Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Jazz Yatra

Jazz is arguably the most argumentative form of music (even has diminished and argumented chords). So at the outset let me present my side of the argument. Jazz is musical improvisation, right? Indian classical music is improvisation, still right? Granted Indian music does not have the harmonies of the west. But the keyword here is improvisation and not harmony, absolutely right? Indian classic. . .

The Base Hit

Sometimes there is that rare moment that causes one to reflect on those matters that are deemed important and deflect those that are not. It is a very humbling experience but a nice feeling nevertheless. I had one of those moments.Spring time has many activities for kids. The most notable, or at least it was when I was young, is baseball. Moving into a new area and signing up Evan (10) and . . .

Does Age Matter?

In the Asian online dating world it is not uncommon for a older gentlemen to marry a younger lady. If you ask why this is the case, you’ll get a varied amount of comments. The negative reasons usually have to do with an Asian lady wanting an older gentlemen for financial reasons. I have had some tell me that this not a negative reason, but what stems from this argument are a variety of unpleasa. . .

A Guitar Lesson To Help You Test Your Note Knowledge

In this guitar lesson we look at a great way to test your note knowledge of the guitar fretboard. But before we look at that, why even bother learning the notes?Knowing the notes on your guitar fretboard is an essential skill. Here are a FEW of the benefits that you'll gain if you have fantastic guitar fretboard knowledge… You'll learn how to apply music theory to the guitar much more quickly. . . .

Take Your Children Hunting

Few things can bring you more joy than to pursue two of your passions at the same time. This is easy to do by taking your children hunting with you. The first time I took my son with me he was only about 4 years old. We walked a couple hundred yards behind the house and sat down on a log. It was only a few minutes later he said that he needed to go back to the house to go to the bathroom. . . .

Have You Heard About...Cosplay?

The word ?cosplay? is actually a blending of the words ?costume? and ?play?. Cosplayers are called this because not only do they dress up like their favorite characters, but they also act out skits and pose for pictures as the characters?just like actors in a play. Most cosplayers dress up for conventions, where they can participate in on-stage skits and costume contests. They mingle with othe. . .

Mounting and Framing Your Needlework

To start with, I want to state that I am not a professional framer, and many of the tips I am about to give are things I have learned from other people, and I have not necessarily had a chance to try them all myself. Frames are extremely easy to find, and they can be very cheap as well. In my opinion, the best places to find them are at yard sales. People are always trying to sell old pictur. . .

Teak-The Care of Boat Hardwoods

In this article we will look at the several alternate methods of restoring and preserving teak on your boat or yacht in order to place you in a more informed position to decide on which method best suits your situation. Whether it be a lovely piece of teak furniture sitting elegantly on the aft deck of a luxury yacht, or a 12" by 12" inch pad under a sheet winch on a daysailer, there's just. . .

Controlled Body Movement The Key Essential For Your Golf ...

Basic body movement is essential in any sport. Of course it is also essential for any type of physical activity we do. As parents, we teach little children how to do the simplest of things. This includes how to move and how to control movements for precision and safety. Basic body movement also means limiting movement to the essential movement for what you want to do. We control the desired mov. . .

Stress-Free Scrapbook Journaling Ideas

Do you find it intimidating when you come to journal your scrapbook pages? You are not alone! Many scrapbookers find it hard to get started when it comes to adding journaling to their scrapbooking layouts.If you are one of those people who go blank at the thought of having to journal, don’t worry. Here are some stress-free scrapbooking journaling ideas to help you write the right words whatever. . .

Scuba Certification: Questions You Need To Ask Before Get...

Learning how to scuba dive is your ticket to the ultimate underwater adventure. The scuba certification that you earn is internationally recognized, never expires, and allows you to rent or purchase your own diving equipment. You’ll soon discover, however, that there is no shortage of dive companies out there competing for your hard earned dollars. It can be a daunting task trying to find one t. . .

Detroit Tigers: Pudge Proving Doubters Wrong

Ivan Rodriguez endured an onslaught of criticism this offseason when he opted to play for the Detroit Tigers rather than returning to the Florida Marlins or seeking a smaller contract with another contender. Sports writers and reporters everywhere accused Rodriguez of selling out for the big money with no consideration of success on the field or the impact playing on a losing team would have on. . .

Why Play Texas Hold 'em?

Ah, yes—the Texas hold ‘em explosion. Seven years ago, when I first started playing, the Texas hold ‘em community was comprised almost entirely of the collection of retirees who haunted the local 1-4-8-8 games, a sprinkling of mild mannered pros who played for a living, and a healthy percentage of truly degenerate gamblers who would now and then stagger into the card room after a blistering run. . .

