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Scientific Anglers Fly Rod & Reel Outfit Species Specific for Panfish
Price: $ 89.96 |
This Panfish Fly Fishing Outfit includes a high quality 4-piece 5/6 weight 9 foot graphite rod for smooth and easy casting. Preloaded disc drag reel ready to fish with the specific line and flies designed to work well for panfish. Also includes a special 2 in 1 DVD with "Fly Fishing Made Easy" and "Panfish and Bass with Larry Dahlberg."
Included in this kit: High Quality Graphite Fly Rod
Pre-Loaded Reel
Scientific Anglers(TM) Species-specific Fly Line
Fly Box with Flies
2-in-1 Instructional DVD (the contents of both of the DVD titles below are included on a single special-issue DVD)
Other Great Deals:


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3D Biped Animator - Seattle
Swerve! Steer! Shift! Shudder!
Able to animate human movement in a realistic and compelling manner? Can you capture a minute movement with fluidity? FILTER is seeking an experienced character animator for a contract opportunity. Our ideal candidate must have excellent animation skills with Max's Biped and Motion Mixer, at least one year of experience editing motion capture and the ability to create quality hand-keyed animation for real human movement. If you're technically-oriented, understand game play mechanics and have a keen eye for complex character motion and timing, then we can't wait to see your demo reel. Bring your stellar 3D animation skills, your attention to detail and, of course, your willingness to push the limits when you apply for this job. WHAT YOULL BE DOING * Implement character motion and script playback of character animations via an in-engine "state manager" to create fluid transitions while maintaining a crisp responsiveness in character control * Use 3d Studio Max to implement animation blending and motion simulation for human characters * Responsible for the look and feel of all aspects of character motion and its impact on game play * Participate in motion planning sessions where the animation, AI and design teams act out character behaviors * Work with the AI team to understand and support "attack & react" systems and complex targeting/priority rules SKILLS YOULL NEED * Minimum of one year with shipped work experience including editing motion capture * Must be highly proficient with Max's Biped and Motion Mixer * Understanding of game engines, tools as well as content structure and organization (data-hierarchies, file systems, build processes, batch processing, regular expressions) * Knowledge of 3D Studio Max animation techniques * Must have hand-keyed character animation samples that demonstrate real human motion A BIT ABOUT FILTER FILTER is a full-service creative resources company that connects industry-leading companies with the very best creative talent throughout the West Coast. Offering both creative staffing services and interactive media design and production, FILTER helps clients to make their ideas a reality and complete their projects with more speed, flexibility and cost efficiency. The company is headquartered in Seattle and has branch offices in Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles. FILTER has been serving clients for the past two decades, which include top technology and services companies as well as many of the leading design, advertising and interactive agencies. Only qualified candidates will receive a response. Feel free to send your resume and portfolio/URL to firstname.lastname@example.com. |
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Sep 30
Dancing with the Stars: Nip slip!Posted by Lauren in white men can't dance , recap , nip slip , nancy grace , more random celebs please , go ricky , DWTS , cranky Len , boringsauce |
Last week, the weird Ron Artest was sent home. Thank goodness…he was strange and uninteresting at the same time. The previews this week promise star-meltdowns and (spoiler alert) Nancy Grace's boob. How fun! Let's get to it. Brooke Burke has 90s prom hair, which is not so pretty.
Hope Solo and Maks (Jive): Maks and Hope have chosen Toms as their team shoe. How hipster of them. If there is a dance for Hope to excel at, it has to be the Jive, right? Fast, athletic, fun? The result here is less than awesome. Maks has chosen goofy and dumb costumes that are distracting, and you can really see Hope counting through the steps and grinding out the moves very physically. I said last week that she wasn't very light on her feet (no surprise for an athlete), but it is really apparent here. Len flashes a gang sign and then says it was crisp, but they lost their timing. I agree that it was sloppy. Bruno thinks it wasn't precise at all. Carrie Ann liked the energy of the performance, but thinks Hope needs to relax a bit.
Scores: 6,7,6


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Fish Soup For the Soul
Editor's Note: Fish Soup for the Soul is the page on my blog where my guest bloggers and I can post our rants and raves. It's where I'll write about the frustrations and rewards of running a Fan Site, or anything else that comes to mind. It won't follow any rules or format and will probably be completely random at times. I hope our readers will relate.
So, why did I name this page Fish Soup for the Soul?
Back when David Archuleta did one of his first interviews (watch here) for American Idol he was asked the question, "What's the grossest thing you've ever eaten?" David answered, "This one Fish Soup my grandma made." For some reason that answer stuck with me. Maybe because I can imagine David smiling and eating it anyway so he didn't hurt his Grandma's feelings. Sometimes in life we have to do things we don't particularly want to, in order to do what's right. That's Fish Soup for the Soul. Try some. It'll stick to your ribs.
Gosh, I love Music
~ Janel 8-18-2011
Remembering Legends
I first want to start by thanking David Archuleta for the numerous times of encouraging his fans to reach for their goals and dreams. From his words in Chords of Strength of having to overcome singing in front of others to his pronouncement on his recent Asia tour to go for your dreams, do what your heart tells you he has inspired me to do the same. Though my goal is not to make it big as a singer, it has been to sing again, to feel courage to sing in front of others or at least share my voice with others. I've been doing that and David is a part of that boost of confidence I have.
As I've been singing again, I've been covering songs of some artists who are no longer with us. They were legends, at least to me, and I'm sure to others. I was thinking about what it is that creates a legend. Is it someone who is famous and leaves a mark in history, making them known to most everyone, or could it be someone who might be known but not to everyone, but still leaves a mark on those fans who know him or her? I think it's both.
I am sure we all have that certain singer or group who we have grown up listening to and whose lives or paths cross our own making them important in our own personal histories. For me, some of those groups or individuals are still living and are legends, known to so many. But for those who are no longer with us, there's almost an empty sadness. Glad that their music from the past is still there to listen to, but there's also a longing for them to still be alive and gracing us with new music.
I don't want to focus on how or why they passed away, but rather celebrate the life they had, and what better way than to continue listening to or even cover the songs they sang. Legends in my life were people like Mary Travers. Growing up with songs from the Peter, Paul and Mommy album and their other albums as well, I always loved her voice and loved singing along like "Puff the Magic Dragon" and "Mamma's Taking Us to the Zoo Tomorrow", or "If I Had a Hammer." Karen Carpenter is another. Though sad the way she died, she left quite a mark on the history of music. Her voice is unmistakable and beautiful. I love covering her songs. "Yesterday Once More" and her Christmas song "Merry Christmas Darling" were my favorites. But, the one person whose music made the most impact on me was John Denver. I always loved the country/folk genre and nobody did it better than he did. I've enjoyed so much covering beautiful songs of his like "Country Roads", "Annie's Song" and others. I was very sad when he died.
I think about other legends no longer with us like John Lennon, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson who made huge impacts on the music industry. Their songs will continue to be played and covered by others for generations to come.
Then, there's David Archuleta, our living legend. He's another page in our musical history. We hope and pray he'll be gracing us with his beautiful music for generations to come as well. He is, in my opinion, the best singer living, and the most gracious to his fans, and humble and nice to everyone. It has and will continue to be an honor to be his fan.
This is for you Janel ~AFD
David Archuleta's Music: Where the Sweet Spot Is
~Kizzi June 12, 2011
Certain songs David sings, or the same ones in a new venue for that matter, just hits one's sweet spot. You know, the place in each of us that has that creative, artistic, musical yearning that can only be filled by whatever it is a music fan is looking for. To find that ultimate listening experience.
In acoustics, the sweet spot is the place where the music is heard at its best. It embodies an optimum combination of characteristics and qualities of the listening experience. As music fans, that can be different for each of us.
Some musicians use spectacle to get the fans jump started to the sweet spot or maybe they are creating the sweet spot for the fan, I don't know exactly, but spectacle definitely creates need.
Not David, though. Spectacle doesn't appear to be part of his performance repertoire, to date.
I am not opposed to spectacle, if that is part of what the artist feels must be a part of their musical canvas to create the experience of the song. Art, after all, is all about feelings and is in the hands of the creator and received in the eye and ear of the beholder.
But Mr. Archuleta, he is aiming for those sweet spots that already exist within the listener, a most elusive target. Definitely the harder road to travel….finding his muse, his message, his art and delivering it. Not creating an artistic target and then filling it.
The most fascinating thing is the 'sweet spot' is different for different listeners.
My current sweet spot is (*drum roll*)…… Blackbird from Myrtle Beach. The smoky tone, the yearning, the vibrato, the lyrics, and the repetition of "Blackbird fly"…
…into the light of the dark black night.
The Business of Music, Part 1: Anatomy of a Successful Musician/Songwriter
~Kizzi Sept 21, 2010
So I have resisted for a while researching the business side of the music industry because it seemed too much like work. I just wanted to enjoy being a fan without thinking about business. Not anymore. My curiosity has peaked. (See Sidebar below for personal outlook if that's of interest, lol.)
So, here is part one of a 3 part article on The Business of Music……..
There is a lot of literature and web sites out there filled with info, opinions, experiences, and the like about the music business. I combed through quite a bit and read some books, yes lengthy books, to get a feel for the topic. So while, I'm no expert on the music industry, here is a fan's review and observations, admittedly from a rank amateur. If you have some better source, please say so. I have no ego invested in this. LOLZ.
David Hooper has a primer called "14 Qualities of Successful Musicians, Songwriters, and Music Business Professionals." He also has a website and an online radio blog/show. He runs a promotion and marketing company out of Nashville called Kathode Ray music. He says his job is to help the music professional sell their music, get more people to their shows, and make more money.
