
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BY- David, New York, IT consultant in a private firm
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5 SIMPLE CHANGES AT WORK FOR YOUR HEALTH

An office without a computer is almost obsolete nowadays. Though this advancement in technology definitely has it's benefits, it has also made our life much more sedentary and unhealthy. This change in lifestyle has given rise to many work/stress related ailments like back and neck pains, eye strains, hypertension, etc. I know that it may be next to impossible to get any relaxation in your busy schedule, hence we present the following 5 SIMPLE CHANGES AT WORK FOR YOUR HEALTH 

Take Blink Breaks - As we continue staring at the computer screen, we blink less and hence our eyes become drier. This puts tremendous strain on our eyes and can lead to piercing headaches and eye pains. Hence, make sure you close your eyes for about 15-20 seconds every 5-10 minutes, as a healthy blink break. Else, try staring away from the computer screen once every few minutes. It is also important to change your cabin's/table's arrangement to reduce glare from your screen.

Finger exercises - All the rampant typing you do at work leads to accumulated stress in your wrist and fingers. This may later lead to serious weaknesses to the nerves in your fingers, and hampers your health slowly. Hence,change your table items list and try keeping a ball (like a tennis ball), such that whenever you are not typing you can squeeze the ball in your hands and massage your fingers. Try making this a regular healthy habit.

Positive Posture - Your spinal cord (backbone) bears all the strain of your body and it's weight. Any strain you undertake in your work gets amplified in the backbone due to improper posture, and hence adversely affects your health. Hence it is very important to change your posture to make it positive and comfortable for your spine. Choose an appropriate chair and select a comfortable eye level for appliances on tables such that your posture is not compromised. Even making little changes to your posture can lead to better energy in at the workplace.

Too much coffee is bad - Coffee is often a good friend of a stressed worker. But, it can turn into an ugly fiend if had in excess. The increased caffeine amounts in the blood can lead to more harm to your health than good. Change your energy boosting drink to a healthier alternative like fruit juices. It is actually said that having an apple is thrice more effective than coffee in keeping a person alert.

Stay Social - Though social networking through facebook and twitter is widespread nowadays, it can never replace the good old face-to-face conversation. Make sure you have a good circle of friends and maintain a healthy relation with them. Find time to have discussions with them and hence relieve yourself from concentrated stress.

Such simple changes to your work habits can improve your health and also prevent lots of avoidable stress related problems in your body and mind.
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Top 10 Quotes About Life - A guide To Success

Top 10 Quotes About Life, is a set of quotes that defines and answers some of the most important virtues in life. These quotes are all words of wisdom by famous and experienced people, that act as a guide to attain unlimited success and happiness.
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Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do - a quote by Mark Twain (American author)
-This quote highlights how opportunity knocks on our door only once in life. Make the best use of it, because a lost chance will be a regret forever. You get to live your life only once, so make it fruitful.

He who permits himself to tell a lie once, finds it easier to do it a second time -a quote by Thomas Jefferson (3rd President of USA)
-The hardest things in life are often the things required to stay on the good side of life.This quote affirms that a bad habit like telling lies is easy to get into but almost impossible to get out of. (Read the post Circle Of Lies for a better understanding )


An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind - a quote by M.K.Gandhi (Indian independence leader)
-This quote gives emphasis to the importance of forgiveness to maintain peace in the world. Anger can destroy in a minute what patience took years to build. Life is all about choices, and the choice to forgive is indeed one of the greatest.

I haven't failed, I have just found 10,000 ways that won't work -a quote by Thomas Edison (Famous Inventor)
-This quote shows the importance that a positive attitude has in life. It gives us hope, and makes us work harder.Optimism makes the journey and the destination enjoyable as opposed to a negative mindset which only finds joy in reaching the destination. Having a smile in the face of hardship can boost your morale and keep you thinking and working constantly to achieve your goal. (Read the post Thank You Mr.Death for a positive look on death)

It's not whether you get knocked down,it's whether you get up -a quote by Vince Lombardi (Football coach)
-Life always has its ups and downs. What really makes a change is how many times you tried to get out of failure and worked again towards success. This quote reminds us about the importance that persistence and determination has in life for success.

Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere - a quote by Albert Einstein (Famous Physicist)
-The human mind is of infinite power and the birthplace of every invention of mankind. Learn to harness that power of the mind to radically transform your life. This quote is of great significance towards the creation of different perspectives in life.

