Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Tips On Caring For Your Valentine's Day Flowers

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we thought this would be a great time to share a few tips on caring for cut flowers.Imagine it's Valentine's Day and you've just received a glorious bunch of roses. You put them in your best vase and you stand back to admire them. You'd love to make them last as long as you possibly can, but other than keeping them out of direct sunlight, you're not . . .

Golf Tip - Mirror Image

How 10 Minutes in Front of a Mirror Can Improve Your Golf Fundamentals Mirror, mirror on the wall, what do I really see after all? The truth is in what you see, not in what you feel. It might be raining or snowing outside where you're at, or maybe you've been unable to play for a while for other reasons. But that doesn't mean you can't still work on your game. So here's what you do: get your cl. . .

3-Pointer (Feb 1)

Point 1: Rudy T steps downLet me get this straight. Rudy T, whose Lakers right now are still maintaining 7th place in the conference...WITHOUT their star player....says he is stepping down on Tuesday for both health reasons and dissatisfaction with the Lakers performance??? This two-time NBA championship team head coach, in the first year of a five year 30 million dollar deal, who has earned t. . .

Got FUN?

I just can’t help but notice, some people just don't seem to be having any fun. I mean I know sometimes you gotta be all serious and get down to business but jeez, even that can be fun. And the truth is even in business the more fun you have doing it, the more effective you are at it.Fun is one of those things that’s totally free, and you really don’t even have to work at it to have it. Another. . .

Camping With Man's Best Friend

Man's Best Friend Man's best friend your dog , and you, can go camping and have lots of fun. Look at it as a walk that doesn't end, during which he gets to spend all his time with you. For us campers, it can give us another means of security and another way of bonding.Things You Need To DoFor those of you who are wanting to get involved in this great adventure with their pet, there are some thi. . .

Camping Equipment Essentials

The following is a list of equipment that you likely want to take on a camping excursion. Tent Spare tent stakes Sleeping Bags Ground pad or air mattress Stove and fuel Lantern and fuel Flashlight and spare bulb and batteries Cookset Dutch oven or Reflector oven If taking a reflector oven- cake pans, pie plates, muffin tins Griddle or frying pans Toaster Pot holder Can opener Cooking utensils- . . .

Black Bear Chasing Kid Style

Black Bear ChasePeddling as fast as my aching legs could move, I came to an abrupt stop. My shocked eyes followed the big black bear as it veered off the old brush road into the dark forest, just a few feet in front of me. Camping With My FriendsIt was early summer. A couple of friends of mine and myself had just finished a week end camping and fishing trip at one of our favorite lakes in the a. . .

Things You Should Know About Tents

Choosing Your Tent Here are a few hints when choosing the tent just right for you or your family. Tents that are advertised as one person are rarely big enough for one person. Two person tents are usually comfortable for just one person, a three person tent is comfortable for two people and so on. If you do not pick something large enough, you will find yourself cramped , claustrophobic and unc. . .

6 Things You Must Do If You Want To Have The Secret To Ca...

It has always been my private conviction that any man who pits his intelligence against a fish and loses has it coming. ~John Steinbeck1. How Fish ThinkWhen you hunt for deer, and any other animal for that matter, there are some set rules you have to follow if you are going to catch some very wary Brook and Brown trout. Will the rules for hunting somehow help with Trout Fishing.2. Study and Res. . .

Dutch Oven Cooking Basics

Pioneer CookingWhen you think of a cast iron Dutch oven, what comes to your mind? Pioneer cooking? Stews over the open fire? Of coarse both are true, but they are still very much in use today and as for the Dutch oven, the possibilities are endless. Dutch ovens can be used for frying, baking, boiling, and steaming as well.Purchasing Your Dutch OvenWhen purchasing your Dutch oven, make sure the . . .

17 Tips That'll Safeguard You and Your Family From Dog Bi...

Did you know that more than one million north americans will be bitten by dogs this year, and about one million dog bites will go unreported. Its sad but most of the victims will be children. These dog bites will come from animals known to them. Unleashed dogs will account for most of the bites inflicted. What Makes Dogs Bite Not being educated and pet owners not being committed on training the. . .

Basic Kitesurfing Techniques

This article will describe some kitesurfing techniques so you can advance in mastering the sport. The main advice is always to practice more. The more you practice your kitesurfing techniques, the better your skills become.One of the most important kitesurfing techniques is mastering the dead-man safety release system. This system and kitesurfing techniques associated with it are extremely impo. . .