The pros is that he has had success in marketing successful musicians, ran a label, and his book "14 Qualities…" makes quick sense plus it's short and to the point. It's more anecdotal experience, common sense and basic truths than any great secrets revealed. Of course, remember, he is in the business to sell books and his services essentially to budding musicians and music business professionals. Still all in all, it had a ring of truth to me amateur that I am. It reminds me of Richard N. Bolles bestseller, "What Color is Your Parachute?" which is a practical guide for anyone in terms of career success.
So what does a successful musician/songwriter, in general, need to possess and display in characteristics, actions and values?? —–> Click on continue reading…over there, yes, down a little and to the right….
- Take New Risks – essentially about concentrating on putting energy behind what will happen when things go right, versus concentrating on what could go wrong.
- Are Bold in Actions – have the ability to make quick decisions and follow through with the decision thoroughly.
- Are Fearless – Go for the gold, it's worse to appear as if you are not sure of yourself. He says a singer can go out on stage, miss changes, be off key and otherwise "screw" up a song and the majority won't question anything if one acts like they know what they are doing.
- Drop the Ego – admit quickly when the song, performance isn't working. Listen when others are saying it isn't working. He goes on to talk about the all stops pulled passion and conviction successful artists give in performances and squeeze out every last drop and give it to their fans. That performing is all about the fans. That a lot of musicians believe it's about them and they are the center of the universe but those musicians are "idiots." He says successful musicians know its all about their audience and the musician giving, giving, giving until they can give no more and when the collective, loyal fans say a song/performance "sucks," it really does.
- Are Not Attached to Songs – as in cannot tolerate change/or see someone change the song or admit it if doesn't work. He says "when it comes to songs, change happens." Others will record it and "change lyrics, phrasing and melodies." Producers may change arrangements and radio stations (if one is lucky enough to have radio play their song) will edit to make it fit their schedule.
- Lose the Intellect – basically he is saying learn from past experiences but don't get caught in them nor the rules. Don't take anything as a given, don't go through the motions, don't play it safe – innovate and experiment. He likens it to "jump(ing)off a cliff all the time and build(ing) your wings on the way down."
- Get Others Involved in the Business (Don't do it All Themself) – Lots of examples. More on this in Part II about what comprises a successful team for a musician.
- Don't Give Room for Negative People – i.e., surround self with people who are focused on why things work than why things don't work.
- Don't Move or Work with Lazy People – essentially everyone on the team has to work as hard or harder than the musician.
- Let Their Purpose and Vision Be Clear to Themselves and Whoever is Watching Them – successful musicians know what they want and everything they do is a step toward that.
- Embrace Competition – in terms of being innovative and forward moving in business dealings and in ones music evolution – ever evolving, don't get stuck because someone copied them.
- Get Trained on New Skills – have to be innovative musically and develop well-rounded business skill sets. The musician is the boss of the business and has to know what their people are doing or who you need to hire and the scope of what they need to do.
- Get/Are Involved in Charity – Charity events involve promoters, newspapers, magazines and other media.
- Are Grateful – basically that the musician is in control of his outlook and it's a choice to be happy and thankful even for the smallest things.
Without delving deeply into these 14 qualities here, I think we can all agree that David displays, possesses many of these attributes already.
What jumps out at you? Do you agree? Disagree?
Sidebar – a little more about my motivation and background in writing this:
The business of managing the bottom line, although in another industry, occupies the majority of my work life.
I like making money, morally and ethically. I like looking at all the mousetraps around me, even the most successful ones, and, then deconstructing it , rebuilding it, thus creating the better mousetrap or maybe not a mousetrap at all, setting the mice free and making something new, different, better. Instead of thinking "who moved my cheese," we get to think, I have the cheese right here. It's fun and it's totally doable – just have to find the right formula and people and execute.
And so, writing this is about looking for the right formula, the info that is sound and appears that it will actually work when it comes to the music industry.
This is just a journey into an industry that I have no expertise in. Thanks for joining me.
And if you find some better information or sources, please highlight them.
I have no ego invested in this. lolz.
David Archuleta – Getting His Groove On
~ by Kizzi 4/10/10
In the last 60+ hours, the flow of events in the David fan world has gone from agreeable hovering to light speed with David Archuleta's exquisitely notable performance of John Lennon's iconic anthem, "Imagine."
Organic, yes. It is as if, with this performance, I see clearly for the first time the direction David has chosen for his music. I felt his personality, his dreams, his emotions, his vulnerabilities, his courage as if they were set out, deliberately, for all of us to hear, to see, to share.
Frankly, I felt like I was sitting in Carnegie Hall when I listened to the performance Wednesday evening. It was that extraordinary.
David is gettin' his groove on. He says: "I want to show people that I'm in a new phase right now. It's a new time for me!"
He's getting his act together – He is giving opinions galore. He has reminded me through his growth, yet again, of one of life's maxims: that by facing one's issues, whatever they are, one can then blast through them and better understand their truths.
And, we heard much about his new undertakings, new attitude, in his break-out interview with Ryan Seacrest on Thursday. Ironically, it is Seacrest, himself, (the one who told Larry King that David was not an easy interviewee and to have extra questions prepared) telling David Thursday morning, that David should have his own talk show. And that is another major seismic event in L.A. Listen Here.
When David speaks as eloquently and beautifully as he sings, he will be a highly sought interviewee. He already delivers his message, who he is, with magnetic pizzazz. His charisma transmits exponentially through the radio and TV waves.
I cannot tell you how impressed I am with his public speaking progress. It takes a lot of courage and self-awareness to achieve this kind of growth. Well done, David, well done!
He's getting things done – new single, memoir to be published June 1, new album, new time for him, and, it appears, there is much more on David's agenda that will be revealed as time rolls forward.
He's in control of his life – he says he speaks up for himself, he has to. He has taken the reins of managing his career.
He's getting the most out of life – David is a shining example of someone who thrives on the "in between" times. He appears to have looked between the sights, heard between the words, felt between his heart and mind… and we, his fans, get to hear his magic, his wonder, his spirit, his essence in his music.
David reminds us, yet again, of our own power, our own magnificence, our own spirituality.
David Archuleta – Something More
"Sometimes it can get like a little, like, whoa. Sometimes I'm, like, what is it that people are so interested in? Because I just feel like I'm me. It's interesting when people take an interest in you and want to talk to you and be around you and get a hug from you and follow you to the shows. It makes me feel like there must be something more that's involved with this, because it can't just be me."
–David Archuleta, December 2009
He runs offstage with a jump and a wave, and the moment the house lights come up, your heart drops. It's over. How can it be over that fast? Weren't you just chanting his name, jumping up and down, screaming at the top of your lungs while under the impression that he'd acknowledge your scream above anyone else's? And as you gather up your belongings and scoot out of your row into the aisles, you look around and smile. You know exactly why you're involved with David Archuleta.
What is it that people are so interested in? At first speculation, it's his voice. Let's look at David as a tree. Funny, yes, but a good analogy. The purity in his voice is the roots of the tree that grow and entangle themselves into the dirt depths of your soul, cleansing it and creating new life and new ties. These are roots that cannot be taken up; the purity will always be there, and unless the tree is physically uprooted, it cannot be moved.
From the roots, we move to the ground. The solid ground on which the tree stands is his morals and his character. "I just feel like I'm me," David says. With a firm and unrelenting declaration, he clarifies that while he does not fall into the majority of teenagers his age, he still falls into the category of the average teen—goofy, talkative, excited, and curious. His character, though the surrounding environment may run it dry, though it may flood it with care, though feet may tread all over it, does not give up or cave in. The tree still stands unyielding on his morals and character.
From the ground, we move to the trunk. The trunk is the strongest part of the tree, the part that keeps the tree upright, keeps it from wilting, falling over, or wavering. The trunk of the tree consists of two 'f's'—family and faith. Consistently, frequently, David speaks of his family and how much family means to him. He says home is where the family is. He loves them unconditionally, even though they are probably the average set of siblings and have their quarrels and differences. But then there is his faith. David has placed a steadfast, strong faith in God, and it shines through every pore of his body. The spirit of God just radiates from the passion with which David sings. Need an example? Watch any performance of "Prayer of the Children." David is a mouthpiece for God's word. In that particular song, he is pleading for someone, anyone, to hear the prayer of innocent children looking for a better life, a safe home, and someone to help them feel joy again; it is not just his physical being pleading—it is a plea from someone not of this earth. The trunk of a tree upholds the tree. David's family and faith upholds his life.
The trunk then gives life to the branches of the tree. These branches represent David's music and career. Branches of a tree grow; they reach out and stretch to the ends of the earth, eager to grow. Every day, David's career grows. Every day, there is a new interview, a new review, a new concert, and new information that places David in a more prominent position, a more well-known position, and a respected position. When children climb trees, they climb up the trunk and sit on the branches to see from new heights, to observe from a new vantage point. Inquisitively, people hear of David's music. They immediately climb the tree, unconcerned with the roots or the trunk, and sit on the branches to hear his music. It's a breath of fresh air—no screaming, no cursing, good messages… the music is unlike anything they've ever heard, and it's not just from the music itself—it's the voice. And soon, they begin to look down at the sturdy trunk that is upholding the tree. They slowly climb down the trunk, feeling every groove in the bark, noticing how large and strong the trunk is, and once their feet hit the ground—the solid ground of moral and character—they notice that the roots are dug deep into the ground. Like a chain reaction, they quickly become a frequent visitor to the tree. And then they bring a friend. That friend brings a friend. Soon, it becomes a daily visit full of excitement and wonder with new surprises every day.
But what makes the tree big and beautiful? What gives the tree its color, its shape, its liveliness? The leaves do. Each leaf is completely different. They may all look similar, but they each have one individual characteristic that makes them special to the tree. Each leave is attached to the same tree; sometimes the leaves touch, sometimes they flutter to the ground and get raked up. But each leaf is a part of the tree. Likewise, each fan is a part of David. No matter how big or how small, we are all significant to David's career and music. He holds each one of us, but if we want to let go, we let go and fall to the ground. Yet he still appreciates the time you've spent with him.
