Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

TOP TEN Best NFL Players

Honorable Mentions: Randy Moss, Marvin Harrison, and Terrell Owens- Hard to select one and not the others, all are great players, but all also have questions Owens and Moss have character issues, Moss takes plays off, Owens will drop the easy passes, and Harrison tends to find the sideline instead of taking a hit.Jevon Kearse- If he could stay healthy it would be too hard to ignore a man that s. . .

Par and Beyond: Secrets to Better Golf

You've bogeyed your last hole, you are about to hit your next drive. As you take your practice swings, your mind is still on the last putt that you blew. You take your swing and it's a slice. In your mind you say to yourself "Oh no, I'm going to bogey again!" and you do.Sound familiar? You know the techniques and mechanics, but you just can't get either your mind or body aligned with each othe. . .

Martial Arts: Mind, Body and Spirit Presented Online

http://www.taichiacademy.com.au/default.htmI am very interested in Martial Arts, as I’ve been training in Tai Chi on and off for ten years as well as an Internal Martial Art called Wu Dao Gong for a year and a half. I have searched many websites to find a good one to write about but none seem to compare to the site by the actual organization that I am fortunately part of. They are called the Ta. . .

A look at the intriguing History of Snowboarding

It has taken almost forty years for snowboarding to be recognized as a major sport that is followed and participated in by hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. Humanity’s love affair with snow has been documented throughout the ages, starting with cave dwellers who were smart enough to figure out that snow had its advantages, such as serving as insulation to hold in the warmth in their h. . .

Tips on Buying a Boat: Seven Tips on What should you look...

I discovered sailing many years ago and found it to be a wonderful way to enjoy time with friends and family as well as a way to get away from the office and become totally entranced and absorbed with a world that I did not know existed. I love to sail, so much that I became a certified American Sailing Association Sailing Instructor.It has been 30 years now that I've sailed the Chesapeake Bay,. . .

Post-Hiking Pain

Calves are burning, knees hurt and legs feel like Jello. After a major hike, the body is asking, “why the torture?” How to deal with post-hiking pain and recovery is something every hiker faces as they advance to more strenuous levels.For day-hikers, backpackers and trail runners, after-care for pain is a very real part of the sport. Injuries and lactic acid build-up can keep a hiker sidelin. . .

Reliving The Music Of The Seventies

We all associate songs and music with events in our life. Many songs hold special memories for us. We fondly remember the songs that were playing when we went to our first dance, the songs the school band attempted to play during half time at the high school football games, the songs that we heard on our first date, or the songs we heard on the radio while driving our first car.The music of t. . .

5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your BackCountry Gear

Time out of doors is a precious commodity to the outdoor enthusiast - but are we getting the most out of this time. One way to ensure maximum backcountry enjoyment is to get the most possible value from the gear you acquire and use. Here are 5 ways to get the most out of your backcountry gear – and your backcountry experience.- Purchase the best gear you can possibly afford. If you are going. . .

Backcountry Skiing: Getting there can be Half the Fun

Western Canada is a land of mountains, lakes and rivers. There are also deserts (yes, Walter, small deserts), huge forested plateaus and lush farmland, but mountains are a predominant feature. From the Coast Range in the west to the Rockies in the east, from the Cascades in the south, to the Cassiar Range in the north, there is one range after another; the Cariboos, the Monashees, and the Selki. . .

Whitewater Rafting Forges Bonds Stronger than the Rapids

Colorado River Rafting is a Trip Visualize the boat's brow cutting through the swirling, surging water; the sun sparkling on the frothy waves, making tiny rainbows; the abrupt lurch of the craft, as the surging waves suddenly shift direction. The adrenalin is pumping, all senses alert, with nature working overtime to orchestrate a thrill you'll never forget. That's what most people think a raft. . .

Spider's Big Catch

From the book Spider’s Big CatchGary E. Andersonwww.abciowa.comWhen I was in college, Spider McGee, Charlie Fox, and I loved to fish off the log boom in the river near my house on summer afternoons. We'd sit and talk about life, drink hot chocolate, and occasionally catch a fish or two. But one day, Spider yelled, "Hey, I got something, and it feels big!"Catching any fish—of any size—was always. . .

Radio Control Cars - Which Type Is Right for You or Your ...

There are several factors to consider before choosing which type of radio control cars to buy. Don't just jump in head first. Making the correct choices, up front, can save you a lot of time and money down the road. Take a few minutes to read this helpful article so you can start out in the right direction. First, it is important to determine who will be the primary user of the cars. This will . . .

