THE ECONOMY IS SOOOOOOOOOOO BAD THAT.....

Congress says they are looking into this Bernard Madoff scandal. So, the guy that made $50 billion disappear is being investigated by the people who made $750 billion disappear. The economy is so bad: CEO’s are now playing miniature golf. Even people who have nothing to do with the Obama administration aren’t paying their taxes. Hotwheels and Matchbox stocks are trading higher than GM. Obama met with small businesses to discuss the Stimulus Package: GE, Pfeizer and Citigroup. PETA serves chicken wings at their meetings McDonalds is selling the 1/4- ouncer. People in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and learned their children’s names. A truck of Americans got caught sneaking into Mexico .. The most highly-paid job is now jury duty. Dick Cheney took his stockbroker hunting. People in Africa are donating money to Americans. Mothers in Ethiopia are telling their kids, “finish your plate, do you know how many kids are starving in the US ?” Motel Six wont leave the light on. The Mafia is laying off judges.

Just 4 Laugh Gags People Choice. Lemonade kids Very Funny.

World Book Day books

Dare I admit to somewhat dubious behaviour on my part? Early last week when I read somewhere about the WBD tokens, which would be handed out to all school children, I swore a bit, because Daughter didn’t get hers the last couple of years. Not a big deal, but annoying. Who knows how many other children haven’t had theirs?

Then the girl comes home with six tokens. End of swearing, I promise. It seems she first got her token. Then when the rest of the tokens weren’t wanted by the ungrateful non-readers in her form, the form teacher gave her all the rest, too.

We went to town, literally and figuratively, on Saturday, dividing up our shopping between two bookshops, to lessen the imagined burden. Since this year’s WBD books come as two-in-one, we ended up with 11 titles. The uneven number is because Julia Donaldson had a mini picture book all by herself, with illustrations by David Roberts.

The Tyrannosaurus Drip Song even comes with music, so I’ll get my pianist to try it out later. It’s about a baby duckbill dinosaur who is born in a T Rex nest, and is bullied by the big dinosaurs. But he’s no wimp…

If memory serves I think it’s possibly the first time there has been a picture book among the WBD offerings, which is good, because not all school children are big readers.

I’ll get back to the other books later.

One big happy family episode 3

What is the purpose of a podcast?

Ok, so I created my first podcast the other day, which, incidentally, was SO much fun, and I am not being sarcastic.  The topic was “spine punches”, which is a story in and of itself.  Regardless, or as some fools say “irregardless”, I intended to learn how to create a podcast.  Granted, the topic was completely self selected, so I utilized a topic about which I have a great interest, thus the spine punch.  

So, I started out using Garageband to create my own song using the provided loops to serve as the backdrop of my podcast.  I used selections from the “dark” and “distorted” categories, which made for quite a hot beat.  To make an incredibly long story shot, 6 hours later, I had a 2 minute podcast that no one in their right mind would have any interest whatsoever in hearing.  Needless to say, this did not stop me for one iota from forcing others to watch my podcast.  Since I had to incorporate pictures, it was most definitely an auditory and visual masterpiece.  It was somewhat of a hit among my peers, but my audience consisted of others who are also interested in the causes and effects of the dreaded spine punch.  

Even though I learned how to create a podcast and post it to a web page, I basically can see no valid purpose for a podcast.  Why on Earth would someone want to listen to a podcast when they could simply peruse a web page?  I just don’t get it.  I am certainly an advocate for utilizing new and emerging technology, but this is just using technology for the sake of using technology.   Another means of reinventing the wheel.

Make Podcast: Fashion Meets Technology

Kite surfing - playing the piano and waterstarts

Continuing our series on how to kite surf we have found two videos which we believe you will find extremely useful as a beginner to this exciting sport.

The first video from How2Kite demonstrates how to ‘play the piano’ with one hand. This is essential knowledge as when you are putting the board on your feet you only have the one hand to control the kite. By moving your hand to the right or left of the centre of the bar - as if you were playing the piano - you will find that the kite moves in the opposite direction. The skill is to have enough finesse in your hand not to over-do the correction. When putting the board on your feet you should be aiming to have the kite above your head at an imaginary 12 o’clock.

The second video from andxto99 is an excellent demonstration on how to execute the water start, we suggest one of the first and most essential lessons to learn. As we have just learned you will be keeping the kite overhead by playing the piano and you will be holding your board with your other hand. As you go into the water try to keep the kite out to sea and at a low angle as this will avoid any gust taking you airbourne when still on the beach.

Once in the water place the board in front of you and then put one foot into the boards footstrap, and then the other, making sure your feet are secure. Allow yourself to be pulled down wind by the kite.

When ready for launch you have to dive the kite into the power zone in the direction you want to go. Place the kite at 11 o’clock and dive it down to 2 o’clock and the kite will have the power to pull you out of the water. Remember to bend the knee of your back leg and extend your leading leg.

Sounds easier than it is but remember there is a first time for everyone - keep practicing, take lessons, don’t rush, build your confidence.