What's more, some leaves share a branch in the same way that some fans share a bond. David said: "It makes me feel like there must be something more that's involved with this, because it can't just be me." David is the base of the interest, the root of the interest. Without him, there wouldn't be new friendships or frequent traveling. Ever since we became fans, we find ourselves traveling all over the United States to places we never thought we'd visit. Those who were previously afraid of flying have braved an airplane just to be surrounded by friends while seeing David's concert. Friendships formed online turned into lifelong personal friendships—and no, your online friend did not turn out to be an ax murderer. Our families and friends think we're crazy, but we live in a whole alternate universe. We take off work, we skip school, and we get to the venue by any means possible. We sing loudly, we dance without inhibition, we cry with meaning, we hug like we mean it, and we smile constantly. This is how we know that the interest goes beyond David—the friendships we have formed speak volumes upon how he has affected our lives. We will never be the same. Friends that we've met through him will never flutter off of the tree.
You smile and look around. There are all of your friends, gathering up their belongings too, shaking their heads in disbelief at what they've just heard. They run up to you and start talking a million miles per hour about how incredible the show was. You look back to the stage where David was just standing. You know exactly why you're a fan.
Written by Kelsey Dibiase
Original post 11/2009
~by ArchieFanDoc Cure ODD -But Do You Wanna?
Got 14K?
OK – anyone wondering what AFD was doing while Fan Scene was under reconstruction? You know because ——> over there is my usual state of being.
I was really struggling with some serious David Archuleta Fan Scene withdrawals.
David would tweet about what he had to eat – and I would start googling items for one of my food related posts — but then remember – what, wait a minute – no Fan Scene ……… whaaaaaaaaaaaa. SusanM or China would send me a great article on David and I would hurry to the "back room" to put it up and remember – what, wait a minute – no Fan Scene ……….whaaaaaaaaaaaa. My heart would start pounding, I would break out in a cold sweat, a sense of doom and gloom would come over me. I seriously needed some Fan Scene "CQ" patches — but they don't make those!
I had the David Archuleta Fan Scene blues in a bad way …I am talking bbbbbbbbbad.
Then I found out about this place for internet addiction called reStart! It only cost $14,000! What a bargain.
reStart is the first inpatient rehab clinic in the US and recently opened up for internet addiction in the state of Washington (ironically awfully close to the Microsoft headquarters). Now internet addiction is actually some very serious stuff and an increasing problem – so I don't mean to make light of it – but I thought it would be interesting to look at some of the things that are being offered and see how it relates to all of us with Obsessive David Disorder.
It all comes down to dopamine in our neuro-circuitry — but doesn't it always? So what is dopamine? It is one of the neurotransmitters playing a major role in addiction – including my AFS ODD.
As a chemical messenger, dopamine is similar to adrenaline. Dopamine affects brain processes that control movement, emotional response, and ability to experience pleasure and pain. I prefer the pleasure over pain by the way, thank you.
From an article on Slate.com "The Powerful and Mysterious Brain Circuitry that Makes us Love Google, Twitter, and Texting" :
Berridge has proposed that in some addictions the brain becomes sensitized to the wanting cycle of a particular reward. So addicts become obsessively driven to seek the reward, even as the reward itself becomes progressively less rewarding once obtained. "The dopamine system does not have satiety built into it," Berridge explains. "And under certain conditions it can lead us to irrational wants, excessive wants we'd be better off without." So we find ourselves letting one Google search lead to another, while often feeling the information is not vital and knowing we should stop. "As long as you sit there, the consumption renews the appetite," he explains.
Actually all our electronic communication devices—e-mail, Facebook feeds, texts, Twitter—are feeding the same drive as our searches. Since we're restless, easily bored creatures, our gadgets give us in abundance qualities the seeking/wanting system finds particularly exciting. Novelty is one. Panksepp says the dopamine system is activated by finding something unexpected or by the anticipation of something new. If the rewards come unpredictably—as e-mail, texts, updates do—we get even more carried away
More carried away ????? well that sounds like me. Maybe it sounds a little bit like you too. Well I do not have 14 G's – nor the time for the 45 day stay – but I am working on some balance in my life and I hope you do too. Soooooo, while we want you to visit Fan Scene – like DAILY, maybe twice, thrice times a day — for all your David Archuleta news but until they come out with those Fan Scene CQ patches — do try to go out and smell the roses, tip toe through the tulips, dance amongst the daisies — soak up the sun and build up your Vitamin D levels – and stimulate your pineal gland and increase your serotonin levels – so you don't need that dopamine high.
AFD will still be surfing the net
and twittering away
and texting
and emailing
and posting on AFS
– but I am going to look like this from now on – yes, it can happen!
Fish Soup: There's Always Enough for Everyone
Had a great time this week. I got to see a long forgotten side of myself through the eyes of a new friend. We spent hours on the beach at night, talking about world mysteries, playing virtual "hide and seek" and scanning the stars for UFOs. We went drift fishing out on the ocean and caught a few Kingfish.
I also caught a little something for everyone and still have enough left to make soup. Who has a ladle and an apron?
Sometimes what's best for us comes from a distance – and friendship, served neither hot nor cold, but just right, is always good for the soul.
The Looking-Glass
I don't believe I'm alone when I say I often get caught up in David's enchantment as he travels the world experiencing things most of us can only imagine. Sometimes watching him is like staring through the looking-glass, pondering, like Alice, what the world must be like on the other side of a mirror.
I suppose I've been feeling a bit nostalgic of late as I follow David's tour through the UK with McFly. I have to confess, there was an extended period during my teenage years when I was fascinated by the myths and legends of the British Isles. My father's side of the family emigrated from England long ago, and those tales stirred a yearning in me to someday return to that faraway land of my ancestors.
The United Kingdom captured the imagination of my youth. I envisioned a land of enchantment, full of magic and mystery, dark forests primeval teeming with the creatures of folklore. I would sit alone in my bedroom for hours, lost in the tales of King Arthur or Middle Earth. Reading was my great escape. Books allowed me to travel through the past – to those distant realms and places imagined, to see them for myself — if only through the mind's eye.
As I grew older, I was told childish things must be put away. No more giants lumbering through the rolling, sunlit hills, and cottages of the countryside. No more adventures in Wonderland. No more magic. The characters of mythos, once alive in my imagination, faded wistfully away into the dark ambiguity of imminent adulthood.
Today I stand, once more, in front of the looking-glass, wondering what the world might have been like on the other side. My reflection has always reminded me of past regrets and my life's dreams unrealized – but I've noticed lately, that sometimes, when I smile, I can still imagine the boy I was once upon a time. You see, I used to think the magic was gone, but now, I know it's not forever. And there's still a chance for all of all us to live – happily ever after.
by Gallie
Throughout history angels have been regarded as Divine or extraordinary beings possessing supernatural abilities. Countless movies, statues and paintings have been made about angels and cities have been named after them. Most of the major religions of the world believe in angels in one form or another. A Gallup Poll indicated that well over half of all Americans believe in angels. Regardless of your view, even the possibility that there are beings out there who are looking after your wellbeing, day or night, is comforting.
Maybe the existence of angels appeals to so many people because they seem to help bridge the gap between the natural and supernatural worlds. Most religions teach that angels are created beings, similar to us. They are superhuman creations with abilities far beyond our own, like being able to walk through walls, float in the air, and perform amazing feats. Who wouldn't want to be like an angel. Wouldn't it be great if you could transport yourself from one place to another or heal a loved one of a terrible disease. Angels also give us a sense of hope, because if they have the power to influence our natural world they can save us from that fatal car accident or guide the trajectory of a criminal's bullet as it careens through our body. I think we'd all feel better knowing that angels are here to protect us.
Here on CDC we've discussed how David Archuleta has touched many people and helped them in various ways. David would probably be the first to tell you that he's not an angel, but he has certainly restored hope that even young people can live a life of good character. One of the songs on David's CD is called, "Angels", and this a cappella rendition is simply amazing. You'll see why some have said his voice is angelic.
The fans of David Archuleta have joined together to become angels in their own way. Think about the similarities between angels and us. We are both created beings, we have the capacity to love and care for others, we protect and guard our children and others from harm and are capable of making the lives of others better. Our similarities with angels are startling, yet with one profound difference. Angels always act out of charity with a pure heart, whereas we can choose to be selfish with ulterior motives. Our potential to make a difference in this world is just about as significant as an angel, yet we don't act on it. Now there is an organized way to act with the creaton of two websites that unite the David Archuleta fans who want to help those in need.
The two sites, incidentally both having "angels" in their title, are Angels for a Cause and Angels in the Alleyway. Angels for a Cause will highlight David's endorsed charity, which is currently Rising Star Outreach, and help fans come together to raise money for that cause. Angels in the Alleyway will bring together, on one site, all the various charities that David Archuleta fans are supporting so you can decide where best you want to give.
As I looked at the Rising Star Outreach website and browsed through the pictures of the people afflicted with leprosy, I imagine that we probably do look like angels to them. Some of them are missing hands and feet and their skin has been leathered by the harsh wind blowing through their makeshift homes. Their world is bleak and in need of supernatural intervention, the caring heart of an angel. The time is now so visit the sites that I've mentioned and seriously consider giving of your time and money to help out these good causes and be an angel to those in need.
"I always think about how those donations will help out, even if it's not a huge contribution. That small amount can help change someone's life one way or another, and just thinking about it gives me the chills."
- David Archuleta-
MySpace on January 5, 2009
David, Babies, and Crazy Kittens
I recently got a little Siamese kitten. I was going to post a picture of him but the pictures I took are still on my camera along with the ones I took of David in Sunrise, and my goddaughter's new baby. I looked for one online and the closest I could find was this:
It took me a long time to pick out a name for him 'cause I wanted a name that fit his personality. I considered, Spaz, Felix (as in, "If he licks" me one more time I'm gonna scream,) Scootch (because he always steals my chair, ) etc. Finally, after living with him for awhile I found my self constantly yelling, "OH! You little RASCAL!"
