Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Video Poker

Video poker is usually played against a machine, which displays the player's cards on a screen. Combining elements of poker and slots, this form poker is one of the few games in the casino where you can actually have a realistic expectation of winning, as opposed to depending on the pure luck of slot machine games or roulette. The player places a bet and the video poker machine deals five cards. . .

Online Casino Black Jack

Online casino black jack is said to have originated in France in the early 1700's and has since spread across the world. With the emergence of the internet, virtual blackjack has become one of the most popular casino games played online. The main reason why online casino black jack is so popular is because mathematically it offers a better chance of winning than online roulette or casino slot. . .

Does Practice Make Perfect?

Often people receive a banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar or some other musical instrument as a birthday, Christmas or special occasion gift. There’s glee and joy everywhere. The giver of the gift knows how much the receiver of the gift wants to learn this instrument and the receiver of the gift is ACTUALLY holding the coveted instrument in his/her hands instead of lusting for it down at the corn. . .

Geocaching -- The New High--Tech Sport

There are about 150,000 of them spread throughout 213 countries and you need satellites to help you find them. What are they? They're geocaches and geocaching is a sport that is quickly gaining popularity.The geocaches come in all different sizes and shapes. Usually stored in a waterproof container, these caches are treasures of minimal value. The container is often a Tupperware container or am. . .

Sports View for March

Heading into the combines, the biggest story will definitely be Maurice Clarett, and how he can rebound from last year’s disaster. (Regardless of how his combine goes, keep in mind that before Adrian Peterson this year, Clarett was the best freshman running back in decades.) If Clarett goes past the first day of the draft he will be a steal.Speaking of the Draft; LB Derrick Johnson out of Texa. . .

Why Orienteering is Hot!

So, you didn’t know it was hot did you? Do you even know what Orienteering is? It is one of the most thrilling activities available for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and here’s the good news – it’s inexpensive. If you enjoy spending time out of doors and you are looking to break out of your regular routine, Orienteering may be the challenge you’ve been hoping for. Thousands of men, women . . .

April's Sports View

As the ‘madness’ winds down, I find myself having to eat crow. Illinois is for real (I still stand by Carolina winning it all) but the fighting Illini are a much better team than I had given them credit.As the NFL draft approaches the rumor mill spins out of control. Two rumors making the rounds that I like however are the proposed Philip Rivers to San Francisco for the number one pick; and the. . .

Inline Skating Technique -- The T-Stop

Advanced skaters sometimes prefer to use the T-stop as a quick way to slow down. However, excessive use of this means of stopping can prematurely wear out the inside edges and the profile of your wheels. If this isn’t a major concern for you, by all means use the T-stop when it’s to your advantage to do so. The T-stop is applied by forming a T-shape with your skates. Applying the T-StopTo prepa. . .

Inline Skate Bearings and the ABEC Scale

If you think you need new bearings for your inline skates, it's best to check your bearings for wear using the tests provided in this article. Your bearings are at the core of your wheels and reduce friction so you can skate smoothly and efficiently. Hence, they need to be maintained properly from season to season.Checking for wearThe following are indications of major, bearing wear from a no-l. . .

Women in the Martial Arts

I was born in West London in 1963, my father was very involved in the martial arts and a dan grade in Karate he was also a dealer in ancient Japanese arms and armour, although my father has an antiques shop in London's Bond Street, my home was more like a samurai warriors dressing room, with original suits of Japanese armour complete with very frighting face masks that would frighten the life o. . .

Golf for Inspiration

You might be tempted to ask what golf has to do with inspiration. The inspiration in golf, for me, comes from playing it. It is a microcosm of life. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Every shot you take can either be a success or a failure. Each shot you play results in the next shot you have to play. Each shot a result of the shots up to this moment. You can love it (fairways) or you c. . .

Music Downloading and MP3 Players

What are they and how do they work? Here are a few thoughts on the subject of Mp3 players. MP3 is a compressed music file. It is an encoded wave file and has almost the same sound quality as an audio CD. The size of the file is much smaller allowing more room for music. They are legal when the song?s copyright holder has given permission to download and play the song. You can legally encode M. . .

Inline Skating Technique -- Longer Strides and Glides

Sometimes, especially on trails longer than 20 miles, and in high heat in the middle of the summer, you may start to fatigue due to dehydration or if your caloric burn has exceeded your caloric intake for the day. Under these circumstances, it’s good to have a way to conserve your energy until you reach the end of the trail. One approach is to use longer strides and glides. Let me explain!The T. . .