Kitesurfing Techniques - Launching & Landing

There are many different kitesurfing techniques that are important to kitesurfing sport. This article will focus on some basic kitesurfing techniques that will help you improve you kitesurfing skills and will allow you to have more fun and enjoy your experience while kitesurfing. However, you will need to spend enough time practicing these techniques before you can say that you have mastered th. . .

Kitesurfing Dangers

Kitesurfing is a very dangerous (or, as some people call it, extreme) sport. Before you try kitesurfing, you should definitely try to find out about all the potential kitesurfing dangers. The kitesurfing dangers may result from many different things: from equipment failure to human mistake to problematic weather conditions. Learning about the potential kitesurfing dangers will help you to preve. . .

More Money for Muscles?

American Council of Exercise teamed with Consumer Reports to find the most effective exercise equipment. While they had plenty to say about weight equipment and cardio machines, abdominal, butt and inner thigh devices barely received a nod. In fact, the words used were “None worth considering.”Now, remember the purpose of Consumer Reports is to find the best buy for the money, which may contr. . .

Is First Aid Different in the BackCountry?

First aid is first aid is first aid – right? At first glance, providing first aid in the backcountry appears to be much like it is anywhere else. But if you look a little closer and you’ll find it is quite different. When you have finished this article, you will understand how it differs and how you, as an outdoor enthusiast, must think about it differently.Let’s start with the definition of. . .

Kitesurfing Technique - Body Dragging

This article will offer you several kitesurfing techniques that will help you advance in the kitesurfing sport. Remember to practices everything enough times until you become completely comfortable with the kitesurfing techniques.One of the kitesurfing techniques that we would like to discuss in this article is body dragging. This is a more advanced technique and you should be familiar with the. . .

For Fast Paced Fun, Nothing Beats a Pocketbike

Pocket bikes can be comfortably cradled under your arm and are capable of splendidly fast speeds. They are usually powered by gas-powered engines. The smaller industrial-motored models used by Junior class racers are capable of speeds upwards of 45 mph. Open class machines reach blistering speeds over 50 mph. Pocket bikes can be built with many of the features common to regular bikes, such as d. . .

Snowboarding Pants

Baggie pants can be more than just fashionable.Do you remember the days of having to put a snowsuit on in order to go out sledding or skiing? No matter what you did the snowsuit would always climb, let snow in, get wet and usually was uncomfortable because your pants where bunched up inside. Fortunately for those of us who can remember that, those days are long gone.Modern snowboarding pants, a. . .

Snowboarding Jackets

Winter jackets have changed a lot over the years as technology has improved. The best solution used to be those big, puffy, down filled jackets. While they where warm they really didn't stand up all that well to wear and tears, moisture or active movements. Once again technology has come to our aid with the invention of new materials.The new materials available have resulted in jackets that are. . .

Astonishing Victorian-Era Golf Book Predicted Bullet Trai...

Did you hear about the curious little book, first published in 1892, that predicted bullet trains, digital watches, television and women's liberation and other wonders decades before they came to pass?It's a book that burst into the news in January, 2005 when a rare first edition was sold at auction for more than $2,000.The oddest thing about the book is that it is not a work of science fiction. . .

Online Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most loved casino games out there. Yes, you can take some time off from work and travel out to Vegas to play or one of the many smaller casinos scattered around the country. Or, you can simply play online blackjack. Yes, you can play your favorite casino game right from the comfort of you home or maybe even at the office when the boss isn’t looking! Online blackjack is j. . .

Online Gambling

Online gambling is hot. In fact there are websites popping up everywhere with new gambling options. Living near a gambling casino is no longer important if for individuals who wish to gamble a lot of money or just a little. You can feel safe in most of these places as well. And, with all of this comes the convenience of being at home or at your office. No need to fly to a remote destination in . . .

Online Poker

Are you a poker player? Can’t get the guys together but still want to play? Try online poker. You can play from the comfort of your home right on your computer. In fact, you can find great online poker websites in just a few minutes.This new fad is fast becoming a demand many people are insisting on. Why? It’s convenient and safe. Yes, it’s safe. You can win big or just a few bucks. You can pla. . .

