Authentic Models Dutch Renaissance Domino Game

Product Details

This beautiful and unique domino game is an exact replica of the original that was carved by Dutch artists during the Renaissance times. Each ivory style piece represents a visage with its own moral significance, some of which are still known and some that have been lost over the ages. The domino set comes with 28 domino pieces, each with a unique relief sculpture, and is presented in a richly appointed footed, mahogany wood box.

History: The 17th century was a moment in the Dutch history characterized by great economic prosperity and political advance. A new civil society was led by the Protestant bourgeoisie, and was extremely liberal and democratic for its time. Fleets established Dutch colonies around the world, opening sea routes that turned Amsterdam into the international trading center.

Freed from the obligation not to paint the royal portraits and biblical scenes, the artists were interested in scenes of everyday life. Painters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, Jan Steen, and Frans Hals began to paint revolutionary realism that transformed the classic and decorative arts. Many artists took pleasure in exercising their talent, but the dominant culture required them to justify their art by presenting it as a warning against the perils of decadence. This is why this collection of portraits includes a famous Dutch Admiral, pastor, philosopher as well as a Dandy, a Satyr and some bizarre Grotesques. It is very likely that the portrait of the master engraver himself is among this collection of 28. Wood box -- 9-3/4" L x 9" W x 2" H Dominoes -- 1" L x 1/2" W x 1-1/2" H

• Authentic Models Domino Game
• 28 ivory style visage domino pieces
• Exact replica of original by a Dutch Renaissance artist
• Comes in a footed, mahogany wood presentation box

Double Six Standard Dominoes with Brass Spinner in Wooden Case 28 Piece

Product Details

Set of 28 Standard Double Six Dominoes in wooden storage box. Tiles have brass spinners.

• Set of 28 Standard Double Six Dominoes
• Comes in Wooden Storage Box
• Tiles have Brass spinners

Dominicanyork Domino Table

Product Details

Domino Table with the map This Domino Table is covered with a special clear coat to prevent scratches. Table was made using quality wood. Drink Holders with, flag, escudos, photos and Dominoes Racks built in. Metal legs are included. If additional shipping is added to your order, the shipping charges will be adjusted before your order is processed. Please allow 2 weeks for delivery of these tables. Domino Tables will be shipped Fedex Ground FOR SPECIFIC WORDS, NAMES, PICTURES OR PHRASES WE OFFER CUSTOM MADE SERVICE. WE CAN MAKE ANY FLAG, NAME OR PHRASE YOU WANT. EMAIL US FOR MORE INFORMATION

• Dominicanyork Domino Table
• Table was made using quality wood
• Drink Holders with, flag, escudos, photos and Dominoes Racks built in
• Metal legs are included

Jumbo Dominos with Animals

Product Details

Features Available also in a clear plastic box. Soft and colorful, oversized dominos are great for practicing color, size, shape, and number recognition. The large size piecess are easy for small fingers to handle. For fun in the tub, just wet and stick. Age: 3 & Up.

• Available also in a clear plastic box. Soft and colorful, oversized dominos are great for practicing
• Age: 3 & Up.
• Made with the Best Quality Material with your child in mind.
• Top Quality Children's Item.

How Relationships Are Not Like Shower Tiles

I spent the whole afternoon the other day on my hands and knees scrubbing my shower tile. It was covered in hard water and rust stains. So I got out the stiffest scrubbing pad I could find and started in. Now if any of you are familiar with cleaning tile, you might be cringing right now. I felt really good about my progress because the tile was bright, white and clean! Yeah!! Until my husband walked in and said, "That's not an abrasive scrubbing pad is it?"

I remained silent and held the pad up to him. Yep, it was. "You know why the tile is so clean right?" he said. I was still silent. He told me the tile was so clean and white because I had scrubbed the glaze right off the tile. I got below the surface of the tile with my scrubbing and took the protective glaze right off and instead of the off white, bone color that the tile was supposed to be, I had white tile with no protective coating. Oops.

It's a good thing that relationships are not like shower tile. If we never got below the surface in our relationships, we would never have a truly fulfilling relationship with anyone. In Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, in Chapter 10, he is trying to get the Corinthians to see look below the surface of things (v. 7) and see why he is so forceful in his letters. He has to be boasting and forceful in his letters because he is not physically there with the Corinthians to encourage them in person.

He addresses this is verses 10 and 11 that say, "For some say, "His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing." Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present." Paul is basically saying to look below the surface of his actions while he is there and see the Godly man underneath all the boasting and forcefulness of his letters.

There are probably a lot of people that read my articles and think that I am forceful in my opinions of how we should be as women. But I am only trying to encourage others in the way that God has called me to do. 2 Corinthians 10:13 says, "We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you."

My field includes all the women that I can possibly reach to try to encourage and inspire them as God has called me to do. I will not step outside of my limits, as Paul didn't, and I pray that you will look below the surface of my writing and feel inspired and encouraged. I would love to hear from you! If I have encouraged you in anyway please let me know.

Glitter Pink Mah Jongg Rack (1 Rack)

Product Details

Methods to Improve Human Memory

People have been interested to improve human memory since a vey long time ago. In both Ancient Greece and Rome, people were constrained to memorize all the information, because the writing materials were not so common as nowadays. This explains why in those time the oratory was so appreciated. Furthermore, actors and poets had to have a very good memory in order to memorize all their notions.

Nowadays, in order to improve human memory, people use mnemonics, but also supplements based on herbs or on vitamins and minerals. Mnemonics represent techniques that help people to memorize faster. This is achieved by attaching to the information that is harder to recall another notion that can be brought in mind easier.

When people want to remember something, they must think of a smell, a color, a taste or an image and attach it to the new notion, so it can be recalled easily. For example, when memorizing a list, it is good to attach a virtual image to each item. In addition, people are advised to realize connections between the elements of a list, in order to remember all of them, when necessary.

