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Mon, 09 Aug 2010 03:39:38 GMT

Full circle

Round rocks are like people. They come in all different shapes and sizes. And while people can sometimes be as dense as round rocks, they are all worthwhile. Or at least they must be thought of in this way.

When I’ve pondered why some of my rocks are not round the way most of them are, I’ve quickly began to ponder why any of them would be round at all. Why wouldn’t gravity, for example, have distorted the shape of all of them? Sure, they formed in a chemical soup and were effectively “suspended” there as they grew, but doesn’t it seem a bit unlikely that rocks would be free of the influence of gravity? Well, I don’t know enuf about ancient geology to be able to doubt the word of the experts. (Common sense being, after all, the thing that tells you the world is flat.)

So I sit in my comfy chair and ponder my round rocks. There is so much yet to be learned. So much discovery I have yet to make in my 80+ acres. That gives me a warm feeling for the future.

Missouri calendar:

• Watch for lightning bugs on warm evenings.

Posted by: Roundrockjournal      Read more     Source

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 03:29:33 GMT

Electric Light-Cycle Orchestras

by Vadim Rizov



To considerable Internet excitement, cues from Daft Punk"s soundtrack to the forthcoming Tron: Legacy were finally unveiled last week for public inspection. [UPDATE: fake leaks?] Out of context, they didn"t necessarily add up to much: it"s not quite the Hans Zimmer Inception drone that has had people geeking out for weeks, but the rising minimalistic motifs-cut off and restarted just as they"re reaching maximal tension, perpetually delaying payoff-confirmed the musical future is way simpler than it was nearly 30 years ago. The cues don"t really "work" without context, although if you turn them up loud enough, even the simple act of making coffee can seem immortally heroic. Despite their vague reserve, they"re totally melodic, a regression from Wendy Carlos" analog-cum-digital score in 1982"s Tron.

The original film"s a blast for the nostalgically inclined, but the Jungian symbolism"s a bore, the visuals wonky (colors were rotoscoped after-the-fact) and the whole thing"s more a time capsule than watchable entertainment. The music is fantastic, however, arguably the culmination of Wendy (formerly Walter) Carlos" most intensely productive period. From 1968-82, she basically invented one version of how the future might sound, traveling 400 years through one instrument. 1968"s Switched-On Bach translated (yes!) Bach to the Moog synthesizer and quickly went platinum. For the next 15 years, Carlos would arguably be the highest-profile Moog exponent (not exactly a high-competition position), elevating its status further in public consciousness more than her mentor Vladimir Ussachevsky. Posted by: ahillis      Read more     Source

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 03:20:36 GMT

Styrax tonkinensis

Curator of Collections, Douglas Justice contributed today"s photos and wrote the article.

UBC Botanical Garden"s collection of Asian Styracaceae includes two species of Rehderodendron, three of Sinojackia, one Melliodendron, three Pterostyrax, one Halesia and eight species of Styrax, including this one.

From what we"ve seen, virtually all Styrax species are attractive plants and certainly worth growing for their small stature, fragrant, star-shaped flowers and hanging, nut-like drupes; however, some of the more obscure, recently collected taxa are problematic in terms of their identification. This has been helped enormously with the on-line availability of the Flora of China keys and illustrations, and the suberb new book, New Trees; Recent Introductions to Cultivation by Grimshaw and Bayton (2009), where many recently collected species are described.

This particular plant was grown from seed collected in the Huaping Cathaya Reserve, in northern Guangxi, China by Tom Hudson, plant explorer and manager of the Tregrehan Estate in Cornwall. Styrax tonkinensis is native to mixed forests at between 100 and 2000 metres elevation in southern China and adjacent Indochina. Our plant refuses to flower when it"s supposed to (the printed descriptions all say May to June), waiting instead until the last week of July to open its blooms. Posted by: Eric La Fountaine      Read more     Source

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 00:37:59 GMT

Digital Photos to Create Fine Art Pictures

I've always thought that people should have hobbies and interests that can be engaged in both indoors and outdoors.

This way when the weather, health, or just a need to stay home for anything arises, you'll have something to do if some spare time comes your way.

For we fans of digital photography all the bases are covered, indoors and outdoors, so we need never be bored or have to call a halt to our creative efforts.

One of the things I like doing is printing on surfaces that were not intended to be used with an inkjet printer, such as artist's watercolor paper.

