;function slide(navigation_id, pad_out, pad_in, time, multiplier)
{
	// creates the target paths
	var list_elements = navigation_id + " li.sliding-element";
	var link_elements_level1 = list_elements +".Level1" + " a";
	var link_elements_level2 = list_elements +".Level2" + " a";
	
	// initiates the timer used for the sliding animation
	var timer = 0;
	
	// creates the slide animation for Level 1 list elements 
	$(list_elements).each(function(i)
	{
		// margin left = - ([width of element] + [total horizontal padding of element])
		$(this).css("margin-left","-180px");
		// updates timer
		timer = (timer*multiplier + time);
		$(this).animate({ marginLeft: "0" }, timer);
		$(this).animate({ marginLeft: "18px" }, timer);
		$(this).animate({ marginLeft: "0" }, timer);
	});
	

	// creates the hover-slide effect for Level 1 elements 		
	$(link_elements_level1).each(function(i)
	{
		$(this).hover(
		function()
		{
			$(this).animate({ paddingLeft: pad_out }, 150);
		},		
		function()
		{
			$(this).animate({ paddingLeft: pad_in }, 150);
		});
	});
	
	// creates the hover-slide effect for Level 2 elements 	
	$(link_elements_level2).each(function(i)
	{
		$(this).hover(
		function()
		{
			$(this).animate({ paddingLeft: 27 }, 150);
		},		
		function()
		{
			$(this).animate({ paddingLeft: 20 }, 150);
		});
	});
	
}