Tons of Information

The Settlers of Catan Tip Sheet <--click for full story

One of the nice things about Settlers of Catan and its variable setup is that each time you play it, it’s different. Each session is a different puzzle to figure out to determine the ultimate method to take advantage of the resources of Catan. Here are some basic strategies to assist you to determine the best way to settle Catan.The first and foremost strategy principle is: Resource production is everything, and (different than what your first view of Catan may be) resource diversity is not that important, possibly even trivial. When choosing your starting location or which in what direction to expand, your top priority is to chose a location that can generate the most resources. Advice to newbies must be how to place their beginning settlements, and to look for the intersection that has the most dots. It works for newbies, and the strategy for advanced players isn't too very different. A lot of players think that having access to all five resources is the way to go. But if you have less than stellar resource probabilities, it’s not going to help. What you should focus on is having number variety, not resource variety. By number variety, what I want you to think in terms of is having production on the widest variety of possible die rolls. Naturally, focus on the highest probability numbers first. In my starting placement, the best case scenario is to have production on a 6, 8, 9, and 5. It really doesn’t matter what the resources are. It's kind of unique to have the ability to find placement that provides that, so I usually settle for 3 out of 4 of the aforementioned highest producing numbers. Having a variety of the top numbers ensure consistent resource production, regardless if the dice trend goes one way or another. It shouldn’t concern you if all of those hexes are sheep, I'd rather have good numbers over quality. The surplus resources can always be traded and turned into the thing you want somehow. There's no such thing as a valueless resource. The second priority after number variety is to optimize my production through ports. I look for positions with two high producing hexes of the same resource near its matching port. Do not start on the port or else the lack of resource production early in the game will cripple you. Instead, make it a priority to build to the port later.Having a port helps make you independent. Being independent is far better than having to trade to acquire what you require. Other players will only trade if the deal helps them in some way, making trades win-win. I'd much rather just me win instead of being in a win-win, so I look to the ports to assist me to become self-sufficient. Once you have acquired diversity in production numbers, then it’s time to see what resources you might have in your possession. There are two primary strategies that flow depending on what resources you are strong in: Settlements and roads: If you're strong in wood and brick, this will make settlement production simple and road production natural. Having the longest road will be a key part of your winning strategy. Cities and development cards: If you're stronger in ore and grain, this is the way to go. All things being equal, if your options are between focusing on a new settlement or upgrading a city, then upgrade into a city. Usually, spots where you already have a settlement are superior to spots with no settlements; otherwise you would have not placed your settlements there. It is more beneficial to ramp up on good production than to expand into mediocre production. Ultimately, be willing to adapt and go where the resources lead you. Set a goal in each turn to build something. Each turn try and get something on the board. Even if it is just a road, it’s at least something. It's better to get a good thing on the board now than the best thing on the board on a later turn. When trading, whether you are trying to get a city or a settlement, do whatever is required to get what you want during your turn, even if it is an unfavorable trade for you. It is more beneficial to have an expensive settlement now than a cheap settlement later. If you miss the chance to build on a ten, then nothing but tens will be rolled and you'll have missed your opportunity. It is my desire that these tips are helpful to you. May all your Catan settling be prosperous. And remember to game with honor! You want more? Check out The Settlers of Catan