Another way to improve human memory is to play certain games that require mental processes to be used intensively. For example, Mahjong is such a game. A pile of tiles is laid on the table. Of course, the tiles must be mixed. The goal is to realize pairs out the tiles. What makes this game a challenge is the fact that not all the tiles are accessible in the beginning. By creating pairs from the tiles that are topmost, people gain access to the basic layer of tiles.

In addition, in order to improve human memory, people are advised to take memory supplements. These are based on either medicinal herbs or on vitamins and minerals. The best medicinal herbs that improve memory are ginkgo biloba, ginseng, green tea, rosemary and salvia.

Actually, the ginkgo biloba extract is believed to be the basic ingredient of some of the most effective memory supplements. It is able to enhance memory in several ways. It improves the blood flow to the brain and to the other organs, but it also enhances the oxygenation of the organs. The ginkgo biloba extract prevents the bad cholesterol to turn into plaque and furthermore, it neutralizes the free radicals which help in the development of some causes of memory loss, such as brain cancer and stroke.

Japanese Mahjong - A Personal Encounter

From quite early on in my life I had always wanted to learn to play mahjong. The teeming variety and exotic charm of the tiles fascinated me. I knew that mahjong represented one important strand of Japanese popular culture, so when I accepted a job at an English language school in Hiroshima in 1990 I took the opportunity to find out more about the game.

I asked some of my students about the game and two of them, Noda-san and Yoshimoto-san, offered to teach me how to play. "But there are only three of us." I replied. "Isn't mahjong a four-player game?"

"We'll teach you Japanese three-player mahjong." said Noda-san, "It's a very good game." He was right. I became addicted to "three-player mahjong" in my first year living in Japan.

Like everything else imported into Japan over the centuries, mahjong has been adapted and improved upon to suit Japanese culture. In fact two popular versions of mahjong are played in Japan. By far the most common version of Japanese mahjong is the Japanese elaboration of the original Chinese four-player game. The Japanese four-player game is commonly called "reach mahjong" ("riichi maajyan" in Japanese). Then there is the far less common and more drastically transformed three-player game, which is common in Hiroshima. That is the game which my two students taught me to play.

A standard mahjong set consists of 144 tiles divided into 36 types, each type occurring four times (4 x 36 = 144). The greater part belongs to one of the three suits, Coins, Bamboos, and Characters. The suits run from one to nine. The remaining tiles divide into three Dragons, four Winds and eight decorative bonus tiles called Flowers and Seasons.

Apart from the Flowers and Seasons, which are often discarded, the four-player game uses all of these tiles. However, the Japanese three-player variation cuts out all the tiles of the characters suit numbering from two to eight. This produces a faster, riskier game that is ideally suited for gambling - if only gambling were not illegal in Japan!

Mahjong was introduced to Japan from China in the early years of the twentieth century and quickly became a popular urban pastime. But with Japan on a war footing from 1931-1945, mahjong was actively discouraged by the authorities.

The fortunes of Japanese mahjong revived after the Second World War to such an extent that there were about 60,000 mahjong parlours (jansoh) in operation throughout the nation by 1983. Since then the game has been in something of a decline as fewer youngsters play it nowadays. By the early nineties the number of jansoh had fallen to something like 25,000. Nevertheless, that is still a lot of parlours! If you recognize the kanji (Chinese characters) for "mahjong" or "jansoh" you will not fail to notice the seemingly ubiquitous presence of signs advertising mahjong parlours wherever you go in urban Japan.

Poke your head inside the door of a typical Japanese mahjong parlour and a vista of a brightly lit, smoke filled room crowded with men sat around square mahjong tables in their suits or rumpled shirt sleeves will most likely present itself to you. The mahjong parlour is not the exclusive preserve of men however, and every so often one or two of the more indomitable female players can be seen holding court at a table. The scene will be completed by the "mama-san", the dominatrix who presides over the mahjong parlour dispensing drinks, snacks, and words of advice about the complexities of the game.

In Hiroshima, where the three-player game is a popular regional variation, you can play either the three-player or the four-player game. Moreover, not only are the fees quite low, the beer is cheap too! If you are lucky, mama-san will provide a range of tasty snacks or even some of her home cooking at no extra cost.

It is worth visiting a Japanese mahjong parlour just to see the mahjong tables. They are sophisticated marvels of modern technology. Each table contains two sets of tiles. While one set is in play on the table surface, the other set lurks in the guts of the machine. When a game is finished one of the players presses a button and the central section of the table opens up to reveal a cavity. The players push the tiles into the cavity. Another button is pressed and the central section closes. At the same moment four long narrow flaps slide open on the table and four completed walls of tiles emerge.

Meanwhile the tiles that were pushed into the table are automatically churned and shuffled and jostled into position ready for the next game. In this way players are saved the bother of having to shuffle the tiles and build walls after each game. As soon as one game is over the next game can commence without delay; an important consideration when you are paying for the time you spend at the table.

Of course, mahjong can also be played at home with friends or family. Mahjong sets can be purchased from many outlets and range in price from ¥2,000 to ¥35,000 and up. The game would typically be played sitting around the kotatsu - a low table with a built-in heating element for winter evenings. Until a few years ago kotatsu manufacturers catered to the mahjong-playing market by finishing the underside of most of the table-tops in green baize. If you wanted to play mahjong at home you could convert your kotatsu into a mahjong table simply by turning over the table-top.

Nowadays, with fewer people playing mahjong at home, fewer kotatsu come with green baize undersides. Instead, rubber mats made especially for mahjong can be purchased quite easily. A rubber mat serves to keep the noise down when the tiles are shuffled.

The influence of mahjong on modern Japanese culture is testified to by the fact that in 1991 the world's first museum dedicated to the game opened on the north-east coast of the Boso peninsula, to the south of Tokyo.