So "Rascal" it is.
Or, as Judith calls him: =^^=.
Let me tell you, this is no ordinary kitten. He plays fetch. He can walk a short distance on his back legs, and he's learned how to open cabinet doors. He's into EVERYTHING and he's like the Gene Simmons of the cat world; he wants to Rock & Roll all night and party every day. Watching Rascal is a full-time job. If he was a kid he'd be eating paint chips and sticking forks into electrical outlets. Right now at 3:00 PM he's sleeping peacefully, like a little angel on my pillow. At 3:00 AM he'll be like this…
Agent O'Snark
I've been trying to figure out how our friends at www.snarkyarchies.com get their information so darn fast! Amy told me she was "somewhat of a Google expert" but I think it goes beyond that. She seems to have found a way to intercept data packets before they reach my computer.
I'm convinced that Amy has somehow managed to turn herself into a self-replicating, info-gathering, cyber-super-entity similar to the Matrix Program, Mr. Smith, and is directly plugged into to the Archu-matrix.
Faster than a speeding Google alert, more powerful than a YouTube search engine, and able to leap tall barriers in a single bound.
Say It Isn't Sow
Okay, I get bored…a lot. So I decided to make this comic based on the little pig David used to draw with his signature. This first one wasn't meant to be THAT funny. It's main purpose was to set up the stories to come. If you click on it you'll be able to see it full size. I'm not so good at this yet, but hey, I had fun. Hope you like it anyway.
My ODD Intervention
Hmm…time to poke fun at myself today. The following conversation is loosely based on an actual event that happened at my friend's house last night….VERY loosely based, Haha!
"Todd, we think ODD is taking over your life. Your friends hardly get to see you… we need to talk."
"Shhh! This is the part where he busts into his falsetto Woo-ooh-woos!"
"We're seriously going to snatch your face off if we have to hear that SNIPPIT CD one more time. It's really hard to have a conversation with some one who's flailing their arms and Woo wooing. You need intervention."
"OMD! Haha! That's awesome!
You're joking right?"
"We're seriously thinking about calling in Dr. Drew. You need celebrity rehab."
Dr. Drew? Hmm… I wonder if he knows Oprah… Oh! I missed the last woo. That one's my favorite. Dangit!"
"Todd, you're in denial."
"I'm in denial? De-Nile! De-NILE! Haha!"
"Todd, enough with the baby Moses impressions already, PLEASE get out of our laundry basket. And… what's with the 11/11 tattoo?"
"Do you know people all over the Internet have reported seeing 11:11 on clocks everywhere for years! Now I know why! I think he's trying to tell us something in 'My Hands!!!!'
I heard it means you're an ANGEL incarnate! SPAZ! SPAZ!"
"Sigh. Like today for instance. Remember when we went shopping? And we agreed to let you look through magazines, oh, like Tiger Beat to see if there were any articles about David?"
"Yeah? Haha."
"Well, we didn't know we were going to have to wait an extra half hour while you checked Good Housekeeping and Field & Stream."
"OMD! That reminds me!
Have you guys heard David sing 'A House Is Not A Home' or 'Nature Boy??? SPAZ!!'"
"See, I knew you guys we're overreacting. I'm hungry. You hungry?
Who's up for some Thai Food?"
A Day Off For A Change
I'm taking the day off from Fan Scene today to drive down to Sunrise, Florida with a friend to hear Barack Obama speak. I don't normally attend political rallies but I want to see history in the making. Even if Obama doesn't become our next president he's still the first African American presidential nominee in our country's history. Today he's speaking at the Bank Atlantic Center, the same arena I saw David on the American Idol's Tour.
Dream Meditations on the Archuleta Plateau
Last night I dreamed about David Archuleta. Now you'd think that after more than four years of running David's Fan Sites I'd dream about him all the time, but I don't. In fact this was only the third time.
The first time was back in 2005. Lupe called and offered to fly me out to Salt Lake City to see David perform at Abravanel Hall. I would've loved to have gone. But I'd invited friends from Illinois to come visit me here in Florida and I'd already bought their tickets and made arrangements. I couldn't disappoint them. Besides, I was working for a non-profit organization and Abravanel Hall was a black tie affair. I couldn't afford to rent a tux even if I could've gone. I had to decline an invitation from the Archuletas which would have been a great opportunity for us to get to know each other better.
That night I had my first dream: I was in the Archuleta's house sitting around a coffee table playing Monopoly with the family. Everyone was laughing and having a good time. I didn't even care that I was losing as usual. I'd brought my guitar and wanted to share a song with David that I'd written. I don't remember anything else about the dream but that.
The second time I dreamed about David was when he was on American Idol. There was some concern on the message boards at the time that David didn't really have his heart in the competition, that he wasn't competitive enough to win. If you've ever seen the movie "The Princess Diaries," there's a scene where Mia's friend Lilly is trying to convince her to accept her rightful title as the Princess of Genovia. Lilly tells Mia she'll have a better platform from which to promote her charity/social causes once she becomes the Princess of Genovia. I'd been thinking about that a lot, so in my second dream David and I were outside of some school talking on the bleachers. Our conversation was straight out of that film.
The third dream, from last night, was the strangest of all. I was back living in the mid west but I was lost somewhere downtown. I saw what I thought was a familiar building and decided to go in for directions. I entered and walked down a flight of crumbling concrete steps to a record store in the basement. Strangely once I was inside the store, instead of getting help, I started asking if they had David's new CD. The guy behind the counter said all they had was some promotional material and showed me a white CD he'd received that wasn't available to the public. I asked him if I could at least see it. He handed it to me and I opened it. At first I thought there were no pictures, only words.
The inside cover reminded me of a couple of LP's my older sister used to have in her collection. I don't remember if it was the Beatles or Led Zeppelin, maybe both, that used to have – how do I explain this? – like a cardboard wheel attached to the cover that had various "windows" cut out. When you took your finger and turned the wheel you could see different parts of a background picture through the window. I took the unusual white CD in my hands and turned the wheel inside the cover, trying to get the full picture, one window at a time.
The background scene wasn't at all like something I'd expected. It was a scene from the old children's cartoon Pokemon and full of characters. I was trying to figure out the meaning, much like I did with my sister's albums sitting on the floor of her bedroom when I was a kid, then the next thing I know a girl came out from the back of the store with something in her hand. She showed me a promotional poster they'd received and asked if I wanted it. I was excited and thanked her, then immediately started wondering if I could get David to sign it so I could give it away. I neatly rolled up the poster and headed back up the stairs and out of the store. Once outside I forgot all about trying to get home, thinking of nothing but the poster and the smile on the face of the person who would own it.
I woke up this morning wondering if all the time we put into Fan Scene is making any difference for anyone at all, or if it's all just a dream.
Coming Soon...
...a Cartoon of Enormous PIG-nificance!
44 Responses to "Fish Soup For the Soul"
THE PIG. I LOVE THE PIG. The Squiggly Pig. Ahhhh. And I think David's CD should be like one of those LPs. That is pretty awesome. And of course all your hard work is making a difference. Every hit helps David in so many ways, and helps share his music with the woooorld.
Todd, Fan Scene IS SERIOUSLY making a huge difference for David and his fans. You've been supporting David Archuleta unconditionally all these years, even before many of us knew of his existence. You have the purest of motives – you sought to share the gift of David's talent and character with the rest of the world, precious things that the world desperately needs. And you did it with much quiet aplomb and a remarkably unwavering determination that I can only look up to with deep respect but never able to emulate.
I kindof understand the backbreaking work involved in maintaining a site. I'm absolutely sure David and his family deeply appreciate all that you've done and are doing. Fan Scene has made an entire world of difference for me. I mainly frequent only two sites everyday – FS and Team Archie; they are sufficient for me because they are run by individuals who love David tremendously and have his best interests at heart. I'm not implying anything bad about other fan sites – we all pay tribute to the same person. It's just I simply feel most at home with TA and FS. These are two places where I can pour my heart out to do my tiny bit for David. If not for FS and TA, I don't think I would still be here doing all I can to actively support David. To quote from my friend Hippiestofemall from TA, it's not the quantity, but the quality that matters. And FS together with TA represent top-notch quality. In the words of another friend, Tes, we will be there (for David) till the last leaf falls.
The world works in mysterious ways. We often do not taste the fruits of our labor for long periods of time. But I believe if we persevere over time, we will be richly blessed and strengthened by the experiences along our journey, and who knows what reward lies ahead? So hang in there, Todd!
Cheryl, if you're reading this, this is what I hope to tell you too. I miss you so much!
Todd, I know I owe you a thousand and one things for Fan Scene, and I'd better get down to them before the huge looming deadline of D-Day on Nov 11.
Aack! I'd better stop before turning this into an essay.
ARCHU-HUGS to Todd, Cheryl and Orlando!
Looking forward to Squiggly Pig with the curly pink tail!
Thanks for the encouragement Amy & Larissa.
I heard from Cheryl last week. She should be getting her computer soon. I don't know if she'll be coming back to Fan Scene.
That squiggly Pig was drawn by David. I just colored him in. When David used to sign his autographs he'd draw that pig.
I second Larissa's comment! Especially the quiet aplomb bit. You barely even mention how long you've worked to help David; no boasting or bragging, when a lot of people in your shoes would be like, "HEY WORLD, GUESS WHAT! I KNEW ABOUT DAVID'S POTENTIAL LONG BEFORE YOU, NANNER NANNER BOO BOO." You have the purest of intentions and it shows.
