Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Here We Go! Sing! Holiday… Celebrate…

Did you know that back then, holidays are considered religious and related are related to various natural happenings like the annual course of the Sun or the Moon’s phases? Today, holidays are observed with either partly or totally pausing from work or the usual business dealings. They may also be with festivities like carnivals, fireworks, parades, displays of flags or private or public formal. . .

Samurai Sword Basics, A Brief History

Capturing the spirit of old Japan and recognised by its deadly curvature, the samurai sword is widely recognised throughout the world as the most deadly of all Japanese weaponry. Although gaining modern fame and notoriety in modern epic cinema in such films as The Last Samurai and the Kill Bill series by Quentin Tarantino, samurai swords have long being an iconic symbol of Japan and its history. . .

For Goodness 'Sake', Are You Drunk?

The Samurai are known for been one of the most respected and respectable class of citizens of ancient Japan. Such status had the samurai they could do things such as dismember people who offended them without having to answer for themselves. This was the power the samurai wielded, a power unheard of almost today in any so called civilised society. One may even argue that if such people as the s. . .

Samurai Armor Part 1

The first prototype for Japanese samurai armor came about in the form of the yoroi during the Gempei War of 1181-1185. The weight of the yoroi was around 60lb. The upper-body armor of the samurai was known as the 'Do'. This comprised of the 'Sode', the suspended shoulder and upper-arm protection plates. The Sode had hoops by which silk cord was tied and then fixed to the back of the armor in an. . .

A Kayaking Community at your Fingertips

Do you have questions about kayaking? Do you want to seek the advice of kayakers that are more experienced and relate to kayakers that are at your level? Wouldn’t it be nice to connect with other kayaking enthusiasts? The Internet can supply you with robust information about kayaking such as necessary equipment, costs, and travel destinations. However, the Internet also provides forums and disc. . .

Black Bears, Blackberries and the Time of Your Life

I am an outdoor super-enthusiast and a technophile. I once thought this was a rare combination but just recently I’ve discovered there are lots of us around. I’m a little disappointed in this new discovery because I really wanted to be different but looking at the bright side, being a tech junkie has helped me to truly appreciate everything the outdoors has to offer. Let me try to explain.Wh. . .

Tips for Enjoying the Night Sky

Looking up into the night sky is our oldest recorded hobby. Thousands of years ago, people around the globe began recording their star gazing experiences. Many of these early journals are now found in museums, in caves or in protected wild places. Today, what I find most fascinating when I look up is the wide variety of objects in the night sky and realizing that they’ve been there for a ver. . .

Can You Really Develop An Outstanding Basketball Shot?

Struggling with your basketball shooting? We're going to begin fixing that right now! First, let's look at some general tips as you're striving to reach your full basketball shooting potential: 1) Focus: This is absolutely necessary to have any real success in basketball. Focus on delivering your best. 2) Confidence: You can know all the basketball tips, plays or drills in the world, but if you. . .

Hollywood's Fascination with the Comic Book Superhero

The public fascination with comic book superhero characters have been exploited by movie production companies for years. Hollywood has been creating feature length comic book movies, movie serials and TV shows to continue to whet our appitites. But as special effect technology and costume designs became better and better, Hollywood kicked it up a notch with feature-length high budget production. . .

Take Your Online Poker Game to the Next Level

Playing Poker online can be quite satisfying, and financially rewarding, if one uses the best possible online poker strategies. Some online poker players simply rush into games and hands without thinking about their options. This usually leaves the unsuspecting online poker player with a lot less money than he or she started with. With these four easy tips, you can help yourself avoid the pitfa. . .

The Toronto Maple Leafs Prepare for the 2005 NHL Season

As the 2005 National Hockey League Season approaches, General Manager John Ferguson, Head Coach Pat Quinn, and the rest of the management and scouting staff work to assemble the best group of talent possible to produce a winning team.Naturally, as is the case with any prolific organization, ill-informed armchair critics and professed media experts will come out of the woodwork to spend an endle. . .

Beat the Casinos

Do you have what it takes to become a successful (and profitable) gambler? Read on and find out:1. A gambling systemNo matter what your game, a gambling system is being marketed to turn you into a winner. Unfortunately, 90% of them are built on empty promises and does not work. So how do you find a system that works? The easiest way is to get a personal recommendation from somebody that yo. . .

Experience Maine with Coastal Kayaking Tours

Are you an avid kayaker? Do you love to travel? Are you searching for a way to experience sea kayaking while taking in the scenic views of the Eastern U.S. coast? Then sea kayaking in Maine is right up your alley. Set your sites for the Maine. It has a striking coastline and waters sure to satisfy any kayaker.Instead of arbitrarily dropping your kayak in the sea off of Maine’s coast, take a mom. . .