But you can take this "mixed media" approach to much higher levels if you're willing to experiment with paints and other artist's materials.

Check out what is being done by professional photographer and fiber artist Wen Redmond and be inspired.

Take a camera with you whenever possible, and look around, you'll find a picture somewhere.

Photo Source:www.citizen.com Posted by: Karen      Read more     Source

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 00:33:41 GMT

Fun With These Digital Photography

One of the many great things about digital photography is the ability to manipulate your photo files during the post processing stage.

We've all cropped photos, added a bit of contrast, adjusted the lightness and darkness, the color, etc. but there are many more tricks and tips you can use to make your pictures truly stand out.

Besides that these tips contain extensive instructions on how to "fix" or repair many of the common problems encountered in digital photographs such as pixilation.

Be sure to give the links that are in this article a good look because they lead to more and more valuable advice.

Get the 10 coolest digital photography tips here..

Take a camera with you whenever possible, and look around, you'll find a picture somewhere.

Photo Source:www.lifehacker.com Posted by: Karen      Read more     Source

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 23:28:48 GMT

US president and the Internet

US legislation, otherwise known as the Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act will require broadband providers, search engines or software firms that the US Government selects "shall immediately comply with any emergency measure or action developed" by the Department of Homeland Security.

But as reported here, it gives President Obama the power to shut down the Internet.

Joe Lieberman, primary sponsor of the Bill and chair of the Homeland Security Committee, has defended this extraordinary measure. Lieberman said: "For all of its 'user-friendly' allure, the internet can also be a dangerous place with electronic pipelines that run directly into everything from our personal bank accounts to key infrastructure to government and industrial secrets," he said. "Our economic security, national security and public safety are now all at risk from new kinds of enemies - cyber-warriors, cyber-spies, cyber-terrorists and cyber-criminals."

Of course, if any US president was to pull the switch, it would create economic disaster. Companies and the economy would implode. This is paranoia at its worst. Where is the evidence of any country under attack from cyber-warriors, cyber-spies, cyber-terrorists and cyber-criminals? When has that ever happened?

Alarmingly, this also mirrors plans by the Australian Government to bring in a law that would to require Internet Service Providers to document and save subscriber's web browsing history and keep records of what sites their customers visit online and these browsing histories can be examined by law enforcement agencies if or when requested later on. It would also apply to their emails. It's a subject I have looked at in my Management Line blog.

A clear trend is happening. Governments around the world are cracking down on the Internet. France has moved into Internet censorship and then of course, there are the Chinese. If the US and Australia are moving into this space, how many more can we expect?

Watch this space. Posted by: Bose      Read more     Source

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 23:17:24 GMT

The Competition is out there

© Nicholas_TIt's a well-known truism that when the economy goes south and people start losing their jobs, the numbers of new small businesses go up. That pink slip is often the motivation that is needed for otherwise closeted entrepreneurs to get out and give their big dreams of independence and success a shot. Some of them make it, some of them don't, but for those who are already in the market, or have been planning a bootstrapping move for a long time, this surge can represent an unwanted wave of competition.

As a consultant, I am always leery of these downturns, because every laid off geek in the region is going to print up business cards and create a cloud of chaff that I will have to fight through to get the attention of prospects. This has been true in the past as well, particularly after the dot com implosion in 2000. From experience, I know that when the economy picks back up, most of those erstwhile entrepreneurs will disappear back into the mainstream woodwork and I'll have my market back to myself again.

This time around, there has been record growth in new businesses. The competition is fiercer than ever, and the nature of the downturn is such that, quite possibly, many of those jobs that disappeared will not come back; those that will may not come back for a long time. So I will have to buckle down and get used to operating in a more highly competitive environment than the past, and so will many other bootstrappers in my position. If you've been hunkering down as I have, waiting for the wave to pass, it's probably time to realize it's not going to: this is the new reality. Get your game face on! Posted by: Mattew      Read more     Source

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:03:54 GMT

How-to grow beautiful grass so your home is

A home isn't complete without a beautiful lawn to greet you each and every day. How-to grow beautiful grass so your home is "wired" on the inside-out. Something people often forget about when building their perfect wired home, is how it looks on the outside; why have a house full to the brim with technology and looking snazzy inside, to have it look like a dump outside? Make sure your lawn is neat, chuck down some grass seeds, plant some flowers, and make it look dead snazzy; you'll be the envy of your neighbours! You could also perhaps, to further wire up your house, setup some automated water sprinklers or the like so you are just as technological outside as in!
Posted by: Linda      Read more     Source

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:53:38 GMT

Shanghai Life and How to Print Flyers Cheap

© madtpt


Life in Shanghai is what you make it. Most big cities are like that. If you let it, a job in most cities will eat your life. If you can set clear boundaries between what's professional and what's personal you can maintain the balance in your life - do a job well and still have time for some sort of private existence.

