Where to Download Games, Music and Videos For Zune

Zune Access

We probably should have saved this one for the end, to build suspense! Rated as the "best music resource", by pc magazine, Zune Access is our #1 Zune download site. Over 250 million files that include music, games and movies and providing 100% Zune compatible downloads. Zune Access is definitely the site to beat. You must give it a try.

Unlimited Downloads

Unlimited Downloads is close with a library of over 95 million files and 7 million users. The bundled software lets you enjoy your downloaded music, video, books and games on your computer. That is nice. Because of its off-line features, the site comes in a very respectable second place.

My Online Downloads

Other than games, videos and music what else would you like? CD covers? DVD covers? Screensaver? Sure, MyOnlineDownloads delivers it all. The interface does not look as slick as the other guys, so we have to dock some points. A very respectable third place finish.

Zune Video Pro

Songs are great, but what about videos? This is the spot you need to visit if you want video. Features: music, movies, music videos, cartoons and TV shows. Zune's video can be fully enjoyed, but files will be significantly larger to download, which means you will benefit from having a faster internet connection. Fourth place, because a variety is nice to have and if you don't have super quick internet, you might feel a bit of a slow down with your downloads.

Save yourself the hassle of looking at site after site after site, and check out the ones listed here. You will not be disappointed. Check out my blog, listed below, for full reviews and helpful links.

The Zune Downloads Blog helps you decide which site to use for all of your song, game and video Zune downloads. Check out the blog by clicking here.

By diggcom47817 On Friday, July 4, 2008 At 11:34 PM

Dishwalla - Counting Blue Cars how to capture videos from youtube

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(C) 1995 A&M Records

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By diggcom47817 On At 8:17 PM

Why Create Themes for Your Wedding Ideas

As most of you might observe, most of the bridal concepts nowadays come within a theme. When you plan the bridal dress, the groom's attire, the decorations, the reception, the bridal car, the entourage, the gifts or giveaways and many others, most of these go within one theme or concept. There are actually several reasons why couples and bridal planners create a theme for the bridal concept.

First, one of the many reasons why soon to be couples and bridal planners plan out and conceptualize the bridal concepts through a theme is because it would make the entire preparation easier. When you create a theme to work on, it gives you an idea of how each and every aspect of the occasion should be made. For instance, if you plan to have a marriage by the beach, perhaps you might consider that you don't really have to come in an elegant white gown in high heeled shoes in a beach or when it comes to your reception, you might want to change the menu to serve seafood and some meat for those who cannot eat seafood rather than the traditional menu.

Second, another reason why some create themes for their bridal concept is because it allows them to save more. Say for example if you plan out for a particular motif, and you purchased a particular cloth that should be used for the entourage, you may use the excess of this for your packaging for your giveaways. You may ask the same tailor to make pouches where you can place your gift items for the guests. For the beach bridal concept, you might just need to buy a small bottle and get some of the sands in the particular beach dyed in different colors and fill those bottles with the sands, seal them and place a tag on the neck of these bottles that indicates the name of the couple and the date and place of the marriage.

Third, themes allow you to explore great and unique bridal concepts such as a rodeo concept, an underwater marriage, a royalty or Cinderella concept, medieval or Victorian style marriages, futuristic marriage concept, environmental concept, Hollywood style, marriage on a cruise ship, and others.

These themes actually enable you to plan out a concept for your marriage and allow you to make your marriage not only for convenient and cost efficiency but also to enable you to realize the things that you desire to do in your special day.

If you really want to take the work out of looking for that right Theme idea or Wedding Favors go to My Bridal Favor now and find ideas for Wedding Favors and Groomsmen Gifts like Glass photo Coaster Wedding Favors. I think Ever Bride deserves that one great wedding don't you if so go now and look.

By diggcom47817 On At 5:02 PM

How to Get Your Child to Practice the Piano

When I was a child, there was not as much competition for my time as there is for kids now. I realize that, but I believe that practicing the piano should be a habit. A habit like brushing your teeth everyday, exercising, doing homework.