But with fewer young people taking up the game, does mahjong have a future? The Director General of the museum, Kyoichiro Noguchi certainly thinks so. Indeed, his vision for the game is full of lofty ambition. He expressed the hope that "Mahjong will contribute to the cultural exchange and peace of the world" [sic]. I don't know about that, but I am sure that the game will continue to be a popular aspect of contemporary Japan culture even if it never again reaches the zenith of popularity that it enjoyed in the early postwar years.

The Exciting World of Kids Quads

In this World of modern day technology, nothing helps a child grow up and learn responsibility more at a young age than owning their own all-terrain vehicle, or ATV. Enjoying the outdoors with a true sense of freedom, your child will love the excitement his ATV provides. They learn safe driving practices, safe handling of their ATV and the proper use of equipment. They'll learn safe driving speeds and the use of safety gloves and helmets and safe eye wear while riding. All the while they're enjoying the outdoors and the splendor nature has to provide!

Kids quads are a great way to get your children outdoors and away from the video games for some nice outdoor fun, fresh air and exercise too! Kids love the freedom of riding instead of walking, and the kids quads are a great source of entertainment and can be ridden in groups with friends. With headlights on many ATVs they can enjoy the outdoors after the sun is setting also.

Kids quads provide an excellent means of doing chores around the house and yard and are great for short trips to the mail box and back in rural settings. Some of the smaller ATVs come with extra large brake pedals, small handles for small hands and dual headlights, automatic clutch, and remote control brakes so parents can stop them when they want.

The top 5 ATV companies who make All-terrain vehicles are Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Polaris, and Yamaha and all of these companies make great kids quads along with several other sizes of ATV's. There are also several smaller companies around the world that manufacture ATV's, providing a wide range of prices, sizes and options to suit your particular needs and in accordance of your child's age, weight and size. Kids quads generally have a smaller engine and are easier to handle but still have the power to haul small trailers if needed for hauling fire wood or for doing yard work.

Your child will love the convenience of his ATV and the freedom that comes with owning his or her own kids quad. The smaller kids quads are easier to start, most with a push of a button and provide hours of fun and entertainment that only the outdoors can provide. Your child can follow you as you ride your ATV and the whole family can enjoy many exciting hours of outdoor adventures together!

Jewish Picture Dominoes

Product Details

Jewish Picture Dominoes game introduces pre-school children to number concepts, pattern recognition, and Jewish themes. Children match numeric digits (0-6) with same number of object pictures. Each picture has been chosen with a Jewish theme and numeric meaning as well (for example, ONE Torah, THREE matzos, etc.) For ages 3-7, this game consists of 28 sturdy cardboard domino cards.

Top 30 Fun Sight Word Games and Activities

Learning sight words is an important part of learning to read.

Sight words are service words. They are not meant to be sounded out. Learning these words helps the reader to maintain reading fluency without getting caught up on meaning.

I like the Dolch Sight Word List, but there are many other lists available. I like to pop them onto cards about 12cm x 6cm.

Use these cards to have some fun with 30 FUN SIGHT WORD GAMES AND ACTIVITIES

1. Play Battleships with sight words on a grid with a partner or
as a class.

2. Play coin toss - words on floor - children take turns to
toss a coin onto a word and say that word.

3. Have a box of small blank mini cards or paper you can
purchase great sized post it notes these days (approx
10cm x 2 cm) on hand at all times so that children can
write down words from word walls, charts etc and then
take the card back to their writing. It is also handy to
write words on when doing writing conferences.

4. Play who am I? for example, I am yellow, I have 5 letters, and I
end in ___.

5. Make a letter twister chart with chalk on a concrete
floor, children place their feet and hands on the letters
to spell words.

6. Around the World Sight Words - flash a word - first player
to say word out of that pair moves on to the next person
to make a pair and another word is flashed, etc, etc.

7. Play Hangman using the word card words.

8. How quickly can you find a certain sight word in individual
reading books during small group reading.

9. Play dominoes using same end letter/ beginning letter.

10. Circle letters within words using white board marker on
laminated sight words cards.

11. Play Chinese Whispers - say a word - pass it around.

12. Circle smaller words within words using white board
marker on laminated word cards.

13. Children go outside and practice writing their words with
chalk on the concrete.

14. Practice handwriting by tracing over words using
white board marker on laminated sight word cards.

15. Place sight word cards in alphabetical order.

16. Flashlight words turn off lights flash a torch on
words on display for look and say.

17. Children make their own word wall/dictionary using
photocopied small sight words and scrapbooks labeled with a
letter of the alphabet on each page... can be added to
throughout the year.

18. Play tic tac toe, here I go, where I stop I do not know -
children say the word that you stop on.

19. Cloze - children find the missing word
within a sentence.

20. Play musical words - children pass words around in a
circle until music stops - that child says the word - can
be played with 1 or more words.

21. Go on a word walk / drive - find words around the environment -
signs etc.

22. Make words using play dough.

23. Make words using string gluing.

24. Make words using letter tiles -scrabble pieces.

25. Make words using stencils.

26. Make words using alphabet stamps.

27. Make words using magnetic letters.

28. Play stepping stones - place words on the floor and
children walk over them saying the word as they go to get
to the other side of the stream.

29. Beat the clock - how many times can a word be written
in 1 minute etc.

30. Children write their words in list form and then write
over the words 2 or more times using different colors
to create rainbow words.

There are so many way you can make teaching and learning sight words fun - I am sure you can think of more as well.

