Successful Audio Book Narration

May 31, 2009

Successful Audio Book Narration
 by: Scott Perreault

It sounds easy, just open the book and read. You ever listen to a book on tape? Often a recognizable actor is the voice. Sounds like a winner, lets have Dustin Hoffman read us a story. A good idea with mixed results. Why? Because the actor is not necessarily a good story reader. It is more then inflection. It is understanding the listeners ear. Understanding the reading process. Narration of an audio book is not the time for acting, it is the time for effective communication.

Audio book voice professionals at www.scottradio.com have grown to understand the unique communication style required in presenting a book on tape. How does the listener of your material read the book? An important question. Skim, detailed, slow, fast? There is a common approach to reading your material, you must first discover how your readers enjoy your books in written form. So much vital research is rarely conducted before narration begins. There are other key elements needed to ensure a positive listening experience. Scottradio.com understands the research methods and comprehensive knowledge of the book narration process, do you?

Change Your Thinking to Change Your Dog’s Behavior

May 31, 2009

Change Your Thinking to Change Your Dog’s Behavior
 by: Fred Ege

Bad Behavior is only a Game.

I recently changed the way I think about training my dog. I have one of those high spirited dominate alpha males who instinctively thinks he is the leader of the pack and is always testing my authority. I often thought, why is he so challenging, he knows he is not supposed to do that because I’ve told him “no” a hundred times. Boomer, my dog, likes to steal things and be chased. To him it’s a game, a fun activity that he knows will get me going. He takes the towels from the hanger in the bathroom and flaunts it in front of me, stopping to make sure I see him before he runs off. I found that if I ignore him, he just lays down and later I can get the towel from him. At first I thought that he just made a mistake, but then I realized its just a game to him. The problem was that he never asked if I wanted to play, he just started a game of keep away. The mistakes my dog makes are neither mistakes nor accidents. I just misunderstood the game, and even though it was fun to him, it wasn’t necessarily fun for me!

The Reluctant Sailor - Tips for the Sailing Beginner

May 31, 2009

Stroll around any marina and you will soon spot the classic sailing characters: the old enthusiast, patiently restoring a wooden shell to its sleek former self; the dedicated racer, tweaking his stripped out, cutting edge craft; or even tanned BMW man, who turns up on sunny weekends to take his latest woman out for a spin in his souped-up power boat.

Move to the bar, and you’ll find them easily. The old hand, scruffed down, ready for that all important anti-fouling job. The smart executive, shades in hand, leading an enthusiastic team-building session. Or the sun-bleached student, fresh from his gap year spent taking boats down to the Med.

But what about the rest? What about the unsung sailors? What about those resigned individuals who, worn down after years of hints, huffs and sweet-talking, finally utter the fateful words: ‘Oh, for God’s sake, alright then!’

In less time than it takes to hoist a mainsail, these women (for they are usually women) find themselves huddled nervously on the deck of a boat, trying to come to terms with the fact that yachts are supposed to tip over, and that this is good thing.

There are a surprising number of these reluctant sailors. Most, like me, would prefer never to set foot on a boat but, driven by the need to see their sailing-mad partners on at least one weekend out of twenty, occasionally venture out onto the water.

In my case, my ‘Reluctant Sailor’ status comes largely down to a fear of venturing into an alien environment, where I am not in control.

I do not like not being in control. When a yacht tips over, I want to know that it ? that I! ? can do something to correct it. When we are picking our way through a narrow channel, I want to know how to avoid hitting unseen rocks or other boats, and when my children are sitting on deck, I want to know how to rescue them if they fall into the water.

Education is the key and unfortunately this means that I, as the terrified new owner of a yacht, now face the prospect of learning to sail, so that I am not frightened of sailing.

But my reluctance stems not only from fear. There are many other reasons why I have no interest in sailing. It is cold. It is wet. It is usually raining, and always uncomfortable. Be honest now. How many good nights’ sleep have you ever had on a yacht?

And yes, while there are around three days out of every year when weather, location and company combine to make sailing a blissful experience, does that really make up for the other 362 days when it is not?

My husband thinks it does. And so, nine years after we exchanged our dinghy for a baby and a pair of patio doors, I have finally relented. We have bought a yacht.

He is happy. The kids are happy. And I?. I have come up with some ground rules to keep me happy?

  • The Force Four Rule ? The Reluctant Sailor will not set foot on the boat if the forecast even hints at winds above force 4. [This rule is an adaption of the existing 12 ° C rule for dinghy sailing]

  • The Sunshine Rule ? The Reluctant Sailor will not go sailing if there is no prospect of sunshine over the period of the sailing expedition.