In the beginning having a child practice Monday-Friday at least 15 minutes a day not only shows consistent advancement, but also decreases anxiety over practicing.

For example, ever parent expects their child to do their homework every night and every child accepts that and it is worked in as part of their daily routine. When piano lessons are started your child should add piano practicing as part of their daily routine.

If you plan exactly when and what time the piano practice will take place, then anxiety and fighting over practicing is eliminated. In return, the child knows what is expected of them and their reward is the confidence and fluidity of playing that comes from practicing.

Here are a some tips:

1. Sit with your child in the beginning and watch them practice. Then be in the room and listen to your child practice. It is very important to children that parents praise and listen to them when they practice.

2. Help make practicing a habit by doing every day and if you can at the same time every day. For some the morning is better, for others the afternoon, and others right after dinner. By doing this at the beginning, you will save having to remind your child to practice when they are older. I personally, tell my child to practice before any t.v. or video games.

3. It takes about 3 years of practicing before a child begin to appreciate how s/he can play the piano and at this point will not want to stop. The first year is fun. The second is more challenging, and the one that requires constant practicing and encouragement. In the third year, your child becomes confident in their ability and your child will be considered a "musician."

4. Your child may want to quit from time to time. This is normal. Music lessons can go through difficult stages at times. It is at these times, discontinuing lessons may seem to be the obvious solution. Children, who are allowed to quit, rarely return to lessons. I have never heard an adult say, "I'm glad my parents let me quit."

Children complain about homework but parents turn a deaf ear, sometimes with the piano, the same thing has to be done to get a child through the second year.

Parents wouldn't think of letting their child show up for school without their schoolwork done, and that same attitude should be carried over to music lessons.

Copyright2006JDean

By diggcom47817 On At 1:48 PM

Some Tips To Learning Classical Guitar Music

Do you have an interest in classic guitar music? Maybe you have heard a master play and now want to learn the same skills yourself or maybe like many people you have an old guitar in the house that you have always wanted to learn to play.

Classical music has been around for many years, dating as far back as the 16th century. To hear and see a master at work playing classical guitar music, it might be intimidating to a beginner, but that does not mean you cannot learn. You need to start somewhere and you can work at your own pace, but it is important to take some action. Nothing happens if you do not take action.

A good place to start might be start searching on the internet for websites dedicated to guitar music. You will be able to find several websites where you can get lots of background information, free tips and even some guides to start you off in your endeavor. You can also find detailed instruction courses, which includes textbooks, audio files with sample songs, and even video that shows you exactly what to do. But you might want to stick to the free resources available until you are certain you want to spend the time and money necessary to become really skillful playing classical guitar music.

Reading classical music can be a challenge, since unlike regular sheet music, you will see lots of special notations around the notes and staves that might confuse you at first. If you bought a good music book, it should have an explanation of the special symbols and what you need to do to play them.

Classical music has been around for hundreds of years, and that is great news for you when it comes to looking for sheet music. A lot of this kind of music is no longer subject to copyright and has passed into the public domain, which simply means that you should be able to find it for very cheap and even free. Once again the internet can be a great resource for this.

Believe it or not, but your fingernails will play an essential role in your playing classical guitar music. It is suggested that you grow out the fingernails on your strumming hand. Your nails play a huge role in the tone and volume and helps with speed and accuracy. Also, since the nail is an extension of the finger, it makes it easier to reach the strings and make picking much easier.

If you are looking for a new hobby, taking up guitar is a great choice, and a lot of help is available at your fingertips on the internet. But remember learning to play any musical instrument takes practice and dedication.

Get more Learn guitar music tips and resources at http://www.guitarmusicinfo.com, including How To Start To Learn Lead Guitar

By diggcom47817 On At 10:37 AM

Internet Pay-Per-View - The Taste Of Things To Come!