Making Bonds: the Steroid Scandal

Public opinion these days seems to be swaying towards an acceptance of steroid use in baseball. People are not asking so much about if it is being done, but rather how can you actually prove it. There is very little debate over the consequences of being found out, this is a sport where statistics are king. For the baseball enthusiasts, numbers like 500, 30-30, 50-50, .300, .400 need no addition. . .

Wreck Diving in Thistlegorm

Thislegorm is among the top ten dives of the world and maybe occupies the first place in wreck diving. It is so amazing that divers need to dive many times and observe its different areas once a time in order to completely explore it. This amazing wreck is one of the most recommendable places to visit by those who love having contact with history while diving.This wreck consists of a British wa. . .

Diving in Dolphin Reef

If you wish to dive next to dolphins in the Red Sea, Dolphin Reef might be a great choice for you. At Dolphin Reef, divers can dive next to dolphins while they are in their natural habitat. Dolphins who are free to go away from visitors if they wish and are not trained to socialize still stay near and sometimes even showing a very playful spirit.Dolphin Reef is an ecological site located in Eil. . .

Inline Skate Wheels -- Before You Buy

Inline skate wheels have the greatest impact on your skating performance. They come in different sizes, shapes, and composition, and are made to suit different styles of skating. Therefore, selecting the right wheels based on the way you skate is of prime importance. You should buy inline skate wheels based on your body weight, blading ability, skating style, and speed comfort zone.Furthermore,. . .

The Great British Aikido Controversy

British Aikido Board - Jack Poole - Henry EllisThe Aikido Controversy The Aikido Controversy is now a part of British Aikido History. It was a long and difficult fight to protect the true history of British Aikido from the false claims of Mr Jack Poole and The British Aikido Board. Sport England totally exonerated Henry Ellis. The BAB were instructed to give Henry Ellis a full public apology af. . .

Positive Aikido

Positive Aikido Interview with Sensei Henry Ellis a pioneer of British Aikido from 1957. Interview by Arthur Lockyear - Fighting Arts International - Issue 93 Where and when were you born, Henry? I was born in Yorkshire, in May 1936 in a little coal mining village called Brampton, near Rotherham. A place where you had to fight your way to and from school each day. When did you begin your study . . .

Guitarists...Are You a Victim and a Loser?

I was thinking today about THE most dangerous enemy of musical progress…the victim mentality. What do I mean by this?Often we can let our personal circumstances dictate our progress. For example, someone may let their guitar practice slide because they were really busy at work. This person may start making excuses such as "I didn't have time". This is victim mentality. It is believing that your. . .

Feng Shui Tips for Your Home Office

Did you know that over 50% of women now run their own home business or work from home? Get your compass out and find the following directions because we are going to try and make things run a little smoother for you using the ancient art of object placement - Feng Shui. The most ideal locations to situate a home office, in order of best to second, third ad fourth best are the North (the Career . . .

Mortgage Definitions

Jumbo mortgage This is considered a nonconforming loan because it exceeds the loan limit set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The 2003 single-family loan limit is $322,700. The maximum loan amount is 50 percent higher in Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Balloon mortgage With these, borrowers get lower rates and payments for a specific period of time, which usually is anywhere from thre. . .

Types of Bankruptcy Filings

Jumbo mortgage This is considered a nonconforming loan because it exceeds the loan limit set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The 2003 single-family loan limit is $322,700. The maximum loan amount is 50 percent higher in Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Balloon mortgage With these, borrowers get lower rates and payments for a specific period of time, which usually is anywhere from thre. . .

A Crash Course in Tarot for Newbies #3

Most Tarot decks consist of 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana, and 56 Minor Arcana cards. The Minor Arcana consist of four "suits”, just like a deck of regular playing cards.The four suits are, Pentacles or Coins, which deal with work/money/success issues, the Wands, or Staffs, which deal with more spiritual issues, the Cups, which deal with emotional issues, and the Swords, which some see as represent. . .

A Crash Course in Tarot for Newbies #2

If you would like to learn to read tarot cards, your first challenge is to choose a deck from the 8,000 or so published brands of fortune telling cards on the market. What works for one person often doesn't for another. Some people are comfortable reading several decks and others just identify with one deck. In my experience you will find that over time, you will grow in and out of several deck. . .

