Abrasion

Since when did the things I do define my color?  I have often been accused of acting white or doing what 'only white people do'.  I thought about it one day and I was a little upset.  What makes me Black?  It's not the way I hold my fork or the music I listen to.  By the way, for you naysayers out there – a lot of the music that we now call white has very black origins.  A case in point would be rock and roll.  Rock and Roll has it's origins in a fusion of gospel and blues with an uptempo beat.  The early singers of the caucasian persuasion listened to the music (with a lot of disapproval from their elders as it was usual termed 'the devil's music') and incorporated it into their music style.  Some examples of this are Elvis, Ernie Ford, and Jerry Lee Lewis.   I have heard people say that black people don't ski, motorcross, watch ice hockey, and so on and so forth.  What kind of nonsense is that?  We can do whatever we want to do!  Yes, I know, this is going to be the controversial piece that has me slammed from the east coast to the west coast, but I don't care.  I enjoy biking and hiking and will not apologize for it.

I think we need to be careful as a people not to limit ourselves or our children with the negative stereoptypes that we perpetuate amongst ourselves.  Some of the children that I mentor are dealing with peer pressure that is really unique.  When they acheive in school and are straight-A students, some of the other students put them down and tell them that they are acting white by being studious.  My response is that a crab in a barrel will always try to pull the crab at the top down.  They don't want you to get ahead and make something of yourself.  We need to let our kids know that achieving in life is important and okay.  I have a very strong reaction to us using the word 'nigger' lightly and with no concept of what it connotates.  I am a Kenyan who has been to several different African-American historic events, and have seen just how brutal slavery really was.  I don't take it lightly and my child doesn't either.  If we don't realize just how dumb we look using the word to refer to each other, listen to what other people say about us, when they hear us use it.  The numbing of our children's minds towards the reality of slavery and it's legacy is something that needs to stop.  We used to be a proud people who carried ourselves with dignity and pride.  We didn't cuss each other out in the street because we didn't like what the person was saying or doing.  We handled it with dignity.  We weren't gyrating on poles and wiggling our behinds to entertain the masses (that was what call-girls  and strippers did).  Think that there are no ramifications?  Think again.  There is a perception that black women are easy, like sex all the time and don't seem to want to do much else.  This may be permeating the  black culture as the videos describe us as b****** and w****s.  The fact that we even answer to that says something about where we are going.  We need to wake up.  There is no way a society that does not respect itself is ever going to get respect from anyone.

Let us teach our children their history.  We are the ones who know it.  Let us aspire to build strong extended families and teach our children to respect themselves and others.  Don't call each other names that we are willing to pound another group into a pulp over.  It doesn't make sense to be okay with it on one hand and indignant about it on the other.  We either are offended or we are not!  Women wake up!  Stop taking abuse (verbal, physical or emotional) and saying that it's okay because we need a man.  Be true to yourself.  Black women are beautiful in ALL their colors.  Celebrate yourselves. Listen to all genres of music.  The best musicians do.  It is how you learn about the real beauty of music.  Try skiing.  There are many black ski organizations out there (yes, we do ski after all).  Put the positive black role models in front of your children.  Let them know who they should aspire to be.  Be a role model yourself.  If more of us did that, our children would be more confident and able to go to the greatness they deserve.  Support those who are making it and don't pull them down.   Don't forget to pull others up when you do make it.  Other societies do it very successfully.   We can do the same.  Black men, respect your women.  She will protect you, be your best friend, champion your cause, and work hard beside you.  Isn't she worth gentle, loving treatment?  Black women, respect your man.  No yelling at him in the street, putting him down in front of friends and family, or 'dissing' him when he is down.  He deals with more than we do on a daily basis and deserves to have one place where he can go and be the King that he is.   Let it be his home.  If you must argue, feed him first.  Chances are, you will calm down enough to have a decent discussion in a civilized manner (and he might feel like a well-fed python – too full to move).

We are a talented people with a multitude of talents.  Our suffering has just honed our skills and increased our awareness of where our strengths lie.  Let us maximize on that to truly make a difference.

Even though they are classified as undead, vampires have been pretty lively this year. Joining the ranks of “The Vampire Diaries” and “Twilight,” character actor John C. Reilly (“Walk Hard”) turns in a biting performance as Larten Crepsley in “Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant.”

Darren and Steve visit the “Cirque Du Freak”

Based on the popular young adult novels by Darren Shan, “The Vampire's Assistant” tells the story of young Darren (Chris Massoglia), a 16-year-old high school student that everyone thinks is a good kid, despite his obsession with spiders. His best friend Steve (Josh Hutcherson), on the other hand, has been a fan of vampires for most of his life.

One afternoon, the boys find a flyer advertising the Cirque Du Freak, which is billed as a 500-year-old freak show. Darren and Steve head to the show, where they see amazing performances by people with fantastic and frightening abilities. Darren is distracted, though, by Madam Octa, the exotic spider that is Crepsley's best friend.

Tragedy forces Steve to join the undead in “The Vampire's Assistant”

Unable to help himself, Darren steals Madam Octa, which leads to an unexpected tragedy. To put things right, Darren promises to become a “half-vampire” and serve as Crepsley's assistant. Darren learns that being part vampire gives him special powers, but it also gives him an overwhelming need for fresh blood.