Pay-Per-View is not a novel concept. Most of us are aware of what it basically offers. Pay-Per-View cable television service is a common sight to be found in many households. By virtue of this service, one can choose to receive and enjoy select channel broadcasts through their cable connection against a fee. It could be the live telecast of a sports match, or the latest blockbuster from Hollywood, or simply, a brand new music video. In this way, premium content is distributed to various subscribers who pay a small fee per content to view them.

So much for pay-per-view television. But this is the era of the Internet and online technologies. With the advancement and proliferation of Internet technologies all around, coupled with the improved availability of high speed broadband, the time has come to experience the thrills of Internet Pay-Per-View.

For somebody who loves watching movies (who doesn't?), the Internet is a veritable goldmine. Nowadays, there is no dearth of movie downloads sites on the Internet. The latest to join the array is Apple with its iTunes Movie Store which lets one download a movie and watch it on one's ipod, PC or Mac.

Some of the biggest names in the Internet Pay-Per-View arena are Movielink and CinemaNow. Both of these sites are supported by major film distributors such as Warner Bros and Sony Pictures etc. All one needs is a computer with a tolerably fast Internet connectivity to play the downloaded movie.

Internet Pay-Per-View is fast gaining in popularity. Other names in the business that are fast coming to the forefront are sites such as Guba and Unbox. MovieLink is probably the largest Internet movie download site on the Internet toady. MovieLink draws its strength from a partnership formed by such movie giants as MGM, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios and BBC among others.

Most Internet Pay-Per-View sites carry a motley collection of movies, TV shows, documentaries and more, all available for download for a nominal fee. The cost varies depending on the content that one wishes to download. The crux of the service offered by these sites is that they charge the viewer on a pay-per-view or pay per download basis. Basically, one has to pay to download a movie or to watch it online on a streaming basis. The charges vary depending on how new the movie is, the movie itself and its exclusiveness.

In recent years, the Internet has become a throbbing center of endless entertainment. Offering a rich multimedia experience that few other media can match up to, the Internet today is a treasure trove of highly entertaining content for the masses. Streaming movies, e-radios, Internet talk radios, webcasts - the fun never ends on the Internet. The need to visit your local video library or music store is fast becoming redundant. Just sit back in your chair and click away. Experience the pure bliss of high quality digital entertainment at the click of your mouse. Your desktop is the stage for a wide array of entertainment.

Internet Pay-Per-View is paving the path for other exciting possibilities. The future sure looks thrilling for all netizens!

By diggcom47817 On At 7:28 AM

50 Cents and His Rolls Royce Phantom

Real Name: Curtis James Jackson

Date of birth: July 6, 1975

50 Cent (a.k.a. Fifty or Fiddy as pronounced in African American Vernacular English, born Curtis Jackson on July 6, 1976 in Queens, New York), is a popular African American hip-hop artist. Once almost unknown outside his hometown of southside Jamaica, Queens, he is currently signed to Eminems record label Shady Records and Dr. Dres Aftermath Entertainment. The rapper, who was the first to sign to Shady Records, was scouted before knowing Eminem. Eminem first encountered 50 Cent with MTV News reporter Sway Calloway; Eminem apparently had not heard any of 50 Cents performances before seeing him in person. He appeared on the 8 Mile soundtrack with an accompanying song and video ("Wanksta") that immediately went into heavy rotation on BET, MTV, and radio stations across the country. In the opinion of many observers his continued success seems guaranteed by his large underground fanbase and the street credibility he has gained by appearing on almost every major mix tape sold in New York in the past few years.

Early Life

Curtis Jackson never knew his crack cocaine-addicted father, and his mother, a bisexual Queens drug dealer working under "Fat Cat", was murdered when Jackson was only eight years old. Her death had a major impact on Jackson, the degree of which is speculated over by fans, and her sexuality also played a key part in Jacksons emotional growth, which he would later reference in the song "Hate It or Love It" off The Games album The Documentary), "Comin up, I was confused, my momma kissin a girl/ Confusion occurs, comin up in a cold world". The same song also contains a mild indictment of his fathers absence, "Daddy aint around, probably out committin felonies".