Remedies for Bad Breath <--click for full story

Bad breath can be awful, both for your overall health and for your social life. It cannot be remedied by consuming breath mints, nor can it be remedied by the vigorous use of listerine. The base cause for bad breathe goes much deeper. In this article, I will explain some of the causes of bad breath and some simple remedies you can use to help eliminate the problem. Halitosis is the medical term most used to describe bad breath. The condition causes the production of a type of bacteria that live in your mouth, and this bacteria is what causes the odor you and others smell. In most cases, you can do a scraping at the back section of your tongue with a sanitized plastic knife to see if it is the condition you have. If the scraping smells foul, then you have the problem. Halitosis is caused for many reasons. Amazingly, one of the most common causes is the excessive use of alcohol-based mouthwash, such as Listerine. So, if you use this product, it's probably best to stop using it, or at least, don't use it before you turn in for the night, as the alcohol dries out your mouth and hastens the growth of the very bacteria you are trying to eliminate. The best thing to do is to brush your teeth well. Also brush your gums and your tongue. Do not use any type of mouthwash, as most are alcohol-based, and you really want to stay away from them. Here is an excellent you can try that will help improve your breath and possibly eliminate it altogether. Give it some time, and you should see good results. First things first. Purchase a new toothbrush. It should have soft bristles, not the medium or hard kind. The store brand is perfectly adequate. You don't need anything fancy. Brush your teeth morning and night. If possible, also brush midday, but I know that this is not possible or practical for many of us. Spend at a minimum 5 minutes brushing your teeth, your gums, and your tongue. Brush softly, but completely. Try not to miss any areas and try not to cause any bleeding. You can use just about any toothpaste, but I recommend using simple baking soda. Just put some on your toothbrush and go for it. Keep your toothbrush in a glass container of vodka. Vodka is a neutral spirit and is excellent for eliminating just about any germ known to man. You can obtain cheap vodka at the store, but make sure it hasn't been watered down. Any 80-proof brand will do. Fill a glass to the half way mark and store your toothbrush bristles down in the glass. Make sure it's a real glass and not plastic, as plastic loves to attract all sorts of germs. Wash the container thoroughly every week and replace with fresh vodka. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months. They're cheap and well worth replacing. Gargle after brushing. Don't use a typical mouthwash. Instead, use hydrogen peroxide. You don't need much. Just a capful in a quarter cup of water will do. Gargle, rinse, spit out, and repeat two more times. Do not ingest the hydrogen peroxide. This amount is not really dangerous, but it still should not be swallowed. You probably don't floss. Most of us don't. But if at all possible, it would be a good idea to start. Floss in the evening. This will eliminate food particles that can fester in your mouth and promote the growth of bacteria. Don't give them the chance. Make sure you consume plenty of water during the day. This will not only hydrate you but will also help clean your mouth of anything that might be building up in there. Six to eight glasses a day should be sufficient. If you eat foods that contain refined sugar, you should see if you can eliminate them from your diet. If not, at least see if you can limit them. Did you know that cavities were almost unheard of before we introduced refined sugar into our diets? It's that terrible. This includes sodas, ice cream, sugary cereal, and just about anything else sweet you can buy at the store. I know it's not practical to eliminate it all, so do the best you can. The best bet is to try to avoid eating anything after you've done your night time brushing. These helpful hints will start you on your way to better breath and general all-around health. For additional information, please refer to How To Get Rid of Bad Breath

There's Something About Cameron Diaz <--click for full story

Cameron Diaz was born on August 30, 1972. At first she began a career as a model and then became a popular actress, gaining fame in movies as as The Mask, There's Something About Mary, and Charlie's Angels. She also voiced the character of Princess Fiona in the Shrek movie empire. Cameron was born in San Diego, California, and comes from a Cuban-American and English-German-Cherokee lineage. She started her modeling career at the age of 17, at which age she became a covergirl on Seventeen magazine. At 18, she signed with Elite Model Management. She worked as a model for the next few years and had contracts with many major companies, such as Calvin Klein and Levi's. When she was 21, Cameron auditioned for a part in The Mask. She had no prior acting experience but obtained the lead female part anyway. Having landed the part, she decided it was probably time to start acting lessons, which she did. The Mask went on to become one of the highest grossing films in 1994 and earned Cameron nominations for several awards. Cameron was featured in a string of smaller roles over the next few years and then had big time success with My Best Friend's Wedding and There's Something About Mary. She went on to star in a movie version of Charlie's Angels and then landed the part as Princess Fiona in Shrek. Her voice earned her $10 million for Shrek. Many more films came and went, and in 2010, Forbes Magazine ranked her as the richest Hispanic female celebrity. For more information and pictures, visit Cameron Diaz Photos