As Darren becomes accustomed to his new existence, Crepsley neglects to tell him about a vampire war that has been brewing for 200 years. Crepsley and his friend Gavner Purl (Willem Dafoe) have been trying to maintain a truce with the more bloodthirsty “Vampaneze,” but things definitely are about to change, and not for the better.

“Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant” is surprisingly good

Surprisingly good, “Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant” Is one of those family-friendly films that both kids and adults will enjoy. Although Chris Massoglia seems a little unsure in his performance as the half-vampire Darren, John C. Reilly carries the show as quirky vampire Larten Crepsley.

Salma Hayek gets to have some fun a Madame Truska, a beautiful member of the Cirque Du Freak who can grow a full beard within seconds. Orlando Jones, however, is pretty creepy as Alexander Ribs, a man who looks like he needs a really good meal. Jessica Carlson is totally adorable, though, as Rebecca, Darren's love interest who has a little something extra.

Director and co-screenwriter Paul Weitz adds just the right dose of creepiness to “Cirque Du Freak,” making it scary enough to be entertaining. Weitz also borrows some bits from previous horror films, such as Jim Carrey's “Once Bitten” and the classic thriller “Phantasm.”

“Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant” definitely is setting the stage for additional films. This movie has some issues, but if Weitz can correct them in future sequels, this could turn into a popular film franchise.

“Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant,” rated PG-13 for sequences of intense supernatural violence and action, disturbing images, thematic elements and some language, currently is playing in theaters.

Putting together an effective press kit can be paramount when it comes to a bands success. Industry professionals receive hundreds upon hundreds of press kits every week. It is important to make sure your band's press kit stands out amongst the rest. There are a few simple guidelines that if followed properly will ensure your band's press kit grabs the attention of record labels, promoters, and club owners you're trying to impress.

Photography is among one of the most important components involved in constructing an effective press kit. Your image can make or break you in the music business. This is a widely known fact, but for some reason many bands continue to ignore it. Make sure your band photo is the first thing people see when they open your press kit, and make sure it looks GOOD! Your press photo should be a flawless 8×10 shot that looks like it came off the cover of Rolling Stone. Do whatever it takes to get a good photo, even if that means paying big bucks to hire a professional fashion photographer. Trust me, it will be worth it in the end.

Keep your biography simple and professional. The biography section of your press kit should not be an actual “biography.” No body cares about where you grew up, or how old you were when you wrote your first song, or what your favorite color is, or how you came up with your band name. The only information that should be in your bio is the name of your band, who the members are, how long you've been together, what you have accomplished to date, and a short description of your music. Your biography should be no more than one or two paragraphs.

Make sure you have a good archive of press and reviews. Keep that simple, as well. Instead of including every article ever written about your band, just find the best quotes from each one. If there is one review that stands out above the rest, include a Xerox copy of the original printing. This will add validity to the review. If you have been fortunate enough to have hundreds of good write-ups on your band, only include the best ones. Remember, the idea is to keep each section less than one page. You can always add a note at the bottom of the page saying, “More press clipping available upon request.”

Make sure your demo is actually a “demo.” what I mean by that, is don't send out a CD with twelve songs on it. No one is going to listen to it. Only send out your three best songs, period. Sometimes bands like to send out retail ready CD's because they are proud of the artwork and the packaging looks impressive. That's fine, but make sure you still include a track sheet that clearly identifies which songs to listen to.

Make sure your press kit is assembled neatly. Don't just throw everything into an envelope and stick it in the mail. Find a nice folder to put everything in, or come up with a creative way for the recipient to easily browse through the contents. Think of your press kit as a resume or a job application. You wouldn't hand in a stack of unorganized, handwritten papers as your resume for a job you're trying to get, would you? Then why would you do that with your press kit? Record labels, booking agencies, and venues are businesses. They're looking for professional acts that will make them money. If your press kit is sloppy and unprofessional, they're going to assume your band is sloppy and unprofessional, and move on to the next one.

Last but not least, be as creative as possible. Like I said earlier, your band's press kit is competing with hundreds, maybe even thousands of others. Try to come up with an idea that will make your's stand out in the pile of unopened press kits. Come up with a clever or unique way of packaging your press kit, so that it is eye grabbing. Maybe if you're U2 (not that they need to mail out press kits) you can get away with a plain, brown envelope, because as soon as the recipient sees “U2″ on the package, they will know who you are; but you're not U2. You're just some unknown band that is trying to make a name for itself. Do whatever it takes to get your band noticed.

Sic Bo is a dice game that one may wager money on at a casino or other location. This game is also known as big and small or hi-lo. Sic Bo is a game of unequal chance and is played with three dice. This game is of ancient Chinese origin and is a variant of Grand Hazard and chuck a luck which are English in origin. This casino game is more popular in Asia and widely played in other casinos around the world. Sic Bo was introduced to the United States by Chinese immigrants in the early part of the twentieth century and can now be located in most of the American casinos. Since early 2002 it can now also be played legally in casinos in the United Kingdom.