After his mothers death, Jackson ended up living with his grandparents, where as a teenager he became immersed in the local drug trade. Hustling around his native Jamaica, Queens neighborhood, Jackson went by the name of "Boo Boo". It was during this period of distributing narcotics that Jackson met fellow Queens native Tony Yayo, who would later become a member of Jacksons G-Unit group. In June of 1994, Jackson was arrested on felony drug charges. Being a second time offender, Jackson was able to plead out of significant prison time by accepting seven months in a "shock incarceration" boot camp. He would later boast about this period as his doing "seven to nine."

He became a father to a son, Marquise in 1997. Jackson met up with Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC fame and was signed to his label JMJ. Jay taught him the basics and then 50 left the label in search of someone who could help him achieve his dream of rap stardom. He teamed up with the hip-hop production duo Track Masters who recognized 50 Cents talent for incisive lyrics and signed him to Columbia Records in 1999. Although he looks back on this time with displeasure (his biography refers to it as being "locked up in the studio"), the 18 days spent in a studio in Upstate New York produced 36 tracks which later became his breakthrough album Power of the Dollar. "How to Rob", the humorous ode to robbing a slew of industry rappers (Jay-Z, Puff Daddy, Busta Rhymes (Flipmode Squad), various members of the Wu-Tang Clan, even Track Masters, and many more) was an instant hit for New York radio. Power Of The Dollar was never released, due to his shooting in 2000 and Columbia Records executives decided to drop him, claiming the shooting was negative publicity.

His Car

In the world of hip-hop, cars maketh the star, and there is no star bigger than 50 Cent at the moment. But Fifty aint happy with whats in his garage, and he has plans to turn the car world on its head, literally. 50 Cent is about to make his Rolls-Royce Phantom a drop-top, even before the company does the work for itself...

"I just want something everybody else doesnt have," declares the megastar backstage at a one-off UK concert at Rockingham race track. He then unleashes a tidal wave of how and why he is going to butcher his Phantom. "I dont care if it messes up the electrical system. The roof is gonna be gone. I want something more sporty. Im not an old man. Thats why I wanna chop the roof off it. Ill leave the TVs. They had TVs in the package I got. Its fully loaded. Ill leave everything thats in there. Ill just cut the roof off. Make it into a vertible."

The man to whom 50 will turn for this ultimate chop-top is Funkmaster Flex, New York car artiste to the rap stars. The Bronx-based customiser, 50 Cents motoring mentor and restorer of the singers 65 Chevy Impala and 84 Buick Regal has been trying to talk the megastar out of what some will regard as sacrilege.

"I dont think is such a good idea and its going to end up costing him almost as much as the car," predicts the host of the Ride With Funkmaster Flex cult TV show. Rather than hack the roof off the Phantom, Flex thinks it would be better to try and buy a production example of the stunning 100EX convertible concept car when it goes on sale in 2007. An idea 50 is having none of.

"They wont give me one," he tuts with the air of a petulant teenager. "Having me drive a Rolls-Royce is great for [promoting the company], but they dont see eye to eye with the kid yet."

50 (I have been warned not to call him Mr. Cent!) is flexing his considerable muscles. Less than three years since being drop-kicked to the top of the hip-hop parade with a plug from Eminem, 50 is enjoying the power of fame and spending a $100 million fortune which would run many a small country.

Fame and fortune has come at a price. In 2000, Curtis James Jackson III was shot outside his grandma New York house. Now there are more bullet wounds in his body than fingers on one of his blinged-up diamond-encrusted hands. One 9mm shell even went through his front teeth. Every time he grins I try and spot it. So far I have failed.