A Crash Course in Tarot for Newbies #1

The Tarot is not just a divinatory tool, but it can also be utilized in the appropriately trained hands as a tool for providing counsel and advice with which we can navigate life. It is an antique form of divination that predates popular psychology, but has been shown to have archetypal energies that work well from a Jungian perspective. Tarot becomes a book of wisdom offering you a living para. . .

Finding a Film Job

Film jobs are hard to find, but for the fortunate few, very rewarding. The key is not to set your goals so high that they cannot be attained. By that I mean, if your goal is to be in the next big Brad Pitt film, and you're a relative unknown, you're probably setting yourself up for disappointment. But there are plenty of film jobs that you can get.The world of independent film is rich with oppo. . .

Connecting On The Road

Are you one of those travelers who simply cannot stand to be apart from your internet connection? And are you wondering how you can still have get email or surf the web while on the road? Not to worry because technology is here to help! First, let’s talk about your actual computer equipment. The kind of equipment you’re taking with you and determining how you will both store and use it is impor. . .

Travel Summer Parks in the Western U.S. - California, Nev...

There are many parks in the west that are beautiful, yet less crowded than others. Think about planning a travel experience including these lovely places. In Utah there are over 37,000 acres called the Grand Gulch Primitive Area. Travel to this part of Utah which is located 350 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. Plan to explore on foot through a marvelous array of canyons that is one of the fi. . .

Elliptical Workouts

Elliptical workouts basically involve aerobic or cardiovascular exercise. Elliptical cross trainers can be intimidating at first glance but once you get familiar with them you will find them easy to use and a fun part of your routine. To begin your elliptical workout, stand with your feet firmly planted in the movable footpads. The advantage of your feet being stationary makes this a smooth . . .

Code of Conduct for Outdoor Enthusiasts

My favorite outdoor related quote comes from John Muir, the father of our national park system and founder of the Sierra Club. He said, “When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” This quote means more to me today than it did twenty years ago and will undoubtedly mean more to me still as I spend an increasing amount of time out of doors. Muir i. . .

Guitar Players...Learn About The Point Of Discipline

Have you ever started learning a lick or exercise and stopped practicing it before you had mastered it? Now I don't know you, but my guess the answer to the question is yes! Why is that? Why did you stop, when it was something that you REALLY wanted to learn?There are quite a few reasons for it, but the one I would like to mention now is what I call the "point of discipline". This is the point . . .

Common Mistakes When Buying A Boat

Boats are costly and to help you avoid those financial mistakes look over the following tips. 1. If you are considering a mid size power boat make sure it is the correct boat for the type of water you will be boating in. A larger body of water will make a difference on the performance of your boat. 2. Do a careful check of the engine you will be using on the boat. Will it stand up to the use it. . .

Poker

Americans play Poker in many places such as in casino card rooms, online and at home. It is estimated over $170 million in bets are made through online casinos everyday and this figure may double by 2006.Poker has been a popular card game for years, possibly the most popular casino game. Nowadays, most of the online casinos have some form of Poker. Even television has jumped on the bandwagon wi. . .

Play Winning Poker Online By Following These Guidelines

To consistently win at poker you must not make many mistakes, and exploit your opponents mistakes and weaknesses. I know that No Limit Hold'em is the most popular form of poker, but if you want to play cash games (ring games) online I would suggest playing limit hold'em. Many people make mistakes at limit poker and it can be really profitable for you to take advantage of those mistakes. This is. . .

Is Kayaking Expensive?

Before you start kayaking, this is one thing that you will probably be concerned with. After all, not too many people can afford spending too much money on their hobbies, and kayaking does seem like the type of activity that would cost a lot of money to start. However, just like most other things that you would think about doing, kayaking can either be very expensive, or relatively affordable.T. . .

How To Maintain Your Kayak

Once you've found the perfect kayak for you, and you're ready to go kayaking, there's one other thing that you need to learn about first. You need to know how to take care of your kayak, otherwise, you may find that your kayak doesn't last nearly as long as you would like it to. Considering how much kayaks tend to cost, this should definitely be a priority for you.One thing that you should keep. . .

NBA Notes (March 23rd)

Could the NBA regular season end a couple of weeks earlier?Yes.The season now ends on April 20 and the playoffs begin April 23.If the regular season ended on April 6 it would fit nicely with hoopla that surrounds the NCAA’s men’s Final Four plus the NBA’s playoffs could begin April 9.This maneuver would reduce the regular season from the current 82 games to 74.Would this provide for more meanin. . .