Plus, I really enjoy this comment box. Have I ever told you? I feel so swanky typing in it. Like I'm saying something important.
also, just so you know, you crack me and dana and sabrina up. you're friggin hilarious and random. I AM JUST FULL OF TODD COMPLIMENTS TODAY. how rare of me to be nice!
and i think that journey story is one of the funniest little david bits to ever be leaked. DAVID AT A JOURNEY CONCERT IS EPIC.
Ahh your going to see Barack? I want to go tomorrow (he'll be in the sarasota-tampa area) but I'm not sure if I'll be able to skip school…plus we get our report cards that day. Oh well. Haha have fun
Todd, I love you and I love FanScene. Seriously. Your site is amazing. You have David's best interests at heart and you simply just want to share his gift and soul with the rest of the world. Your motives are pure and you have such a kind heart for working so hard to maintain this fansite for David. Fanscene is bringing new eyes and ears to Davidland every single day and that is huge.
And like Amy said, you really do crack me up- all the time. You are quite the funny one. haha
Oh, and I hope you had fun listening to Obama speak!
I for one, would like to thank everyone for their comments. Just like Todd, I don't go around bragging I did this, I've done that, etc. I believe, it should be the world united for a common cause, to support David and his music. Just like Todd, I been doing my best to support David and his music way before American Idol and going as far back as 2002/2003 during the era of Star Search.
I first learned about David back in 2002 while looking for a background song for a website I was putting together dedicated to the events of 9/11 and I came across David's video where he went to New York on the 2nd anniversary of 9/11 and sang 'I will always love you" inside New York Fire Station 54 in Manhattan.
Being in the field of Firefighting and Emergency Medical Services since I got out of high school in 1989. That act of kindness and compassion coming from an 11 year old, really touched home and I am sure all the firefighters and their families listening on that day felt the same way.
Though I run a radio station myself and play music from major to independent artists, I will never forget that day back in 2002 and will forever support David and all of his future endevours.
Todd and I have been friends for a long time and though we live only 45 mins apart and have kept in touch via email all these years, David's AI Tour concert in Sunrise, FL was the first time Todd and I met face to face. It goes to show, that David's music brings the world together.
When Todd and Cheryl asked me to join them on Fan Scene, I couldn't say no, so here I am.
Well that is my two cents, and I bettre go before I keep rambling on and turn this into a novel, LOL
Wow, I love all these comments. So much love is being showed to everyone. I too love this site and the way in which it is run..one agenda…to simply enhance and promote one of the most genuine and kindest individuals..David James Archuleta..and it is no wonder that all the fans I have met have those same attributes. I feel honored to be a part of such an amazing and growing fan group.
Awww, you guys. I'm sitting hear smiling ear to ear reading everyone's comments. I REALLY appreciate them. I've met THE MOST AWESOME people (you guys!) running this site. Thank you!!!!
I went to see Obama today. It was PACKED. We got there 2 1/2 hours before the doors opened at 4:30 and we were still in a line with at least a half mile of people ahead of us. We finally got inside around 6:30. I just now got home at 11:00 and I'm soooo tired!
Talk to you guys tomorrow!!!
Wow Orlando, I've never seen you so eloquent before (just kidding!). But seriously, it goes to show how much David really means to you. But I must give you a gentle *smack!* for only meeting Todd for the first time on the idol tour. LOL!
Have a good rest, Todd.
You had a dream did you? Wrll we all know what happens with that. But seriously, i will analyze this for you as only I can….I believe that the reason you had these is because you see Our David as an icon, not just a star… Stars crash and burn, falling from the sky quickly. This is also the reason that he didn't win idol. If you notice all the winners seem to have gone away from the public eye and lost their charmed status. I think your dreams may be prophecy's…..Can't wait for the pig!
Todd, I think we ALL appreciate you more than you know!!! Thanks for all your hard work, for your kindness and dedication, and for your pure intentions. I think this sight is awesome!!!!! You are the best! I for one LOVE this site!
Thank you, Charlyn!
Oh my gosh, Todd. I am dying here. AHAHAHAHA. You sound like me and Dana, actually. Oh dear. I think the entire fanbase might need psychological help.
Goodness, Todd. That was hilarious, I'm laughing so hard right now. Maybe because I can relate so well and that's slightly scary! hahahaha
AHAHAHAHAH, TODD, OMG. WHY MUST THE SQUIGGLY PIG HATE ME? ahahahahaha, oh man, i am rofling.
He's just being elusive, it's nothing personal, lol.
AHAHAHA, MY FOREHEAD ON THE AGENT SMITH PICTURE IS SO MASSIVE. AHAHAHAHA. Amazing.
Dear Todd, I have been here with you thru this from the beginning.. You know I started off saying,- Todd, I don't listen to screaming meemies….- Me and Tool, Mudvayne, but after hearing nature boy I was hooked…David showed some of his melancholic side and his shining heart at the same time. I know that I have givin you a mean intervention at times,but I know your devotion to david is to get out a person that is a light to the world, As of right now the industry is full of chaos, David is truly one of a kind… I hope that- all the love and light you send in this forum touches people as deeply as you want it too, but seriously man- STOP THE WHOOO HOOOING…lol.<3 NinaB
Awwww….thanks for the comment, NinaB.
PS: WOO HOOOO! Lol.
Todd, We are on the phone, I like the change of attitude… Keep it going…. I wish people's hearts where as gold as ours, protect yourself out there… and if you whoo hooo at me one more time, I will feed you fish soup……. NOT for the soul..
GOLDEN AS YOURS… I wanted to correct that..
You say I don't know what I want
But it worked out just fine
You said it never could be done
But it worked out just fine, oh
You can say anything you want
But it worked out just fine
If it works for me
Then it works for me
If it works for me
Then it works for meWooo Hooooooooo!
I love you to0 my friend. At least WE know we're golden.
I wanted to take a moment to say how much I'm enjoying your site.
I've just spent the last hour roaming through your posts and have found them enlightning, touching and some down right funny! (Say hi to Rascal for me). Thank you. -
Thank you for roaming,
Rascal says =^..^=
"Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget".
Thanks G. Randolf for saying it better than I can – exactly what I wanted to say.
"If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I'll bet they'd live a lot differently." – Bill Watterson
Stars and ocean…since humans first walked this earth they have been drawn to two things. The constant rhythm and beauty of the ocean and the glittering stars overhead. We watch in rapt silence as the waves dance in and out …if we are lucky we spot a falling star to make a wish upon.
No matter where we are we can wish on the same bright stars and realize that we are all connected to each other and this beautiful planet. So as we face the stresses and worries of our daily lives, we can also go outside and look up….and marvel,dream and say a thankful prayer.
Above comment — must give credit to Counting David's Character article "When You Wish Upon a Star" by uuhhmmm ArchieFanDoc (with a little help from my friend) — bwaahahhahhahhah. it was just too fitting for recent beach star gazing – falling star and all !
""Friendship without self interest is one of the rare and
beautiful things in life."
- James Francis Byrnes -
Archiefandoc, thanks for letting me know on this post. I knew that I had to spend some time on this blog, reading and digesting each and every notes being written here. Friendship en la Distancia.. Oh Wow! It's OK we are at a distance but closer to our hearts. To all dedicated team in Fan Scene… Thank you so much for making this site a wonderful home for our dear David and especially us..his fans to stay connected globally.
Welcome back, Fish Soup For the Soul! It's great to see you again!
Ditto that Goldstar!
Hi! i'm new here and would like to introduce myself
I'm from Luxembourg and come to this forum from search engine.
Nice to meet you all
Hi gerdbath! check out our front page
I'm seeking help for the children of Haiti.
I'm at this site for a non-profit group that is devoted to giving time to
creating oppurtunities for the kids in haiti. If anyone here wants to donate then then please do so here:They provide kids in Haiti a learning environment.
Yes, they're legit.
It would be awesome if you could help us
Hi,thanks for the great quality of your David Archuleta fan site, each time I come here, I am amazed.
hey guys,
ARCHANGELS out there please LIKE my page on facebook. http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Archuleta-is-my-Music/346177335396819?ref=tn_tnmn
thanks guys
Steven Adler


text:
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Reversal on Appeal in Favor of Hurrell Cantrall's Client
October 11th, 2010Hurrell Cantrall handled an appeal of an attorneys' fee award under 42 U.S.C. Section 1988 on behalf of a public entity. In that case, the trial court awarded the plaintiff's counsel over $300,000 in attorneys' fees. On the appeal, we argued that the statutory basis relied upon by the plaintiff did not apply due to procedural actions which occurred at the trial court level. The appellate court agreed with our arguments and reversed the award to the plaintiff, and awarded our client costs.


text: Photo credit: Mike Hendren, KWFS-AM [ Storms Bring Needed Rains, Uneeded Headaches To Texoma By Mike Hendren April 3, 2012 Downed power lines and blown transformers, as well as a litany of other damage have left hundreds of Oncor customers without power since early this morning. Crews are working on the problems, Read More|Comment Category: Local News Tags: damage, oncor, power outages, storms, wichita falls Send to a friend! Print this page Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Pin it! Reddit This! Share on Tumblr!


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Winter VOL ONE NO 1 | Spring VOL ONE NO 2 | Fall Vol TWO No 1 |
To find your nearest skateboard / longboard shop simply click on any province or state and it will list them. Or simply type in your city and your longboard city list will appear. Please click on the international globe to see what skateboard/longboard companies we have listed for your country. Continue the stoke, please contact firstname.lastname@example.com to add any shop or company that we missed and deserves inclusion.
LEGIT DEALERS: Our Media Curtain is Dedicated to the Core Companies Featured in Concrete Wave Magazine and AXS Longboard Retailer Magazine . Add your shop and become a AXS Legit Longboard Dealer. CLICK HERE for Banner and Advertising Rates.