Sometimes your professional life and personal life do manage to overlap, though. And that can be okay. I recently needed a brochure flyer for work. I also needed to print flyers cheap for a small community group I belong to. Online printing is often the best way to both. Why not do them together?

Shanghai is a beautiful city - if you have a enough balance in your life to afford you the time to see it. I personally like walking around in the old city - places like Yu Garden and the City God Temple, or the Huxingting Tea House. You can feel the history around you. Shanghai is a place to be enjoyed Posted by: Wendy      Read more     Source

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:57:38 GMT

Take The Big Apple Apart

I live and work in the Big Apple and it sees me through the good times and the bad. But what it would be like to take it apart? Brando settles this question with the green and red apple that not only light up when it's complete, but it's also a 3D crystal puzzle! This reminds me of something that my sister would love as she enjoyed doing difficult puzzles when we were little. I would probably keep it together and use it as a paperweight or a little doodad on my desk. With so many pieces, it seems to be difficult to keep it all together. But regardless of whether you play with it, use it as an icebreaker or simply look at it - it's definitely a cool pick! Posted by: Michael      Read more     Source

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:24:03 GMT

Wood Floor Refinishing and a Glass of Chardonnay

© It'sGreg


One of the nice things about wine is the way it blends so well with the many different aspects of life. Sure, you can drink wine from crystal goblets while eating agneau à l'ail et romarin (a lamb dish with rosemary and garlic) off of fine Haviland porcelain. But you can also drink it while you watch March Madness on ESPN and eat chips and salsa....

I recently spent some time redoing the dining room of my home. It's a fine old house and the dining room is graced with French doors that look out onto a backyard that includes a small stream and a view of the nearby range of mountains. The room is trimmed with oak facings along the edges of the doors and it has a fairly ancient oak floor in the room - craftsmanship that did not include nails as far as I can tail. The floors where impressive, but had suffered over the years.

The task of wood floor refinishing was actually easier than I thought it would be. Everyday I dedicated an hour or so that room. Then I would open the French doors and sit on the deck with a glass of Chardonnay - and enjoy the sunset. Posted by: Doreen      Read more     Source

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:13:03 GMT

Glass Awards Ooze Class

Why is everybody so madly in love with glass awards? Well, yes, I understand that they are visually magnetic, but what else? Well, I did look up some stuff and found a whole lot of interesting to read on the subject, which has made me a fan of glass awards as well!

First of all, these can be molded into a plethora of designs and shapes - which let them be customized and personalized to the end of the line! Therefore, if you had been wondering how to attain a carved wooden plaque that best fits in a situation like a soccer finale, such prizes can be a welcome relief. From being shaped as well-chipped soccer balls to prism-shaped mazes, glass prizes can be as malleable as you want.

Another advantage of such prizes is that they are sturdier and much more durable than simple wooden plaques and the like. Moreover, as far as medals, pins or similar prizes are concerned, glass is much more elegant and professional, especially where employee recognition or national-level athletics or sports is concerned.

Glass awards can also have colors - which look pretty much ravishing when complete! Green shades from the jade crystals or the optical clarity from the Starfire elements can easily take the recipients' breath away. You can also opt for a flawless, colorless trophy, which not only looks regal but is also easier on the budget.

Overall, as far as classy trophies are concerned, you do not have to go over-the-top and get yourself a gold or silver mass. A chic, deftly crafted glass trophy will do the trick just fine!
Posted by: Brista      Read more     Source

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:09:40 GMT

A Moral Conscience for Bankers?

