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Many people think that taking a flight to a vacation destination to too expensive, however, today with so many deals on flights, it is easy to plan a budget-friendly vacation. Skiing is a fun winter activity that is popular. Traveling to a ski or snowboarding destination may seem expensive, from packing your skis to arranging for the flights to the chosen destination, accommodations, and ski lessons, it can all seem too costly. However, there are many things you can do to plan a budget-friendly ski or snowboarding trip that will ensure you do not spend too much on your trip.

Below are a number of tips on how to plan a budget-friendly ski or snowboarding trip:

Pack Wisely: It is important to pack the essentials for a ski and snowboarding vacation. Find out how much it will cost to carry skis on the flight. As well bring warm clothing and a good pair of boots. It is always beneficial to dress in layers. As well, bring sunscreen and chap stick, goggles, and warm gloves.

Travel with a Group: It is always is more fun to travel with a group of friends or family when you go on a ski vacation. Skiing is one activity that is better to do with friends rather than by yourself. There are many cheap flights available, including cheap vacation packages that include: accommodations, lift tickets, and dining. You can often get a good deal on groups of 10 or more.

Bring the Children: Most children love to ski and enjoy the great outdoors. There are may ski resorts that offer programs for teens and younger children such as kid camps which will get your kids on the slopes. They will have fun while you enjoy the slopes.

Pick the Best Ski Vacation Package: You do not have to break your budget to get a good ski vacation deal. There are many online discount travel sites that offer cheap ski vacation packages. As well, you can get day passes, mini passes, and special children’s passes.

Stay at a Smaller Resort: You do not have to choose the big luxury resorts when you go on a ski vacation. The smaller resorts will often offer cheaper deals on trail passes and lift tickers. As well, look outside the resort area such as in the local community for accommodations as well as affordable dining, cheap shopping, and a fun downtown life.

Throughout the world, millions of people love skiing and snowboarding and take vacations each year to exciting ski vacation destinations. When you take a ski or snowboarding vacation, you can take steps to reduce your vacation costs. For instance, there are many online travel discount sites offering cheap flights to ski destinations. You just have to do your research and make the appropriate vacation preparations. When you make the cost cutting trip preparations, you will be able to have a fun and relaxing time on the slopes knowing that the trip did not cost you an arm and a leg.

Author Bio: Find cheap flights and compare flight ticket prices online at Cheapflights, providing the best selection and availability of cheap travel deals and last minute deals.

If you are a fan of historical battlefield events, there are many battlefield tours in a variety of historical areas throughout Europe. There are numerous battlefield tour companies in Europe offering a wide variety of battlefield tours that are customized to your specific preferences. Because Europe is not a big continent, you have the ability to visit a lot of significant historical battlefield sites.

Below are a number of battlefield tour providers that provide historical battlefield tours of Europe:

Back Roads Touring Co.: This UK tour company provide World War I and World War II tours. The company will also arrange for the accommodations for travelers with a maximum of 16 people per tour.

Bartlett’s Battlefield Journeys, Ltd: In the UK, this battlefield tour provider offers Western Front Battlefields of 1914 to 1918 as well as Normandy. The battlefield tour staff are all experienced guides.

Castles and Battlefields Tours: In the UK, this tour company provides tours that can include: Victoria Cross, Pointe-Du-Hoc, Pegasus, Omaha and Utah Beach and more.

Clevelode Battlefield Tours: In the UK, this experienced tour provider is a retired British army officer and the tour operation offers a broad range of battlefield tour services.

D Day Historian: In France, this tour company offers private and weekly tours. The weekly tours are two day American Experience Tours. In the winter, the tours given will depend on Normandy’s winter weather.

Entente Cordiale Battlefield Tours: In the UK, this company offers custom-made tours of the Flanders and Somme for groups of 4 or more. The price includes: access to all museums and sites, Bed and Breakfast at one of the company’s partner hotels, and a fully air-conditioned premier style mini-bus.

Guided Battlefield Tours: In the UK, this company provides guided battlefield tours to key World War I battlefield sites in Belgium and France. They also offer World War II Normandy Tours..

Holts Tours: In the UK, the company offer tours of the Medieval battles, the American Revolution, 17th and 18th century European wars, and World Wars I and II.

