The Temptation of George Rusky
January 31, 2009
The Temptation of George Rusky
by: George Rusky
Greetings,
I’m writing to you to share some of my concerns and at the same time, ask you for help. It’s about the Internet.
The biggest problem caused by the Internet, as I can see it, is the openness and accessibility to an unlimited amount of information.
Naturally, one who can touch a key board at least with one finger, should accept the Internet with all its good and evil as an incredible invention of all times.
That’s one side of the coin.
Another one is that I’m totally lost in the ocean of online offers; one is more seductive than other.
”The best method of creating your wealth on line” shouts at us a sales letter.
“The most progressive ever way of building your list of subscribers”hollers another.
Tens if not hundreds of messages (most of them, certainly, unsolicited) call us to prosperity on line.
I was raised to respect the word written. It’s not only The Constitution , laws of the state, school textbooks, manuals, instructions, notes, you name it!
The Acoustic Guitar
January 31, 2009
The steel-stringed acoustic guitar is usually credited with being developed by C.F. Martin and Company sometime during the 1830s. Although other “gut-stringed” acoustics were around at that time, it was the Martin Company that introduced the idea of crossbracing underneath the soundboard which enabled the guitar to support the heavier steel strings. Because there is approximately 160 lbs. of tension created by the use of steel strings, they should never be put on a classic guitar, for it is not strong enough to carry them. But thanks in part to C.F. Martin’s new design, the use of steel strings on acoustic guitars became fairly common by the end of the 1800s, and by the 1930s it became a standardized component.
The acoustic steel-stringed guitar is commonly referred to as a “dreadnaught”, possibly after a British battleship by that name, which was the first of it’s type to use heavy armor and large-caliber guns in turrets.
The addition of steel-strings to the acoustic guitar produced a brighter sound and created more versatility than was possible with the previous gut-stringed instruments. A wide range of tone and color can be achieved on the steel-stringed acoustic guitar which can either be strummed or picked with the fingers. This makes it one of the most popular choices among guitarists of such diverse styles as blues, jazz, fingerstlye, bluesgrass, folk, rock and more.
Birding Trails - Florida
January 31, 2009
Birding Trails - Florida
by: Rick Chapo
If you’re into birding, finding new trails is always an enjoyable task. Here’s a primer on birding trails in Florida.
Birding Trails - Florida
It goes without saying that Florida is a rather large state. The following birding trails represent a mere sample of what is out there, but are proven birding spots. With that being said, let’s get on with it.
1. St. Joseph’s Peninsula Park - Over 247 species of birds can be seen on the trails at St. Joseph’s. The real attraction, however, happens every October and September. During this period, hawks and falcons are all over the park as they migrate from northern areas to the Gulf of Mexico for the winter season. You can expect to see sharp-shinned hawks, broad wing hawks and even a few copper hawks. If you’re lucky, you can sight one of the smaller numbers of red-shoulder hawks, red-tail hawks and the elusive, endangered Peregrine Falcon.
Weave Poles: Which method should I use for my dog?
January 31, 2009
Weave Poles: Which method should I use for my dog?
by: Brad Carlson
Weave Poles can be the most challenging obstacle for you to teach and for your dog to learn. Many agility obstacles resemble natural obstacles that dogs could find out on a hike out in the woods, jumps, frames, and tunnels. Going over, under, or through things and places are natural for dogs,however, weaving the poles is not.
How do you teach an unnatural skill……..with lots of patience, the right motivators for your dog, and a plan. There are many great methods to teach the weave poles. If you’ve gone to agility camps with several top instructors, you know that most have their own method . So, there is not one method that is the best or one method that produces the best weaving dog.
There are many methods of teaching weave poles. Some of these include, the Push-Pull method, the Angled Weave Approach, Chute Training, Two-Pole Method, Gate method, and more……….
Garden for Birds #3
January 30, 2009
Well, another week is passing us by.
I want to thank everyone who writes me back.
Gardens and birds can bring total strangers together.
ISN’T IT GREAT!
I feel as though I’m getting to know you and we are becoming neighbors.
You may have fledglings by now.
None for me just yet.
Even with Michigan weather, things are changing in the yard everyday now.
Birds come and go.
Plants seem to grow a foot some days.
New blooms, new plantings.
Chipmunk is still on the loose.
Karen is in a battle with some rabbits munching down her pansies.
Baby powder works wonderful until it rains.
Same with ammonia water.
I may have to break down and get some liquid fence.
Oh well…………………….
Last week I was pointing out ways to attract more birds by building under the tree canopies.
There are birds that live in all levels of a forest and our yards.
By gardening with this in mind, attracting several birds will be easier for you.
PERENNIAL GARDENING
Perennial gardens can be a bit of a challenge, yet fun in many ways.