The Veteran Skate TrekThe Mission Isn't Over... Help raise money for the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and have a grand adventure in the process. A 900 mile skate boarding trek down the entire coast of California! . ... Goodbye Gangs, Hello LongboardingLongboarding for Peace, a coexistence initiative started in Jaffa, spreads to cities like Houston, where gang members are putting down their guns and picking up skating. People who love longboarding say there's ... How a Skate Business Helps Shelter AnimalsThe inspiration struck in early 2011, as surf and skate enthusiast David Hendrickson was paddling around on his longboard with his dog, William, adopted three years earlier from an animal shelter in Orange County, Calif. During the adoption ...


text:
Ok, I really need some help. I have psfreedom setup on my phone, I load the boot.img start psfreedom.ko from the terminal (i did remember to super user).
Now, whenever I try to start my ps3 in service mode by pressing power then eject it just boots normally, no box telling me I'm in service mode. I've tried several times and I just can't figure this out... any help would be much appreciated.
13250 HeyManHRU
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11287 elser1
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8578 Tidusnake666
7968 saviour07
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5279 Starlight
2965 HeyManHRU
2125 elser1
1818 cfwprophet
1756 her0
1570 oVERSoLDiER
1291 GrandpaHomer
1080 barrybarryk


text:
The first ogg file defines the outline of the newly created file (with the numbers of parallel streams). The other files are mapped to this outline. So oggCat tries to find a matching stream (video and audio) and complains if there were not enough matches found in a file. In that case this file is omitted and is not inserted into the new file.
The video streams must match in size and framerate.
The audio streams must match in number of channels, samplerate and datarate.


text:
"This is a very zesty and hearty chili recipe loaded with vegetables. Garnish with sour cream and cheese, if desired, and serve with herb toast." - by CORWYNN DARKHOLME
Adjust Servings
Original recipe yields 6 to 8 servings
- In a slow cooker, combine the tomatoes, garbanzo beans, zucchini, onion, carrots, celery, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, chili powder, green chile peppers, garlic, oregano, cumin and salt.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours OR on high for 3 to 4 hours.
Amount Per Serving (6 total)
- Calories
- 149 cal
- 7%
- Fat
- 2.4 g
- 4%
- Carbs
- 30.1 g
- 10%
Based on a 2,000 calorie diet
Share It
Reviews (116)
Rate This Recipe"I made the Insanely Easy Vegetarian Chili instead of this one and it was a big mistake. That one was bland. This recipe is so good and easy. The 1/3 cup chili pepper is too hot for me, but I still ..." See moreeat it. I cry into my bowl, and still can't put it down. Chili heat and preference vary by brand and person, so vary it to suit you. The way the flavors blend is perfect."
What a Dish!
"This was very good. I had to change some things according to my tastes or what I had on hand. I used a can of black beans and a can of white kidney beans instead of garbanzo. I omitted the zucchini..." See more and added 2/3 cup frozen white corn. I used 2 14 oz. cans of petite diced tomatoes. I don't think I even had 1/3 cup chili powder in the house; I only used 2-3 tablespoons. I added about a cup of chicken broth because the mixture seemed a little dry and I needed to use it. Omitted salt. Served with light sour cream and sharp cheddar. I really enjoyed it!"
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"Insultingly bad writing"
Even if meant as a spoof, this book fails miserably. Dialogue, "characters" and plot are all so tedious and poorly written, one wonders if the writer could possibly have been serious. Even the performance was bad.
Sad waste of a credit.
"Interesting book; marginal reader"
Fascinating information on poisons; scary incites into our history and culture in the context of corporate irresponsibility and government hesitation to act. The reader damaged the experience with overwrought attempts at foreign accents and obvious mispronunciations of scientific terms. I really wish there were technically savvy proof-listeners for audio as there are proof readers for the written word.
"Good book; great reader!"
Laura Lippman's novel was good, really good, and had I not been driving, I would have read it on the page. But the reader took it to a 5. Linda Emond was perfect; she was interesting, had good variation in the voices and, remarkably, did not feel the need to overact. And she knows how to pronounce English words, something many professional narrators seem singularly unable to do. I'll be buying the book to read for myself, and will be actively searching for more narrations by Linda Emond.
None of Pearl's books is great literature, but this latest attempt is downright embarrassing. The writing is dull, tedious and banal. And the reader is less than compelling. I find the book a waste of time and a sad waste of a good Audible credit!
"Wasted a credit on this!"
Briefly, not worth the time to download it - writing, dialogue trite and boring. Dunne should have hit the delete button on this one; I couldn't even finish the first half.


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Celebrity chef Bobby Flay is going to open his first Ohio restaurant inside Horseshoe Cincinnati when the casino opens March 4. This will be the 14th Bobby's Burger Place. The 3,500 square foot restaurant will be located adjacent to the gaming floor with seating for about 90 people. Bobby's Burger Place will join Jack Binion's Steak and Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville as premium dining outlets at the $400 million casino.Flay opened his first BBP on Long Island in 2008. He's also the owner and executive chef of Mesa Grill, Bobby Flay Steak and Bar Americain.
Cincinnati's new casino continues to hire workers as it heads toward a March 4 opening date. Horseshoe Cincinnati is looking to fill more than a hundred positions Tuesday for cocktail servers and restaurant hosts. The casino will employ nearly 1,700 people in various roles. Human resources director Meaghan Ryan said the hiring effort is going well.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission says Horseshoe Cincinnati has been granted a public opening date of March Fourth next year. The casino will be the last of four voter-approved casinos to open in the state in less than one year. Construction at the site started in February 2011 and is now in its final stages. Casino General Manager Kevin Kline says in a statement efforts to hire and train about 1,700 new workers are on schedule and several hundred slot machines have already been placed on the gaming floor.


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New York City's First Benchmarking Scores for Non-Residential Covered Properties
On September 4, 2012, New York City publicly posted the 2011 energy and water benchmarking results for non-residential properties covered under the benchmarking ordinance (Local Law 84). The list was updated on September 24th to account for discrepancies in building identification. Please make sure you are using the most up to date list. Also note that buildings were determined as non-residential by the New York City Department of Finance (DOF).
New York Times, December 24, 2012Next American City, September 13, 2012Environmental Leader, September 12, 2012FierceEnergy, September 12, 2012Eco-Structure, September 11, 2012Institute for Market Transformation, September 10, 2012
New York City's First Benchmarking Report for the Private SectorThe New York City Local Law 84 Benchmarking Report (August 2012) is the first analysis of New York City benchmarking data collected as part of Local Law 84, which requires all privately-owned properties with individual buildings over 50,000 square feet or with multiple buildings with a combined square footage over 100,000 square feet to annually measure and report their energy and water use.
Nearly 1.8 billion square feet of built space, which is equal to the built areas of Boston and San Francisco combined, was benchmarked in this effort. This constitutes the largest collection of benchmarking data gathered for a single jurisdiction and documents the current state of energy consumption and performance in large buildings in New York City. This data will also help identify opportunities to gain efficiencies. Similar reports will be produced on the benchmarking data compiled in each of the coming two years.To read the report, download New York City Local Law 84 Benchmarking Report (August 2012) (in PDF)
Read the City's press release:August 3, 2012 - Mayor Bloomberg Releases First Benchmarking Report on Energy Use in New York City's Largest Buildings
HABITAT, September 25,2012Metropolis, August 24, 2012C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, August 16, 2012International Business Times, August 8, 2012Inhabitat, August 7, 2012SustainableBusiness.com, August 7, 2012Next American City, August 6, 2012Environmental Leader, August 6, 2012New York Times, August 3, 2012 Urban Green Council, August 3, 2012 Institute for Market Transformation, August 3, 2012 Building Green, August 3, 2012Environmental Building News, August 1, 2012
Benchmarking Scores and Report for City GovernmentAs part of the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan, the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) submitted 2010 and 2011 benchmark results for City buildings to the Department of Finance (DOF) for publication. Since 2009, DCAS has worked with 28 agencies to benchmark almost 3,000 buildings, including libraries, police stations, firehouses, schools, courthouses, health, community and family centers, and government offices. Benchmarking measures the total electricity, natural gas, steam and fuel oil consumed in a building and adjusts for other factors so that the City can understand which facilities are operating inefficiently. This information allows the City to prioritize buildings for energy efficiency investments and to monitor building performance over time.
The City has published its benchmarking results for the 2011 calendar year. This report includes side-by-side comparisons between 2010 and 2011 for energy, ENERGY STAR rating, and greenhouse gas emissions. To view the City's second year of benchmarking results, download,New York City Government Building Energy Benchmarking Results: 2010 and 2011 (in PDF).
To view the City's 2010 benchmarking results, downloadEnergy Benchmarking Report for New York City Municipal Buildings November 2011 (in PDF).
Benchmarking Reports from Academic PartnersMuch of the analytical work of the benchmarking data was conducted by academic partners Dr. David Hsu, Assistant Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania, and by Dr. Constantine Kontokosta, Deputy Director of the New York University (NYU) Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP) and Founding Director of the NYU Schack Institute's Center for the Sustainable Built Environment. In addition to assisting the City write a more robust benchmark report, Dr. Hsu and Dr. Kontokosta also published their own reports. To read Dr. Hsu's report, download City of New York LL84 Data Analysis & Quality Assessment (in PDF) (March 14, 2012).To read Dr. Kontokosta's report, download Local Law 84 Energy Benchmarking Data Report to the New York City Mayor's Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability (April 11, 2012).
Other LL84 Benchmarking LinksAbout LL84Covered Buildings List (Buildings Required to Benchmark)How to ComplyEnergy and Water Data CollectionWhere to Get Help


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Obviously, if you've got a Husky, St. Bernard, Pyrenees Mountain dog or some other breed that's got snow-caked DNA, you're good to go (as long as your pet is fit). But no matter the breed, assess Princess' fitness level and choose a route best suited to her. If you're unsure, start out on short excursions to see how she fares. Remember that romping through the snow is more physically demanding on her than it is on you. The good news is that later on, back at home, she'll spend the entire evening snoozing by the fire, content and wiped out from your shared adventure.