Specifications of Rolls Royce Phantom

Model year: 2005
Make: Rolls Royce
Model: Phantom
Style: RWD
Base Price: 328750$
Drive Type: Rear
Transmission Type: 6-Speed Automatic
Engine Type: V12
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 453 @ 5350
Torque (ft-lbs @ rpm): 531 @ 3500
Performance:
0 - 30 (sec): 2.3
0 - 45 (sec): 4.1
0 - 60 (sec): 5.9
0 - 75 (sec): 8.8
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 14.3 @ 98
Top Speed: 150 mph

http://www.topspeed.com
Images: http://www.topspeed.com/news/50_cents_and_his_rolls_royce_phantom-ar2363/images.html

By diggcom47817 On At 4:15 AM

How Musicians Can Use Podcasts to Publicize Their Music

As a musician, one of the best ways to start becoming successful in the music business is to build up a fan base.

You need to get your music out there so people can start listening to it and enjoying it. Publicizing your music is extremely important, and while ten years ago it may have been a difficult task, technology has afforded you some very simples ways to get started. One new way that you can start getting your music out there is by using a podcast. Podcasts are excellent ways that you can inexpensively and quickly get your music out there to the public, which is extremely important to your success as a musician.

What Exactly is a Podcast?

First of all, you may be wondering what exactly a podcast is. Basically, a podcast is a type of audio file that is usually created in a mp3 format, and after the file is created it can be uploaded to a server by way of Really Simple Syndication (RSS). You can put anything you want on this type of audio file, whether it is a type of radio show, or even clips of you performing your music. Once a podcast is uploaded onto the internet, it then allows people to use their computers with specialized software to download the file so they can listen to it on their own. They may be able to listen to it on their computer, an mp3 player, or even on their iPod as well. Even though the terms sound a bit technical, the process is an easy one that gives you a great new way to get your music out there to others.

How to Create a Podcast

Believe it or not, creating your own podcast is really quite simple. The following are five simple steps that can help you easily create your own music podcast.

1. Create the Content - The first thing you need to do is to create the audio content for your podcast. It really does not matter what type of platform you use when creating your audio content; however, it is important that you save it in the maximum quality possible so you have a great copy of what you have created. This is especially important when you are dealing with music.

2. Convert to MP3 - Once you have created your audio content for the podcast, you will need to convert the files to mp3 files, since they are the most used type of files for podcasting. When converting your audio files to mp3 files, you will probably want to use 128 stereo bit rate in order to get the best sound, since you are dealing with music, then save it as an mp3 file.

3. Upload the MP3 - After you have created your mp3 file, then you are ready to upload the file to the server. Once they are uploaded, be sure to test them to be sure that they are working.

4. Create the RSS File - Next you will need to create an RSS file, which will describe your pod cast and serve as the link to your mp3 file. You can use a text editor to create this file, and usually it is best to include the title of the file, the link, and a brief description of the file as well.

5. Publish the File - Once you have the RSS file created, just transfer it to your web server, and be sure to validate it using an RSS validator, which you can find online. If it works right, then you are ready to publish the RSS file.

Equipment You Will Need

In order to be able to do a pod cast, you will need to have the right equipment available. First of all you will need to have the right equipment available to suitably record your music. You may be able to purchase software for your computer to do this, or you may want to use a mixing board with a CD burner to do so. You can use computer software to edit your music and to change the levels to make sure that your music tracks sound the best as well. Also, you will need a program to help you convert your music into mp3 files, such a MusicMatch. More than likely, you will also need software that will help you upload your mp3 and RSS files as well.

Where You Can Send Your Completed Podcast

If you do not have your own place to put your podcasts, you can actually find free hosts that will allow you to upload your podcasts to their servers as well. Once you have finished your podcast and you have it online, there are a variety of directories that you can send it to in order to get some exposure. There are many available free directories that will help you with publicity so you can get your podcasts out there. Soon people will be listening to your music, and before you know it you may have a broad fan base all across the world due to using podcasting to publicize your music.

Duane Shinn is the author of the popular free 101-week online e-mail newsletter titled Amazing Secrets Of Exciting Piano Chords & Sizzling Chord Progressions- Intelligent Piano Lessons For Adults Only!/ with over 84,400 current subscribers.

