This is a ‘tad bit soon’ for some, but for others they just might welcome this little tool. I love the Xmas countdown widgets, however I am a bit leery of those that use JavaScript. So, I have been searching and I found a page that not only offered HTML coded widgets … but you can actually build it yourself. How cool is that. There is a down-side though, it’s to large for my sidebar and that’s where I really want it … oh well, maybe I will think of something.
So, if you noticed below I have a self-created Christmas countdown clock. And actually if you think about it, we really don’t have a lot of time left. Maybe, a little reminder like mine will help some of us avoid that last minute rush.
This can truly be a wonderful time of the year, there are just so many wonderful things that happen once the seasons start to change. For some, it’s the football season; the young-in’s have Halloween or the Fall Festival, parades, and possibly snow; Thanksgiving and large family gatherings are included in the mix; and then there’s St. Nick and all the other glorious things that this time of the year promises.
So enjoy the tool, I’m even starting too get a little excited, until the next post … Ciao!
There was a time in my life when owning a small business was all I could think about. Nothing large … just a neighborhood shop offering a product/products that encompassed the things that I enjoy. Well, I haven’t really strayed too far away from that dream, but it’s been tweaked and downsized to something that’s far less financially draining, possibly attainable and much more suited to TODAY’s bizscape.
New companies are going up and are failing, old and established businesses are crumbling and disappearing, as are large enterprises … franchises … ‘mom n pop’ shoppe’s, etc.. Today’s economic arena is nothing less than a train-wreck. And subsequently families have been devastated by these tragic circumstances. Investing your hard earned savings in pursuit of a dream, could very easily be disastrous. Or if your funding is close to none existent … the dream could be impossible.
So, I have been looking for small, very techie solutions that would allow a little guy/gal with huge dreams the opportunity of creating a business with some of the same ‘bells and whistles’ that the larger and better financed monolith are employing in there ‘halls of commerce’.
Well, I know what I want to do … next I have to work on locating some of those items that improve the operation of any enterprise, irregardless of the size. The items/tools that are necessary when interacting with the public. Accuracy is paramount, and definitely anything that has been discussed on the phone should be recorded to avoid any possible errors, to solve disputes and to clarify orders.
Now, I know that ordinarily this might seem a little over the top for a fledgling company, but the technology does exist. Even a small entrepreneur could give the appearance of operating on a much larger scale. Today’s technology offers the best possible tools for any sized business.
My search is just beginning, and things are looking brighter … who knows, maybe soon I may have everything in place to launch my dream.
Since my daughter’s newly adopted interest in piano playing emerged, I find myself searching for information and instructional tutorials on how to improve and expand an average persons existing skills. Recently, I found a webpage that introduced another aspect of the art that is usually overlooked and at times never even pursued. It’s another way of delivering a musical rendition that’s very often never taught, and isn’t even envisioned as a possible line of study by the majority of pianst.
Some instructors believe improvisation, to be an inate quality that cannot be taught, but unbeknowst to most, this is just not true. Delivering piano chords without using sheet music is a skill most can master. Anyone that can read notes, can learn the elusive art of improvisational playing. From day one, a novice pianist learns to play by reading and closely following the sequence of piano chords from sheet music. Some never realizing that there are techniques that can be applied that would expand the quality of any piece that they performed. In these particular video tutorial that I discovered, a student would learn to use triplet rythms which produce a 50’s sound; change a melody in 3/4 meter into 4/4th or an astounding 9/8th; switch from quarter notes to eight notes thereby producing a tango or combinations of both for a latin beat; learn how to infuse your pieces with special effects that will add even more interest to any basic song … and there is still so much more that can be learned from these tutorials.And by learning chord structures and inversions, sight reading becomes ‘a breeze’.
And she [my daughter] would not only learn all that I have mentioned so far but she would also learn to change the mood of a song just by changing which scale the song is played in. My daughter is gonna just love this program, she enjoys things that are detailed and intricate. The scope of this tutorial is phenominal, I am sure she will be dazzled by this package.