The rules of Sic Bo are simple. This game is played with three dice, which are standard, that are shaken in a sort of basket or plastic cup. Originally, the Asian tradition was to shake the dice on a small plate that was covered by a basket, which was lifted to reveal the roll. Now days, in modern casinos, the dice are shaken mechanically and then the outcome of the roll is keyed into a computer which will automatically light the winning zones on the table. Any player can make any number of bets at the Sic Bo table. The outcomes of the dice rolls are based on the combinations that are on the three dice. There is usually a listing of the pay off combinations on a roulette style table top that is usually lit up in the winning areas.

There are a variety of different wagers you can put on the Sic Bo game. You can wager on simple things or make it challenging for yourself. You can wager on simple things like whether a total score is going to big or small. A total score that is considered big is any score in the range of eleven to seventeen, with the exception of a triple. A total score that is considered small is one that is between four and ten, with the exception of a triple as well. You can also wager on the number being odd or even which is pretty self explanatory. To make it challenging on yourself you make the triple or all wager. This means that you wagered that all the dice will show the same numerical value after the roll.

Most of us have an article or photograph that we have clipped out of a newspaper intending to keep it as part of our family treasures to hand down to future generations. Personally, we have clippings of my little sister who managed to get her photograph in the newspaper several times as a child and a couple of me as an adult. We also have saved several obituaries and a couple of newspaper articles that are special to us. I'm sure you have something you feel is important enough to hang on to also.

Have you ever noticed that if you leave a newspaper in your car that within a week it has turned a golden yellow color? Modern newspapers are not made to last. Our older newspaper clippings have been around long enough to turn dark mustard colored brown. If you, like us clip out an article intending it to last long enough to pass down to your children's children then you need to take some simple steps.

There are two routes you can take to preserve your newspaper clipping: the simplest is to photocopy or scan it on buffered acid free paper. If you want to keep the original newspaper clipping, you will need to take the second route, which involves a little more work. Since by their nature newspapers are highly acidic you will need to start by neutralizing the acid. The easiest method is by using a spray like Archival Mist by EK Success; it is used by archivists and is simple to use. By using the spray you will lengthen the life of your newspaper clipping and if it hasn't already started turning yellow it will keep it from doing so. Once the clipping is dried then you are ready to store it.

There are several options for storage of your newspaper clippings. If you choose to store it in book-type form, be sure to use an acid free scrapbook or photo album. You can use a notebook if you can place the copy or clipping in a sheet protector made from polyester, polypropylene, and polyethylene. Caution: please do not use sheet protectors made of vinyl or polyethylene products because they contain additives that can damage the paper thus negating all your work to save it for future generations. If you want to use both sides of the sheet protectors, then place an buffered acid free sheet of paper in the protector and place a clipping on either side of it. Another option is an acid free box, if you do this please get acid free tissue paper and place it between each clipping. If you choose to frame it, use acid free matting and please remember to place it where it will not get direct sunlight otherwise it will fade.

Note:

For my article on preserving old documents click here.

Here are a few places that have the acid free storage products you will need:

Gaylord Archival Solutions
http://www.gaylord.com/archival_supplies.htm
1-800-448-6160
PO Box 4901
Syracuse, NY 13221-4901

Light Impressions
http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com/servlet/OnlineShopping
PO Box 787
Brea, CA 92822
1-800-828-6216

University Products: The Archival Company
http://www.archivalsuppliers.com/departments.asp?dept=59
517 Main Street
Holyoke, MA 01040

References:

http://www.loc.gov/preserv/care/newspap.html (1-20-2008).

Ritzenthaler, Mary Lynn. Preserving Archives and Manuscripts. Chicago, IL: Society of American Archivists, 1993.

Smith, Demaris C. Preserving Your Paper Collectibles. Crozet, VA : Betterway Publications, Inc. 2001.

The i>Clicker brand is growing at exponential rates. It has hit many large scale classrooms that cannot tally votes accurately otherwise. i>Clicker bills itself as a piece of technology that applies “…a device to that used on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire with classrooms'”. There are criticisms that would otherwise be ignored, but with a tiny 6 inch device dictating a majority of our grade, many are concerned with accuracy, price, and cheating.

On the i>Clicker website there are numerous testimonials that praise the device for its reliability, saying “it never fails or crashes, it just works!”. Reliability, among ratings from Amazon customers, seems to be fairly high. A few customers state that the Duracell batteries included with the product are low grade and will wear out shortly after activation. Most other complaints regarding the product refer to its abnormally high price tag ($40). After all, since this little remote-like object is so tiny and expendable, why the high price tag? The answer is because they can. i>Clicker has a monopoly on entire classrooms that depend on its function, if you do not own one you will fail. Hence, the company can charge whatever it pleases.

A lot of other critique regarding “clickers” in general is that it makes cheating very feasible. Hypothetically, if a student wished to skip lectures and class, he (or she) could give his (or her) clicker to a friend and have that friend click all of the correct answers. Since these devices stand no more than half a foot tall they are easy to conceal. The response to this particular criticism aimed towards i>Clicker is that if a student skips every class, he (or she) will fail tests and ultimately, the course. A college-level course that relies entirely on attendance and i>Clicker usage, after all, is hardly a class at all. The device is meant to supplement, not replace a course.