Car Chase Classics: chase.punyportal.com

I hit my teenage years in the early 80s about the same time VCRs and independent video rental shops came to every small town in America. This was before yogurt shops and tanning booths hit, and after most of the drive-ins and arcades had faded away, though my town had all five simultaneously.During that time I got turned on to couple of happenstance rentals now both cult classics. One was Evil . . .

Tarot Basics

A Tarot card deck typically consists of 78 colorful cards imprinted with what many deem fascinating and curious images. The cards, each filled with a particular meaning and portent, most often come somewhat larger than ordinary playing cards and make an impressive display when ritually laid out. This deck of special cards can be used by a trained “reader” for glimpsing into his or her own futur. . .

Understanding the Tarot Card Deck - Part 2

Tarot card reading delves into an individual’s psyche and thus depends largely upon the energy that person generates, whether consciously or subconsciously. And because human beings are complex creatures with all kinds of major and minor issues – not only negative, but positive as well – the Tarot must duly address them all. So, although the Major Arcana bring to light the larger issues in life. . .

Understanding the Tarot Card Deck - Part 1

One of the first steps toward understanding the Tarot lies in appreciating the meaning of its two Arcana – the Major and the Minor. But even before that, the novice does well by committing to memory the meaning of “Arcana” – defined as “mysterious knowledge, language, or information accessible only by the initiate.” By its very definition, the word “Arcana” exudes secrecy and a certain esoteric. . .

Universal Kitesurfing Hand Signals

Even though kitesurfing is a dangerous sport, it is popular around the world. People from different countries travel around the world to different kitesurfing locations. That is the reason why universal kitesurfing hand signals are very important. Universal kitesurfing hand signals will help you to communicate with other kitesurfers even if you speak different languages. You will especially nee. . .

Kitesurfing Snap-Shackle Options

One of the kitesurfing gear accessories that you will definitely need to have is a snap-shackle. There are a number of kitesurfing snap-shackle options that are available for sale in the market. Which one of the many kitesurfing snap-shackle options you should select is up to you, but this article will provide you some guidance about several kitesurfing snap-shackle options. Before we discuss s. . .

Understanding a Tarot Card Reading

Getting the most from a Tarot card reading relies on the reader’s ability to perceive not only the symbolic meaning from the spread, but also the mystical significance. Although every card of both the Major and the Minor Arcana possesses its own individual symbolism within the representative images on the cards, it is the deeper, spiritual enlightenment of the cards that leads to a greater unde. . .

La Paz Bolivia Soccer Clubs

La Paz is the de facto capital of Bolivia, being the center of administrative activity. The city is host to about a million people according to the 2001 census. La Paz has also been a hub of sports activity over the years. Various sports clubs are actively involved in promotion of their favorite pastime. But like all Bolivians, it is football which really fires the imagination of the population. . .

Top Basic Nutritional Tips For Soccer Players

Most soccer athletes do not have a clear guide of what to eat to prepare for a soccer match, what to eat after a soccer match and how to maintain a rich high carbohydrate diet. There are nutritional guides that soccer players of all level must and should follow in order to put themselves in a beneficial position before matches.Simple Nutritional Tips1. Carbohydrates, Carbohydrates, Carbohydrate. . .

Bringing the Ocean to the People

The Discoverer Ketty Lund, as scientist Ed Little famously remarked: "Brings the Ocean to the People.” Discoverer Scientific Charters has the sole purpose of undertaking and supporting research projects in the Marine Sciences and, importantly, bringing awareness of human oceanographic endeavor to the public at large. As such the voyages of the Discoverer Ketty Lund, at sea for forty years from . . .

Craps

There is no longer a need to fly all the way out to Las Vegas or Atlantic City to play craps. In fact, you can play your favorite casino games, including craps in the comfort of your home. Can you imagine? If your bored and have nothing to do, you can simply open up your web browser and play a game of craps!Finding a good website for craps isn’t hard. Two great websites that you should consider. . .

Virtual Casino Gambling

You might be wondering how virtual casino gambling started and how or why this virtual gambling phenomenon has grown so rapidly. Take a quick look into history of gambling and you'll discover why virtual casino gambling was the next logical step and why virtual casino games are set to become even more popular than they already are. Virtual casino gambling has only existed for a relatively short. . .