Controlling The Golf Club

THE TRIAD - CHUCK EVANS, G.S.E.D.As players we NEED to understand that we MUST control the three parts of the golf club in order to strike quality golf shots. These three parts are: The clubface The clubhead The clubshaftThese three parts MUST be controlled through three Stations - from Address, to the Top, and to the Finish. You'll notice that Impact is NOT included in these locations. Impact . . .

Finally, You’ve Caught The Perfect Fish. Now, Do You Know...

You can’t be happier. You have finally caught the perfect fish. Do you know how to fillet your fish? Once you become an expert at fish filleting, you probably will be asked to fillet everyone else’s catch.Firstly, get a good knife and a cutting board or hard surface and lay the fish down on it. You must cut the head of the fish off right to the rear of its gills. Secondly, holding the fish by i. . .

Are You Embarassed by Your Civil War Uniform Impression?

"Authentic," "authentic," "authentic" is all you hear if you are new or a hard core reenactor. You look all over to find period Civil War Uniform articles. But when you finally get them, do you feel like you know what to do with them? Following are some researched tips on how to wear your Civil War Uniform once you have gathered it all together: *Civil War soldiers wore their haversack and cant. . .

Sport View for October

For those of you keeping score at home, my preseason picks for the World Series were in fact Anaheim over Houston. Up until a week ago it wasn’t looking the least bit likely, now it’s at least possible (I will admit maybe not probable). But I do still like Anaheim to come out of the American League, I like their lineup 1 through 9, they have the best bench in the post season (the only good thin. . .

Sell More By Showing Consequences

It's a well established fact that customers buy solutions to their problems or what they perceive will add value to their lives. The marketer must therefore go beyond the usual feature listing for their product or service to show what will be the final consequences to the customer. For example, knowing that buyers would rather not suffer loss than gain more you must show what will happen if the. . .

The Origins Of Basketball

Do you know the origin of basketball?The origins of the game of basketball can be traced back to a gentleman by the name of Dr. James Naismith. In 1861, Naismith was born in Almonte, Ontario, Canada. During his early school days, Naismith would play a game called duck on a rock whereby the child would endeavor to knock the duck off the top of the rock with a toss of another rock.Later on, Naism. . .

Get Up~Get Out~ Get Going

Get Up~Get Out~ Get Going … when it is best for you. We all want to “do it right,” and maximize our efforts to get the most out of whatever we do. For our diet, we’re concerned about the best time to eat. Maybe it’s 6:00, maybe it’s 8:00. But what about Fitness? Is there a best time to workout? Does the metabolism respond better in the morning? Maybe fat burns best if you workout in the middle . . .

Beginners Strategy Guide to Online Micro Limit Hold 'Em

It's hard to miss the fact that the last two winners of the World Series of Poker were not professional poker players and the fact that Chris Moneymaker (2003) and Greg Raymer (2004) are online players. It's no wonder that online poker is exploding. With so many new players out there giving online poker a shot it's feeding frenzy for the skilled player, or even the player with a modest amount o. . .

Have You Read Your Digital Camera Manual?

Have you read the manual that came with your digital camera? If not you are in good company, the majority of digital camera owners never get past the *Basic Operations* section. If you didn*t read the manual why not? Was it the obscure photographic terms? The numerous cross references ? The complicated diagrams? The myriad uses for each dial and button? The convoluted English? Maybe all of the . . .

TOP TEN Pound 4 Pound Best Boxer Ever

Before we start our list, I wanted to take some time to comment on 2 fighters that may have strong support in certain communities for being among the best ever, but truly do not have a place on the list. NOT RANKED Rocky Marciano - Won 49 Lost 0, 43 KOAsk any Italian who the greatest boxer ever was, and you will never hear the names Ali, Louis or Sugar. Nope. You will only hear the name Rocky M. . .

Snowcat Skiing: What Is It?

Backcountry skiers near Golden, British Columbia travel high into the Rocky Mountains in the warm comfort of snowcats. Traveling in groups of 12, lead by two qualified guides, skiers and snowboarders are carried to elevations of almost 10,000 ft., to ski and ride on a glacier or down great alpine bowls. The views across North America’s continental divide are spectacular. Soft powder snow and fr. . .

Keys to Responsible Recreation in the BackCountry

Having a good time is pretty high on everyone’s to do list, especially when surrounded by awesome views and super-awesome friends. We hike, bike, climb, camp, raft, fish, hunt, four-wheel, sleep and eat – among other things – in the backcountry. If not done properly, that’s a lot of wear and tear on our natural resources. Responsible recreation ensures future outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity. . .

Best Tips for Enjoying the BackCountry in the Rain

If you spend any amount of time in the backcountry at all, it will rain on you. Remember this - rain is a good thing; without it there wouldn’t be much backcountry to enjoy. How you prepare for rain and how you handle yourself and gear in the rain, makes the difference between a great experience and a horrible one. Here are some great ideas for ensuring your backcountry enjoyment when mother. . .