Carrom

Carrom is a board game played by 2 or 4 players against each other. The principles of carrom are very similar to pool, snooker or billiards (without the cues). The objective of carrom is to pot all your carrom pieces before your opponent, using skill, determination and a little bit of luck.Carrom itself in various forms originates from Asia and carrom is played all over the world. This game has. . .

Baseball Trade Review: Carlos Beltran Deal

The Carlos Beltran sweepstakes are over and the Houston Astros are the winners. After spending the offseason recruiting Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte, the Astros have found themselves mired back in the pack of a tough NL Central division race. Beltran brings a flashy glove to center field and some excitement and run production to the top of the lineup. Of course, players like him don’t come w. . .

Race Equipment Checklist for Mountain Bike Racers

I remember my first mountain bike race. Whenever I showed up, and was just about to change into my cycling outfit, I realized that I hadn't packed my clothes! Just kidding. But the reason I remembered them is that I had a checklist of everything I would need. I don't want you to forget anything, so I decided to put my list online.You should print this out and hang it by your bike stuff so y. . .

You to Can Ski Down Mount Everest

Getting to the summit is optional, getting down is mandatory. - David Breashears-Extreme Skier Maegan Carney:Extreme skier Maegan Carney had made a bid to be the first woman, and second person to ski down the world's tallest mountain. Because of the high winds of Mount Everest at that time, Maegan Carney abandoned her first summit attempt. To find more information about Maegan's quest, go to th. . .

The 10 Bike Shop Customer Etiquette Commandments

This article was inspired by all those things customers do that really irritate bike shop owners and employees. I decided to create this list of commandments for you to follow. 1. Thou shall buy from nowhere before your local bike shop. 2. WD-40 shall not be applied as chain lube. 3. Keep frequent thy visits to the local bike shop. 4. Thou shall not park your Mercedes in front of the store. . .

Why Treadmills?

Treadmills have experienced substantial growth over the years. They are designed to enhance the most popular form of exercising - running and walking. Treadmills are built on the basic premise that the more effort you put in, the more you will get out. As other fitness equipment and gimmicks gather dust, treadmills continue to gain popularity and get results. The two most popular forms of exerc. . .

Need A Scrapbook Journaling Idea?

Try using song lyrics in your next layout.Song lyrics can be a great source of title and page inspiration for a scraper.Music and songs play an important part in our lives. Hearing a song again can evoke a lot of emotion, bringing back fond memories of special times, special people and special places.Of course, different songs mean different things to different people - but you can use songs to. . .

Fly Fishing Secrets for the Novice as well as the seasone...

Fly fishing is an exciting and fast growing sport in all over the world, and especially here in the U.S.A. The reasons for the increasing popularity of fly fishing are obvious. Fly fishing is enjoyable, relaxing, and rewarding in many different ways. Perhaps the most rewarding element of fly fishing is the variety of beautiful natural surroundings in which anglers often find themselves; a sec. . .

Three Main Trout Senses

An angler should therefore become familiar with the three main senses a trout uses. These are: Smell: Trout have amazing powers of smell. For humans, trying to understand smell underwater is rather difficult since we can’t do it. However, trout have no difficulty smelling underwater, so it is worth an anglers time to make sure that they aren’t introducing foreign smells into a trout stream (whi. . .

Guitar Players...Get a Balanced Practice Diet

Do you have a wide variety of things that you practice. Or do you like to binge? (You know...the type of player who practices sweep picking for a kazillion hours a day but only know three chords)!Having a balanced practice routine is essential if you want to become a versatile guitarist. If you just practice one or two things, sure you'll get great at those things...but you'll be weak in other . . .

Confused about the difference between EDTV and HDTV?

Confused by EDTV vs HDTV? We don't blame you. The number of acronyms floating about with regard to digital TV is frightening. What's even more worrying is that very often they are used by people who have little or no knowledge about what they mean. If the person selling you doesn't know the difference between EDTV vs HDTV, how are customers supposed to decide which TV or projector top go for?In. . .

A Winning Lottery Number Selection Strategy

The problem with selecting lottery numbers is the fact that any regulated lottery result is by definition random, and so any 6 number selections are as likely as any other, no matter what numbers came out last week or the week before. So how can we talk about a 'Winning Lotto Strategy'? Simple - you need to pay attention to the numbers you DON'T choose!This strange piece of advice is actually e. . .

