Single Handed Docking and Sail Trim with Captain Jack Klang

I have been on the water in one fashion or another for over 40 years and this is the first comprehensive presentation I have seen on how to dock in all types of conditions and situations. Captain Jack, in a mere 53 minutes, covers the main topics that drive sailors nuts: docking and sail trim, especially spinnakers. First he uses models to describe the maneuvers and then we see him on his own boat demonstrating in real time. He shows how to maintain control of your boat with the wind on the bow, on the beam or aft. He covers situations with adverse currents. What I found most intriguing is how he backs his boat into a slip to keep the bow into the wind. He demonstrates a few basic concepts, like prop-walk and spring-lines, and shows how to use a single spring line (a line attached slightly midship) to control the boat's movements. He does this not only single handedly, but without jumping off the boat. Much safer.

I had seen Captain Jack many times at boat shows and was actually looking for a book by him so I could review the information he provides during his condensed presentations -- I was pleasantly surprised to find the DVD. I wish I would have had this video when I was a beginner. It would have saved a lot of hard knocks while docking and would have saved my having to unlearn many of the bad habits I picked up trimming sails.The interface between the land and sea is often the most challenging aspect of boating. This is especially true as marinas get tighter and tighter as they pack more and more boats into them. I still sail, but four years ago sold my sailboat and bought a Nordic Tug. Docking has always been a challenge and is even more so with the tug. The tug idles much faster, so everything happens faster. It is also much less maneuverable. Even if you are a power boater, the first half of the DVD concerning docking is still well worth the price. Just fast forward through the sail-handling parts or watch it and be inspired to go sailing.

-- Dean Raffaelli

Singlehanded Docking and Sail Trim with Captain Jack Klang
$25
Available from Captain Jack Klang

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well suited

Exactly how did Chris Benz get director Brett Ratner to throw him a party? "We're old family friends, actually," said Benz, explaining that he was in Los Angeles for a trunk show at Neiman Marcus. Fresh from several hours at a tanning salon ("I've been there most of the afternoon, actually") and clad in his favorite Comme des Garçons suit and Louis Vuitton shoes, the designer greeted guests Jennifer Beals, Magda Berliner, Gregory Parkinson, Paz Vega, and celebrity hair stylist Ken Paves, who told us that Vega's "side part is the sexiest thing I've seen all week." Ratner himself surfaced for a split second from his living room to check that all was under control in his front yard. "It's a scene of cosmic proportions," he said as he surveyed his guests. At which point we couldn't resist asking for his thoughts on the fashionable aspect of the night. "Oh, geez. You know I love Chris, but I'm not so much into fashion. I'm much more into accessories, and right now I really like [what] Aurelie Bidermann [is doing]."

—Linlee Allen

Photo: Linlee Allen

Designing that Perfect Home Theater

Home theater enthusiasts spend gobs of time picking out everything from the color of the walls to the perfect size movie screen when setting up their home theater systems. But, don't forget about the furniture! It could be just about the most important item in the room next to the actual wired set up you have to put together.

Wired Home has some tips about making decisions concerning the right furniture for your home theater needs.
See full article.

Related Entries:

Build Your Own Linux Home Theater PC - 13 May 2005

Custom Home Theater Design Check List - 26 May 2005

Choosing A Home Theater Projector - 29 May 2005

Yamaha RX-V557 XM-Enabled Home Theater Receiver Review - 12 July 2005

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Time to Bury Web 2.0?

What is in future for Web 2.0? Are too many duplicating applications sucking the life out of it? According to Creative Weblogging's Web 2.0 blog editor, no:

As I have said many times, there are way too many applications on the internet these days that offer the same thing as many others. Only one thing can come from that : death. I have never understood why people keep on launching applications online that already exist in many forms, but I think it's just an attempt to get even the tiniest slice of the market. See full article.

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Contents of this feed are a property of Creative Weblogging Limited and are protected by copyright laws. Violations will be prosecuted. Please email us if you'd like to use this feed for non-commercial activities at feeds - at - creative-weblogging.com.

old guard

Blame this one on Marilyn. "Last fall I was watching a lot of Marilyn Monroe movies, especially "The Misfits," and I'd been wearing a lot of twin sets and tight pencil skirts, which really is the inspiration behind this project," says West Coast accessory doyenne Liz Goldwyn. The project in question is a collaboration with Opening Ceremony titled "Springtime Romance" and consists of an assortment of vintage hats, head bands, and sweater guards curated by Goldwyn. Yes, you read that correctly: sweater guards. "They're so convenient! I used to wear them in high school, and they really are such a cute and easy accessory to have," says Goldwyn, who spent the last six months sourcing the forties and fifties finds. The pieces are slated to hit the sales floor at Easter, and, according to Goldwyn, have "a delicate, sentimental spirit that perfectly matches what designers have done this season." Speaking of those old MM films, any chance Goldwyn will be returning to the movie business? "I have a lot of top secrets, which I can't really talk about yet, but let's just say I'm heading back to Hollywood." Watch this space.