The vast majority of i>Clicker users, however, seem to be very satisfied by this technological innovation. They think it adds some fun to the otherwise dull atmosphere of collegiate scantrons and number 2 pencils. Students appear to enjoy how fun and reliable they are, but that is not the question. What seems to be the pinnacle of the opposition's argument is its $40 shelf price ($30 used). Reviewers who gave positive ratings to the device on Amazon.com believe that since everything else in college is overpriced, that merely makes the i>Clicker one of many collegiate products who overprice their products. So why single out the clicker? If forty dollars will lead to a more accurate counting of votes, answers, and attendance, then so be it, proponents argue. After all, registration is simple: go to a website, type in your number, and viola! Your i>Clicker is good to go.

Most college students enrolling in 2010 will see a large increase in usage with these devices. This brand of “clickers” alone services thousands of higher institutions of learning, corporate boards, elementary schools, and high schools. Every single person who encounters this device will have their own opinion on it, but for now it appears as if a large majority of students and corporations are glad they did business with i>Clicker. Although cheating and peer pressure play a large role in clickers, many professors believe they give an attentive element to the classroom. If students are interacting with the material, they will focus better and retain more information, so they say.

Bottom line is, if you want to try one of these little babies out, you are in luck. Most major universities have adopted their use (or many other brands such as eBeam and Qwizdom). Large scale classrooms also are very likely to consider using clickers to enhance an otherwise impersonal learning experience. Keep a sharp eye out for i>Clickers, and be sure to inform other potential college students of your recommendation.

Sources:

- i>Clicker, Mainsite

- Amazon, i>Clicker Reviews

- BlogHer, Using clickers in the university classroom

- Faculty Focus, Using clickers to assess and engage student learning

- Electronic Whiteboards Warehouse, Audience Response Systems

With the end of yet another exciting football season upon us, sports fans are somewhat stuck in limbo. While college basketball, the NBA and NHL are in full swing, neither of them are near a real exciting point in their seasons. Both the NBA and NHL are at or about the midpoint of their seasons, while college basketball is still a month away from March Madness. Spring training starts up soon, but real Major League Baseball doesn't begin for another two months. Besides, even though football is not my favorite sport to watch, even I can admit there is just something special about Sunday afternoons during the fall and early winter. With that said, here are ten things I will miss now that this football season is behind us.

1. The commercials. My God the commercials. Does any sport even come close to having as entertaining commercials as pro football? The Coors press conference commercials were gold this year. Even though they weren't just about football, the Miller Light “square table” discussions were always good for a laugh. Finally, what would an NFL season be without those Peyton Manning ads for Mastercard? However, I must say his Sprint commercial is one of the funniest things I have ever seen. After all, that guy's pretty good…

2. Jacked Up. Every Monday ESPN would show the best hits of the weekend in professional football in a segment named “Jacked Up.” In a season where many a Monday Night Football broadcast was a snore fest, seeing guys just get the crap knocked out of them always put a smile on my face.

3. Sunday Night Football on NBC. At first, I was opposed to how they would shift the schedule so that a more competitive game would be shown on Sunday nights. It turned out to be a great idea. More often than not, the game on NBC would be a much better game than on the next night. This turned out to be a great way to end a weekend of football. Besides, the team of Al and John were actually less annoying than I imagined they would be.

4. Going out with Pops. Sure, it may seem cliché, but I always had fun going out with my dad to a local establishment so we could watch the Browns. Even though they were most likely losing the game, nothing beats cheering on your favorite team with your old man and a group of total strangers. For a couple hours a week, a random assortment of people were joined together for one purpose. Now if only Cleveland could have talent, the games would be more fun.

5. L.T. Watching Ladanian Tomlinson perform every weekend is an experience none of us should take for granted. Every time he steps out on the field, we are watching quite possibly the greatest running back to ever play the game. Not only is he ridiculously talented on the field, he is a true class act. Football is a better sport because of him, and we are blessed that get to watch him perform in this era.

6. Fantasy football. I partake in other fantasy games, but none of them are as fun as fantasy football. Even though two out of my three teams went into the toilet this year, it's always a good time to be the GM of your own team. This would have been higher on the list if my wide receivers wouldn't have completely sucked.

7. Watching Tiki for the last time. As somebody who loves the Giants as well as the Browns, I have watched Tiki Barber throughout his career. If indeed this was his last season, all of us who love the G-men will miss him. Barber is without a doubt one of the most underrated running backs of his time, and I think it says a lot that he became an even better football player once Tom Coughlin arrived in New York.

8. Having an excuse to go out a couple times a week. Now that football is over, it will be a little harder to explain to the wife my need to head to the bar. Somehow, telling her that it's rivalry week and I need to watch Penn State lose by 20 in basketball just doesn't cut it. Football was a great way to avoid having to watch all those girly shows she enjoys. Looks like it's time for a weekly poker night again.

9. Watching rookies emerge as stars right before our eyes. Football fans were fortunate this season, getting to see future legends emerge in their rookie seasons. Watching Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, and even Vince Young as they start their careers is quite the treat. It will be a pleasure to watch them progress through the years.

10. The parody. Football is like no other sport in that any team can win on any week. The worst team in the league always has a chance, no matter who they are playing. I know this is true because I actually watched the Browns win a few games this season. The NFL is the most competitive league in that aspect, and that is something I always miss at the end of the season.