By diggcom47817 On At 3:58 AM

Extreme Adventures - Queensland

Would you like to book an Air Safari? We fly over Aoraki Mount Cook and the Fox Glacier - it's a wonderful view. Oh you would rather jump out? How about the skydive option from 15,000 ft? Too straight-forward? How about paragliding, or hand-gliding, jet boating or whitewater rafting? Or take a aerial ride in a stunt plane, jump off a bridge on a bungy rope or try the Shotover Canyon Swing?".

I am speaking to Diane, a helpful counter rep at 'The Terminal': A one-stop shop for all your adrenaline needs nestled in quiet Queenstown. In case you were wondering, the Canyon Swing is 'the world's highest swing' - launching you from a cliff face into a 200 meter arc, accelerating you to 150kph, and then back again. This is one of the more recent inventions in Queenstown, where you have the option of being launched in one of ten different methods, from "The Cutaway", "Elvis Cutaway" and "Indian Rope Trick" to "Gimp Boy Goes to Hollywood", and where each method is rated from "Scary" (One underpants rating) to "Very, very, very scary" (Five underpants rating).

After much deliberation I decide to opt for Asia Pacific's highest bungy jump, the 440 feet high Nevis Highwire Bungy. Unlike the original 140 feet Kawarau Bridge bungy over Kawarau river, or the 335 feet Pipeline bungy over Shotover river, the Nevis Bungy isn't attached to a bridge. Instead, AJ Hackett Bungy invested NZ$2 million in a tailor-made, purpose built, fully protected "Jump Pod", dangling by high-tension wires over the Nevis Gorge (and when I say 'fully protected', I don't mean you, I mean the pod - it has 30 different patents. Presumably so that if you find a gorge as deep as Nevis on your travels you will think twice before strapping wires to the side and building a similar pod to jump out of, for fear of being sued in the event you survive the fall).

I'm here on the invitation of a great group of New Zealand Entrepreneurs who have taken time out from their schedule to show me a piece of New Zealand. Greame Fowler is a well-known property investor, and author of the best-selling book "NZ Real Estate Investor's Secrets", Kevin Heppleston is an award-winning business coach with Action International, based in Wellington, Gill Daldin and Lisa McCarthy are both franchise owners of an Australian appliance rental business, Mr Rentals. All are making the most of the fact that, as well as having the highest percent of entrepreneurs of any country in Asia Pacific, New Zealand also has some of the most stunning spots to take a break from all that entrepreneurial activity.

Queenstown, nestled on the Southern tip of New Zealand's South Island, promotes itself as "The World's Adventure Capital". How did it find this niche? The town grew out of the gold rush at Shotover River in the 1860's. Surrounded by awe-inspiring mountain, it became a summer tourist spot after the gold was exhausted. It took a century before anyone was attracted to Queenstown in the winters, when the Mount Cook Group turned Coronet Peak into a ski field in the 1960's, turning the area into a year-round destination which in turn attracted more hotels, shops and restaurants.

Bill Hamilton, a South Island country farmer, can be credited for introducing adventure tourism in the 1970's. Here's one version of how the story goes: While trying to invent a high powered water pump to drain water from his land, he created a turbine pump so powerful that when he turned it on: instead of water shooting through, the pump dislodged and end up shooting across the water. After a little lateral thinking, he forgot about the pump idea and built a speed boat around the turbine instead. The Jet Boat was born. Needing less than 3cm of water to maneuver in at high speeds, before long Shotover Jet was taking visitors on breath-taking rides through the spectacular canyons of Shotover River for $75 a pop.

Then, in 1988, AJ Hackett and Henry Van Asch (two speed skiers who had been inspired by a video documenting the attempts of members of the Oxford University Dangerous Sports Club to copy Vanuatu villagers' ritual of jumping off man-made towers attached to vines) arrived in Queenstown having spent two years at the University of Auckland developing a special bungy cord to bungy jump from. Until then, the only other alternative were the vines that the Vanuatu locals used - not too reliable.