The Nitty Gritty to Soccer Safety

As soccer is one of the most well loved sports on Earth, many children and adults are lured into participating in playing on a daily basis. Due to this wide spread popularity, soccer injuries are very common. With over 80,000 adults and children going to emergency rooms every year as a result of soccer, knowing the safety rules is vital. When playing and watching, there are certain things that . . .

What you should know about Volleyball Safety to make the...

The fun and excitement of volleyball lures many children and adults into playing the sport. However, in order to have as much fun as possible, volleyball safety is something that you must always keep in mind. There is no fun in a sport if you are injured and cannot play due to something as simple as knowing when or when not to bend your wrist. Your first consideration when preparing to play vol. . .

What started it all - the History of Volleyball

Surprisingly, one of the most well loved sports in the world is also relatively young. Despite the game's youth, it has gone through a wide variety of changes and evolution as a part of its rich history. Believe it or not, but at one time there wasn't Asics or Nike women's volleyball shoes or even volleyball uniforms for sale anywhere, let alone online! To fully understand and appreciate how mu. . .

Boating Safety - It's For Everyone

Boating, when a few simple rules are followed, is one of the safest family activities there is. U.S. statistics show boating is twice as safe as biking, five times as safe as driving a car, and 24 times as safe as scuba diving. By practicing safe boating, you will provide a wonderful pastime for yourselves and give your children a love of the water that will last them a lifetime.So What Goes W. . .

I’m Riding a What?... An Intellectual Property Attorney’s...

Intellectual property is everywhere, and encompasses, among other things, the areas of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. As an industry, surfing represents a significant market that is heavily influenced and involved with intellectual property. In fact, the Surf Industry Manufacturer Association’s (SIMA) managing director Sean Smith surprised me with the fact that the U.S. Sur. . .

The World's Most Beloved Sport - The History of Soccer

While it is undisputed that the origins of modern soccer, or football, originated in Britain, there is a great deal of evidence that points to this beloved game as having an older history. Where did the game of soccer really begin, and how old is it? To understand how many different varieties of "soccer" there are, you need to understand a bit about the older versions of the game and how they h. . .

Making the most of your time - Fishing Safety rules every...

When you are going fishing, whether nearby your home or on a long distance trip, there are many fishing safety rules that you need to keep in mind. These rules can help prevent injury to yourself and others while shore and boat fishing. There are several different areas of fishing safety that you should be aware of. These include the following: Equipment Safety Pier Fishing Safety Offshore Fish. . .

Golf in the Wild

Costa Rica is a fantasy land for nature lovers -- and golfers, tooHawaii...Cabo San Lucas...Pebble Beach...Myrtle Beach... Imagine a golf vacation at these popular golf destinations before they were discovered by the golf traveler. This will give you an idea of the golf vacation that awaits you in Costa Rica. You will re-discover "no-hassle" tee times and the enjoyment of playing unhurried roun. . .

So you want to climb a Colorado “Fourteener”

Have you caught the bug yet? The desire to climb a mountain with a summit rising at least 14,000 feet above sea level has reached near-epidemic proportions in Colorado, with estimates of roughly 500,000 hikers and climbers making their way up a Fourteener each year.The good news is that a number of Colorado’s 54 Fourteeners can be climbed by anyone with good stamina and overall fitness. That’s. . .

Remarkable Trees at Great Sand Dunes

“I think that I shall never seeA poem lovely as a tree.”-- Joyce KilmerFor gigantic trees, head to Sequoia or Redwood National Parks. For colorful autumn trees, head to Blue Ridge Parkway or Arcadia National Park. But, for some unusual and remarkable trees, visit southern Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.Our first stop: the Ghost Forest. Portions of the tallest sand dun. . .

Be the hunter, not the hunted - Hunting Safety Tips every...

Out of all of the sports participated in around the world, hunting is considered to be one of the most dangerous. Due to this, many safety precautions must be made to ensure your safety, as well as the safety of those around you. This cannot be emphasized enough, as your life and the lives of your companions must be protected when you are going hunting, whether it is coon hunting, deer hunting,. . .

The Evolution of Man - The History of Hunting

Perhaps one of the eldest activities on the face of the planet is hunting. The history of hunting, as a result, is also one of the most diverse. Hunting for food has always been something that human kind has had to do, dating back to the beginning of any civilizations known to man. As a result of this, there have been thousands of weapons and devices used to hunt. The history of hunting is far . . .