Reverse Paddling

Reverse paddling is an important kayaking technique.While forward paddling is probably one of the most commonly used paddling strokes, reverse paddling is just as important. In fact, before you go kayaking, you should definitely practice both forward and reverse paddling to make sure that you have the necessary skills so that you do not end up in trouble while you are out at sea.First, when you. . .

Forward Paddling

Forward paddling seems easy, but there is room for improvement.Forward paddling is probably the most under-appreciated and under-practiced kayaking move. However, as you might imagine, this is the most important move that you can learn. Depending on where you're going to be kayaking, and how long of a kayak tour you intend to go on, good forward paddling may end up saving you a lot of time, eff. . .

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 import. . .

Snow Ball? Dressing For Winter Paintball

Don’t let Mother Nature throw your paintball addiction out in the cold! You can still play paintball, and in comfort, in the winter weather. Of course, you could just play indoors, but why let skiers and riders be the only ones who have fun in the white stuff. This article will tell you what to wear to keep your game going strong- no matter how cold it might be on the field. The first thing. . .

The Skin Squeeze Effect In Diving

Skin squeeze is one of the barotrauma problems which divers can suffer due to the pressure factors involved in the practice of the sport. This way, a barotrauma can be caused due to the differences between the pressure of the water and the surface pressure to which the diver's body is adequate and used to. Barotraumas include problems such as external, inner and middle ear squeeze, eye squeeze,. . .

Diving In A Current

Diving in a current implies a higher amount of difficulty and danger than regular diving, but this can be avoided if the diver knows how to properly do it by being trained for it as well as by learning some important guidelines. Although some rules regarding diving in a current are given in most diving training schools, if you are going to dive in a current you should also receive specialized t. . .

Baccarat

Are you a gambling lover? Do you like to spend your vacations at Atlantic City or even Las Vegas? What is your favorite casino game? Blackjack? Poker? Craps? Or maybe it’s Baccarat? Whatever it is you can play it from home as well! No, we’re not talking about getting a bunch of friends together and having to teach them or trying to mimic the game at home. No, you can play Baccarat right from yo. . .

Boss Guitar Pedals

If you are guitar player and you are in the process of deciding on which guitar pedals or guitar effects to buy, it can be a little tricky . We all want to sound like ur rockstar idols but as we all know guitar effects can be very expensive and there are literally hundreds of them .Before you buy a pedal you must decide first on your budget and what kind of music you want to play, is it heavy m. . .

Why TV Poker Can Make You Wealthy!

There’s an awful lot of poker on the television these days. If you wanted to you could probably watch poker on the TV almost round the clock and the big events like the World Poker Tour and the World Series of Poker receive massive coverage.Poker is great to watch on TV, it is about psychology and people more than it’s about the cards and so it attracts a large percentage of non-players. People. . .

Games to Play With Tarot Cards

The lighter side of Tarot deals with games played using this deck of uniquely peculiar cards. These range from the highly complex to those a four-year-old can play. “Zarcana,” a complicated game encompassing battles, voyages, life, death, love, loss, and more can be played indefinitely – or until one player in a winning position decides to declare the game finished. Another game appeals to the . . .

Michael Vick

An elementary student who first showed an interest in baseball and basketball, Michael Vick later developed his love of football. Born in June 1980, this Newport News, Virginia native is now the quarterback for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.In his early teens, Vick became involved in football as his choice after-school activity. At that time, he seemingly gave up all other sports in order to concen. . .

Aerobic Work-Out 2

The recommended frequency of doing cardiovascular exercises is three times a week, with a minimum of twenty minutes for each session. But, after doing the same exercises and the same style of training, you may become bored. You lose your momentum and you reach a plateau. This is the point in which the training or exercise you are currently doing can no longer give you additional benefits. T. . .

How to Understand Abstract Art

When I paint, I am not attempting to capture the likeness of a landscape or figure. My subject is the painting itself. In spite of this, some viewers immediately try to pin down an image they can name in my art. Not that seeing things in abstract paintings is a crime, even if the artist didn't put them there. But you miss an opportunity to see more if you spend all your energy trying to turn th. . .

Bo Sox Power

As a Yankee fan for over 40 years I have seen many Yankee comebacks. 1978 was a great year. After being down 14 games the Bronx Bombers stormed back to overtake the Red Sox in the one game playoff. Bucky Dent sure had his baseball fantasy. The 1958 Yanks. The team of Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra were down three games to one. They beat the Milwaukee Braves to redeem themselves for the previous year. . .