Check Out the Teva Mountain Games

Televised sporting events have been common place for sports such as baseball, basketball, and football. However, other lesser known competitive sports are making their mark on cable television. Cable television networks such as the OLN are a welcome sight for passionate kayakers. OLN was proud to broadcast the “Teva Mountain Games” this past June. Kayakers, bikers, and rafters were among many a. . .

The Versatility of Inflatable Kayaks

When you think of kayaks you most likely picture a kayak constructed from plastic or a composite of fiberglass and Kevlar. However, kayaks have been available in inflatable form for several decades. These kayaks are not like the simple inflatable water toys in your swimming pool. Inflatable kayaks provide durability and stay afloat easily. Plus, inflatable kayaks have superior tracking abilitie. . .

Exercise Fun

Do you consider exercise fun? Everyone wants to be fit and look good but what separates those that stick with it from the ones who call it quits within a month? If you think of exercise as fun or an enjoyable experience you are more likely to make a commitment to make exercise a habit. People who exercise regularly also know the health benefits of being fit and that becomes a big motivating . . .

Spinning Exercise

Spinning exercise or studio cycling is not only popular these days it's an excellent form of fitness. It helps strengthen your heart, tone your glutes, calves, thighs in addition to being a great exercise to slim legs. Spinning exercise classes usually consist of about 12 to 20 people. Classes range from 50 to 60 minutes and are set to music. The instructor takes the class on a ride that in. . .

Walking - The Perfect Stress Reducer

An excellent stress reducer can be something as simple as walking or doing any form of physical activity. Physical activity has the ability to calm jangled nerves and improve bad moods. It can have a calming effect, enhance self-esteem and even combat depression. Stress reducer physical activities trigger the release of endorphins which are potent brain chemicals that relieve pain and stimulate. . .

Hollywood’s Just a Click Away

The district of Hollywood, Los Angeles, California is known as the film industry center of the United States. It is also the main focal point of the American television business with which thousands of tourists are attracted each year. In 1911, the first film studio was acclaimed in Hollywood by Centaur Film Co., and then other studios quickly followed. Although other big studios are located at. . .

Easy Guides To Choose Different Sport Shoes

Wearing the right shoes is an important aspect of foot health. Better to be careful when choosing shoes. If you buy wrong shoes it can cause foot problems. Even though, that doesn’t mean the right shoes can correct your problem. It can only prevent problem on your foot.If you like sports -- basketball, golf or just walking -- choose the best shoes. Bad shoes can lead not only to foot and ankle . . .

How to Read Slot Machines

The first thing you need to do is to learn how to "Read" a machine by reading the pay out table before playing. We will now examine the information provided in the payout table.Firstly it will tell you the denomination of the coin needed to play that machine. For instance, I'm sure you have seen people drop a dollar into a machine that only accepts quarters, and than have the dollar rejected.Le. . .

Golf Exercise And Stretch Program For Total Golf Performance

Golf exercise and stretch. This is a combination I use in all of my golf fitness programs both online and with my personal golf clients. It’s the ultimate combination to improve the golfers swing quickly and efficiently.A fitness program for golfers that does not incorporate a golf exercise and stretch is doing more harm than good. Golfers need that blend of dynamic strength specific to the . . .

How To Swing A Metal Detector For Success

When swinging a metal detector, proper technique is essential. if you hold the coil too high above the ground depth is lost. If you swing the coil to quickly, you may miss a valuable target. And if you walk too quickly, you may pass over a target. I like to think of the coil as a paint roller. Pretend that your coil is loaded with paint, and that you're trying to paint the ground that you're wa. . .

An Easier Way To Recover Treasure On The Beach

All treasure hunters know that the wet sand at the edge of the beach is the best place to find valuable treasure. However, the ocean seems like it always doesn't want to give up this treasure. Inevitably, as soon as we detect a good target, and began to dig the target, the water rises making it difficult, if not impossible, to recover the target. Even with the best scoops available, it is somet. . .

ESPN the Magazine

Back in the day ESPN was merely space fodder for people with cable subscriptions; back when only the "real" sports fan (me) could sit in front of the tube and bear with the constant rambling of numbers and statistics. Oh it was great. Back before they offered a cheap magazine subscription that was nothing more then an extension to their online subscription service they offered through their w. . .

Finding The Perfect Pool Cue Case

A quality billiard cue case is a necessity to keeping that valuable collector pool cue of yours in good shape. There's more than one quality that a person should be looking for when considering. These qualities may include, but are not limited to: heat and moisture protection, impact protection, aesthetics of the case itself, and whether or not it will carry shafts of a custom length.There are . . .