Trout Species – Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout

Rainbow Trout: Few freshwater fish can match the fighting spirit and beauty of a Rainbow Trout. The Rainbow Trout is a well-traveled species of fish. Originally, the Rainbow Trout was found in the coastal rivers in the United States on the west coast but today, Rainbow Trout are found throughout the United States, as well as in the cold-water streams of South America, Europe, New Zealand and ev. . .

How To Use Smart Horse Training To Stop Your Horse From B...

It can be enormously frightening to be on a bucking horse. If you're a novice rider, a bucking horse can almost force you to give up the "owning a horse" dream. But it doesn't have to be that way.I've read where people who can ride a bucking horse feel they're a good rider. That may be. But it doesn't mean they're good at training. And training is what we want to do.Preventing bucking begi. . .

Fall Pond Cleaning

Doing a full pond cleaning during the colder winter months can be very stressful on your fish. However, if the pond is really dirty and full of 'muck' - then you may want to consider it because all of the decaying organic matter in the pond can cause problems if the pond ices over, and this begins to de-gas and rot. So, I think the best solution, and what we used to do for our clients was do a . . .

5 Simple Steps To Dividing Your Hardy Water Lilies

If you missed the springtime window of opportunity to divide your hardy water lilies, don't worry, it's not too late. Although springtime is the best time, you've actually got the entire normal growing season to get it done. The reason for dividing your water lilies is that they eventually run out of room in their existing pots and need more room for the roots to spread out so the plant can flo. . .

Avoiding Unsightly Algae

Excessive organic matter in the pond provides nutrients for algae, contributing to its growth. Algae can obscure the view of colorful fish, and more dangerously, it robs the water of valuable oxygen and releases harmful pollutants. UV clarifiers also are effective tools that use ultraviolet light to destroy the reproductive ability of suspended algae. Dead, microscopic algae will clump together. . .

Camping Food That Works for You

Even though winter - with all its snow, wind, and cold - is definitely upon us, it’s never too early to start thinking about camping this spring or summer. And for those outdoor enthusiasts who won’t wait for the snow to melt before setting out this winter, there is no better time than now to review a few useful tips to remember when planning your camp menu.Consider the duration of your trip. P. . .

A Guitar Lesson to Help You Develop Your Vision

Have you ever done any of the following? Made excuses for not practicing because you "didn't have time"? Practiced the same licks and exercises that you did last year? Felt like you had hit a brick wall in your progress? Felt unsure as to what to practice? Unless your name is Steve Vai, chances are you've done at least one of the above! They are all symptoms of having a lack of vision. What . . .

Choosing Pond Plants

A pond without plants is like cake without icing. Pond plants fight algae, give fish a hiding place against predators, and beautify our own little slice of paradise to plunk down in at the end of a tiring day. Don’t smother your pond with plants, however. Start with half the surface area, and don’t let them cover more than two-thirds to three-quarters at their growing peak. Overcrowding stresse. . .

Performing Magic for Kids

You have just discovered the wonderful world of magic. Trip after trip to the magic shop has added to your ever growing arsenal of magic tricks. Thirty-three days later the credit card bills arrive to remind your wife that this IS an expensive hobby. No problem! You will make back all of the money you’ve spent and more by becoming a part-time professional magician. Looking around for places to . . .

Fishing for Blue Fish

Bluefish (Potatomus salatrix) is a tenacious saltwater fish that provides some of the best angling thrills on light tackle. They are mainly thought of as an Eastern United States fish, although they are found in most temperate waters throughout the world, except in the cooler waters of the northern Pacific. Bluefish are schooling fish built for speed and power. They are a blue green shade along. . .

Sports View for January

As the NFL playoffs approach, we look back at our pre-season Super Bowl prediction. I think I’ll stick with Minnesota vs New England. (I wouldn’t bet the farm on it, but it’s as good a bet as any other two teams.)Now that Terell Owens has gone down, and the Eagles are apparently going to be overprotective of the rest of their starters; everyone is jumping off the Eagles bandwagon. Do not und. . .

3-Pointer (Jan 11)

Now there's a big surprise!Ya'll better sit down for this one. It seems that Vince Carter has admitting to...are you ready...not playing hard all the time with the Raptors. Hello? You still there? Yes folks, it's true. The sky is blue, what goes up must come down, and Vince Carter not only had no heart, but now has no pride to go along with it. He does have joy, for as long as that lasts! Anoth. . .

AFC Road to the SuperBowl

AFC Conference match-upsIndianapolis Colts vs New England PatriatsPayton Manning has had a career year, in the much publicized breakinf of Dan Marino's single season TD record. While that stat is impressive, it is not a surprise. Everyone already know that the Big 3 of Manning, Harrings and James brought back memories of Aikman, Irving and Smith. But the Colts are not the Cowboy's. America's te. . .