Beekeeping Secrets <--click for full story

Do you adore honey? Did you know that it's fairly easy to keep bees and generate your very own honey? In this guide, I'll examine many of the steps necessary to start your very own beekeeping hobby or endeavor for either fun or profit, maybe even both. Honeybees live in a colony. Think borg. They are a colony that does the bidding of the queen. Most of the bees in the colony are workers. They do the best part of the labor, collecting nectar, water, and other things necessary for the survival of the colony. Then, there are drones, and finally the queen. There is only one queen per colony, and she can lay up to 2,000 eggs each day. If another queen is hatched, she can go start her very own colony. A colony of bees can have anywhere from 10,000 to 50,000 members. The good part of these members are female workers. The life span of these little workers is a tad over 30 days, as they work until they just can't work any longer. Tragic, I know, but it is the grand scheme of things. There will also be a few hundred male drones. The females will go out of the nest and forage for supplies to bring back, so in most cases, when you see bees buzzing around, they are almost always female workers. Your first step is going to be studying bees, if you don't already know about the topic. It's called the science of entomology. Google and review some of the info. Maybe even get a good book on the topic. It will be well worth it. You'll learn about the various varieties of honeybees, how bees deal with different seasons, and how honey is harvested from the hive. Beekeeping can be fun and rewarding, if done correctly. If you are going to keep bees, make certain you get your first set of bees locally, as they are very susceptible to climate differences, and bees from other areas may not fare as well as local ones. A dramatically different environment, can be the death knell of your hive, so be careful with your selection of bees. Picking the right breeder is fundamental. You need to make certain the bees you acquire are healthy and free from disease. Think in terms of spring as the best time to start your colony. Spring is also the time when harvesting occurs. For a starter setup, start with six combs, a fertile queen, and some workers and drones. A moveable frame hive is critical to good beekeeping, and don't get a used one. You never know what's been in it, and there is a possibility that it is disease-ridden. Buy new. For yourself, you'll require protective clothing, including a veil, boiler suit, and gloves. A few more things will be needed, including a smoker, hive tool, and a feeder. This is the basic kit you will need to start your own colony. To see who makes the best equipment, there are various different sites on the Internet where you can read reviews. Once you find a local supplier, check the products they offer to see what other people are saying. Harvesting honey is by far one of the joyous aspects of keeping a beehive. There are few things better than raw, unadultered honey straight from the source. You want to make sure that enough honey has been produced during the season so there is extra. You only want to take the surplus, leaving enough for the hive to survive. Depending on the local flora, the honey will have a distinctive taste and aroma. If you are fortunate, the honey produced will not only be tasty, but also unique. This uniqueness will help to sell it, if that is your desire. For more information on setting up beekeeping, check out Beekeeping Secrets

Acoustic Guitar Tips <--click for full story

Let's face it. It's fairly easy to learn the acoustic guitar. That's one of the reasons there's so many guitars sold each and every year. But remember, it's takes something else to actually become proficient in it. And it's not just about learning to play. You also need some information about the instrument itself and how to take care of it. The vast majority of acoustic guitars are made of wood and are usually hollow. They are sensitive to differences in climate, such as super heat or super cold. It's dead easy for parts of the guitar to warp or otherwise get damaged depending on how you house it and what it has to deal with on a daily basis. Remember the old cassette tape and how it would warp into a useless mess if kept on the back seat of your car on a hot day. One of the primary necessities for a guitar is a good guitar enclosure. It really should be water resistant and also give protection from heat. Black cases will absorb the sun’s rays more than lighter colored cases, so remember that when shopping for one for your guitar. You’ll have the choice of soft shell cases and hard shell cases. In most situations, I would endorse the hard shell case unless your budget prohibits it. Guitar strings are susceptible to heat and cold as well. Note how quickly guitars go out of tune, especially if you put on a new set of strings? The neck of your guitar will give and let go depending on the type of strings you use, and if you decide to use a particular gauge of string, it's probably the best thing you can do, as the shock of going from one type of string to another isn’t good for your instrument. Also, never take all the strings off your guitar at once, as that might cause warping of the neck. Change your strings one at a time, as that will keep the tension on the guitar neck at a constant level. If at all possible, it's a good idea to have at least two guitars, one that you use for practice and another that you keep for performances. Your practice guitar doesn't have to be wonderful, something in the $100 range. You won't have to change the strings on it as much as the guitar you use for performances. When cleaning your guitar, never use water or furniture polish. Just use a soft cloth and wipe the dust. Try to not wipe so hard that you affect the finish of your guitar. And don't go crazy. Your guitar should have its own natural character, and part of this is letting it get used and worn in a normal fashion. Visit Easy Songs To Play On Acoustic Guitar for more information.