In the Footsteps Battle Tours: In the UK, this company offers Group Tours, Custom Designed Tours, and Genealogy Tours.

Maginot Line Tours: In the UK, Tucker Tours provide guided tours of selected Maginot Line defenses in the Sedan/Ardennes region of France.

Matt Limb Battlefield Tour: In the UK, this company offers a distinct insight into the horrors and mechanisms of war, and where the events really took place.

Cooper’s Waterloo Tours: In the UK, tours are offered in East Anglia, the battlefields of Northern Europe, and the Iberian Peninsula. They also provide World War I and World War II battlefields tours, and Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington’s campaigns at the turn of the 19th century.

World War II Historic Tours in Europe: This tour company offers guided tours of World War II monuments and battlefields across Europe.

Battlefield tour companies are more than happy to completely customize a tour to your particular interests so you will definitely love your travel experience. With great deals on flights available, it may be the time to take a battlefield tour of Europe.

Author Bio: Find cheap flights and compare ticket prices online at Cheapflights, providing the best selection and availability of flights to London and flights to Toronto.

If you own one horse or many horses, the most important consideration is keeping them safely contained within some form of boundary or paddock fencing to prevent them wandering off and causing damage to themselves or other peoples property. Horse fences should not only keep your horses securely contained within your property, but should not pose a risk if they try to push the boundaries.

There are many different fence types available, some are more suitable to contain horses than others. Ultimately your choice will be affected by your budget, whether you want a permanent, semi-permanent or temporary solution, by the terrain that you plan to fence off, and the size and nature of the horses you wish to contain.

Wooden fences are probably the most traditional for enclosing paddocks. Wood is hard wearing, can be readily cut to size, and is simple and easy to erect, just nail the cross boards onto the uprights that are sunk into the ground.

Interlocking wooden post and rail fences are very simple to erect as they require no nails or bolts. This also makes them extremely safe as there is nothing that a horse can get snagged on. They are extremely sturdy, and aesthetically pleasing.

An alternative to wood is vinyl boards. These are more expensive initially, but as they will not rot or be eaten by insects, will require little maintenance in the long run.

Wire fences are also fairly common, but it is best to use wire mesh with a small hole size to prevent a horse’s foot from getting stuck in the fence. Strand wire is not recommended as horses can easily get entangled and panic, causing injury to themselves. Barbed wire is not suitable for horses as it is extremely hazardous and can cause serious bodily injury by merely brushing up against it. To avoid costly vet bills it should be avoided at all costs.

A very quick and cost effect alternative method of containment is electrified tape. Electrified equine tape comes in various thicknesses. Although more expensive, the thicker 40 mm tape is recommended for semi-permanent use due to its visibility. The thinner 12 mm tape is much cheaper, and is suitable for temporary enclosures. An energizer that can be battery, mains or solar powered, is required to electrify the tape, which is thread through a series of intermediate insulators attached to wooden or steel posts. Special fittings can be purchased to construct electrified gates. Electrified fences can be semi-permanent as when attached to fixed posts, or temporary using movable plastic tread-ins that hold the tape firmly with built-in clips. They are suitable for strip grazing, and can be very handy when travelling with horses, or attending shows where you will be camping overnight.

Regardless of the fencing option that you choose, it needs to be high enough to contain your biggest horse or highest jumper, and low enough to contain your smallest pony. The gap between the cross bars in a post and rail fence needs to be small enough to prevent a horse from getting its head through, to prevent injury to the animal and possible damage to the fence.

Author Bio: Based in Erin Ontario Canada, we specialize in servicing horse fence painting and equine fences. Whatever your needs, you can count on us to deliver solutions to any horse hencing needs.

With so many Chinese communities nestled in other countries, visiting one of these wonderful and friendly Chinatowns is almost like visiting China itself. If you would like to experience China, but a little closer to home, below is a list of the top ten Chinatowns:

Toronto: Running along Dundas Street West and Spadina Avenue, downtown Toronto’s Chinatown is a wonderful and vibrant place to visit. Historically, this area was the central point for Chinese men who helped construct the Canadian Pacific Railway. Today, Chinatown in Toronto is filled with mouthwatering diverse restaurants that serve such exotic cuisines as Hunan, Cantonese, and Mandarin. As well, it is a great place to shop.