Double 9 Tournament Black Dot Spinner Domino Set

Product Details

These are the thickest, largest and best dominoes available in the world, which makes for easier handling and standing on edge. Dominoes measure 1-3/32" x 2-3/16" x 1/2" thick. They have large uniform-sized black pips and brass spinners. Packaged in a heavy-duty, black vinyl, ostrich-grained Leatherette case with a snap lock closure. A Centerpiece for starting Chickenfoot and Mexican Train along with rules are included for eight popular fun games including Moon, 42, 84, Straight Dominoes, Solitaire, Chickenfoot, Mexican Train and Super Dominoes.

Designing a Glass Block Half Wall - 6.5 Steps For a Successful Loft Conversion Project

Designing a glass block half wall in a loft space has got to be done right to make sure it's safe, provides the necessary amount of privacy, and offers a cool look. This article will provide 6 ½ simple steps to consider when designing this wall for a loft, home, or business space.

Step 1 - Determine how tall you would like your wall - The most common height for a half wall with blocks is 40" high which is similar to a banister with spindles. This will make the wall high enough to ensure the safety of small children, but can still be looked over to see what's happening in the space below. It's usually best (and most cost effective) to design this wall in 8" increments since the blocks that are used to finish the sides and tops come in 8" x 8" sizes. If the loft conversion space will be used for a den, office, homework station, or small media room a 40" height should work well. If you're looking to create a bedroom space you'll either want to go up at least 72" or use a full height wall.

Step 2 - Think through your need for privacy - Block patterns can be totally see-through, partially obscured (the wave pattern is the most common here), or completely private (the diamond and ice patterns are popular here). The most common pattern for this type of project is usually the partially obscured - which is good because it's a cost-effective block design and comes in various sizes and shapes to finish off the sides and tops. Obviously if you're using the room for a den or office you won't need the amount of privacy you'll require for a bedroom area.

Step 3 - Develop a construction game plan for building your loft wall and making sure it's safe - It's been said "the devil's in the details" - and in the case of building a glass block half wall this statement could not be truer. A successful loft wall must begin with the right components between the glass masonry units and be anchored to the floor and any adjoining wall(s) properly to make sure it's safe and will last. Use either a vinyl horizontal and vertical vinyl stack spacer system, or horizontal ladder type wire reinforcing which are specially made for the blocks. Also, make sure to get the right anchors to be able to tie in your wall to the sides and floor of the loft.

If you've got a carpeted or another type of finished floor you don't want to rip up to install the block wall consider purchasing an aluminum U channel which is specifically made for the block panel sections. This channel can be anchored through the carpet to the subfloor (this item will most likely be found through a specialized block installation contractor). Then the finished panel sections can be seated into these channels.

You'll always want to tie in to at least one side wall and the floor of the loft for safety. To increase the stability of the wall you could also consider a finished post at end of the wall which would provide two sides for anchoring, or consider making a 45 degree, 90 degree or curved glass block wall for improved structural design. The blocks can also be installed inside a drywall structure for a clean, modern appearance.

In most cases you should finish between the block joints with mortar or tile grout. This type of finishing material provides more rigidity than an outside joint finished with silicone.

Step 4 - Buy premade block panels to improve your finished quality - Consider purchasing pre-made block panel assemblies which will not only reduce your installation time and field labor costs, but will also make the project much easier to finish in the field (with panels you'll have a limited need to have to lean over the loft wall to finish the other side when installing the project) and the quality should be better as well. The panels can be made with the horizontal and vertical spacers built in to them.

Step 5- Consider how you'd like to finish the top and side of the wall - There are now finished end blocks for both the end and top of a glass block half wall. The principal advantage these blocks provide is they have a finished bull-nose surface, are smooth to touch and retain an all glass look to the wall. Their disadvantage is they are not a flat smooth surface and are more expensive than the standard blocks. If you're looking for a flat surface for the top you can complete your wall with any type of solid surface material (like wood, granite, Corian, cultured marble etc.) or even consider glass tiles which are specifically designed for the blocks.

Step 6 - Design in the cool factor- Why have a half wall in a loft conversion if you're not looking to design in the cool factor? This wall is usually seen from a main living space below and is an intriguing space for visitors to check out. Consider putting in your blocks a one of kind etched wall design, or maybe add in frosted or colored glass block. There is no longer a need to have a generic clear glass wall anymore.

Step 6 ½ - If you're wigged out figuring out this project get help - You don't need to be alone designing and constructing this half wall. Consider calling a block specialty contractor early in the process to help you with the design, premade panels, and tips on how to install the project to get it done right the first time.

Designing and building a glass block half wall for a loft conversion no longer needs to be a mystery - but it does need to be done right the first time. Follow these basic steps or pick up the phone or email a block specialist and you'll be on your way to getting a wall that looks cool and performs well in your home or business for years to come.

Mahjong Solitaire

Mahjong Solitaire is a kind of Mahjong game, also known as Shanghai Solitaire. Mahjong solitaire involves144 tiles that have beautiful designs and Chinese characters painted on them. The game requires skill, intelligence, estimation as well as luck. Mahjong, which literally means "the game of a hundred intelligences" in Chinese, has been traditionally used as a gambling game. Ma Chiao, Mo Tsiah, Ma Cheuk, Ma Jong, Ma Chiang, Ma Chong, Man Chu, Mah Diao, Pung Chow, Mah Chong, Ching Chong, Mah Cheuk, Ma Chiang, Kong Chow, Mah Deuck, Lung Chan, Mah Lowe, Pe Ling, Baak Ling are other names for Mahjong.

In mahjong solitaire, the tiles are stacked on top of each other in a four layer grid in a random order, all facing upwards. These have to be matched with each other and discarded as a pair. Only free tiles, or tiles that can be moved freely without disturbing the ones on the right or left, can be moved and matched. When each of the free tiles is matched with another free tile and removed from the stack, it exposes other tiles under them and makes them free and ready to be matched. The objective is to remove all the 144 tiles from the board. The game is over when all the tiles are gone or when there is no possibility for removing other tiles. This happens when no free tiles can be matched with each other.

