Childhood Cancer & Team Kayla California

I'm helping my friend Amy with a great cause to help raise funds and awareness about Childhood Cancer.

There are many websites to help with different contributions, but why not start with a great group of people at Team Kayla California? Keep all children in your hearts and help out in ANY way you can to raise awareness!

The only way I could contribute right now, was to create banners that link back to the teams website, which will guide you in ways that you can help :)

Aspiring Photography

As an aspiring photographer I have made my way from only reading about the excitement to joining in the fun. I have taken portraits of my children, friends, and done a few promotion banners for my brother's music web page, simply entitled J. I have also photographed and blogged about From The Beginning, a band who I remain friends with today. But, what started it all was a Google search on photography that led me to Flickr.com. I uploaded a few cell phone shots and bam, I had a list of 52 contacts commenting on my "photography". What a way to build confidence.

I found that Kodak and Snapfish would allow me to use their services to print and deliver to buyers. They would also offer me gallery options to display my professional art work, for a small fee. Imagekind would allow me to display my photography in a gallery setting with a profile page and the ability to gain a friends list of fans. Their printing services are available with canvas and framing options. But of course, the prints come in sizes that require custom framing.

Finding an outlet to display my photography was a tedious task. It is discouraging enough taking inspiring photos of quality imagery with a 35mm automatic camera, or a cell phone. I had made it possible with a layman's easy Canon Power Shot, but one cannot be a presentable Professional Photographer without a Canon 5D, Nikon D300, or other single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. Not to mention a number of accessories. When it comes to editing photos, there is Photo Shop. A must have in the aspiring photography world. The cost ranges from six hundred to over a thousand dollars for such software. Without proper funds I opted for a free download of Paint.net I found on the web, which seemed to work well enough.

What it comes down to, as in almost every aspect of life, is that you need money to make money. Or, in the artists explanation, you need money to make anything worth someone’s time to acknowledge your work. Being friendly and taking the time to know your editors and peers helps, too. I suppose, the latter has a stronger effect when paired with an excellent artist of god given talent. It is true in any case, you must put the time and effort into that of which you wish to be successful. Sometimes, the rewards are greater than finance.

Book Club~Literary Legends

Previously written in Mystrish List (blogger.com)

.Revised edit. September 21, post


THE WHEEL OF TIME:
"In the beginning, the Creator made the Wheel of Time, which spins the Pattern of the Ages using the lives of men and women as its threads." -Wikipedia

The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan begins with The Eye of the World. The series was brought to my attention by a good friend of mine. There had been talk of Jordan's fading health and whether the series would be completed. On September 16, 2007, only days prior to now, Jordan passed away. His wife has made arrangements for his wishes to be fulfilled pertaining to Memory of Light, the 12th and final novel in the series.

Consuming me at the present time are the pages in the series of Stephen King's The Dark Tower. Malevolent page turner, that first book, simply entitled The Gunslinger. Book Four began my journey, as a gift. Sporadic reads here and there eventually fueled my interest to start from the beginning. As well as a peeked interest from a mutual fan, who insisted I read from book one.

In his journey for the Dark Tower, The Gunslinger will come across mystifying characters who accompany him in his travels as they are confronted by the Man in Black. If your wondering why that sounds familiar, King notes that he began the series with Tolkien (TOLL-KEEN) in mind. However, the story itself is one of legendary "Kingology".

King mentions in the forward that the series finds it's voice in the second book, The Drawing of the Three. Only 260 pages to go before I reach book two. Another six novels until I reach The Dark Tower, book seven and the final in the series. Then, I can begin The Wheel of Time and submerse myself in the mind of a modern day legend, Robert Jordan.

Park Disaster

Previously written in Mystrish List (blogger.com)

.Revised edit. October 1, 2007 post




On any given weekend, Hart Park is a relatively a decent hang out. Take a sunny walk with the family along the river, or enjoy an evening of ferocious ducks ready to attack left overs from your BBQ, as you try to escape to your car. All good fun.

But, low and behold the remnants of the party. Left behind on the previously beautiful views is the litter.

Hart Park can be an enjoyable place given that it’s visitors keep it clean. It only takes a moment to pack a trash bag with the rest of the gear before heading out. It takes a moment to pick up the trash while packing up for the evenings end. Once filled, it can simply be placed in one of the many huge trash cans waiting. Sorry for the sarcasm. It seems easy enough, but it rarely is done.



What to do about the broken concrete and rotted pipes? Now that I think about it maybe I should make a call and find out. They are usually found in areas of water irrigation. Occasionally you might find these articles have been carried to a peninsula of the river. I suppose some pieces would make for good seating.

There is an infestation of feline, weathered stone, and structures that are falling apart, such as the old water mill. These things are both a nuisance and what make the trip out to the park worth while and unique.

Tag City

Previously written in Mystrish List (blogger.com)

.Revised edit. October 15,2007 post

While graffiti can be viewed as a form of art as murals, the tagging form is less desirable. Taking a walk for exercise, a breath of fresh air, or relaxing succumbed to the scenery can be trying. The view from The Bluffs at Panorama is not a remarkable one. Below you will find an oil refinery, canal, and almost desert hills in the distance. However, there are a few homesteads with with open arenas where horses roam.