As with everything, the void left my football's absence will eventually be filled. Playoffs in hockey and both pro and college basketball along with the beginning of the baseball season are always a great transition into the spring and summer seasons. However, for those of you who eat, breathe, and live football, fear not. The draft is coming up, and only a couple of months after that is summer workouts. Until then, Youtube always has those amazing commercials to watch.

Flower In short walk in an evening hour Spring gives chance for a new prime Sky is spreading over sunset flower And love and loving face will easy come Loving being will come with a cover Of birds and singing, of a shinny wings In poem of a spring, as beautiful flower With that birds your hearth loves and sings Rain will overcome some other, plain day Loving hearth needs the Sun for a dance For a loving play and for hearth on a lance Of spring loving poem, in loving essay In time for giving, for evening loving From sunset and night, till the next morning… Forest The trees in a home of wood, in a forest Are like a people, most weak is the strongest The big one, the huge is weak and the smallest Pray from a hearth you will be the honest Highest tree and a smiling man are the loneliest Every wood in this place is like some tell Every man is unhappy in a city, in dust and smell But the trees rise in a clean deep forest Take a way from home to a silent wood Your smile can be your way to bay a ticket Clean nature and crystal water are contribute From our hands to our only wealth, the Earth Make so much sense give to our house a bricket Nature will be bright in planet with hearth! High Mountain Little expedition, so strong and proud On a high peak above a clear river First fire on a top of wood and shiver Brave human scouts, welcome on a mount Forest gives a reason, like water and shine Question about being here is so simple Question can’t be being, smart and bigger And less then only our mind, your and mine On a top of a high, gorgeous mountain Every our step is big, at same time a little Eagle high upon for eye is small like a beetle Everything you see, you see only something And in this place man is strong, so high Proud on a mount, only above him is the sky! Running to the Light The time is coming for a heavy rush Hour for a choice and a simple advice Mind like a hear is occupied with lies With memories and steps in wood in a brush With crucifix on the neck like the biggest plus Go right now and yes so better hurry up There isn’t any reason now to wait and stop Drink a little water and take an empty glass For remembrance in the next heavy down Your free hands will then tell a great story With so confused verbs and only one noun That’s name and a face which can simple say To all the friends and it won’t be a boring Hard and easy like some proud pray… Sky If you ask how long or why Exist this World so easy and heavy Fill your eyes with deep blue sky Sky is only one, points of views many Daylight is delight for us upon the sky Every little baby has a first nice look First smile in a wide space, a first sight Like first pages in a living being book Rain and snow are always something new Because we want blue sun street to back Blue sky follows man from his first steep Blue sky is blue for oldness and a youth And if you want to really know why Just look from land, in a nice blue sky! Yellow Cloud Take your sweater and quick go out Pleasant day is here upon the clear sky Nice yellow Sun for you and me is fine On the roof of town flies a yellow cloud Song from a stereo in a car is so loud Every face is happy there is no doubt Sweet dancer with his girl walk so proud Sky all over the town is full of yellow cloud If your finger knows notes go on south Celebrate clear day and so happy life Guitar and a cell phone is all of your stuff In the sky is bright white yellow cloud That tells with loving voice of course Yellow cloud makes gifts of loving force. Detroit If you’re tough gay, if you have a habit You’re welcomed on these tough streets This is a city of factories and machines Enjoy, and please welcome to Detroit Heavy cloud isn’t only water, only rain That’s heavy of smoke from factories Every car in a country belong to Detroit Thousands workers talk, work and play End if you ask is all of it enough worth it Come in the evening with lady, for a bit Yes, then you’ll know, this city is Detroit So don’t worry, you’ll sure be well employed Be ready for a fight if you’re from countryside With tough gays, in the city of Detroit… Detroit II Arena gives the voice for Detroit Pistons Marshal in the corner is prepared with pistols Every crime and violence he takes to prisons Keep your distance, fellow, you belong to decents Players with bank account high like a mount This is a city-factory, people buy fast cars For rush for enjoy, for speed that satisfies In the sight of a girl with a cherry mouth We must now admit it in these Detroit lyrics Like in game with coins for a million points Like a real play you’re welcomed to feel Detroit’s Nights and days in plenty of urban games Skip drugs and use just your common sense And please make a wish, rests are your feelings! France France is a spirit of a freedom France will give more than will take France is a republican’s kingdom For a France democracy is piece of cake France is a land in front of the ocean Sun is wormer on coast of justice France is land of perfume and lotion France is never in bad human crisis And if you ask me why I love France My answer will be so short and brief Because there is much more chance For World with brave democracy belief For World for peaceful Planet dance With human justice, like the only chief… Las Vegas Spun glass shines in lighting colors It’s so boring now to be outside In place such this is so easy to find Love that smells like a hundred dollars Money quick escapes to another wallet Brown-eye gambler is so well good spied From a pretty lady that looks in room aside On a black field now she puts a hundred