The most common tiles are: the circle suit (contains circles), the bamboo suit (contains bamboos), character suit (Chinese characters representing ten thousand coins each), wind tiles (representing north, south, east and west), dragon tiles (red, green and white) flower tiles (containing art work). These tiles are of 34 kinds, in five different suits or designs: wan, circle, bamboo, wind and prime and 8 flower tiles.

Mahjong solitaire can be played solo or with another player. While playing with another player, the winner accumulates the maximum number of pairs or is the last one to match a pair. There are electronic versions of mahjong solitaire available. These can be purchased or they are also available for free download on the Internet. Mahjong solitaire can also be played online with other online players or with the computer. The earliest electronic version was created in 1981 by Brodie Lockard but it was officially released in 1983 by Control Data Corporation as a paid online game. The 1986 version released by Activision by the name of Shanghai made the game very popular was converted into many platforms.

Acrylic Mahjong Rack and Pusher Combo - Blue - Set of 4

Product Details

Complete your Mahjong set with pushers and racks! The racks keep your tiles easy to arrange and your betting coins sorted and accessible. The pushers, also known as ''extending arms'' or ''helping hands'' build your walls quick and easy.

• Set of four pushers and four racks.
• Each pusher measures 17-7/8'' L x 3/4''H (45.3cm x 2cm)
• Racks measure 18-3/8''L x 2-1/8''W x 1''H (46.5cm x 5.4cm x 2.5cm)
• The tile section of these racks measures 16 inches. They will hold sixteen tiles stacked side by side.
• Mahjong tiles and betting coins not included.

Why Fantasy Football is So Frustrating

The best you can hope for in fantasy football is to make it into the playoffs with a bye. Once you get in the playoffs, you have to know that even a dominant team is vulnerable. But why is this the case?

The fantasy football playoffs take place late in the season and even more variables that are completely out of your control come into play. These variables include resting players, teams giving up, teams giving backups a chance to showcase their stuff, tiring players, injuries and the list goes on. The bottom line is you must keep adjusting but even with well calculated starts and a star studded lineup, your team can still fall by the way side.

If you fell short this season, take solace in the fact there are some things you just can't control. You cannot directly tie your fantasy team's success to your own because there are so many things left to chance. For example, you may not have known Colts coach, Jim Caldwell, would bench his starters so soon against the Jets. The week before against the Jags, Caldwell played his starters the whole game and that game was meaningless in terms of playoff position as well.

Another situation showcasing the hit or miss nature of fantasy football was Arian Foster's 0 points against the easy St. Louis Rams and then his solid effort against Miami with double digit points. Dealing with Foster was basically the same as playing roulette - it was all chance.

So if you're down and out about fantasy football, just remember that it's a game in which chance plays a large role. Most of the time the better team will win, but you can never count out an underdog. There's luck involved and it's weighted even more heavily during the playoffs.

Skill comes into play over the course of the season, however. If your team happens to meander it's way to the top 1/3 of the league every year, that's no coincidence. Take solace in the fact you drafted a team that was strong enough to make the playoffs where anything can happen. Sometimes anything takes you to the finals and sometimes it doesn't.

If you did make it to the finals and that Adrian Peterson fumble cost you the game, yes it's frustrating, but it wasn't your fault.

Swim Spas at Prices Under Twenty Thousand Dollars

A top quality swim spa with all the best features is going to cost you a minimum of thirty thousand dollars before installation costs. At the same time if you work out what features are important to you and which are not you can get an adequate swim spa for under twenty thousand dollars.

Which Features Matter Most?

These are the main features to look for in a swim spa. If you don't need all of these you can save a lot of money.

The main reason that most people buy a swim spa is because it is an affordable and space saving way of getting swimming exercise. Swim spas allow you to swim continuously in place while a water current provides the resistance. Swim jets are cheapest but give you a turbulent current that is hard to swim in. Propeller or paddle wheel generated water currents give you the best swimming in place experience.
Another reason to buy a swim spa is the chance to relax and have a hot tub style massage. For this you will need massage jets. Molded bucket seats help keep you secure as the jets pummel out those tensions.
For a party swim spa, LED and fiber optic lighting, a built in sound system and water features like waterfalls enhance the experience.

The question is- do you really need all of these features?

The Fastlane from Endless Pools

This comes complete for $11,000. The pool itself is a cheap, above ground, self-assembly pool with a vinyl liner. There are no seats, massage jets, lights, heaters or sound system. What you do get is a top quality swim current generator.

Endless Pools are one of the best names in swimming spas and the Fastlane current generator is state of the art. The current is wide, deep and fast enough for very strong swimmers. The variable speed controls mean it can be adjusted to suit every individual. Because it is so easy to set up it can used outside in the summer and moved inside in the winter- if you have a large garage or basement with a strong enough floor.

The Swimergy

The Swimergy cost around $6000 before installation costs. What is it lacking? The most obvious thing is that there is no water current to swim against. You get the swim in place experience by using a swim tether. The tether attaches to the swimmer's special shoes. This kind of resistance swimming is used by pro swimming teams and the US Army for endurance training. The problem in a small pool is that waves build up as the person swims and the Swimergy pool's great advantage is that it is specially shaped to dampen water movements.

At eight feet by fifteen feet, the pool is big enough for two swimmers to use at the same time. It is also a fun place for kids to splash around in. There are no seats, massage jets, sound systems etc.

H20 Swim Spas

There are economy swim spas that use swim jets to create a current to swim against. H2O are one of many manufacturers.

The South Sea swimming spa is one of the most basic models on the market; there are no seats, only a few perches to sit on. On the other hand, there is room for gentle swimming, plenty of space for kids, a heater and an ozone generator to keep the water fresh. The swim spa can be found online for around $16,000, excluding installation.