Aeolian modes, modal scales, piano chords, dominant 7th color chords, tremolo … exactly what are these terms all about, you might ask, beats me … but this and more is covered in the lessons. The amount of information offered in this video classroom is mind boogling. I just never realized the scope of this art, and I am sure just one semester of study only minutely touched on a few of the possible avenues that exist for someone who chooses to learn how to play a piano.
Now, the only question that remains is whether I should surprise her with this program or first show her what I found … hmmm?
Today, I think I’m gonna stir my Monday Movie Musings up a bit. Normally I would take a moment to write about a movie that I really enjoyed watching. Well, today I’m gonna show you a YouTube flick that I found and thought was spectacular, heart warming and precious (all at the same time, imagine that … 8o) WARNING: Some of you guys/gals may not care that much for the music or the video in the background, look beyond that … it’s the ‘little bundle of joy’ that captured my heart.
Music is magical and watching this vid and this little ‘adorable munchkin’ was magical …
Okay, let’s talk for a moment about dark movies and I really mean that literally. There are a few that I have seen that appear to have been shot with all of the lights out. And one of those dark productions, which I actually enjoyed quite a bit was on the tube a few weeks back … ‘Dark City’. The story line was similar to and reminded me of ‘Matrix’, but this was actually the predecessor to Matrix. Although, I seen Matrix first … Dark City hit the cinematic circuit in ‘98′, and Matrix appeared in theaters in ‘99′.
Dark City was about human abduction by aliens, basically just another example of the strong taking advantage of the weak. And the populous [us] was completely in the DARK about their imprisonment. Their thoughts, memories and everything they believed to be real was fabricated by this dying entity. Humans were used as their lab rats in a race to save their species, at the expense of ours. True, there’s nothing new about that scenario, but it’s the packaging that sells this fiction.
Anyway, there were a few who escaped this mind control … and one in particular was John Murdock [Rufus Sewell] who’s awareness seemed to be heightened, and it became apparent that he possessed some of the same mental qualities as The Strangers. This awareness lead him to discover inconsistency’s and he questioned what others accepted as ’status-quo’. Aided by one lone human, Dr. Schreber [Kiefer Sutherland] whom was left untouched purposely, by this ruthless pack of invaders to serve their needs. These two fought for not only their freedom but humanities liberation. And there are a few unexpected turn of events, that just might keep you glued to the tube.
I really enjoyed how this piece was put together, maybe it’s the love of SciFi that captured my attention. Or maybe it reminded me of the ‘black and white’ horrors of ‘days gone by’, whatever it is … it’s made my list of favorites.
Guess what folks … just the other day I found this Super Fun Gizmo. It made me feel really very happy, and I realize it was nothing but a ‘pipe dream’ and I didn’t believe the results ‘for a second’ but I liked it and I am gonna share it, it really is a ‘hoot’.
Oh, there I go again rambling on and you, my fellow blogette’s and blogdude’s don’t have the slightest clue as to what I’m talking about. Well, it’s really a net-tool that I happened to have stumbled upon. What YOU have to do is submit your web address and this site will analyze it’s net value and create a button that displays it worth.
Now, I would like to believe that one day the figure below will actually be the value of my site, but I know it’s not worth that today. I found a gadget a while back that guesstimated my worth at about 10% of what this little tool estimated as the market value for my ‘net property’. I actually believe that the other figure to be closer to the true value … but I like looking at this much, much, more …
Here’s the link, if you want to find out your net worth …
Now, if you are looking for a non-stop action filled movie flick with unexpected, catastrophic and startling situations; music that’s enchanting and engaging delivered from a completely bedazzling source; true love and a hero. Well then … I have just the movie for you. It not only covers all of the above elements spectacularly, but there are more surprises than you could ever imagine still waiting too ignite your taste buds.
Bruce Willis who happens to be one of my ‘all time favorite’ actors, stars in this ‘rip roaring’ adventure, along with hilarious Chris Tucker and drop dead gorgeous Milla Jovovich.
The plot isn’t unusual, it’s all about saving the planet … yah, I know … nothing new. But, it’s what happens in the process that will shackle and entangle your attention.
So folks, strap on your seat belts and expect to be amazed while exploring ‘The Fifth Element’.