Vancouver: In Vancouver, Chinatown is located on Pender, Keefer, and Main streets. It is Canada’s largest Chinatown and you will find an array of grocery shops, chic restaurants, wonderful bakeries, a night market, and fancy boutique hotels. Make sure you check out Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden at Carrall Street.

New York: Located on the Lower East Side, Manhattan’s Chinatown is a thriving and bustling community. Historically, arrivals from China established shops as early as the mid-19th century making it one of the oldest ethnic Chinatowns.

San Francisco: San Francisco’s Chinatown is said to be the largest outside of Asia and the oldest in North America. It lies between Grant Avenue and Stockton Street. Historically, Chinese immigrants crossed the Pacific to the USA during the mid-19th century and came into San Francisco. San Francisco’s Chinatown is a very popular tourist destination.

Honolulu: One of the oldest in the United States, historic Honolulu’s Chinatown is found on the island of Oahu. You will find fantastic restaurants, markets, and food vendors selling fresh, local produce.

London: London’s Chinatown is an exciting community that is adorned with red lanterns and you can take in such sights as parades with lion and dragon dances, martial arts, acrobatics, and nearby opera and dance displays.

Paris: Situated at Paris’s centre 13th arrondissement, the Chinese Quarter, or Quartier Chinois, is recognized as Europe’s largest Chinatown. You will enjoy many cultural attractions, great food, friendly people, and fantastic markets.

Bangkok: The Thai capital’s Chinatown encompasses Yaowarat Road and its surrounding area in the Samphanthawong district. Chinatown offers a wide variety of delicious foods, trinkets, toys, antiques, clothes, and domestic products. Sunday market days are always exciting and busy.

Mauritius: The Mauritian Chinatown is located on Rue Royale in capital Port Louis. It is dotted with restaurants and is well known for the Chinese Spring Festival when Chinese dancers and musicians perform traditional Lion dances through the streets.
Melbourne, Australia: Melbourne’s Chinatown runs along Little Bourke Street between Swanston Street and Spring Street. It is the oldest Chinatown in Australia and contains such attractions as restaurants, shops, and the Chinese Museum.

The culture of China has spread throughout the world with the establishment of vibrant and thriving Chinatowns. If you enjoy experiencing diverse and rich cultures, visiting one of the famous Chinatowns will make for a memorable travel experience. As well, it can be a lot cheaper than actually traveling to China.

Author Bio: Find flights to London and compare ticket prices online at Cheapflights, providing the best selection and availability of cheap tickets and travel deals.

A pleasure craft operator card or boating license is required in many areas in order to legally operate a watercraft in lakes. Boating is an activity that is growing in popularity each year but as the number of boats increase the number of boat accidents also increase. Many government agencies have instituted licensing requirements that are intended to decrease boat accident numbers.

Boat operators are required by law to pass a test after sitting through a class on boating laws and safety. The course is offered on line for people who would rather not sit through a course in a classroom. The course has to be accredited by the local transportation authority in order for people to be able to sit for the test.

Once the test taker passes the exam he will be issued a boating license by the local watercraft licensing board. The license holder will then be allowed to legally operate a watercraft in that particular area where the licensing board has authority. The license must be available for presentation to any law enforcement authority upon request when the license holder is operating a watercraft.

The licensing course includes information on watercraft safety. Students will learn rules regarding right of way and vessel separation. Students will learn about boating speeds, local rules regarding accident regulations, and how to navigate safely in local lakes. Small vessel regulations vary from area to area and students need to know which regulations apply in the area they plan to operate their boat.

Some regulations require boaters to stop and give assistance to other boaters who need help if it is safe for the boater to do so without harming his own craft. If the boater is involved in an accident he is required by law to stop and help other involved watercraft operators and if he does not he is guilty of a criminal offense. These regulations are in place in order to make the water a safer boating area for all boaters.

There are many ways to enjoy the lakes on a boat. Some people enjoy fishing. Some people love to water ski. Others simply enjoy taking a relaxing ride on the water. No matter how people enjoy their boat on the lake it is important that everyone abide by the same boating safety rules so that everyone can have a fun and safe day out on the lake.