H2O also offer the 'Super Swim Spa Exercise Swimming Pool Spa'. This is a terrible name but it has some good features for a spa selling online at $17,500. The swim current is from swim jets, like the South Beach, but here you will find 2 molded seats, many hydro jets, LED and fiber optic lighting, air blowers and an integrated sound system.

Mahjong Game Sets - A Classic Board Game

Mahjong game sets are as diverse as the game is complicated. You can find the sets made out of marble, ivory, bone, wood, and plastic resin. The tiles of a full set are in three categories.

The first sets of tiles in a full mahjong set are the suit tiles. The suit tiles are the tiles which consist of dots, lines, and characters, depicting a suit, similar to a deck of cards. Each set of suit tiles in the mahjong set, consists of four sets of nine dot tiles, four sets of nine line tiles, and four sets of nine character tiles.

The honor tiles consist of four sets of three dragon tiles, a red dragon, a green dragon, and a white dragon. The white dragon tile is sometimes depicted simply with a blank tile. Also included in the honor tiles, are the directional wind tiles. There are four sets of four wind tiles, each depicting a direction the wind blows, in other words, east, west, north, and south.

The bonus tiles are just that, a bonus. If you choose a tile, and it turns out to be a bonus tile, you simply put it aside, face up, to be played later, and draw another tile. The bonus tiles usually depict a flower, with a number, going from one to four; there are eight of these tiles, two sets of four.

In some mahjong game sets, you will also find a set of tiles that depict the seasons, winter, spring, fall, and of course summer. While the mahjong game sets can vary slightly, they will generally consist of at least one hundred and thirty six tiles, and up to one hundred and forty four tiles.

Also available, are mahjong game sets that are actually decks of cards, however, the tiles are preferred as you get the actual feel of the game, as well as the traditional sound of the tiles clinking together.

The game of mahjong is a complicated game, which dates back four thousand years, to a time when only royalty played the game. It has been passed on through the generations and there are now several versions of the game. Included in these versions, are the Chinese version, American version, Taiwan version, Vietnamese and Japanese versions.

In every version of the mahjong game sets, there will be included different accessories, such a tile holders, and dealer score cards.

Travel Mah Jong

Product Details

Looking for a new game to challenge your brain and capture your heart? Mah-Jong, the ancient Chinese game of four winds, may be just the ticket. The goal, which is similar in principle to rummy, is to accumulate sets. It's a challenging game for four players with the desire to connect to an ancient culture. Our compact, American version includes dice, chips, 166 plastic tiles, four racks, and instructions for four beginners or advanced players.

• American version
• 166 tiles
• 4 color racks
• 2 dice, playing chips and instructions

Chess Sets and Mah Jong Sets

Chess is a game of wets and has originated in India. A game played on board with 64 squares and with figurines on that board. These figurines are taller then being broad. A set with squares 5 cm width will have 95 mm tall king. The best known design for chess set is the Staunton design and named after Howard Staunton by Nathaniel Cook.

Chess Set Design

In Stanton design the chess set has to have standard measurements with each piece having measurements between a certain range. The height of king is kept between 85 mm to 105 mm. The diameter of king is around 50% of height. Size of all other pieces is kept in proportion to the size of king. Size of pieces is kept in proportion to size of king. In this design size of chessboard is made around 1.25 to 1.3 times of the base of king. The chess sets made of wood are much more common in higher level tournaments where as the sets in lower levels are made of plastic. The lighter color is always called White while darker shade is always called Black.

Usually wooden white pieces of chess set are made up of Boxwood or Maple. Black pieces are made from rosewood etc. Usually chess pieces are made on wither Lathe machines or carved by hand. Sheesham woods are best used with walnut boards as well as with Bubinga or hazelnut boards.

Choosing an Ideal Chess Set

Chess sets can be bought in either of two ways: a board with pre selected pieces or both pieces and boards being selected by you. The first thing that you need to remember is that chess sets vary in prices from being inexpensive to extremely expensive ivory sets as well. It is however advisable that you stress on quality and invest in an expensive chess set. Chess sets are passed on from generations to generations so they should be of best quality you can afford. The second aspect is Quality of chess pieces and the board. The quality should be looked at first for the King and then for other pieces. Other then right size, the finishing should be very fine.

Mah Jong Sets:

Mah Jong, a traditional game of China, known as the game of hundred traditional intelligences has been widely popular in western world as well since 1895. Mah Jong is played is played both with Cards and Tiles. Most sets come with chips or bone tiles for scoring also. Sometimes racks are also there along with the set o hold chips etc. The number of tiles in the Mah Jong sets ranges from 136 to 144 depending from where the set has been picked up. The set will also have season tiles (2 tiles), 4 "red 5" bonus tiles, 1 table wind Tessera, 4 dice, scoring tallies, and a carrying case.

The most common tiles in the set are: the Circle Suit (the ones with circles), the Bamboo (with bamboos), Character Suit (bearing Chinese characters representing ten thousand coins each), Wind Tiles (representing north, south, east and west), Dragon Tiles, Flower Tiles and Joker Tiles. The set pieces are made of Ivory, Wood, and Plastic etc. The best Mah Jong Sets come from China and are made from ivory. To but the best set, affirm the number of tiles as well as accompanying rack etc are of best quality and finesse.

Both Chess and Mah Jong sets are games of intelligence and are extremely popular all over the world. The sets for playing the game are as unique as the game itself and if you want to buy one, go for the best available sets and pieces available in the market.

Mexican Train Tournament Double 12 Domino Set

Product Details

These are the thickest, largest and best dominoes available in the world, which makes for easier handling and standing on edge. Dominoes measure 1 3/32" x 2 3/16" x 1/2" thick. They have large uniform sized bright color coded pips. Packaged in a heavy-duty, black, ostrich-grained Leatherette case with a snap lock closure. Electronic Choo Choo train sounder, eight train markers and a free centerpiece for starting Chickenfoot and Mexican Train are included.