The walk along the path is worth the visit to The Bluffs. It has been renewed in an overgrowth of beautiful landscaping that is very pleasing to both sense of sight and smell. A woodsy, rain scent wafts through the air at given points along your walk from the fragrant flora planted along the path. The sunrise, or sunset gleams over clouds almost close enough to touch. Tall palms line the gravelled walk and whistle in the light breeze. This vision is halted when you come across words written in spray paint. They can be found on benches, under your toes, and sadly even on the rocks and trees. Not a mural. Not a valid message. A vain attempt at marking one's territory over another.

HTML Pains

I have been working on a CD cover/banner for my brother's music on myspace. I had been looking for a way to display the code for the banner, which links back to his myspace music page. I had found a code to display the image link itself.

But, I needed the link to show up as a code to copy:

<br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/Jrome07"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h13/FamiliadeAmor/Jhydro.jpg" /></a><br /><br />

HTML is like magic. You copy & paste a code and it appears automatically when you insert and save onto your web page. But, how do you submit a copy & paste box for everyone else to display the banner or image on their web page? After about an hour of searching (OK, months) I finally came across a help site: http://www.quackit.com/html/codes/html_text_box_code.cfm

Now, if you understand how codes and html works, then you will understand how to use the code to input a text box with your image/link code. And, that statement will have made sense to you. I could explain the process, but the site does that for me :)

My only advice is to make the following adjustments:

-Delete the bottom code for the submit button:
input type="submit" value="Submit"
(leave font )

Replace area where it says: Enter your comments here... with your image/link code.

I hope this helps someone. Email me if you have any further questions.

Coffee & Music

Who says you have to sit with the news and a cup of joe in the morning?


Relaxing music is a good way to start out the day. Pair it with a good cup of coffee and there you go. My choice in coffee creamer right now is Coffee-Mate Toffee Nut, by Nestle'.

Choice in music to start my day with? Passion Play by William Fitzsimmons. Clear and crisp. The story of William can be heard in his music. An interesting story at that. Take a look at his Myspace profile to learn more about William Fitzsimmons and listen to his unique sound:

http://www.myspace.com/williamfitzsimmons

Grow Up Already!

There had been a previous notion to head this subject as Love, Friendship, and Financing Life. However, the three can be summed up in one title, namely Growing Up.

In a recent blog it was brought to my attention that people may want to change their lives for the better, but continue with the blatant affects of their negative actions. In life there are moments where one must take a look around and decide to continue on a flagrant path, or journey on a canvas of endless possibilities.

Two aspects in life's journeys:

In friendship we may feel overwhelmed with obligations to be there for one another. Regardless of the number of friends, or obligated relationships in friendship (or otherwise) we must resume the responsibility as a human being and be there as best as we can in each circumstance as reflected in the other parties actions toward ourselves. Notice, I mentioned as best we can as the key statement. Hopefully, as a friend one is aware of the ability of the other friend as well as aware of the apparent efforts.

As for ourselves, people in general tend to care too much about what we think about one another, therefore taking actions that we believe will make someone else notice. Or happy for that matter, when we are not happy with ourselves in who we have become as a direct result of the influences we allow ourselves to partake.

All in all, if there is anything we can do in our lives, it is to just be ourselves as best as we can. Adjustments can be made as we grow in love, friendship, and finances. If we are lucky enough to see these wonderful attributes of life.

Being A Wise Guy

I like to believe that everyone has accomplished something, even if they have at least tried. I agree, however, if you have done nothing in your life to get yourself where you want to be. Especially if you continue with bad habits that you know will keep you from your goals. Perhaps it has already happened. Perhaps, not only once. Life can pass you by in a blink of an eye. I've said it many times, "Life is short." Nothing and no one is waiting for you to take what is yours. YOU have to assert yourself. Take your life in your hands, cradle it, and go for the glory!!

Quotes:

1. "Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved." -William Jennings Bryan

2. "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." -Thomas Edison

3. "I'm a great believer of luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it." -Thomas Jefferson

4. "If you can accept losing, you can't win." -Vince Lambardi

5. "Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship." -Benjamin Franklin

6. "The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain." -Dolly Parton

7. "Many of our fears are tissue paper thin, and a single courageous step would carry us clear through them." -Brendan Francis

8. "Change your thoughts and change your world." -Norman Vincent Peale

9. "When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on." -Franklin D. Roosevelt

10. "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." -Confucious

Journey

Life has its little quarks. Mine is a huge one with the desire to write and no outlet to do so without reprimandation. Ok, I may have made that word up. Get use to it.

Here I have a way to voice my opinions and hope that I can give and get information in a fun and light hearted fashion. Anything I find of relevance I will post. I hope I can keep up. Apparently, I am around four years behind everyone else in the Blogging matter. Well, unless you count the random ranting on myspace.