The licensing requirements are in place to ensure boating safety. People who have licenses are aware of safety rules and are less likely to be involved in an accident on the water. Law enforcement enforces boating regulations in order to reduce the number of accidents on the lake.

The pleasure operator card is also called a boating license and people who operate a watercraft are required to have an operator’s license. People can take a boat safety class which prepares them to pass a government administered test. Once he or she passes the test he or she will be issued her boating license and will be able to operate a boat on the lake.

Author Bio: Getting a boating license and learning boating safety is now quick and easy, simply register for a boating course, then the online boating Exam and away you go.

Are you interested in exploring the natural beauty and modern wonders of China? It is definitely an interesting and enriching country to go to for a worthwhile vacation. Just like in all other countries, you need to hold your own China tourist visa before you are allowed or given access to enter the gorgeous Asian treasure. An L visa is appropriately issued to any foreigner who comes to travel or visit friends and relatives based in China.

US citizens need valid US passports to apply for Chinese travel visas. The same applies to other nationalities: they need passports issued by their respective governments. For travelers who were born in China, Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan, the original and old Chinese passport or one copy of an old Chinese visa should be submitted along with the current passport from any country. There is also a need to disclose the Chinese name, written in Chinese characters on designated pages of the China visa application form.

For children born of Chinese parents in any country, there is a need to turn over a copy of birth certificate. For first time applications, their birth certificate should come along with a copy of either parent’s passport. Here are other guidelines on how to apply for a necessary China tourist visa.

Visa application process

Prepare to submit a valid passport, which should be valid for at least another six months with at least one blank page in it. You must download or obtain a China travel visa application form from online sources or from the Chinese embassy office or consulate. Fill it up and put passport photo attachments.

Once all required documents are ready, drop by the nearest China embassy or office of consulate general. You should personally come to the office to submit and apply for a China visa. If you could not come personally, you may entrust the application to a reliable agent, who would be willing to get through the entire application on your behalf. Normal Chinese visa processing is about four working days. However, your agent could do it in just a day through an express service, which logically calls for additional fees.

Reminders and warnings

China travel visas or L visas are valid for about 90 days to 180 days after the issuance date. That means you need to go to China and use your visa within that period, not later. After the specified validity date, the visa would expire and would be null and void. If you would travel to the country after the expiration of the L visa, there is a need to apply for a new one and get into the same application process.

Necessary fees should be paid in cash, cashier’s check, or money order. Personal checks may not be acceptable, especially if you are doing the transaction with the office of the Chinese embassy or consulate general. Agents who process Chinese visas may accept credit card payments.

Lastly, there may be a need to submit physical examinations, especially if required. It may be difficult or impossible to obtain a China tourist visa if the applicant is found to have a mental disorder, venereal disease, AIDS, leprosy, or other contagious viral and infectious diseases. It is always advisable to check out existing travel advisories to know new restrictions.

Author Bio: Seomul Evans is a senior SEO Services expert specializing in organic search engine optimization and copywriter for Oasis a processor of China Tourist Visa .

With the icy cold and nasty blowing snow, winter can be a dreary season. It is no surprise that many people will choose to escape the winter and fly to a hot and sun filled destination. With the global economy taking a turn for the worse in recent years, many travel destinations are now offering great deals to boost their tourism industry. Today, there are many cheap flights to these sun-soaked destinations so vacationers will get more ‘bang’ for their buck. If you are looking for a winter escape to a hot destination where you can have fun in the sun, below is a list of the most popular cheap winter destinations:

Mexico: In Mexico, you can go diving, bask on the beach, whale watch, play golf, enjoy delicious Mexican cuisine, and experience the wonderful culture. US airlines have even added more flights. Stay at fantastic resorts in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Playa del Carmen.

Dominican Republic: As the most popular tourist destination in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic includes such beautiful destinations as Casa de Campo, Punta Cana, and Puerto Plata. You will enjoy beautiful beaches, bird watching, hiking, diving, and many other fun activities.

Florida: As well as its beautiful beaches and warm waters, you can visit such popular cities as Orlando, Miami, and Tampa Bay. Theme parks include: Universal Studios Orlando, Walt Disney World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Legoland Florida. It is easy to find discounts on flights and accommodations.