The Settlers of Catan Tip Sheet <--click for full story

One of the wonderful things about Settlers of Catan and its dynamic setup is that each game is different. Each session is a different puzzle to figure out to determine the best method to exploit the resources of Catan. Here are some fundamental strategies to help you to determine the most efficient way to settle Catan.The first and foremost strategy principle is: Resource production is everything, and (different than what your initial view of Catan may be) resource variety is secondary, possibly even a minor element. When selecting your starting location or which in what direction to expand, your first concern is to chose a location which will produce the most resources. Advice to newbies should be how to place their initial settlements, and to look for the intersection that has the most dots. It works for newbies, and the strategy for advanced players isn't that much different. Many players think that having access to all five resources is the way to go. But if you have suboptimal resource probabilities, it’s not going to work for you. What you really need to focus on is having number variety, not resource variety. By number variety, what I want you to think in terms of is having production on the widest variety of possible die rolls. Naturally, focus on the highest probability numbers first. In my starting placement, the dream scenario is to have production on a 6, 8, 9, and 5. It doesn't matter what the resources are. It's rare to have the ability to find placement that gives you that, so I normally settle for 3 out of 4 of the previously mentioned highest producing numbers. Having a variety of the top numbers almost guarantees stable resource production, regardless if the dice trend goes one way or the other. It doesn't matter if all of those hexes are sheep, I'd rather have quantity over quality. The surplus resources can always be traded and converted into the thing you want somehow. There's no such thing as a worthless resource. The second priority after number variety is to optimize your production through ports. I seek positions with two high producing hexes of the same resource near its matching port. Do not begin on the port or else the lack of resource production early in the game will cripple you. Instead, give it priority to build to the port later.Having a port helps make you self-sufficient. Being self-sufficient is far better than having to trade to get what you need. Other players will only trade if the deal helps them in some way, making trades win-win. I'd much rather have me win instead of being in a win-win, so I look to the ports to assist me to become self-sufficient. After you have acquired diversity in production numbers, then it’s time to take a look at what resources you might have in your possession. There are two primary strategies that flow depending on what resources you are strong in: Settlements and roads: If you're strong in wood and brick, this will make settlement production easy and road production natural. Being the owner of the longest road will be a key part of your winning strategy. Cities and development cards: If you're stronger in ore and grain, this is the way to go. All things being equal, if your choice is between focusing on a new settlement or upgrading a city, then upgrade into a city. Usually, spots where you already have a settlement are better than spots with no settlements; otherwise you would have not placed your settlements there. It is more beneficial to double up on good production than to expand into mediocre production. Ultimately, be willing to adapt and go where the resources lead you. Set a goal in every turn to build something. Each turn try and get something on the board. Even if it is just a road, it’s at least something. It's better to get a good thing on the board now than the best thing on the board on a later turn. When trading, whether you are trying to get a city or a settlement, do whatever it takes to get what you want during your turn, even if it is an unfavorable trade for you. It is more beneficial to have an expensive settlement now than a cheap settlement later. If you miss the chance to build on a ten, then nothing but tens will be rolled and you'll have missed your opportunity. It is my desire that these tips are helpful to you. I wish that all your Catan settling be prosperous. And remember to game with honor! You want more? Check out The Settlers of Catan