Better be brave and rich for this site Las Vegas always gives and takes all Money makes that people loose control No one care if you are kind and polite Only rich and lucky one deserve the best And for money every fish becomes a request. New York Taxi For a breakfast on a table is milk and bred On radio station plays cities favorite friend New York taxi is now going straight ahead Life is going from a beginning to the end New York cab is yellow, fast and brave City in the night is sometimes city of a crime In a yellow cab you’re safe, feeling just fine Driver is handsome, polite, his name is Dave New Yorkers feel just fine in a yellow taxi So do tourists from other cities and towns With New York Sun yellow stripe grows Pay a ride, he will easy take you to a Jersey And then maybe for such quite a little bit Driver will be always cute, nice and polite! Park Leave now the city and city avenue Don’t be so afraid from shadows in a dark Everything is safe, this is a nice city park With officers on a corner, and white statue Green grass and a nature with a trees Park is looking for visitors from streets Very famous people here can be seen Maybe is a right time to make your wish Love choose people and destiny choose love In a city skyline there is pretty much noise Park is so relaxing, with little lakes and toys A much better place for children then a town In this world of problems and lot of issues Park is a nice place that can easy rescue. Taxi Pretty woman polite calls for a cab On a corner of a hurry New York street Upon a city skyline, on heavy summer heat Driver knows her well, he says: Hello, babe! Yellow taxi quick rolls straight down to a city If you need a comfort you’re in a right place Everybody go to a trip in this summer days Lady in a taxi is smart, not just nice and pretty She asks cab driver is he in life so alone No, madam, not at all! Everything is come on me My life is seems so heavy, not calm, but stormy And pain comes always right to the bone! She smiled a little and paid a taxi drive While strong yellow Sun grows upon a city life. Airplane Bright blue sky like in photo frame Little spot in air is so high and might That is high speed, comfort airplane Passengers will be so well satisfied Fly across the land and wide ocean Airplane makes on a fearless wings People on the ground look his motion While a passengers he far away brings Strong engine and strong pilot’s will Make that fly is so easy and so calm Above the land, far across the sea In eyes from a ground so calm and still Like some tear on an open sunny palm Airplane is a great, great human idea! Train Pick up all your stuff don’t late again Journey to Europe is so nice and fine Engine and wagon are still down on line Hurry up now, and step up in a train You’re welcomed to see towns and streets This train is an ambassador of our age For meeting a people and pleasant exchange Foreign language sentences, money and things Train is fast and comfortable, you’ll quite enjoy Europe is wide, wide in minds and places Gentle people wear their national dresses Far in a country, peaceful, sweet and nice Europe is so good, good like a paradise Right place for children, for your girl and boy! Travel Are you ready for a travel around the globe Your stereo gives now some interesting sound Airplane like some magic rides a huge cloud This is a trip maybe that brings to the top Ocean water in a sight is a field for a game With some luck your smile will last forever Skins on a different people is vogue like favor Secret wish will with your hearth sustain Colorful world that waits near the bridge and gates Bridge of huge clouds in front of your plain For soft borrowed kiss no one now will claim Fresh loving pulse for your red color lips Be careful on such playful trips like this Around the world of beauty and plenty of space. Guitar Player Voices are calling from a rhythm guitar This young man is so brave and clever Stage is a roof like a sky whenever He wants to win a glory to go so far Sound that people hear is voice of sentinel Every hearth in a pain looks in a guitar player In front of a plenty his skin like lighting layer Gives a shiny picture of a dancer and a sinner Whole his life his first thing is a guitar Destiny strongly calls frontman to became A brave man that everybody knows his name For a long time bright like a brilliant like a star His pillow is so soft but his face is like steel Look on stage from floor, and try your best to feel… Rock’n’roll Winter night is hard and dark, full of coldness Leather jacket will be so nice on shoulders Band is on the stage now, with frontmans Hurry up and be ready, time is for performance Solo guitar takes over all sound control This is part of a body and part of a soul Music award is smiling like a crystal bowl Young people know good, this is a rock’n’roll From world countries are welcomed pretty fans This is not just a rock, this is more then roll It’s so easy to find what you are looking for Everything is loud, wild, while prime celebrates Try to climb on a stage, to climb on hard rocks Shiny young girl looks at you, while gently walks… Soccer If you can’t wait, can’t keep no longer Can’t be a guitar player or a rocker Be fast, strong, and much stronger Keep your place in a team, play soccer Kick a ball and a star on her body This game is a chance to win and goal Play is a challenge, well paid and worthy Soccer is so famous, like a rock’n’roll That game has a perfect plan and tactic Kick a ball and play like a mean, like real But first comes hard, tough soccer drill Than arrive to Europe, across the Atlantic And when you win a perfect crystal Bowl You are that time on the roof of the World! TV Set If you’re so tired, but not enough yet Take your seat in front of a screen It’s pretty easy to know more, to win With a little patience, in front of a TV set Audiences are people, similar to you You can smile and think like all the others Music, films, and some political matters Take place in front of your little crew TV is not only some