  • The Anchorage Rule ? No anchorage will be acceptable to the Reluctant Sailor unless it is within 100 metres of a pub/restaurant/hotel, and preferably a small town with a guaranteed escape route.

  • The Fair’s Fair Rule ? The Sailing Fanatic will match every week/weekend that the Reluctant Sailor spends sailing with a week/weekend somewhere warm, dry and comfortable - preferably abroad.

  • The Don’t Shout Rule ? The Sailing Fanatic must not shout excitedly when asking the Reluctant Sailor to do something. The Reluctant Sailor reserves the right to tell the Sailing Fanatic where to stick his boat if he raises his voice.

  • The Rain Rule ? Unless the presence of the Reluctant Sailor is required on deck to avoid capsize, collision or other near-death experience, the Sailing Fanatic will deal with all work on deck while it is raining. The Reluctant Sailor will be having coffee and Kit-Kat’s in the cabin.

  • The Maintenance Rule ? The Reluctant Sailor shall not be expected to maintain the boat under any circumstances. The words ‘anti-fouling’, ’sanding’ and ‘painting’ are of absolutely no interest to the Reluctant Sailor.

  • The Too Much Time Rule ? The Sailing Fanatic is not allowed to go into a huff when the Reluctant Sailor casually mentions that the Sailing Fanatic has spent the last four weekends ‘fiddling with that wretched boat’, and that the handsome divorcee from next door has moved in to keep the Reluctant Sailor company.

  • The Packing Rule ? The Sailing Fanatic will keep his mouth firmly closed on the subject of packing for a sailing expedition. The Reluctant Sailor reserves the right to bring along anything and everything needed to sustain her through the ordeal, but will, if pushed, draw the line at the handsome divorcee from next door.

  • The Children Rule ? The Reluctant Sailor will not be solely responsible for entertaining/controlling the children in the cramped and un-child friendly environs of a boat. The Sailing Fanatic wished for a family sailing experience and a family sailing experience he shall get.

  • The Money Rule ? The Sailing Fanatic accepts that once the sailing budget is gone, it is gone. He will just have to wait for that essential bit of kit. Any suggestion that this is not fair will cut no ice with the Reluctant Sailor, who is perfectly aware of her moral high ground on the subject of sailing and money, and will calmly point to the outrageous expense of buying the bloody boat in the first place.












































  • A Quick Overview of Outdoor Hot Tubs

    May 31, 2009

    There is nothing quite as relaxing as a leisurely evening soak in the hot tub after a long, hard day’s work. Sore muscles can finally relax as the water jets massage aches and pains away. It is no wonder that hot tubs are so popular. However, how do you decide which of the many outdoor hot tubs is right for you?

    First, think about who will be using your new hot tub. If you and your spouse plan to spend quiet evenings soaking and relaxing, you will want a smaller hot tub than four friends who are sharing a small bungalow and plan to use their hot tub for entertaining. If a disabled person or an elderly person will be using the hot tub, look for handicap accessible features.

    Next, consider whether you want to just soak quietly or whether you want the hot tub to really massage aching muscles. If you want to avoid having to scrunch down to have the jets reach your back, you will want to look for a tub with plenty of jets and a more powerful motor. You may also want to consider features such as an underwater light, a storm seat, and even a built in CD player. For those people who are attached to their television sets, there is even a model with a built in TV/DVD player combination.

    Descriptive Essay

    May 30, 2009

    Descriptive Essay
     by: Jessica Johnson, jr

    A descriptive essay is aimed at describing an object, phenomenon or event. A description process may be conducted through the introduction of examples, utilization of expressive language, comparison with some other objects, description of the personal sensations about the described object or any other technique that discloses peculiarities of a described object, phenomenon or event in a vivid and comprehensible way.

    While writing a descriptive essay, it is necessary to remember that virtually every object, phenomenon, or event can be viewed from different angles by different individuals. To this reason, it is necessary to start with obvious features of a described object, and afterwards disclose as many of its peculiar features as possible. It is ultimately important to keep the reader of a descriptive essay interested in the discussed object by introduction of the most interesting features in a lively manner and by emphasizing the object?s remarkable features. The writer should display his own opinion about the subject and thus form the reader?s impression.

    Prepairing to Bring Your Dog Home

    May 30, 2009

    Prepairing to Bring Your Dog Home
     by: Rich Martel

    PREPAIRING TO BRING YOUR NEW PUPPY HOME

    Crates

    These come in all sizes, depending on your dogs potential. I would discuss with your local supplier. I would recommend one with a divider so as the dog grows so does the space. This is good if adults are going to use cages as well and maybe to use as a birthing den.