© World Economic Forum
Have you tried to figure out the Recession? (Are you tired of trying to figure out the Recession?) Let's see, there was subprime lending and balloon payments and rising rates for home-buyers who probably weren't going to ever be able to make their payments anyway. There were people making loans who had no intention of holding those loans. There were financial derivatives (whatever that is). There was a housing bubble fueled by subprime mortgages and a construction bust caused when the market collapsed. And there was a credit crunch and then the fear and pessimism that came with the collapse of some huge financial institutions, and, well, I could go on....

You could get a headache trying to figure it out. But I think everyone will agree that somewhere along the way the financial industry itself made some bad choices. So I thought it was timely when I hear the NPR interview this morning with Stephen Green.With bank bailouts and executive bonuses in the headlines, it's hard to find the connection between banking and ethics.

But it's an argument that Stephen Green, chairman of HSBC - one of the biggest banks in the world - makes in his new book about banking: Good Value: Reflections on Money, Morality and an Uncertain World.

Green is also an ordained priest in the Church of England. In his book, he proposes a "new capitalism" that brings good business and good ethics together. He says moral and spiritual values should take precedence over immediate profit.It's an interesting interview, focused in part on Green's recent book, Good Value. Posted by: Steve      Read more     Source

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:49:46 GMT

Offers.com and Others Feature Online Saving

Who doesn't like to save money online and now Offer.com and numerous other sites offer online discounts and coupons.


© alancleaver_2000
How do you save money online? Heck, everyone's getting into the act.

There are also coupon Websites, e-commerce sites offering better prices than your local superstore (even with shipping) and, of course, there are plenty of other opportunities too.

If you're like millions of others who already spend hours online updating a blog, keeping track of friends or business associates via social media or just checking out videos, games and generally having a good time, why not also learn ways to trim your budget too.

Being online can be much more than just a diversion or a way to socialize. You can cut expenses and look for bargains too.

In fact, the Washington Post reports on a number of ways to save money by simply surfing including:

• Getting cheap event tickets
  


• Reducing recurring bills
  


• Getting out of cell phone agreement
  


• Checking a company's financial structure (before investing)
  


• Doing online banking
  


• Finding free drinks
  

What's your favorite method of finding free stuff online?

For more on how to save really big using the tools already available on the internet, start surfing for bargains daily. We think you'll like what you find.
Posted by: Doreen      Read more     Source

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:38:55 GMT

Check Out Rebecca Ward

If you haven't heard of Gaffers Tape, you've probably seen it. This tape has a bit of a texture to it and is something that you would use when it comes to painting your home. It insures that you paint within the lines. This week, I attended the installation work of Rebecca Ward, an artist that is known for using this tape as a portion of her work! Kate Spade had commissioned her work for their store in Tokyo and last week, she presented her new work at their Broome St store as well! Guests at the party were welcomed with gaffers tape throughout the store and the vaulted ceilings. Pink and yellow were throughout the store which only highlighted many of the fab items that are a part of Kate Spade's current collection. Find out more about the artist and more of this event via Kitten Lounge's full post about opening night! Posted by: Michael      Read more     Source

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 04:26:26 GMT

Can your vendors scale with you?

© squarepants2004j/auntyhuiaScaling is on the minds of most bootstrappers at least some of the time; you have dreams, you're working hard on them, what happens when the inevitable wild success strikes you and your company? Surely you have given some consideration not just to how you would spend the piles of money you will be raking in but to how you will serve the demands of all those customers shoveling that money toward you?

Working with small businesses that are finding success lately has left me considering this question, at least with respect to website hosting providers. The fact is, it can be very difficult to find a vendor that can satisfy the needs of a boostrapping business as well as the massive success that business may eventually become.

The importance of doing so should not be under-rated, however. The traditional approach to scaling is to switch suppliers when demand exceeds the ability of the existing vendor to keep up, but this is complicated and inefficient in most circumstances and in the worst cases, can dramatically check the growth of your own company as time and energy is devoted to making the transition instead of into improving and marketing your own products.

Unfortunately, there are few vendors that are structured to serve both the low end and the high end of their lines adequately. In fact, many are proud of specializing. But with today's technologies and social networking capabilities, it may be a false choice they are making. Few entrepreneurs get into their respective businesses without some dream of success. Why would you fail to serve them when they are just starting out and gain their loyalty for the long term, and at the other end of the scale, why would you let them move on to someone else just when they are starting to gain their greatest success?

Maybe there is an opportunity there for some other bootstrapper to make a success out of! Posted by: Mattew      Read more     Source