A single question can be more influential than a thousand statements - a quote by Bo Bennett (Businessman)
-This quote tells of the power that one curious mind can have over a thousand minds that just follow others. The quest to understand or conquer anything in life can only be completed through questioning yourself about it and finding the right answers. A mere following of the normal will not let you achieve anything extraordinary.

Money can't buy life - a quote by Bob Marley (Singer)
-Regardless of how important or powerful money may seem to be, it can never give you back your life. No amount of money can give you back a lost moment in life. This quote also reminds us that the money we pivot our life around, cannot be used to make death stay away.

The greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes - a quote by Winston Churchill (British politician)
-This quote throws light on how anyone or anything can be a source of knowledge. Nobody remains the same forever. Our ego often doesn't let us accept solutions to our problems because of the source we got it from, and having such an ego in life will only lead to failure. Learn to accept good from anyone.

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer - a quote by Sun Tzu (Chinese general)
-An enemy who is well understood and monitored cannot bring you any unpredictable harm. This quote warns us of how staying away from your enemy may make you unarmed, while keeping them closer lets you be well prepared in life.

Hope you've enjoyed our Top 10 Quotes About Life - A guide to success ...Wishing you all success in life always :-)
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Top 10 Birthday Experience Gifts

Because there are many kinds of experience gifts to choose from, it can be overwhelming to try to find the right one for your loved one. That's why I've compiled this brief list of the 10 most unique (and fun) experience birthday gifts. Whether you're shopping for a birthday gift for women, a birthday gift for men, or even a birthday gift for dad or mom, one of these experience gifts will be just right for you.

1. Racecar driving - Imagine going faster than any speed limit as you zoom around a track or preset racecourse, experiencing the thrill of racecar driving. Some of these are done in actual race cars, while other types of races can be done in luxury cars like Lamborghinis, Porsches, and Corvettes.
2. Private art lessons - We all want to explore our artistic side; it's human nature to love art. Sadly, as we grow we sort of abandon this love of art, thinking we're not good enough. That's what makes private art lessons so perfect; away from harsh criticism, you can just enjoy the creation of art like pottery, glass, sketching, photography, music and more.
3. Spa experiences - Spa days are becoming increasingly popular among women as well as becoming the perfect birthday gift for wives. So husbands, you should give her a spa experience gift. Some spas offer special packages like manicures/pedicures, specialty facials and massages, professional makeup application classes, total wardrobe makeovers and more. These types of experience gifts make the perfect experience gifts for wives not to mention mothers and girlfriends.
4. Golf - If anyone you love loves to golf then a golf experience gift would be the perfect present. Not only will you get to golf on some of the most beautiful courses in the country, many gift experiences offer golf tips from a professional golfer. That makes it an experience gift your golfer will never forget.
5. The Heist - For the person has always loved heist movies, now they can star in their very own, heist that is. This ultimate adventure involves solving clues, cracking safes and trying to beat the clock while 'undercover agents' are trying to catch you. If anyone has ever wanted to commit 'crimes' like they do in movies, then this is a great experience gift. It's for teams, so you can play too.
6. In home dinners - Imagine having a dinner served in your home by a top chef. It's the perfect experience birthday gift for either a couple or family. These courses range from 3 to 5 courses and feature things as exotic as tantalizing as you want. Best of all, they clean the kitchen afterward so you don't have to.
7. Have a song written - If you've always wanted to express your love for your significant other in song but really have no musical talent, then this experience gift is for you. A professional songwriter will write your song, music and lyrics based on the information you give them. You can be as involved or not involved as you want. And there will never be another song like your song.
8. Scenic cruises - Scenic cruises are a great way to spend a day. A scenic cruise covers everything from dinner and lunch cruises, all the way to sunset and fireworks cruises to whale watching. If you want to have a nice relaxing time than scenic cruises are the gift experience for you.
9. Hot air balloon rides - Experience the beauty and tranquility of the world from above while you're riding in your very own hot air balloon. Offering sunset and sunrise rides as well as mid-day tours hot air balloon rides are the perfect way to get away from all your problems and see the world in a new perspective.
10. The Illuminati hunt - If you've ever wanted to have a true adventure like in the movies, then this one is for you. Featuring clues, codes, and actors to either help or hinder your efforts, the Illuminati hunt will plunge you into a world unseen to most people. You never know what's real and what isn't when you're hunting Illuminati's. One thing is certain however, it will be an experience like no other.

So now you know 10 great experience birthday gifts to give this year. These gifts are perfect for all birthdays, from 21st birthday gifts all the way up to 60th birthday gifts. So this year, what kind of birthday gift are you giving?
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BY - Adam from http://www.cloud9living.com/
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