Cuba: The beaches, heritage, rich culture, and excellent diving, make Cuba popular with Canadians. There are a variety of flight selections such as: WestJet, Air Canada, Canjet, Sunwing Air Lines, and Air Transat. There are also terrific cruises that are a lot of fun.

Jamaica: The Island’s gorgeous beaches and magnificent climate makes it a great tourist destination. You can also get great discounts on flights to such places as Montego Bay, the tourist capital of Jamaica. Since Falmouth Port opened, Jamaica will soon be more accessible to passengers of cruise ships. Traveling to Jamaica for a cheap vacation will provide a wealth of memories.

Sometimes the winter can seem like it will never end which makes it the perfect time to take a vacation. Fortunately, there are very affordable vacations, even for travelers on a tight budget. Today it is much more affordable to travel to a sunny destination as there are many discount travel sites offering great deals on top hotels and resorts. Many places offer reduced prices and special incentives to maintain business during the off and shoulder seasons As a result, if you like it hot and sunny, check out the many travel deals online to escape the cold, snowy, and wet winter.

With so many vacation destinations options out there, you no longer have to sit around at home waiting for the cold dreary winter to end. Pick a hot spot, get up, and get packed because a cheap winter vacation may be just what you need to boost your spirits.

Author Bio: Find cheap flights and compare ticket prices online at Cheapflights, providing the best selection and availability of cheap travel deals and last minute travel deals.

In about one and a half years the 2012 Summer Olympics will be here. The games will open on the twenty-seventh of July, 2012 and run through the twelth of August. The games will be held in London, England and most of the plans have already been made.

The games will open with what is usually a breath taking openning ceromony. Besides the pagentry the walking in of most if not all of the athelethes is always special. This is where you see great atheletes acting more like star struck children. As they make their way into the stadium they are taking as many pictures as the crowd. As the games come to their end you have the opportunity to see the wonderful closing ceremony. Again the athelethes will be busy snapping photos to bring home, hugging new friends from different countries and simply enjoying themseleves and all that they have accomplished.

The Summer Olympics are truly based on speed. You have the opportunity to watch some of the greatest track and field stars the world has to offer. It is fairly easy to expect to see multiple world records set on the track and usually a few in the feild events. Of course you can not forget about all the swimmers, gymnastics, and even the water polo players. The list of events is all but mind boogleing. Take your time to find when the events that you wish to see will be on your television set so you can make plans to watch.

If watching men and women run fast is not to your liking then you can tune into the swiming events. Again speed is the key with world class swimmers giving it their all to post the best time possible.

So, running and swimming fast does get your bells ringing no problem maybe volleyball is more to your liking. Here you get to see teams from most all countries battling it out in hopes of winning the gold medal. And if you really want to see great volleyball make sure to watch the two person Beach Volleyball action.

Maybe more action is what you have in mind. Have no fear action is coming your way. Find the boxing times so you can watch some of the best boxers in the world tangle it up with one anonther. Again only the best move on as all give it their best to reach the medal platform.

Now if suspense and fluid motion is more your cup of tea then by all means tune in for the gymnastics events. Here you get to see men and women competing for team and individual medals in not only the event apparattus but also the most coveted all around title.

No matter what events you perfer to see, the 2012 Summer Olympics will keep you spell bound. The games are only held once every four years so make sure to watch as much as you can. From the blazing speed of the one hundred meters foot race to the beauty of the medal presentation, sit back and enjoy.

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Most countries have introduced boating license systems to ensure people driving or skippering recreational vessels have a basic level of boating competency. These licensing requirements are designed to promote safety for both boaters and other water users. Licensing systems may be set and administered either by national or regional governments.

For example, in the USA and Australia licensing laws are written and managed by individual state governments. By comparison, in Canada the licensing regime is written and managed at the national level. The relevant administering authority is the national bureaucracy known as Transport Canada. The law is enforced by a mix of various federal and regional peace officers such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Ontario Provincial Police as well as various other regional police forces.

Most jurisdictions set threshold size limits for recreational vessels above which boat driver licensing is required. For example, in Queensland (QLD), Australia, a boat driver licensing is required to operate a recreational boat that is powered by a motor greater than 4.5 kilowatts (or 6 horsepower). Additionally, personal watercraft (PWC or jet ski) licensing is required to operate a personal watercraft. Licensing is not required to operate any other recreational vessels.