    Travel Carrier

    Your puppy may arrive in a plastic carrier. They are excellent for travel but NOT recommended for a home crate, For many dogs they are fine, But remember your Labradoodle was cooped up in this for a long time and will not be comfortable to have to live in it as well, Also In my opinion they are too confined and will make your puppy feel banished from the family. The open wire crate will make your puppy feel part of the family while being restrained while you are not able to supervise. The wire crate you will find takes up no more room that a basket and can be dressed up with a see through curtain to blend with the décor of your home. They also will fold up for you to take with you when visiting or on vacation.

    Garlic: A Quick Guide

    May 30, 2009

    Garlic, there’s nothing like the smell of garlic. It’s great in soups and sauces, roasted with meats or on it’s own, and it’s wonderful mixed with butter and slathered on bread and then baked.

    The scientific name for garlic is Allium Sativum. It is related to the lily and the onion. Although related to the onion, and having a flavor that very slightly resembles that of an onion, garlic does not bring tears to the eyes when chopped.

    When buying fresh garlic, be sure that the head feels very firm when you squeeze it. Over time, garlic will soften and begin to sprout, which turns the garlic bitter. To store fresh garlic, keep it in a dark, cool place, such as the basement. Do not refrigerate or freeze the garlic, as it will begin to loose it’s taste.

    To peel a clove of garlic, place it on a cutting board, and put the flat of the blade of the knife against it. Press down on the other side of the blade with the heel of your hand, flattening the garlic slightly. The skin will come right off.

    7 Things to Consider Before Purchasing Model Ship Kits

    May 30, 2009

    7 Things to Consider Before Purchasing Model Ship Kits
     by: Whozylee Aris

    Whenever you make any purchase it is important to take into account what you are buying. Whether buying for yourself or for someone else as a gift, you should examine your options and think through what you would like to buy. Purchasing model ship kits is no different. Additionally, because model ship kits can be rather expensive, it is sometimes even more important for you to carefully consider your options before committing to one kit or another. Here are some things to consider before you spend your money on a model ship kit.

    Budget. This is always the first consideration whenever you buy anything, including model ship kits. Because there are kits that cost tens of thousands of dollars as well as those that cost less than $100, it is important to know how much you are willing to spend.

    Skill Level. Different model ship kits are for people of different skill levels. Make sure you know whether you need a beginner, intermediate, or advanced kit before you buy. It is not so bad to give one that is below level, but the results can be devastating when the skill level is too advanced.

    Here’s A Quick Check for Feline Urinary Tract Infection

    May 29, 2009

    Here’s A Quick Check for Feline Urinary Tract Infection
     by: Nancy E. Wigal

    There’s a couple different ways you can tell if your cat has a Feline Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). The most obvious way is if she cries while urinating, you see blood in her urine, and/or she won’t use the cat litter box to urinate.

    If you see this behavior in your cat, please call your vet immediately to get her checked! This is a very painful infection for kitty to suffer through.

    But here’s another way you can do a rough estimate check for a feline UTI before your cat feels the pain. Quite simply, you can do a fast check of your cat’s urine pH balance. If it’s out of range, call your vet as fast as you can to schedule an appointment for kitty. She’ll need further examination for an accurate diagnosis.

    The benefit of checking your cat’s urine pH level yourself is save you and kitty a lot of grief. It’s easy and safe to do. Your cat won’t be traumatized, and this is another way you can stay on top of her health.

    How to Write Your Own Baby Shower Verses

    May 29, 2009

    How to Write Your Own Baby Shower Verses
     by: Criss White

    A poem or verse is a literary composition used to express emotions or ideas using literary techniques like rhyme and metaphor. Although there are no set rules for creating poetry, these tips will help you create your own baby shower verses:

    1) Often, a one-line verse may be all you need. Short verses are good for personalized gifts where there is limited space, like engraved candles or personalized gift tags. An easy way to create an effective verse is to have a word in the middle rhyme with a word at the end of the verse.

    2) If the baby already has a name, then their name can potentially be used in the verse. The new parents’ names can also be used if desired. Try to write down as many words that rhyme with the selected name, then construct a verse.

    3) Four line verses are quite popular for baby shower poems. The easiest form of such poetry is to have the second and fourth line rhyme. To brainstorm, try to write down as many baby related words that you can think of, and then try to write down rhyming words. Two or three verses will make a nice sized poem for invitations and birth announcements.

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