If Spot's the naughty type and never listens to you, he stays at home until you've done some more training or enrolled both of you in an obedience class. You can leash him to your body on cross-country skis (skijoring: it's cross-country skiing meets dog-sledding and working dogs love it) and you can snowshoe with a leash, but if you're on a trail that doesn't require you to leash—or if you're just out in the wilderness—it's more fun to see Spot run, experiencing all that a white winter has to offer.
So make sure he responds to his name, comes when he's called, heels, halts and doesn't go after every single animal he comes across (including and especially other dogs).
Especially if you're on a public trail system. No one wants to get poop all over their skis or snowshoes. Practice dog etiquette.
Snow and ice can get stuck between the pads and chafe, cut, freeze or cause loss of traction. Keep nails cut short and the fur between the toes trimmed (but not too short). Different kinds of dog booties and even snowshoes are also available for paw-protection. If you go without booties, check paws frequently during your outing.
And when you get home, let your pup's paws defrost in the warmth of the indoors. You can even buy some dog paw salve and apply it to his or her pads before bed to heal cracks or dryness. Or purchase "musher wax" (designed for sled-dogs) to apply before your jaunt to prevent snow clumps.
No matter what age she is, keep an eye out for frostbite or hypothermia. Telltale signs are shivering, lethargy, slower breathing, loss of coordination or dilated pupils. You can even dress her in a dog coat if she's got short hair or is more susceptible to getting cold than other dogs.
Doggie bags, foldable water bowls (your dog can also eat snow when she's thirsty but you whould have unfrozen water anyway), treats and some kibble to refuel always come in handy. If you're going on a big excursion, a first aid kit and extra supplies in case of unforeseen incidents are a good idea. You can also bring a mat for your dog to sit on when you take breaks so that she doesn't get wet and cold while you're resting.
If hunting is allowed where you and Rex plan to romp, know all the rules, regulations, dress him in a hunter-orange vest and make lots of noise wherever you go. You never want to deal with worst-case scenarios.
Take your pup on your next outdoor adventure.
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There is no Market Research Poll Currently Running.
A Thunder Bay performer is one of 10 finalists in an online contest for the role of Dorothy in the upcoming Andrew Lloyd Webber production of The Wizard of OZ. Jordan Wyllie was chosen out of hundreds of video submissions to compete for the role of Dorothy on the CBC's new reality talent competition Over the Rainbow.
If she wins, she will enter the top 100 and be flown to Toronto to audition for the show.
Wyllie has been performing since she was three years old, and is studying performance dance at Ryerson University.
She says she would make the perfect Dorothy as they are similar in many ways. Voting is open until this Saturday when the winner will be flown to Toronto to attend the top 100 callback auditions for the show.
You can vote online at cbc.ca/overtherainbow.
Those interested in submitting a vote must log into Facebook.
(Thunder Bay Television)
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Zach Koehn - Peer Mentor
My name is Zach Koehn. I was born and raised in a small town in California. I am a sophomore studying Community Health. I love snowboarding, camping hiking and meeting new people. My greatest love is traveling and I hope to spend a month in a different country every year. Western is an amazing place. The first day I stepped on campus I knew that his place was going to be my home. Western has so much to offer new students and I am excited to be a part of Western and to be someone who gets to help others grow to love this great place. This place has changed my life. I have grown and learned who I am in leaps and bounds. This is a culture of acceptance and I am honored to be a part of it and show others.


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Czech Life Milliner Jolana Kotábová on hat design in the Czech Republic
In this week's Czech Life my guest is Czech milliner Jolana Kotábová, an expert hat designer who – after many years of experience in the field – opened her own studio in Prague in 2011. Located in a beautiful house with vaulted ceilings in Prague's Nerudova Street, her studio focuses on original women's hats combining both traditional elements and modern. Anyone interested in felt, straw or braided-straw designs with flair should take the time to visit.
When we met at her workshop in Nerudova Street I was able to ask Jolana Kotábová not only about millinery in the Czech Republic today, but also how she herself had pursued what some see as an increasingly 'rare' career.
"It wasn't easy at first: as a little girl although I was very creative I can't say I knew exactly what I wanted to do. The main impulse later came from my aunt, who had experience in the artistic field. As a result, I studied the art of hat-making at high school, but really only learned the basics there: how to make headwear, how to sew and so on.
"When I was 19, I was introduced to older women who worked in one of the many still-existing studios, who had extensive experience dating back to the war or before. Some of them had worked in First Republic salons when hats really meant something. At 19, I found my new co-workers very old, but they were wonderful and taught me a lot."
Jolana's first job was at a milliner's in Jungmannova Street in the city centre, later she worked in Prague 7. But at that time, in the 1990s, many earlier sites, that had survived 40 years of communism, began to disappear – hit hard by a drop in demand, increasing rents and changing fashions. The number of outlets where one could buy original designs lessened significantly. But it was not the first time that the field was hard-hit. Jolana Kotábová again:
"Before communism, it was widely considered a faux-pas to leave the house without a hat but the 1950s went a long way in changing that – almost stamping out the tradition. Under communism, hats were suddenly shunned or frowned upon as a bourgeois hold-over. They were replaced by proletarian women's scarves or berets. That changed again later, but in the 1950s if you put on a hat, you were seen almost as a provocateur."
In the '60s, the situation improved and suffered various ups-and-downs through to the 1980s. But the tradition survived. Like today, there were a number of social events and undertakings where traditional headwear was still considered essential: weddings, funerals, christenings, official celebrations and so on. Even at the worst of times, there were always women (both hat-makers and passionate customers) says the designer, who stuck with it - for whom the custom-made hat never went out of style.
Regarding different types of women's headwear there are two that are the most widespread in the Czech Republic: hats of felt or straw. The designer explains:
"Material is everything and in the Czech Republic when it comes custom-made hats the most popular are either felt or straw. The felt probably most often comes from rabbit fur. One pre-fabricated piece requires four furs. Tonak is a major producer, who cuts down the fur, brushes it down, and prepares the felt and pre-fabricated pieces are then used by designers for individual hats.
"The felt is very formative and pliant when you steam it and holds its shape after drying on a wooden hat shaper or block. After that you work on the brim, you add decorative elements which can be beads, a feather, fabric, a bow or band."
Many different hats of course are on view at Jolana Kotábová's studio, all handmade. I asked the designer what principles guided her approach. Here's what she said:
"I try to design hats that attract attention and in some cases can be extravagant. But they also have to be practical. The type of hat a customer chooses can be surprising: some are bolder than I'd expect, others more conservative, but the main thing is that they must suit the wearer. Everybody is different. I have one customer who attracts a lot of attention, who is very whimsical and in her case it's sometimes better to go with a more 'serious' design to sort of 'ground' her.
"Regarding the process of choosing or ordering a hat, customers generally come with a certain idea of what they're looking for or we discuss options, and sometimes draw up sketches for designs. So while I have my own Internet site, it's much preferred to come in and try on individual designs or agree on a certain look."
Certainly it is one thing to look at designs sitting on wooden forms on the shelf and another entirely to see them worn. The designer was kind enough to show me a couple, putting them on. And that is when individual designs truly 'come to life'.
"This is one is straw, it's a kind of tiny beret which you have to wear a bit to the side but has this great extravagant bow with a feather. It aims to make a bold statement that you can't really get a sense of when you just see it resting on the shelf."
"The one I have now, at first glance, has a very dominant brim which slightly hides the eyes and part of the face but at the same time attracts."
Jolana Kotábová's clients include people from all walks of life who share one thing: a passion for original design, flair, and enjoyment from social events. According to the milliner although there are fewer designers now working in the field, and the country has been hit by tough economic times, an interest in women's custom-made hats remains. Regular clients include everyone from embassy officials to fashion designers and then there are those who come in for the first time for weddings or other events who discover hats are 'for them'. The tradition may be a far-cry, for example, from Great Britain's, but there are still plenty of events where hats have their place – from the annual Pardubice steeplechase to polo matches and various official gatherings.
A year or so after opening her own business and returning to hat-making - seven years after taking time off to raise two children with her husband – things have gotten off the ground and Kotábová expects the second year to draw further interest among those who appreciate quality which at the same time is affordable – not costing more, for example, than a pair of new shoes. Jolana Kotábová again:
"It's all handmade and no two hats, even if something like a series is asked for, can be exactly the same. There are always tiny differences. They are truly originals. And things are good now: there is a new generation of young people who aren't afraid to put something on their heads! And there is the older generation for whom hats have always been important. A year after launching the business, I feel positive about the future."
So, if you are of the female persuasion or a husband or boyfriend looking for the ideal gift, be sure to visit Jolana Kotábová's website, which is in Czech and English, for more information. www.jolanakotabova.cz


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Saturday, 25 May 2013
An afternoon on Dunstable Downs
We wanted to make the most of the reasonably dry weather (who knows what can happen on a Bank Holiday weekend, let alone spring half term!) so we drove to Dunstable Downs, which is almost always a good place to fly kites.
It was fun - with the bonus of seeing (and hearing) a pair of traction engines chuffing towards the car park.
Our journey home diverted to the Whipsnade Tree Cathedral - which is an amazing venue for a wedding - to pick up a couple of geocaches, which marked a suitable start to the half term break.
A few photos of our trip are below, including (if it works!) an interactive panorama of the view from the Downs. It's only a first-attempt, using hugin to stitch the images, and a neat bit of jQuery by GayaDesign.com to display it (both free!)... I will try do make more sophisticated one on my next trip.
Oh, and as always, there are more photos in the gallery.