By contrast, in New South Wales (NSW), Australia adopts a speed criterion rather than a size criterion. In NSW, boat driver licensing (so-called general licensing) is required to operate any vessel at ten knots or more, except for jet skis. Special licensing is required to drive a jet ski at any speed. To obtain general licensing, persons must be aged 16 years or more; alternative licensing arrangements exist for persons aged from 12 to 16 years. To obtain initial PWC licensing, the general licensing must be obtained first.

Many countries or jurisdictions issue various categories of recreational boat driver licenses depending on the type of vessel or some other criteria. For example, in QLD the categories are a recreational marine driver, a recreational ship master and a recreational speed boat driver license.

It is important to draw a distinction between boat driver licensing regimes and certification regimes. Licenses can be revoked or suspended and they generally (although not always) have a definite expiry date. By contrast, boat driver certifications cannot be revoked or suspended and do not have an expiry date. Recreational boat driver regulatory schemes operating in most nations are licensing schemes.

However, the system operating in Canada is a certification system. Recreational boaters in Canada are issued with a pleasure craft operator card (PCOC). This card cannot be revoked or suspended and it does not have an expiry date. The PCOC is known as a competency card.

Fortunately, within a federal system such as the USA and Australia, boating licenses issued by one state are recognized by other states. As a result, a boater that has been issued with a license in, say, California is generally able to operate the stipulated class of vessel in other US states. This general principle also applies in Australia where a license issued in one state is also recognized in another state.

Author Bio: Fishing is a wonderful past-time and makes for a relaxing holiday. Canada laws now require all pleasure craft operators to take a boating course online. The process is short and after you are issued with a pleasure craft operator card.

Every year tragedies occur on the open seas, rivers and lakes. People are injured or worse because they did not remember to keep boat safety in mind. The irony is that these problems could have been avoided by taking a few simple measures before embarking out on their boat. With this in mind, let’s explore some proactive measures that boaters, whether they are on a canoe or a yacht, can take to avoid misfortune while out on the water.

One of the biggest mistakes boaters make is misjudging weather conditions. Often they look out and see calm water and become complacent with respect to safety. Unfortunately on occasion, and without any forewarning, the weather can take a brutal turn for the worse, as you might imagine this can lead to catastrophic consequences.

It is important to remember that the United States Coast Guard prescribes that certain equipment be inventoried on every boat. The number of devices mandated is determined by the size of the boat and how it is powered. States may also have requirements that go above and beyond those of the USCG.

As mentioned earlier, weather can be a dangerous impediment to a safe trip out on the water. It is vital to get as strong a sense of conditions as you can. Storms can become manifest without a moment’s notice. This is true regardless of your geographic starting point. Oceans and lakes are littered with stories of sudden storms overturning vessels and causing tragic harm.

A good starting point, not to mention mandatory, for safety is to make sure that there are always on hand enough personal flotation devices (PFD) for everybody on board the vessel. These are more commonly known as life jackets or life preservers. They serve to assist the user, whether conscious or unconscious to stay afloat in the water maintaining their heads above the water.

You will also need to keep on hand a wide variety of safety devices. Be sure to have flotation devices that can be tossed into the water. Sound making equipment, such as horns or whistles, can be used to communicate distress. Visual distress signals are also vital. Having flares on board can attract the attention of rescuers that sound signals might not have otherwise reached. Do not forget to equip your boat with fire extinguishers.

More than a few boating accidents have nothing to do with the weather. In fact, they are completely avoidable. I am referring to those boaters who take to the seaways under the influence, or those who steadily become inebriated during the course of their trip. Boating while drunk or under the influence of drugs is a sure recipe for disaster. Not only are you putting yourself and others in harm’s way, but you could also be arrested.

Any discussion of boat safety is not meant to throw a damper on the enjoyment of boating. Rather, it is meant to ensure that should a problem occur on the water, you will be able to effectively deal with the issue at hand. After all, the point of having a boat is to get out on those waters as often as you can.

Author Bio: Taking the boat on Lake Ontario this weekend? Don’t get caught without an Ontario boating license. Take time today to complete a boat exam. You can take the test online and have a pcoc license today.