useless passion Because always gives a lot of information Without TV life is maybe nice and good Only if we didn’t really well understood How we can share bright ideas so easy So look on a TV screen, you’re not so busy! Chemistry of Love Behind my smile is a chemistry of love Every silent wish can easy be true now Whole hearth can’t be broken on a half Bird that you are, that bird is white dove Days for a love are a reason for a birth Love is gift to a life even when you’re hurt From some lazy man that could be so dirt Like sadness for your flight, flight of loving bird Don’t be sad because right hearth is not like a stone No matter what you see or what you was heard Open mind is shiny only with clean, brave hearth That keeps being only unbeliever just so alone And yes, we can admire to our close love in a life Because cold pain is not for our hearths, for a love. Coffee Good taste of coffee with a milk Taste like a kiss on lips of cavalier Too much sugar can easy to kill But a young man is coming so near To a young lady right in his arms With clear face like a spring water Her lonely being he such easy harms With a worm lips, in heart much colder On a little table are two coffee pots Her lips and eyes are like never known In sunny evening for love and for pain In a day that will never be the same again Day like tears like a little lighting spots With loving game that never, never stops. Jealous Love Loving killer is some jealous love It can easy commit a loving murder And if you go so further and further Hunger becomes less and less smart And if a jealous sails through a night Night of love that’s not love but order Jealousy will take you easy to a border Love will live in past, like forbidden art This is not some advice to a stronger Every loving being is quite enough strong To knows what is in it own hearth wrong And what is weak and weaker so longer No matter if love is old or pretty and young Jealousy is harder, hard to hearth so long… Say Your Name Say your name, and love will do all the other Decent people always remember a first kiss Night loves day, and beauty loves the beast When phone rings, you know who is caller Love is always wind of destiny and passion Well known lips just say: do you love me? The greatest lover is simple on his knee He simple answers on that easy question First love is a first byte, kiss in a soft skin Songs from a stereo meet words in a room First day is nice like a yellow, shiny noon And a first night is so soft and mean For lovers in passion, in long loving time For beings of loving, so pretty and kind. School Young girls and boys so sweet, gentle and cool Loving can be nice but this is strong and cruel Upon sweet loving age nice sweet loving rule They are pupils and they go to the high school It’s so easy here to find your smiling best friend Some kiss is maybe hot but flower can be sent They always go they like always already went To meet around new faces to gently shake a hand Silent whisper from a pretty girl is maybe a sign In the back yard of a building is a swimming pool Be able and ready now you must go to school Everything will be all right and you’ll feel so fine School girl in the crowd looks so pretty and special Be brave because love isn’t sin, and check your fashion… Computer Picture scrolls faster and smoother Every new day needs a new update While you’re sitting near a computer Your only wish is to come a Sunday Sunday is day without a computer With or without, he always waits If no one else you can be a shooter Or on a slow machine, to play snakes Slow or a fast, cheap or expensive Computer is a friend for game and work In Tokyo, Moscow, Paris or New York He stilly serves, and he is never lazy And if you’re buying a brand new machine Give enough money, for fast one and mean! Family Mother’s eyes so gentle and firmly Looks in a sky of our destinies Father drives bus to far cities Parent’s love is here, in a family Family always gives a good safety Children talk always about toys Now a war comes, everything destroys Safety is gone, I’m now a twenty Ten years has passed, now is a peace Who don’t realize still have a smile War is like a hurricane, heavy and wild But everything is good, because we’re free And a reason why adversity knocks on a door Is quite well known, my friend, yes, it’s a war… Industry What will tell the future nation Pollution can be such even worse From an old prairie and an iron horse We built such this violent civilization Like always a new question will be born What is stronger then a simple question Mankind always needs one more lesson New wars grows like the biggest storm And a new pollution right on our doors Guilty is like always more then one Children will must so fast to run Like a remembrance on an iron horse And is this more then simple question For all of our people, for a human nation? Miracle of Life Imagine dream that comes true in a life Only eye can see the light in a night Open that dream and jump quick and high You’ll see that light of life is close enough To your dream with such perfect style Life is not alone life is always plenty Life isn’t weak it’s gentle but not empty Life is in the air, life quick runs and dive Your hearth can be young, innocent like scout Thirsty for knowledge like on a high mount Life is something that we can talk about Life is on the planet of nature always in action Life isn’t only the biggest, the prettiest attraction Life is a miracle in so heavy, heavy situation… Money Money can easy take you to nice trip With enough money World is small and big Money needs poor man and so do great king With money you can take or you can skip World is sometimes great world of a money Every good chance can cost a little bit With money you are handsome and sweet Welcomed to buy a brand new Ferrari This is a planet with tears like big rivers Every nasty evil is threat to achievements So long that you’re simple, sad and poor Money can buy bad poison or good cure All the time for every human being No matter is he poor man, or a great king…