• 91 White Dominoes with recessed color dots. (Ninety-One dominoes make a set of Double 12's)
• Play Mexican Train Dominoes and most other variations with this set.
• Tournament Size Dominoes are largest commercially available size. Measure 2 3/16 inches long
• Superior Quality, Nice heavy feel, color-coded for easy discrimination between different counts.
• Packaged in vinyl covered, snap-close, average quality case.

Preparing to Lay Your New Wooden Floor

Due to the nature of real wood such as oak it is a living and breathing product. It will expand and contract depending on its environment. A new wood floor looks fantastic but it is always best to ensure it stays looking pristine for years to come. The way to do this is to make sure the preparation for laying the flooring is done correctly, along with a common knowledge of the small issues that can happen with real wood floors.

Solid flooring has a tendency to expand and contract. In summer, when the air is more humid due to the house being aired more often - the boards soak up the extra moisture and tend to expand slightly. In winter, when central heating / underfloor heating are used regularly, the air in the house is very dry therefore resulting in the boards drying and contracting - this often creates gaps appearing between boards - often large enough to put a coin between. These are harmless and disappear in the warmer months when heating is not used in the house as often.

When hardwood flooring gets wet or damp it absorbs the moisture and expands to accommodate this extra moisture. This can often happen even if the room does not feel damp or wet - the humidity in the air can also affect the floor. Before laying a wooden floor in is essential to check that the room is dry and the sub floor contains no extra moisture. It is also best to check the moisture content of the flooring before installing. However the sub floor is the most important thing to check before installing as this will affect the floor if it is not the correct moisture levels.

Where an existing timber subfloor is present, this needs to be checked for wet rot, dry rot and for woodworm. Although these are not commonplace it is always best to check existing floors before laying down your new wood floors which can get ruined by rot or woodworm. It is always best to ensure that the existing boards are also securely fastened to the joists as they will cause creaking if not fitted well. Loose timber boards can be screwed down onto the joists - or additional noggins can be placed between the joists if an old board has been cut in the wrong place and is loose.

When nailing down onto the existing flooring, the boards should be laid at 90 degrees to the sub floor. This ensures maximum stability and strength in the floor. (As an example consider a jenga game where all the blocks are placed on top of each other in the same direction - it is extremely unstable). If you are wanting the boards to be laid in the same direction as the sub floor a layer of plywood can be placed and nailed or screwed down to ensure a stable fit of the new wood flooring.

There are additional precautions to take where a screed or concrete sub floor is present. New concrete dries at a rate of 1 inch per month or 1mm per day. Although the concrete can look and feel dry to the touch, it can often still contain more moisture than the recommended amounts for hardwood flooring. The best way to check is to use a moisture meter - this will give you an instant reading and tell you whether you need to leave it to dry for longer.

If the new wood floor is an engineered floor that is being laid as a floating floor then it is possible to lay an extra layer of damp proof membrane (DPM) over the concrete / screed to ensure no moisture reaches the wood floor however if the floor is being glued down to the subfloor or battened out it would not be possible to lay the DPM, however a liquid DPM or epoxy resin can be used to create a liquid barrier instead. As solid wood floors are recommended to be stuck down to the sub floor it is best to glue solid wood floors down to the concrete directly therefore it is essential that the moisture is checked before laying.

With all wood flooring, an expansion gap must be left around the edge to ensure there is room for expansion in case of problems with moisture. This can be covered with skirting, beading or an edge profile. When preparation for the sub floor has been completed correctly, the laying of the wood floor is more likely to fit properly and without problems for the future.

Tile & Basement Finishing - The Weakest Link

Here's another tip that's not just for that basement finishing project you're considering, but for any type of tile project that you may have coming up.

Remember that obnoxious game show, "The Weakest Link?" The name of the show alluded to the colloquial reference that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Put enough pressure on the chain, and the chain will break -- always at the weakest link in the chain.

When it comes to tile and the potential for stressful water prevention problems, the weakest link is any corner.

The potential for disaster becomes even worse in a basement finishing scenario. Basements are already cool, dark, and damp; this is Mecca for mold-related issues.

And most basements will have a shower with at least one, if not two, corners. The corners where tile from two different walls come together is usually simply grouted. In some cases, the grout may have a thin layer of silicone caulk smeared over the top. Either situation is potentially problematic.

First, grout does not hold up well in corners. It cracks and rapidly deteriorates with the gentle expansion and contraction that a corner experiences. Additionally, a thin layer of silicone over the top of cracking grout won't last long. Finally, silicone should ideally have a better surface to bind to as it cures so it will last longer.

You'll want to make sure that your tile is done differently. Do not allow your basement finishing contractor to grout those corners. Or, if you're planning to do the tile project yourself, make sure YOU don't grout those corners. Instead, make sure to caulk the corners with an elastomeric caulk that is matched to the color of your grout.

You'll love this solution to this problem for a number of reasons. First, because the caulk is matched to the color of your grout it makes for a seamless transition from one wall to the next; just as good as grout. Second, because there is no grout underneath it the caulk has a great surface to bind to as it cures, which helps ensure a strong impenetrable corner. Finally, because the caulk is elastomeric it will flex and contract with the subtle movement of the wall without cracking.

Not only should you or your basement finishing contractor use it in corners, but it should be used to caulk other transitions too. Some examples include tile to tub transitions, tile to sink transitions, tile to hardwood transitions, tile to drywall transitions, etc.

The little links in your tile project and basement finishing chain will go a long way in making your project a huge success.