You Can't Fool A Horse

In the dating world many men and women put their potential partners to a "dog test," whereby they introduce their date to their dog and see how the dog reacts to the stranger. If the dog reacts badly towards their date then a red flag is waved, whereas if the dog accepts the stranger instantly the opposite holds true. While many people look upon this test in a tongue-in-cheek manner, many dog o. . .

What You Need To Know Before You Sell Your Boat

As the owner/operator of a full service boat detailing- yacht maintenance business I can't help but chuckle sometimes at seeing the extremes that otherwise bright, intelligent, successful, people will go to in a misguided attempt to save a few dollars. One of the biggest mistakes that we see is that people will decide to sell their boat without first having her completely detailed. According. . .

What is Snowkiting?

As if snowboarding and kitesurfing actually meshed into one single sport it would be Snowkiting. Imagine taking a lift high atop a beautiful mountain, you set your kite in motion and get your feet firmly planted you start your run down a long white hill. As you snowboard down the mountain your kite helps you gain speed and with a good gust of wind you too can be 10 – 15 feet in the air. With th. . .

Skatesailing – The Ice Age

As with any extreme sport, some people enjoy the warmth of surfing and others prefer the cold weather and would rather skate instead of surf. With this, another popular extreme sport has been created Skatesailing. Skatesailors like to take to the ice and zip around the lake on their two skates. The cost of this sport is relatively low and very seasonal.Most people who enjoy skatesailing do so w. . .

The rising popularity of windsurfing

As with any extreme sport or sport in general, there is only so much one can do on a surfboard. Enter windsurfing, a popular way to gain speed and air by using a sail attached to the surfboard itself. A windsurf setup consists of a bi-directional surfboard with a sail attached in the middle. Windsurfing is not for just the ocean, this sport can be done on a lake should their be a proper wind to. . .

Mission Impossible - Construction of a Backcountry Ski Lodge

How can a 9200sq.ft. ski lodge be built in just six months when it took over three months to finish your downstairs bathroom? Now, place the project at the 5250 ft elevation in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, 90 km from the nearest paved road, and it’s easy to think, “Mission Impossible” In July 2002, the four owners of Chatter Creek Mountain Lodges faced a plot of cleared land and a pile of almo. . .

The Need For Speed In Soccer

You only have to watch a senior professional game of football to recognise the importance that speed has in the game. But there is more to speed than meets the eye. Soccer players are athletes, but unlike a 100m runner where there is explosive speed for 10 seconds in a straight line, there are many other abilities that soccer players need to develop. Here are 5 key soccer related speed abilitie. . .

The art of surfing

Since its hey day in the 1960’s, surfing through the ocean has become a popular past time. Riders love to pound the surf with their waxed boards and ride large waves into the shore. As like any sport, there is risk associated with surfing. Surfing implies that a rider can successfully use their arms and legs to maintain balance upon a surfboard as the wave begins to swell and crest.Most beginne. . .

Kiteboating

Just when you think that kiting can be for only a board, think again. With the inception of bigger and more powerful kites, the ability to speed up or move larger objects became a reality. Enter a new extreme sport Kiteboating. Imagine paddling along in a one – three man craft with kite harnessing the wind and speeding you along and over huge waves. It can happen with kiteboating.There are many. . .

Essential Information On Choosing The Best Golf Clubs To ...

Most golfers, whether a beginner or a pro, struggle when trying to decide which golf club to buy. The buying process becomes easier when the consumer has a good understanding of the types of golf clubs available and their specific use. Your playing (and thus your staying) power is greatly enhanced by choosing the proper golf clubs.For the novice golfer, the basic set of golf clubs consists of. . .

Boat Wax-Shine On

It has been our experience that nothing so much insures the beauty and longevity of a fiberglass boat than the continual maintenance of a good coat of high quality wax. In this article we will explore the preparation, methods, and best practices for the long term maintenance of your boats gel coat through the use of wax. The Problem Gel-coat, the exterior finish on fiberglass boats, is . . .

The Care and Feeding of Your Clear Vinyl Boat Windows

Strataglass®, Lexan®, Plexiglass®, Isenglass, Crystal Clear, Eisenglass, etc. Whatever you call it, it all comes from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which has certain definite characteristics. 1. Vinyl is a UV-sensitive material which degrades when exposed to sunlight. 2. A vinyl's topcoat holds in plasticizers, softening agents which keep vinyl supple. 3. Clear vinyl has NO topcoat. (The one except. . .

Why Range Finders are Perfect for the BackCountry

Outdoor enthusiasts love to guess about all sorts of things. We guess how many stars are in the Milky Way, we guess how fast a deer runs or we might even guess about how long it will be until that big, dark cloud dumps rain us. But there are times when guessing in the backcountry just doesn’t get the job done. Specialty gear is available to help us determine how far we’ve hiked - and in what. . .