NFC Road to the SuperBowl

NFC ConferenceSt-Louis Rams vs Atlanta FalconsCan Michael Vick add more muscle to his reputation and lead the Falcons to a playoff victory? Will the patchwork Offensive Line for the Rams succumb to a tough defensive line, led Patrick Kerney's 13 sacks? Since the Falcons rely heavily on the run game, can their defensive keep the score low enough to pull out the win? We think so. Look for Vick's . . .

Sailing Itineraries

SAILING ITINERARIES IN GREECE - A PROPOSALBellow you may find some itinerary suggestions for your sailing holidays in Greece. These routes are just a proposal your actual itinerary should always be planned having in mind current weather conditions for your crew's safety! Important notice : Charters in Greece usually start on Saturdays at 17:00 and usually end one or two weeks later on Saturday . . .

The Animal Rights Summit

Is it just me, or is society becoming increasingly polarized? It seems like for every action there is an equaller and oppositer reaction. For and against war. For or against the environment. For or against the family.Consider the role animals play in society. No, I am not referring to politicians, TV producers or Janet Jackson. I mean animals like rabbits and mice and bears.Some people wi. . .

Landscape Photography

There are many different types of photography. You can take pictures of anything and there is someone out there somewhere who would like to see the pictures that you take. So, photography is a great field to get into. What is landscape photography? Landscape photography is a great field of photography, especially if you love nature and if you love to travel. You can travel the world taking pict. . .

Soccer The War Game! —Looking Back To Its Origin

Believe it or not, but the modern day soccer owes its origin to the barbarous war mongering nature of human beings.There is no proper documentation that can state the date and place of origination of the most popular modern day sport—Soccer. However, depending on the socio-historical facts and data we can assume that some type of a ball game was played somewhere in this planet for at least over. . .

Why Do Magicians Wear Tuxes?

This wonderful question has rarely bothered magicians for decades. It should. Some possible answers might include: He is getting married today. He just got off work as a waiter. He is going to the prom.Wait! The man is about to do magic. Surely anyone doing great magic wears a tux. It logically follows that a person dressed in attire not worn generally by the public in nearly sixty years m. . .

A Ball, Some Friends, and a Soccer Goal

If Pele, Maridona, and Beckham don't sound at all familiar to you, or if you think Freddy Adou is a guy you may have gone to high school with, keep reading... please. This article covers all the equipment and skills you'll need to join the rest of the world in playing the wonderful game of soccer.Actually, the rest of the world plays football - they call the sport that Steve Young used to play . . .

How to Make Money on a Music Website through Affiliate Pr...

Do you find yourself looking for a way to make some extra money? How about creating a website on something that everyone includes in their life, Music? The opportunities are endless and what’s great about it is that you can make money on it while you’re eating, sleeping, or just sitting around watching TV. Don’t get me wrong, it is a lot of work in the beginning to get everything started. Onc. . .

Pedro, Beltran, and the Mets as seen by one true Yankee Fan:

It’s the middle of the NFL playoffs, and what has grabbed the interest of many sports fans has been the off-season maneuvering and acquisitions of the Mets and Yankees. In the past, the sports media has hyped baseball trades, the big money contracts, and the long time rivalries which make the off-season so interesting, but never as intensely as this year in NY. First, Pedro Martinez, then, Car. . .

The Importance Of Habit And Repetition During Horse Training

Picture this.You're out feeding your horse. You're petting her, talking to her, and admiring how beautiful she is. Suddenly, you get the urge to get on her and go for a ride. The only thing is, you don't feel like getting the saddle and bridle - so you just jump on...bareback.Now you're sitting on her. Her head is high, her ears are twitching, and she's wondering what's going on.It's borin. . .

The Long Backswing

Is your golf swing too long? The majority of inexperienced players I see have too long of a golf swing. So why would so many people have such long swings? It all boils down to Human Nature. Human Nature says that the longer you swing the farther you will hit the ball. If this were true, why is it that I can hit a ball 300 yards with a 3/4 swing but I can’t hit it 400 yards with a long swin. . .

TOP T.E.N Sports Stories for 2004

In no particular order, these are T.E.N webzine's Top Sports stories in 2004Red Sox win world series after 86 years.The world series itself was anti-climatic compared to the never before done in baseball comeback from a 3 game deficit over their nemisis, the New York Yankees. Chants of "Who's your Daddy" gave way to "Who's your Papi", while Curt gave us Chills watching his warrior like performa. . .