Back Exercise And Golf Are Synonymous

Back exercise and golf. Doesn’t that sound like a common denominator? Of all the injuries in golf, the low back is by far the highest one.To explain why doing back exercise for golf is important, a golfer needs to understand why.The golf swing is one of the most (if not the most) stressful movements on the lower back. Picture this. You’re in a static position at the start; then you try to r. . .

Golf Swing Tips That Really Work

Great golf swing tips - enjoy! Do you know that a good golf swing has almost nothing to do with your arms? This is why practicing the No Arms drill makes perfect sense. Don’t forget to cock your wrists! This is more important than taking the golf club back straight—which is what everybody out there tells you.The experts will also tell you to let your left arm roll slightly clockwise at the star. . .

British Aikido Board National Nepotism Seminar

The British Aikido Board Disastrous National Nepotism Seminar 2004 – 99 Students By Henry Ellis ( BAB Founder member - now resigned ) Co-author of Positive AikidoFor many years The British Aikido Board ( BAB ) have shown no interest whatsoever in the true history of British Aikido, to be fair to the BAB, they have in the past shown a great deal of interest and support for the false history of B. . .

A Golf Fitness Exercise Program Will End Your Frustration...

Even as you read this article, golf fitness exercise programs continue to positively revolutionize the games of many golfers around the country and indeed around the world. A golf fitness exercise program plays a major role in helping many golfers achieve consistent and good results on the course with their swing.Still many golfers are yet to fully appreciate the potential of a golf fitness exe. . .

Functional Exercise For Golf Warrants The Quickest Results

Functional exercise for golf can mean different things to different golfers. But the key is to take a look at the golf swing mechanics and devise golf exercises, drills, and golf programs to strengthen weak or limited phases of the swing.Not every golfer has the same deficiency; and treating golfers this way is like “one-stop” shopping. This will result in failure. No improvement for the gol. . .

Core Exercise For Golf Will Improve Your Driving Distance...

Core exercise for golf. You’ve probably heard this phrase mentioned on the television a time or to. This is the area that Vijay works on the most with his golf trainer and it seems to be working for him. He’s driving it longer and straighter and winning tournaments.When we talk about core exercise for golf the key term that needs to be thrown in there is rotational. You see…the golf swing i. . .

Discover the Truth about Comic Book Collection; Nerdy Gee...

It is unbelievable when one says, yeah, I collect comic books, what the general public response might be? Oh no, a slightly off the wall geek. Here is someone who has lost touch with reality. Or someone that is in his or her own little world. I think not. Yes, comic book collectors may sometimes march to the beat of a different drummer, but who says we all have to be cut from the same mold. Com. . .

Black Jack Basics

Of the card games that have been played since the 900 AD black jack have come into existence only in the 18th centaury. Alternatively named as 21 the game is a new one and requires a particular skill at the table. A vigilant eye, sharp memory and a good luck charm can be of vital importance to come out a winning hand at the game of blackjack. The game has gained popularity because of the ease w. . .

Roulette Basics

James bond plays it and so does a large part of America. A table a wheel which has about 37-38 pockets many pockets where the ball must land after it is spun by the croupier. The scene is really common at the casino setups across America. The players with high adrenaline pumping and high risk bearing capacity are expected to be seen around the roulette table trying their luck with spinning doll. . .

Paintball Guns – Tips to help you choose a marker

There are so many paintball guns for sale these days, it can be hard knowing just what sort of marker to buy. You want a decent gun for your money, but do you really need to spend a fortune on the latest technology to survive out on the paintballing field? When it comes to buying any kind of paintball gear, speaking to experienced players is a great way to get info on where to buy the best pai. . .

One Out Of Two Golfers Will Have A Golf Swing Related Inj...

I have a friend who blew out his ACL in his left knee while playing old man basketball. Old man being relative. A bunch of guys playing rec ball in their 30’s. We all get out there and play hard, sometimes harder than we should. The mind says yes, the body says no way! Mike’s ACL zigged when it should have zagged. Shortly after the surgery, he was visiting with his doctor on a routine check up . . .

Ultralight Backpacking List - 3 Days Under 10 Pounds

Here's an ultralight backpacking list, an example of what I typically take on a weekend hike. We're all different in our needs and skills, though, so please don't take it as a recomendation. My list, with weights (not including what I wear to start):*GoLite Breeze Backpack: 12 ounces*Western Mountaineering Bag: 17 ounces*Nylon Tarp: 17 ounces*Frogg Toggs Rain Jacket: 7 ounces*Groundsheet: 2 oun. . .