—Linlee Allen

Photo: Courtesy of Liz Goldwyn/Opening Ceremony

Montane Featherlite Smock

When folded into its stuff sack, this Pertex windshirt is the size of a small apple and weighs only about 100g. Unlike a "real" coat, the smock can disappear into a jacket pocket or cargo pocket of your combat pants or it can lurk, weightlessly, for weeks in a backpack until needed. Other than being a carry-all-the-time item allowing minimal bulk, it's extremely versatile. It blocks the wind, preventing windchill, while still feeling as breathable as a lightweight cotton t-shirt. Pull up the neck zip and the smock will trap a layer of air around your body. Because the smock keeps this air dry instead of letting it saturate with sweat, it's a superb insulator: the ground outside has been white with frost recently, but I've been quite happy walking around with the smock over my sweater (about 0 Centigrade). Shower resistant, but not waterproof, it's much more breathable than anything I've tried that is waterproof -- while Goretex may transmit about 25% of water vapour in even ideal circumstances, Pertex scores closer to 100%. As such, the windshirt is a great outer layer for hikers, cyclists and runners to wear in all conditions where real rain wear isn't essential. It's also terrific for commuting and tourism, especially when added to a light umbrella, which allows you to leave heavier-to-carry and sweatier-to-wear just-in-case clothes at home. I have read that if you soup up the water resistance with Nikwax DWR, it makes an acceptable waterproof, but I haven't tested this. Serious outdoor adventurers in serious conditions might want to look at the Featherlite's grown-up, bulkier, heavier cousins like the Montane Extreme, Paramo, and especially various Buffalo products. These combine Pertex with insulating material to provide single-layer high performance clothing for skiing and mountaineering in very harsh conditions. Other brands like Paramo and Marmot offer products similar to the Featherlite. I went with Montane because of their reputation. They're the kings of ultralight, which is what this type of windshirt should be about.

-- Jonathan Coupe

Montane Featherlite Smock
$76
Available from ProLite Gear

Manufactured by Montane Outdoor Clothing

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fresh kate

Attention, style junkies: Kate Moss' fifth collection for Topshop will be available on the retailer's web site from 6 a.m. GMT tomorrow morning (that's 2 a.m EST, since the U.K. hasn't switched to Daylight Savings Time yet). La Moss has once again delivered: The clothes range from high-waisted cropped denims to a series of party-ready silk frocks, including a version of the cream satin number she wore to the V&A ball last summer. Ads for the range were shot by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin in Tulum earlier this year.

Photo: Courtesy of Topshop

Scarborough Flair: When Template Skirts are used for GOOD not Evil

There is always so much debate about the poor template skirt, I sometimes feel very sorry for this unloved and underappreciated little template.

I have in the past done posts on some incredible texture skirts done all over SL, and sigh in RL when I hear ladies refuse to even look at them,as there is a big difference between template skirts of old, and the very very good ones.

I also have one or two or maybe more items in my inventory, where someone has used the template in ingenius ways to make an extra layer on an outfit possible, and I LOVE THAT sooo much, and today I am going to share one of those 'other ways'.

At clothing fair, and I do believe it was directly opposite []::Tuli::[]'s booth is a store called CreamShop , after my amazing find of Gwen, I almost went home, I am SOOO glad I didn't.

CreamShop has an unusual array of goodies but one item at the back right of the booth beckoned me -ok it beckoned my cam :p - this is the Check Charm Waistcloth , and its incredible...done on YES the template skirt is is low slung draped tartan yummy. The addition of prims for a smoother sash like look drapes fabulously around the hips and is clasped in place by a huge safety pin, not the nappy kind but the kilt/punk kind.

But the delight doesnt end there, as you can see all the wonderful charms attached, anchor and lovely strips of leather cord with divine feathers at the ends, this Waistcloth is as I said a wonderful and innovative use of the skirt template, no flexy just body contoured charm and style.
I went to one of SAZAE Yoshikawa's CreamShop locations to see if there were more colours than this brown one, which has stunning burgundy and cream through the tartan also...and there is a divine green as well, the men get Grey and Black *POUTS*.

To put together this look, I zoomed over to Celestial Studios to get the Cords I should have gotten last time I was there lol, the Burgundy with the skinny leg attachments, I also couldnt resist the Brown Suede Hobo bag while I was there, so then zoomed out and back to posing.

While I was at Celestial Studios her sisters store items where on the wall, the LaLa FooFoo items,and I realised Peeeerrrffect, the Shrugs I got from there a while back will be great, so the burgundy shrug it was, now for a top underneath.
I knew I wanted to break up the burgundy and brown a little so looked to the tartan and as you can see there is a lovely latte/cream colour in there, so remembering that Awesome Designs has latte coloured sets I went to my folder and found the lovely Latte Tank from the Campus 101 set.