Tips For Cover Letters To Get More Interviews
January 30, 2009
Tips For Cover Letters To Get More Interviews
by: Heather Eagar
Here’s a tip for cover letters to get more interviews. Use a bulleted format cover letter rather than a standard letter in paragraphs. The bulleted format is more eye catching, and is more likely to be glanced at by the hiring manager or other person assigned to sort through resumes. This format will help you get your resume seen by more people and as a result get more interviews and more job offers.
If you follow this advice and decide to use the bulleted format, make sure that each bullet point specifies a reason for the hiring manager to talk with you. This reason can be your number of years experience, your education, a personality trait that you have, or an accomplishment.
Examples of bulleted points would be:
• Over 20 years experience in Human Resource Management.
Or
• Outstanding work ethic. Lead by example.
Or
• Master of Science in Education. Currently enrolled in Doctorate program.
Or
• Saved last employer $30,000 in revenue through modernization of accounting system.
Kitchenaid Stand Mixers ? A Kitchen Work Horse
January 30, 2009
Kitchenaid stand mixers are very popular in today’s kitchens and it is easy to see why. These stand mixers have stood the test of time and have shown themselves to be kitchen work horses.
Before electric mixers, cooks had to rely on muscle to get the job done or small hand held electric mixers. With the multi-function Kitchenaid stand mixers you can mix, whip, and knead just about anything.
Whether you cook for a few people or a small army, there are many sizes of stand mixers that will fit any kitchens needs. There is no mixing job too big for the industrial strength model like the 6 quart 600 Professional Series that has a commercial style motor. The 600 Professional Series gives you the ability to mix double batches of bread. With this powerhouse mixer you can mix 13 dozen cookies or 8 pounds of mashed potatoes. That is a lot of food!
If you are not feeding a small army you may not want the power of the 600 Professional Series Kitchenaid stand mixer. You could choose from one of the smaller 250 or 350 watt stand mixers. Most of the models come with a stainless steel bowl and 10 speed control settings.
Tire Jump Foundation Training for your Dog
January 30, 2009
Tire Jump Foundation Training for your Dog
by: Brad Carlson
The Tire Jump seems like a relatively easy agility obstacle, at least from a persons perspective, but in the Novice Agility ring you see many dogs that refuse to go through it, many go under it, while others choose to go around it. How can you prepare your beginning agility for success with the Tire Jump?
Let’s go back to foundation training. When introducing any new obstacle, you want to keep the difficulty low and emphasize the fun and ease that it can be for your dog. If your dog has a sit stay, leave him about 2 feet in front of the tire, facing it, walk to the other side and call your dog, “Come Tire”. If he won’t budge, put your hand with his treat or toy through the tire to coax him to follow your hand and jump through the tire. Practice this several times until he willing is coming to you. Keep him about 2 feet from the tire, you go to the other side and then move back about 6 feet, “Come Tire. When your dog is able to jump through the tire when you are at different distances and angles from the tire, then it is time to move him further away from the tire. Start him back 6 feet, you go to the other side about 6 feet away and call, “Come Tire”. Place your dog at different distances and angles from the tire and call him to you. When your dog can succeed 80% of the time, its time to progress to make the challenge a bit harder.
Objective Meditations: What is Reality?
January 29, 2009
Is reality a projection from within the mind, or is it an "altered lens" into the outside world? Let’s look at the altered lens theory first. Obviously, we are not all looking at the world with the same lens or viewpoint. If that were possible, and we had a consistent moral code of ethics, we would have world peace.
Imagine no wars, conflict, divorce, or crime. It does make you think that John Lennon might have been thousands of years ahead of his time, when he wrote the lyrics for his song, "Imagine." Although, we may not agree with every word, the thought of global harmony captivates the mind.
Is this a reality? At this moment in time, it doesn’t look possible. Peace agreements seem so close, and then, an assassination, or a suicide bomb, changes everything. Why is this world not ready for a Mahatma Gandhi, Anwar Sadat, or Martin Luther King, Jr.?
Do we, as a species, need to grow, and mature a little more, or can we make small changes in this world now? You can make small changes by bringing out the inner calm you have developed through meditation practice. If you are still not sure how to proceed, demonstrating acts of kindness to everyone you meet, will do.
The “Casablanca” Secret
January 29, 2009
The “Casablanca” Secret
by: Steven Barnes
Good writing is often designed around a character who has a distorted vision of himself or of the world. During the story, he is placed under sufficient pressure to force an epiphany, a moment of clarity in which, he sees the world as it is, not as he wished it to be.
A classic example is “Casablanca,” where Bogart’s immortal Rick has managed to create an insular world in which he can pretend to be utterly detached and uninvolved. He supposedly has no political beliefs, and no real human connections. But the reappearance of Ilsa forces a cascade of events that cause Rick to reexamine his attitudes about love, fate, patriotism, courage, fidelity, friendship, and life itself.
Rick begins as a damaged, closed off character, carrying wounds to his heart and ego. What he WANTS is to be left alone to his self-pity. What he NEEDS is to be re-awakened to a life of purpose. The writers, wisely, give Rick what he needs, not what he wants, and in that manner a classic was born.