Well, I never thought it would come to this, but I have officially become a ‘fan’ … a Susan Boyle ‘devotee’. I hunger for the news on exactly where she’s traveled, who she has met in her travels, what new entertainment hurdle has she encountered and overcome, etcetera … And who you might ask is Susan Boyle [maybe], she’s a singing sensation from Scotland.
Susan Boyle the Next Chapter
Not only have I found a bit of intel’ about her upcoming plans, but I have learned a little more about who Suse is … and what lead her to bravely tackle the Britain’s Got Talent audience. To begin with, Suse was the youngest of nine children and she had [up until Brit's Got Talent] lived at home with her mom[ her mom passed in 2007]. Her mom’s only wish was for Suse to make something of her life. So Susan Margaret Boyle followed her dream and her ‘mom’s’ desire and tackled ‘Brit’s Got Talent’, hopeful that this could be the rocket that would launch her career [clever chick]. And as we all know, the timing was right; Suse’s frame of mind was focused and up to the challenge; and the vehicle she chose to catapult herself into stardom was again the right choice.
Was this transition … from an unemployed, small town girl, who was completely on her own … easy, heck NO!!! It was, as she has admitted publicly, overwhelming. Is she handling it? … heck YAH!!! Has anything changed for her … of course it has. The life that she was leading … is a thing of the past, she is no longer unemployed, she is now living her dream. Oh, and she’s moved to a quiet little secluded spot somewhere in London. However one thing seems to have remained the same, and that’s Susan Boyle. She still appears to be unassuming, a bit shy [that is until she sings] and when she isn’t doing the newly acquired celeb status thingy … she still does the Suse thing. She doesn’t go out in the evenings or on wild shopping spree’s, or venture out into clubs or attend wild parties. My hope is that she’ll always keep that ‘hometown girl element’, I think that’s what most of her audience connects with including me.
But what is up for Ms. S. Boyle … Well, she will be in the September edition of Harper’s Bazaar and during an interview with Susan, it’s was discreetly mentioned that she is now financially secure … Go Girl! Oh, and let’s not overlook how shrewd Harper is, can you image how many September issues of this magazine’s will be sold … OMGosh are they gonna make a killin’, I guess some more records will be broken. I know I gotta have one, I mean ‘this is the girl’…
And around November if all goes well, her album will be in the stores … just in time for Christmas. Do these corporate moguls miss anything. But for me, it really doesn’t matter when this album comes out, it is one of those ‘must have things’.
And after the album, I am sure there will be tour’s … what I wouldn’t give to actually be in the audience when she hits the STATE’s.
Well, that’s all I have for now … be talkin’ to ya!
Do you have an ‘all time’ favorite movie? Have you watched it an embarrassingly HUGE number of times? Have you reached your threshold yet or could you still watch it with as much enthusiasm and zest as you experienced at your first viewing?
Well, there are many that I have enjoyed and would eagerly sit through time and time again. But honestly, my daughter has got me beat. There is a movie that she watches almost daily. She claims it relaxes her and raises her spirits and I must admit, it is really very entertaining. Have you seen it, oh … it’s called Birdcage … starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane? The story is about a gay couple who raised a ‘quite’ straight son, who wants to marry the 18 year old daughter of a senator. They [Robin and Nathan] feel that both are too young [he's 20 years old] but that is only the least of the young couples problems and obstacles.
Birdcage is hilarious; at times you may find yourself smiling from ear to ear … and at other times simply roaring with laughter. There is never a dull moment and believe it or not there are also some very comedic yet intense moments, where you just might find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat in anticipation.
If you missed this one, give it a try … I guarantee this is one of those movies that will grabs your attention and you will find it awfully hard to switch to another channel.
TOO MUCH TO DO AND NOT ENOUGH TIME TOO DO IT IN?
An ingredient in the 'Holiday Madness' that could lead to a kitchen mishap. However, if you should burn yourself and wish to 'keep a burn from blistering'.~Apply cold water to the burn immediately~
SAY CHEESE...
Are you having a problem slicing the cheese?~A dull knife works much better than a sharp one~