Dungeon Tiles Are a Great Game Tool

Dungeons and Dragons, the table top role playing game, has inspired many wonderful tools available for those of us who play the game. Dungeon tiles are one of the lesser known tools. I'd like to showcase their uses in this article. And remember, they don't have to be limited to only actual Dungeons and Dragons gaming. You can use these versatile tiles in many RPGs.

The tiles are thick cardboard cut into several sizes. The standard square size for a D&D map is a one-inch square, so these tiles are sized that way. The average set is going to have some 8 by 8 tiles, 4 by 4 and 2 by 2. They come in various themes -- themes familiar to any role player. You can find forest themes and dungeon themes and sewer themes. Each side of the tile has a different picture. The artwork is generally top-notch on these and they do a great job of varying the terrain. So in a forest theme, for example, you'll have tiles with a few trees and a few stumps. You'll have tiles with no trees, but a stream and the ruins of a stone wall. Or perhaps there will be a few tiles with giant spider webs (think of the Mirkwood forest scene in "The Hobbit").

What makes dungeon tiles so awesome for the game master is that they are sturdy and cheap (you can get about 30 tiles for $10). It saves you from having to create maps by hand or from having to draw maps on the fly with a battle mat. I prefer to save my creativity for the the story and the non-player characters, so the tiles are perfect for me. It's as though the tiles can set the stage and I can populate it with my monsters, allies and strangers.

For the players, dungeon tiles give them a beautiful window into the imaginary world of the game. That is one of the strengths and weaknesses of D&D -- so much of it happens inside each player's head. So having the tiles (along with your miniature figures, of course) can ground the player's experience. The players have some nice drawings to help flesh out the story.

The designers do a great job of making sure that the terrain is varied and that there are good hiding spots. In this way both the game master and the players can take full tactical advantage of the tiles -- the archer can use a fallen log (to continue with my forest theme) for cover. The game master can use the spot where two trees grow together as an ambush spot.

Overall, for the price, dungeon tiles are a great tool for a GM to have in his or her toolbox. Pick up a pack of them and let your imagination run wild.

Game Theory - Or How Playing by the Rules Results in Defeat

When it comes to almost every element of life, there is a tragic reality that playing by the rules isn't going to lead you to victory. It's a tough lesson that we try and teach children the opposite of, but unfortunately, it quickly becomes evident that it is the case. The reason for this challenge is that even if you are willing to play by the rules, there is always someone going against you who is willing to break them.

The challenge here lies in a similar problem that is seen in interrogations of criminals. When you place two criminals in separate interrogations, each one will fear that the other is going to rat them out. As a result, each criminal will rat out the other so that they are not the only one losing. In much the same way, many people, in fear that their opponents are not playing by the rules, will also not play by the rules.

This problem becomes a circular challenge. By fearing that your opponents won't play by the rules, you yourself won't play by the rules, thereby validating the same fears in them. However, strategy-wise, cheating offers the best course of results. If you cheat and your opponent doesn't, you have an increased chance of winning. If you don't cheat but your opponent does, you have a decreased chance of winning. Finally, if you both cheat, you have an equal chance of things turning out well for you.

As a result, it seems the harsh reality of things is that playing by the rules simply doesn't benefit you. To optimize your performance, it is ideal to break the rules, as there are no circumstances in which this can penalize your performance.

Mahjong Mah-Jongg Key Chain ''Joker'' Tile

Product Details

Bring good luck to your mahjong game with this lovely key chain. It makes a great gift for members of a mahjong club!

• Mahjong tile is made of fiberglass
• Tile measures 1-3/16'' H x 7/8'' W x 1/2'' Thick (30mm x 22mm x 13mm).

E-Z Tiles: Wilderness Set 1 (CD-ROM)

Product Details

Dorm and Apartment Decorating on a Student Budget

Welcome high school graduate or returning scholar to the fantastic world of college. Continuing your education in the institution of higher learning in hopes of making more money, acquiring universal knowledge and perhaps evening finding out whether you have what it takes to survive college life is an honor that should be fully recognized by all. But to make money you have to spend money, which is the first lesson you'll come to terms with when paying for tuition, parking, books, and other expenses you may accrue. If you reside on campus or in an apartment close by, the first thing you may want to do is make your den as livable as possible while on a tight student budget.

A few tips to help you on your way to make your apartment or dorm just like home:

If you can spare to loosen up the purse strings, try to invest in a bed or comfortable sofa or futon bed. Beds can be expensive, and sometimes you can only afford the mattress and boxspring, but it's really not recommended to just leave them sitting on the floor. Moisture can develop under the mattress and boxspring, which can result in an unsanitary and nasty growth known as mold. Now unless you're a biology student and you're growing culture samples to fulfill your lab requirements, I advise against keeping your mattress on the floor and suggest that you buy a bed frame.

Sofa and futon beds are an option to buying beds. Easier to transport than a full on bed, these alternatives double as lounge chairs in the day, and beds at night (or between classes). Perfect for studying or playing video games, sofa and futon beds will give you your money's worth, something that you'll appreciate throughout your college career.

Additional lights like table lamps, floor lamps and maybe even some pendant lighting will bring some personality into a somewhat lifeless dorm or apartment can be affordable if you know what you want and where to go. Places like second-hand stores carry a wide selection of lights, from Tiffany-styled lamps to desk lamps.

Now that you've got the basics of home decorating down, you'll be able to turn your dorm or apartment into a living space even your mom would be proud of, so long as you don't leave the laundry on the floor. Just remember college scholar, decorating and living on a budget are skills do you will master during the duration of your college career.

Double 6 Professional Color Dot Domino Set

Product Details

High quality double 6 color coded dominoes packaged in a black, cowhide grained leatherette case with a snap lock closure. Dominoes measure 1" x 2" x 3/8" thick. You get rules for eight popular domino games including Straight Dominoes, 42, Moon, 84 (takes 2 sets), Solitaire, Chickenfoot, Mexican Train and Super Dominoes.