Remedies for Halitosis <--click for full story

Bad breath can be awful, both for your overall health and for your social life. It cannot be remedied by eating breath mints, nor can it be remedied by the vigorous use of listerine. The primary cause for bad breathe goes much deeper. In this article, I will explain some of the causes of bad breath and some simple remedies you can use to help eliminate the problem. Halitosis is the medical term most used to describe bad breath. The condition makes possible the production of a type of bacteria that live in your mouth, and this bacteria is what causes the odor you and others smell. In most cases, you can do a scraping at the back section of your tongue with a sanitized plastic knife to see if it is the condition you are suffering. If the scraping smells foul, then you have the condition. Halitosis is caused for many reasons. Amazingly, one of the most common causes is the excessive use of alcohol-based mouthwash, such as Listerine. So, if you use this product, it's probably best to stop using it, or at least, don't use it before you go to bed, as the alcohol dries out the inside of your mouth and promotes the growth of the very bacteria you are trying to kill. The best thing to do is to brush your teeth well. Also brush your gums and your tongue. Avoid using any type of mouthwash, as most are alcohol-based, and you really want to stay away from them. Here is an excellent you can try that will help improve your breath and possibly get rid of it altogether. Give it some time, and you should see good results. First things first. Buy a new toothbrush. It should have soft bristles, not the medium or hard kind. The store brand is perfectly adequate. You don't need anything name brand. Brush your teeth morning and night. If possible, also brush midday, but I know that this is not possible or practical for many of us. Spend at least 5 minutes brushing your teeth, your gums, and your tongue. Brush softly, but completely. Try not to miss any areas and try not to cause any bleeding. You can use just about any toothpaste, but I recommend using simple baking soda. Just put some on your toothbrush and go for it. Store your toothbrush in a glass of vodka. Vodka is a neutral spirit and great for eliminating just about any germ known to mankind. You can obtain cheap vodka at the store, but make sure it hasn't been watered down. Any 80-proof brand will do. Fill a glass to the half way mark and store your toothbrush bristles down in the glass. Make sure it's a real glass and not plastic, as plastic loves to attract all sorts of germs. Wash the container thoroughly every week and replace with fresh vodka. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months. They're cheap and well worth replacing. Gargle after brushing. Don't use a typical mouthwash. Instead, use hydrogen peroxide. You don't need much. Just a capful in a quarter cup of water will suffice. Gargle, rinse, spit out, and repeat two more times. Do not swallow the hydrogen peroxide. This amount is not really harmful, but it still should not be swallowed. You probably don't floss. Most of us don't. But if at all possible, it would be a good idea to start. Floss in the evening. This will get rid of food particles that can fester in your mouth and promote the growth of bacteria. Don't give them the chance. Make sure you consume plenty of water during your day. This will not only hydrate you but will also help clean your mouth of anything that might be building up in there. Six to eight glasses a day should be sufficient. If you consume foods that contain refined sugar, you should see if you can get rid of them from your diet. If not, see if you can limit them. Did you know that cavities were almost unheard of before we introduced refined sugar into our diets? It's that bad. This includes soft drinks, ice cream, sugary cereal, and just about anything else sweet you can buy at the supermarket. I know it's not practical to get rid of it all, so do the best you possible can. The best bet is to try to stay away from eating anything after you've done your night time brushing. These helpful hints will start you on your way to better breath and general all-around health. For additional information, please refer to How To Get Rid of Bad Breath

There's Something About Cameron Diaz <--click for full story

Cameron Diaz was born on August 30, 1972. At first she began a career as a model and then became a popular actress, gaining fame in movies as as The Mask, There's Something About Mary, and Charlie's Angels. She also voiced the character of Princess Fiona in the Shrek movie empire. Cameron was born in San Diego, California, and comes from a Cuban-American and English-German-Cherokee lineage. She started her modeling career at the age of 17, at which age she became a covergirl on Seventeen magazine. At 18, she signed with Elite Model Management. She worked as a model for the next few years and had contracts with many big companies, such as Calvin Klein and Levi's. When she was 21, Cameron auditioned for a role in The Mask. She had no prior acting experience but obtained the lead female part in any case. At that point, she decided it was probably time to begin acting lessons, which she did. The Mask went on to become one of the top ten grossing films of 1994 and earned her nominations for several awards. Cameron was featured in a string of smaller roles over the next several years and then had major success with My Best Friend's Wedding and There's Something About Mary. She went on to star in a movie version of Charlie's Angels and then landed the part as Princess Fiona in Shrek. Her voice earned her $10 million for Shrek. Many more films came and went, and in 2010, Forbes Magazine ranked her as the richest Hispanic female celebrity. For more information and pictures, visit Cameron Diaz Photos