Do you have ‘itchy feet’? Do you love to travel? Do you like to meet new people, see new places? Is your home too large now and are you tired of all the upkeep? Are you retired and want to get excited about a new adventure? Do you want a complete life change? To get away from the old grind? Do you long for some new excitement in your life?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, maybe you should consider life on the road in an RV. No longer is it just camping in a small, cramped trailer or camper. Now you can live a luxurious life on the road. Travel trailers, 5th-wheels and motor homes have now become truly ‘homes on the road’. These nice homes start from about $30,000.00  to over a million dollars!

My traveling partner and I looked at many types and sizes of RV’s before deciding on what we felt we could truly live in with room to spread out a bit. We found, for us, that we would need something that was at least 30’ (inside) with  two nice slide-outs, mainly in the living-dining-kitchen area.

Slide-outs are what make the newer RV’s so much roomier than the old ones of past years. You can gain up three or four feet of extra width on EACH side with slide-outs. This space can really make a difference and open up the living, dining and bedroom areas to make you feel like you are in a regular home.

While we were searching for our perfect ‘fit’, we went from first wanting a class-C motor home to wanting a 36’ travel trailer. (We actually bought one, but it turned out to be a disaster.  That a whole other story!  It has to do with the truck we have with a hydraulic dumping bed that severely limited our turning radius, causing us to jack-knife at the slightest turn!  The sales person kept assuring us it would work 'just fine'.  Like I said, a whole other story!) 

Finally, we found and bought the perfect RV for us:  A 36’ class A motor home with two super slides. We have lots of living and sleeping space and tons of storage with TWO big wardrobes—one for each of us!  The two front seats swivel and recline to face the living area which has a third swivel chair, a nice sofa that makes into a bed, a dinette which also makes into a bed, and an entertainment center with television, stereo, and DVD. There is an open kitchen area with many cupboards and drawers and even a pantry in the kitchen, along with a double sink, range and oven, microwave and large refrigerator and flip up additional counter space. The bedroom has the two wardrobes, many, many drawers and cupboards and a built-in desk. The second TV is there too, and so is the separate roomy bathroom with bathtub, two large cabinets and ample counter space.

Now, doesn’t that sound as luxurious as a nice home? It truly is. There are some other added details, which contribute to the luxurious feeling too. We have a ‘soft’ ceiling – upholstered with a light, soft material that helps with sound control and just makes it feel cozier. It is a high ceiling too—over 6 ½ feet. 

There is cherry wood throughout, surround sound stereo and TV, two air-conditioning units (the bedroom has its own separately controlled unit) and the usual cab air-conditioning. There are tinted windows to help prevent glare and there is very nice carpeting throughout with vinyl that looks just like tile in the entry, kitchen area and bathroom. Something that is very nice is that there are many light fixtures and electrical plugs in very handy places. Someone really thought this one out.

Now you may be thinking, that all sounds great, but we have so many things we would like to take with us. Well, you can. The ‘basement’ as it is called, has tons of storage room. The large compartments go through to the other side, allowing long, bulky objects to be reached from either side. There are also lights in the largest storage compartments to see what you are looking for.

Needs any more tempting? Well, it’s great and so freeing to lighten up and rid oneself of old, unnecessary and unneeded items. This is a great opportunity; too, to give these things to the people you would like to have them. Give special things to your children now, instead of having everyone divvy things up after you are gone. (And I do not mean gone on a road trip!). There’s no sadness connected with receiving these gifts now, especially for your children. They could probably use and really appreciate them now instead of when you’re gone.

More reasons? Why do the two of you (or maybe now it’s only you) still need that large home? Do you really enjoy all that housework and heavy yard work like you used to? How’s your back, hips, knees, feet, etc. etc. etc. holding up doing all those chores? RVing is freeing. The expenses you will have like gas (even at these horrible prices) and RV parks won’t cost as much as keeping a home going with the utilities and everything else involved.

Are you hooked yet? If this sounds like a good plan for you, get busy. Go through all your things, pare down and give, give, give away what you really do not need. Or, give it ALL away and start with brand new things. Even a new wardrobe for your new life. Free yourself, sell your home, use your proceeds to buy your new ‘home on wheels’ and live freely. Grab life, live and enjoy it now while you still can.

Digital camcorders can use various recording media such as micro MV, mini DV, and mini DVD. Mini DVD camcorders have a few advantages and disadvantages when compared to other types. This article will discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of mini DVD camcorders.

Advantages

One of the first advantages of mini DVD camcorders deals with viewing. These camcorders record directly onto a disc that you can put in your DVD player. This will allow you to view your recording instantly. However, all DVD players aren't compatible with the discs used by mini DVD camcorders. Therefore, it's best to check the compatibility of your equipment before buying one of these camcorders.

Mini DVD camcorders are also useful for archiving videos. The discs that are used with these camcorders are very small. Their small size allows them to be stored easily. Therefore, mini DVD camcorders are one of the best options when you need to archive video.

Mini DVD camcorders will also give you convenient access to video segments. You will usually be able to make a play-list. This will allow you to view selected segments when you connect mini DVD camcorders to your television.

Disadvantages

One of the first disadvantages of mini DVD camcorders is the format they work with. These camcorders only produce video in MPEG-2 format. Unfortunately, you may have a hard time finding video editing software that will support this format. Camcorders that work with mini DV or internal hard disks will produce higher quality video than mini DVD camcorders.

Another disadvantage of mini DVD camcorders is their recording time. The amount of time you can record will depend on the quality setting that you use. Mini DVD camcorders that record at the highest quality will only have a recording time of 30 minutes. Standard quality will usually give you two hours of recording time.

These are some of the advantages and disadvantages of mini DVD camcorders. They will allow you to view your video instantly as they record directly onto a disc. The discs that are used with these camcorders are very small, so they're very useful when you want to archive videos. However, mini DVD camcorders have a low recording time, as you will only have 30 minutes when using the highest quality. Also, you may have a hard time finding video editing software that will support the MPEG-2 format used by these camcorders.