Posted by james at 5:18 PM | Comments (0)
Friday, 10 May 2013
Back Garden Bird Webcam
(normally online between 06:00 and 21:00 daily).
Now powered by Yawcam - and hosted on my Linux box (so it may not be online all the time!)
Please note: This will stop streaming after 10 minutes to preserve bandwidth. Simply hit 'refresh' to start it again.
Posted by james at 10:41 PM | Comments (0)
Friday, 22 March 2013
Podcasts... still!
As another week ends, with the threat of snow and a wind chill factor that makes me glad I'm indoors (and yes, it is the penultimate week of March!) I thought I'd write a long-overdue blog post. This one is about podcasts.
I still listen to quite a few podcasts, although the method by which I receive them has changed over the years; it used to be Juice, which downloaded to my hard drive, so that I could copy the MP3s to my Samsung SGH-i600 until I got an iPod Touch and iTunes took over.
When Downcast eclipsed Apple's software offering, I considered it a worthwhile investment, given all the good reviews, and used that until I decided that carrying both an iPod Touch and an Android Phone was a little unnecessary. The question was, is there a decent 'podcatcher' for my Galaxy S?
Well, there is now - it seems that PocketCasts (for Android and IOS) has come of age, and I am really happy with it - the 'Smart Playlists' option is impressive, and, now I'm used to - and can remember - how the interface works (there's a fair amount of subtle gestures that are required to get things done) I don't really need anything else.
In fact, I think podcasts are the main listen for me, certainly while I'm doing the housework or sitting at my computer; driving tends to mean my attention is shared with the radio (either BBC Radio 4 or Radio 1 - for research purposes, naturally!)
Being a creature of habit, I have certain listens at various times of the week:
- Friday mornings
- Friday evenings (just before bed):
A Point Of View
- Saturday mornings
The Bugle (the perfect way to start the weekend with a laugh)
More Or Less
The BBC Friday Night Comedy Podcast
- Sunday evenings
The Colonel Radio Show (rather rude, but quite entertaining to fall asleep to)
It's just something I wanted to remark upon - in the same way as television broadcasts used to be 'appointments to watch' I now have certain times to listen to podcasts... I am sure there are others that pop up when they've been published on certain days of the week (Prime Minister's Questions on a Wednesday, for example).
The rest of the week is scattered with a variety of offerings - I nearly four years ago I wrote a blog post about the shows I listen to, and some of them still exist! A more recent arrival, however has been Audioboo and the art of the 'audio journal' - it's interesting to hear what's going on in other folks' lives and so - I guess a little like listening to the Archers, but in 'real life' I will have the narrative tales of Richard Vobes, Lloyd Bayley, StriderPaul and many others play out in my ear.
It's amazing how much audio content there is out there - especially speech based, and as a real alternative to the anodyne hit radio that squanders the FM (and DAB) broadcasting spectrum. And as for internet radio... well, I'll save that for another blogpost, I think!
If you're interested, here's the current list of podcasts I listen to in a rather untidy (but podcatcher compatible) XML format: http://www.mus-ic.co.uk/other/rss/podcasts.xml.
Posted by james at 10:10 PM | Comments (0)
Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Silophone - an amazing on-line audio effect, and it's still going!
I was looking for an interesting effect to put on a backing vocal, which reminded me of an interesting internet phenomenon I stumbled across a few years back. Designed as an artistic endeavour by Thomas McIntosh and Emmanuel Madan, it was wonderful to see that it is still going.
Visit www.silophone.net to listen to the device. It suggests you need Realplayer, but it's possible to listen using VLC (which, if you don't already have it, is definitely worth having as a versatile media player) - downloadable from www.videolan.org/vlc. Simply select Media -> Open Network Stream and enter:
You can submit your own recordings to be played out - if I have a caveat it would be that it has to be as loud as possible; there is a fairly strong noise gate, so quiet sounds won't get through.
Here's an example of a recording I've made this evening, with the output from the Silophone, and then mixed (with a bit of stereo magic) to make the 'full' sound; you'll need Flash to hear it, although you can also download the associated MP3.
Silophone sound - 'dry'...
Amazing-Silophone-dry.mp3 (112kB MP3 @ 192kbps)
Silophone sound - 'wet'...
Amazing-Silophone-wet.mp3 (549kB MP3 @ 192kbps)
Silophone sound - 'mixed'...
Amazing-Silophone-mixed.mp3 (550kB MP3 @ 192kbps)
Posted by james at 9:22 PM | Comments (0)
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
'Free' cloud storage (the cheapskate's approach to backups!)
There's been a growth in free on-line storage services of late, both independent - like box.net and dropbox - and affiliated with service providers (like Google Drive and Microsoft Skydrive). Of course, if you want real peace of mind, you can spend anything from a little per GB (Amazon Glacier, which is like a 'long term savings account') to a fixed price for unlimited storage for one PC (Carbonite) - more of a 'current account'. At the moment, I'm currently opting for the 'as cheap as possible' approach to online storage - for reasons which I will explain, but there may well come a time where I invest in a live 'offsite backup'.
Here's what I'm using:
- dropbox.com
- box.net
- drive.google.com
I use Dropbox for two purposes - for collaboration (I have created a folder called 'shared', and within that are all the folders that are linked to others' dropboxes) and for transferring files between my mobile devices and desktop computers.
Much like the other cloud storage solutions, Dropbox works like a hard drive or shared folder in Windows, so it's easy to drag and drop information onto the internet. There's an excellent piece of sofware called ES File Explorer for Android that makes dropbox available within the filesystem there, too. Very handy for transferring lots of files!
The bonus with Dropbox is that the more people you refer (or who open an account to share with you) the more storage you get, up to a limit of 16GB.
Oh, and there's even a version for Linux - I use the command-line based Dropbox service to upload my security camera motion detected photos to the cloud; even if the computer gets stolen, I can at least get a glimpse of the perpetrators!
Much like Dropbox, Box can live as a shared folder both on my desktop and my phone; the main benefit to this is that they have had special offers to give away 50GB of storage. It's like having an enormous USB stick (although I obviously need an internet connection to use it!)
I use Google Drive somewhat differently; it's the on-line backup for my website, SQL databases and Linux configuration scripts.
To achieve this, I use a Linux command-line programme called Grive which simply synchronises items between the local drive and the cloud using web-based requests. It's a bit buggy and clunky, but I'm not after anything complicated - just a spare copy of my site in case the PC stops working, or I need to move it elsewhere.
All in all, then, I've got quite a few GB of data on-line, but nothing I don't keep a copy of at home as well. That said, there are some files - such as archive DVDs and backup drives - that I really could do with having a spare copy of... that's something to explore when I consider whether to pay a single on-off price for a large external hard drive (an enormous 3TB for less than £100) or a monthly 'rental' of on-line, secure, backed-up space. Decisions, decisions - as soon as I come to a conclusion, I'm sure I'll write a blog post!
Posted by james at 11:01 PM | Comments (0)


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E-mail Fox
Christopher Weait
03.08.12, 14:45
"Since buying my new Fox Model II bassoon in February 2011, I have had laudatory compliments about the instrument from all who have played it including outstanding professional bassoonists. They also have high praise for the new "R2" bocals that I am using."
Lecolion Washington, Jr./Associate Professor of Bassoon, University of Memphis and PRIZM Chamber Music Festival Founder/Director
03.08.12, 15:00
[During our] PRIZM Chamber Music Festival/2011, all 7 of the bassoonists (University of Memphis) played on FOX bassoons. Thank you again for sponsoring Amanda Swain! She was a fantastic addition to our festival. She also just bought a red maple 660, and she sounded great! I look forward to working with FOX again soon.
Mike Muszynski/Bassoon Instructor, Georgia State University and Principal Bassoon, Atlanta Opera Orchestra, Atlanta Ballet Orchestra
03.08.12, 14:58
I wanted to mention briefly that we were very pleased to have Sarah Thelen and Barry Trent from Fox at the Georgia State University Double Reed Day. Barry's class was informative, and I felt that he engaged well with the students.
I know that the bassoon students especially enjoyed being able to play on some instruments that they do n...
I know that the bassoon students especially enjoyed being able to play on some instruments that they do n...
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Add to your holiday scene setter decorations our pair of life size nutcracker add ons. Made of plastic each nutcracker is 65" high by 33 1/2" wide and sold by the pair. Mix and match with all of your Christmas and holiday scene setters and decorations. Nutcracker scene setters are sold 2 to the pack. Please order in increments of 1 pack.
Easily hang all your holiday decorations with sticky tack, item SUP010.
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Current publications | Search
This report is in German. It is based on the January counts of ducks, swans, and Coot in the Western Palearctic region between 1967 and 1983, organized through the IWRB International Waterfowl Census. It gives the results of two analyses; 1) the estimation of regional wintering waterfowl populations, and 2) the trends in the levels of regional waterfowl populations.
More than 85,350 counts from over 16,800 sites in 38 countries were used. Coverage was generally good in north-west Europa (although the western Baltic has not been fully surveyed), but less complete in the Black Sea-Mediterranean region were serious gaps exist in the coverage of eastern areas. Counts from the USSR were obtained from the literature. Both analyses were restricted to north-west Europe and the Black Sea-Mediterranean region, and the trends analysis further confined to countries where consistant data were available. A total of 19 species were considered, and regional and/or national trends presented for 14 species. The seaducks and other species for which inadequate data exist were excluded.
***A review copy is available at Wetlands International Headquarter.
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The African Manatee is a member of the Trichechidae; a sirenian, mermaid-like sea cow that can grow up to 3 meters and weigh 500 kilograms. Wetlands International is calling for tougher protection measures to ensure the survival of this endangered species.
This presentation presents the impact of peat soil subsidence and discusses the issues of sustainability of peatland drainage activities.
E-mail: post @ wetlands.org
Ramsar Site Information Service
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