Beekeeping Secrets <--click for full story

Do you really like honey? Did you know that it's fairly simple to keep bees and produce your very own honey? In this guide, I'll examine many of the steps necessary to begin your very own beekeeping hobby or business for either fun or profit, maybe even both. Honeybees live in a collective. Think borg. They are a colony that does the bidding of the queen. Most of the bees in the colony are workers. They do most of the labor, collecting nectar, water, and other things necessary for the survival of the colony. Then, there are drones, and finally the queen. There is only a single queen per colony, and she can lay up to 2,000 eggs each day. If another queen is born, she can begin her very own colony. A collective of bees can have anywhere from 10,000 to 50,000 members. The good part of these members will be female workers. The life span of these little workers is a little over a month, as they work until they just can't work any longer. Tragic, I know, but it is the circle of life. There will also be a few hundred male drones. The female workers will go out of the hive and forage for supplies to bring back, so in most cases, when you see bees buzzing around, they are almost always female workers. Your first step is going to be learning something about bees, if you don't already know about the subject. It's called the science of entomology. Google and review some of the information. Perhaps even get a good book on the subject. It will be well worth it. You'll learn about the assorted varieties of honeybees, how bees deal with different times of year, and how honey is harvested from the hive. Beekeeping can be fun and rewarding, if done correctly. If you are going to keep bees, make certain you acquire your initial supply of bees locally, as they are very susceptible to climate changes, and ones from other areas may not fare as well as local ones. A radically different environment, can be the death knell of your hive, so be careful with your selection of bees. Picking the right breeder is important. You need to make certain the bees you get are healthy and free from disease. Think in terms of spring as the best time to begin your colony. Spring is also the time when harvesting happens. For a beginner setup, start with six combs, a fertile queen, and some workers and drones. A moveable frame hive is really important to good beekeeping, and don't get a used one. You never know what's been in it, and there is a chance that it is disease-ridden. Buy new. For yourself, you'll need protective clothing, including a veil, boiler suit, and gloves. A few more things will be required, including a smoker, hive tool, and a feeder. This is the essential kit you will need to begin your own colony. To see who makes the best equipment, there are various different sites on the Internet where you can read reviews. Once you find a local supplier, look through the products they offer and see what other people are saying. Harvesting honey is by far one of the joyous aspects of keeping a beehive. There are few things that can compare to raw, unadultered honey straight from the hive. You want to make sure that enough honey has been produced during the season so there is extra. You only want to take the surplus, leaving enough for the hive to survive. Depending on the local flora, the honey will have a distinctive taste and aroma. If you are lucky, the honey produced will not only be tasty, but also unique. This uniqueness will help to sell it, if that is your desire. For more information on setting up beekeeping, check out Beekeeping Secrets

Acoustic Guitar Tips <--click for full story

You’ve got to admit it. It's a basic thing to learn the acoustic guitar. That's one of the reasons there's so many guitars sold each and every year. However, it's takes something else to actually become good at it. And it's not just about the basics of learning. You also need some knowledge regarding the instrument itself and how to take care of it. Most acoustic guitars are created from wood and are usually hollow. They are sensitive to changes in weather, such as extreme heat or extreme cold. It's dead easy for parts of the guitar to warp or otherwise get damaged depending on how you house it and what it is exposed to daily. Think about the old cassette tape and how it would warp into a useless mess if left on the dashboard of your car on a hot day. One of the major necessities for a guitar is a good guitar enclosure. It should be water resistant but also give protection from heat. Black cases will absorb heat more than lighter colored cases, so keep that in mind when selecting one for your guitar. There are soft shell cases and hard shell cases. In most situations, I would recommend the hard shell case unless you can’t afford it. Guitar strings are sensitive to heat and cold as well. Have you experienced how quickly guitars go out of tune, especially with a new set of strings? The neck of your guitar will give and let go depending on the type of strings you use, and if you settle on a particular gauge of string, it's probably the best thing you can do, as the shock of going from one type of string to another isn’t good for your guitar. Also, never take all the strings off your guitar at once, as that might cause warping of the neck. Change them one at a time, as that will keep the tension on the guitar neck constant. If you can, it's a nice idea to have at least two guitars, a beater you use for practice and another that you keep for performances. Your practice guitar doesn't have to be expensive, something in the $100 range. You won't have to replace the strings on it as much as the guitar you use for performances. When it is time to clean your guitar, don't use water or furniture polish. Just use a clean cloth and wipe the dust. Try to not wipe so hard that you affect the finish of your guitar. And don't go crazy. Your guitar should have its own natural character, and part of this is letting it get used and worn in an everyday fashion. Visit Easy Songs To Play On Acoustic Guitar for more information.