Online Bingo Internet Craze

You’ve heard of bingo, what about online bingo?Traditional Bingo has been a popular pastime for many years throughout the world. It’s a great meeting place for friends and family and a great place to meet new people in such a relaxed atmosphere. It’s no surprise that there are over 60 million bingo players worldwide.The average bingo player is predominately female, aged 30-60, and is located in. . .

The Golf Shaft Mystery

The Shaft MysteryDuring this modern era of golf club technology, the big mystery among golfers is what golf shaft will maximize their efforts. If the average player tries to sift through all the “mumbo jumbo techno shaft lingo” his head just might explode. And determining the right shaft for me can be extremely confusing. “There are just so many shafts that are available to golfers that can re. . .

Get Organized And Use Your Scrapbook Storage

You can find suitable scrapbooking storage for virtually every conceivable scrapbooking item. From large carry-all wheeled totes that store a multitude of different supplies to files, boxes and holders for the smallest eyelet or embellishment and everything in-between!As you learn more about scrapbooking and really get "into" it as a hobby you will begin to try new techniques and so you will bu. . .

Yoga Accessories– Getting What You Really Need

Unlike some other sports, you don’t need a lot of yoga accessories when you practice. With yoga, your body is really the most important ‘equipment’ that you need. There are some items that are basic and which can help you be more comfortable and safer in your practice.Standard Yoga AccessoriesClothing – Your clothing should be comfortable and breathable and allow you to move freely. You don’. . .

Polo Darling

You may think that polo is only for the elite, well you are wrong. Anyone can have a go at the sport of princes, even those that cannot ride (65% of those taught polo have never ridden before).I was a bit apprehensive when I arrived at the school. Looking around at the others who had booked on to the 2 hour lesson, it seemed I was the only one who did not have my own jodhpurs, boots and hat. Th. . .

Could Baseball Ever Return to the City of Saints?

It became official on September 29, 2004 - Major League Baseball's run in Montreal was coming to an end after 36 seasons. On that day, the announcement was made that the Montreal Expos were moving to Washington, D.C., beginning with the 2005 season. This came as no surprise to anyone who follows baseball, as this inevitable move had been in the making for at least 10 years. Let's take a look ba. . .

How to Find the Right Yoga Teacher for You

In order to find a quality yoga instructor, you need to know what to look for. Since there is no universal certification program for yoga teachers, not all of them are created equal as you can see by the following example. I had been practicing yoga in my home for a while when I decided to take some classes at a local center. I had been using a variety of yoga videos and DVDs that were taught. . .

Linedanceing - How Did We Begin?

A number of authors have tried to trace the historic roots of line dancing and, though they seldom agree, most seem to be of the opinion that, “line dancing in one form or another has been around since recorded time.” Some accounts attribute the birth of line dancing to the old prison chain gangs where convicts were hobbled together in two’s - allegedly the source of the two count “Merengue” da. . .

5 Best Uses for Hybrid Utility Clubs

Have you seen those new hybrid utility cubs? They are showing up all over the place, rescuing golfers from all kinds of situations. The reason for this is simple; they open up opportunities for a number of great new shots. Even the tour pros are using them to help them win big tournaments. (Todd Hamilton – British Open, David Toms – PGA Championship, Reteif Goosen – US Open) We have come up wit. . .

Have a Different Dive in Shark Arena

One of the main Bahamas' areas in which divers can have sharks around them and watch them eating is the Shark Arena. This place is near New Providence, about 45 minutes from it into the sea in boat, and near the Shark Wall as well. This area concentrates some of the main Bahamas’ diving attractions and one of the most famous shark diving activities of the world, attracting divers and people fro. . .

Is Aikido a Martial Art? Part 2

PART 2I attempted to establish the hard style of Aikido that was first introduced to the West in the 1950's. I would like to emphasize the fact that I get no satisfaction from publicly criticizing Aikido and I get a great deal less satisfaction when I see Aikido being brought into ridicule. To continue from part one..... Hard training The training in and exercises in those early days were very . . .

Is Aikido a Martial Art? Part 1

PART 1 At first sight of the above title I am sure that a lot of Aikidoist's will be angry, they will assume that this is yet another attack on the credibility of Aikido by other martial artist's. On this occasion they are totally wrong, I have been a student of Aikido since 1957, In those early days I first started Judo in 1956 at the Kenshiro Abbe School of Budo, I studied Karate with Harad. . .