Knowing Elikapeka thinks her last shoes release looked so wonderful with the Cords, I went to the latest release from ETD of the Hampton Wedges and found the brown pair looked great, that was too easy lol. The skin is the Raj Pandora skin by Adam n [...]

bye-bye, missoni

Lauren Davis, upon being told that Margherita Missoni would be moving on to Paris and that she should help plan a surprise leaving 'do, had this to say: "Party? That seems so inappropriate. We should have a wake or an intervention or something. A protest, perhaps?" Regardless, Davis, Mario Testino, Lily Donaldson, Vladimir Roitfeld, Georgina Chapman, Fabiola Beracasa, Barbara Bush, Eleanor Ylvisaker, Amy Greenspon, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, Victoria Traina, Leigh Lezark, Tinsley Mortimer, and Julia Restoin-Roitfeld joined Missoni for a farewell drink at the recently opened SubMercer bar in the basement of the Mercer Hotel last night. "I feel like a moment is coming to an end," Hernandez sighed. "This will leave a hole." But Missoni, who was actually surprised by the gathering (a feat in a gossip town like this one), was quick to discount talk of any vacancies. "Oh, stop it, guys," she said. "I'll be back in less than a month, and then I'll be back for the Met. See, there's two trips in two months right there." What's more, word on the street is that Missoni's been looking at apartments to buy here in the Big Apple. "So this is just an excuse for a party?" Donaldson asked. "Works for me."

—Derek Blasberg

Photo: Derek Blasberg

DIRECTV Mega March Madness

Have been long time that DirectTV have been announcing coupons & deals for their customers, the last one was a great one Limited Offer Save $280 at DIRECTV! you can check it out and see the newest offers that they are doing. Only on DIRECTV you can see every single game of the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Tournament. With our NCAA MEGA MARCH MADNESS package they will get up to 37 games from outside of their region from the 1st three rounds. Combine that with the coverage from CBS and ESPN and they can experience the excitement of up to 64 games, many in breathtaking HD!

See up to 64 NCAA Tournament games, only with NCAA MEGA MARCH MADNESS, available exclusively on DIRECTV. Get DIRECTV today.

See up to 64 NCAA Tournament games, only with NCAA MEGA MARCH MADNESS, available exclusively on DIRECTV. Get DIRECTV today.

swede 'n' low

At any point in the last few years, an observant consumer could stop, take a mental step back, and reasonably wonder: What the hell is going in Sweden? The buzz from the country's music scene has been deafening, while a no less impressive momentum has carried an array of savvy Swedish apparel brands to U.S. shores. Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair, House of Dagmar, Hope, Whyred, Nudie—the list of these anti-H&Ms goes on, but perhaps no brand encapsulates the new generation of Swedish fashion better than Acne. Best known for its razor-sharp denim, Acne is in fact a collective comprising, in addition to its Acne Jeans fashion design team, a digital studio, a film and video production company, a marketing concern, and an editorial office producing the bi-yearly Acne Paper. And the empire is only growing: Today, Acne opens its first store in the United States, bringing the full range of its poetically fastidious sportswear to Greene Street in Soho; a Paris shop is close at hand as well. Here, Acne Jeans designer Jonny Johansson talks to Style.com about thinking small, the drawback to Sweden's creative explosion, and taking Acne global.

What should shoppers expect from the New York store?

With all our stores, we try very hard to be true to the location—you know, really get our hands around the space. No two Acne stores are ever exactly the same. It's not a McDonald's concept; what we try to bring to each one is a sense of creativity at work. We call the stores Acne Studios, and that's how we want them to feel—like studios. The aesthetic is quite Swedish, of course; there's no point building a French bistro on the Palais-Royal, if you know what I mean.

In other words, fealty to location has its limits.

Well, you have to be local at the same time that you're international, but yes, we try to reflect our own culture wherever we go. I don't mean Swedish culture so much as I mean Acne culture—like, when I say we want the Acne Studios to feel like actual studios, I mean, we want them to feel like our studio. We've always thought of the brand as its own little island, not trend-driven, not racing to keep up. What's exciting about opening our own store in the United States is that, finally, people can see the full breadth of what we do—our experiments, our inconsistencies.

What kind of experiments and inconsistencies?

Oh, like right now the thing I'm really into is making miniatures of the clothes. I wanted to see if it's possible to do like in the forties and fities, where the daughter or the son would be wearing the same thing as the mother or father, only in a perfectly scaled-down version. We've made copies of the adult clothes that are as small as a hand, just to see.

Just to see what?

What the pieces looked like small. What I found out is, the smaller the better. Tiny, everything looks amazing.

Speaking of small…Sweden isn't that big a country. Is every other person in Sweden a musician or a fashion designer? As a nation, you're punching way above your weight in terms of creative output.

No, you're almost right. There was a news report about this, in fact; I saw it the other day. For the past ten years, Sweden has had too many people who decide they want to be film directors, or musicians, or fashion designers, or work in TV. It's a problem. No one wants to be a doctor or an engineer anymore.

Maybe you should add a medical practice to the Acne collective.

We spent a long time struggling to define Acne. I think now that we have, the key is to remember that we can't do everything, even if we can do a lot.—Maya Singer

Photo: Courtesy of Acne