In June the previous year, AJ Hackett had used the cord they had developed for a high profile (and highly illegal) bungy jump from the Eiffel Tower. Now they were ready to go commercial, with a plan to offer jumps from Kawarau Bridge. Despite obvious skepticism from locals that people would be willing to pay to jump from a bridge, business boomed. Within a year, a second site was launched at Skippers Bridge and since then further sites - each one bigger and better - have continually launched with an estimated 350,000 jumpers in Queenstown to date. With each new option, business increased. When the Nevis bungy launched in 1999, demand was so high, the company made back its investment of $2M within ten months.

Adventure tourism took off in Queenstown in the 1990s, and year after year the adventure options have grown, with visitor numbers reaching 4.8 million by 2001 (compared to a resident population of 12,000), 5.5 million by 2005, and a projected 7 million visitors by 2010.

It seems, then, that I am in good company by choosing to bungy jump! After all, this is what people do in Queenstown, right? I hear that up to 100 people each day jump from the Nevis Highwire Bungy. A quick calculation reveals that, with off-days, that's maybe 20,000 out of the five million Queenstown visitors each year. Only four people in every thousand decide to try it? What about the other nine hundred and ninety-six of them? Before leaving the Terminal with my ticket and T-Shirt, I look for reassurance from the others in the group. I ask them what it's like to bungy jump. None of them have bungy-jumped before. None of them want to. Ever.

The humiliating possibility of being the laughing stock of the Jump Pod suddenly becomes a worse fate than ending up spread all over the canyon floor I ask for the release instructions again and would have written them down if I could. But before I know it I am on my feet, hearing the countdown, seeing myself jumping, remembering to scream on the way down as per my brother's instructions ("It makes the video more dramatic"), watching the river accelerate towards me and then reverse back just as dramatically, and then triumphantly releasing myself from the bungy shackles.

Lisa's husband, Austin, decides to jump with me and we hop on the bus. Leaving the sedate streets of Queenstown, we trekked for an hour over sheep country before reaching the 'cable car' that would take us out to the jump pod. The cable car is actually an open metal box with a grill floor, which can squeeze in six people at most. The long, wobbly journey out to the Jump Pod gives us time to reconsider - two of the earlier jumpers had already pulled out. I consider whether I am being brave or stupid or both. I decide both and it makes me feel a little better.

Austin goes first. He looks nervous, which makes me more nervous. It is a very long way down - a little like jumping off a 60 storey building. After being given instructions by the crew, Austin hobbles out to the end of the 'gangplank', 500 feet above rock level, and the countdown begins: "5..4..3..2..1".. He is still standing there as if admiring the scenery. My heart goes in my mouth. Now what? One of the crew says "It'll only get worse the longer you wait". I remember being told that as a kid when I didn't take my medicine. Is this what this is? They count down again, and this time he's GONE! Just like that, out of sight, hurtling towards the rocks at 130 kph.

I don't have time to reflect on his sudden disappearance as I'm up next. As I get the bungy strapped on, I hear a barrage of instructions come my way. As there is no easy access to the bottom of the gorge, we're going to get winced back up afterwards and there is a simple (yet at the time impossibly complex) process for releasing your feet from the bungy on your second bounce so that you don't get winced back up upside down. If you get it wrong, the consequence is that you will appear back in the Jump Pod upside-down, "like a hooked fish, at which point we will all laugh at you."

The adrenaline rush lasts for hours, and leaping off the mountain in a paraglider on our return to Queenstown feels like a country stroll in comparison. I can see why extreme adventure sports has become so addictive for so many, and why millions travel to the bottom of the earth to get high head-first. In Deepak Chopra's words: "Living on the edge has become an obsession, and adrenaline junkies are more prevalent than heroin addicts ever could be."

I'll be coming back for my fix soon.

Belief, courage, action

-Roger Hamilton

Chairman

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By diggcom47817 On At 12:45 AM