Backpacking Clothes - Make Your Own

Okay, do you really want to make all your own backpacking clothes? More power to you, and good luck. After the first hundred tedious hours of sewing I started buying gear again. However, there are SOME backpacking clothes you can make cheaply and quickly. A few examples follow.Making Your Own Ski MaskFind any old thermal underwear top or bottom, preferably made of polypropylene. Cut off a sleev. . .

Step By Step Guide On Playing Cricket To Win

Cricket Cricket is an outdoor game played with bats, a ball, and wickets by both teams of eleven players every. It's incredibly popular in Britain and commonwealth countries. Cricket is played by both teams of 11 on a level, closely cut oval "pitch" preferably measuring about 525 ft (160 m) by about 550 ft (170 m). 2 wickets are positioned sixty-six ft (20.twelve m) apart near the middle of the. . .

Online Gambling Basics

Poker, black jack or any other casino game with a real fancy name, any lay man acquainted with the web knows that these are only a click away. Online gambling industry today is one with the highest growth rate. However which site to choose is definitely the biggest problem that one faces when seriously thinking about gambling online. With sites by the dozen offering “online gambling” there are . . .

American Gambling Basics

Casinos have always been a destination for the wealthy and the famous, however, these days they are hoping to be a regular stopover. But the gambling cannot be confined to one spot. However gone are the days when Las Vegas was the all and all destination for serious gambling. The success of Las Vegan model inspired a lot of other states to legalize the concept of gambling resorts and palatial c. . .

States Lottery Basics

For those who dream of quitting their jobs and being independently wealthy, the lottery is an affordable way to take some chances and move toward a goal. Lotteries have been a great support to those aspiring to be great through the stroke of luck. The lotteries have been a source of income to the people who believe that the lady luck is on their side. Though based on sheer probability the game . . .

ATVs of All Shapes and Sizes from Yamaha

Yamaha has pleased its customers in every aspect possible for years, which is why it is not a surprise that they have succeeded in giving ATV riders what they want. There are new models of Yamaha all terrain vehicles each year and 2005 is no exception. Yamaha (http://www.atv-parts-n-accessories.com/yamaha_atvs.htm) has already released a few new 2005 ATV models in each of their categories, sp. . .

Breeding Tetra Fish Successfully

Breeding TetrasIf you are keeping tetras, chances are you are breeding tetras, even if unknowingly. In the wild, tetras normally breed during the rainy season, but in the aquarium, they may breed year round. Female tetras are egg-scatters that typically fill with eggs every ten to fourteen days.The female tetra indiscriminately sprays her eggs into clumps of fine-leaved plants. The eggs are adh. . .

Learn How to Surf in 6 Hours

The first thing you need when you start surfing is a surfboard. For beginners, it is recommended to start on a longboard because it is much easier to stand up on over a shortboard. You can practice on the beach:1. Lay the board down on the sand face up.2. Lay on the board face down.3. Jump up, pushing your arms out in front of you and moving your legs back onto the board. You want your legs to . . .

Aspect Ratio: Full Screen Vs. Wide Screen

Movies on DVD and VHS are often available in two screen formats: full screen and wide screen. The full screen is where a movie is modified to fit a television screen. If you have watched a video release, you have probably seen the message: “This film has been modified from its original version.”The wide screen version maintains the same size and shape of the original theatrical version. The rea. . .

NBA 2004-2005 Season Preview

Here are your big stories for the upcoming new season: Kobe Bryant found guilty of rape. Lakers are forced to “bend over” for Kobe’s manhood and finish with their worst record in 10 years Mark Cuban shocks the world as he gives away the Dallas Mavericks on his show, The Benefactor! Although the show was cancelled before this episode was aired, the transfer of ownership is legal and binding. Vi. . .

TOP TEN Myths Surrounding the Montreal Expos

10 - That the Expos lost its fan base after all the English left in the early 80’s.The Olympic Stadium continued to average over 18 thousand visitors per game until 1997. While they were not leaders in attendance by any stretch, it was still a solid base that a strong committed ownership can have grown from. 9 – that the Atlanta Braves are on the verge of their 13th CONSECUTIVE division title.W. . .

Spider's Night on the Boom

An excerpt from the book Spider’s Night on the Boomby Gary E. Andersonwww.abciowa.comI've never been what you'd call a wild child. When I was in grade school, the most negative thing teachers used to write on my report cards was "can't keep hands off other students." In high school, I deliberately skipped class once, but the next day, the teacher only said, "That's OK. You must've had a good re. . .