Digital Music – Home Studio Music Recording

November 22nd, 2011 | srk653

Home recording has come a long way in the last few decades. Many people do not realize that much of what they hear on T.V. and in commercials is electric.

Many people still have a negative connotation about how electric music sounds. They think that it must always have a cheesy sound.

Part of this stigma is the confusion over midi. and wav. sound files. Simply put, midi is a signal that is sent to a sound card and triggers a note on a preset instrument sound. Therefore, the sound you get from a midi. sound file will only be as good as the sound card you are using.

Even if you record a midi file with a good sound card, if someone else plays it back using an inferior sound card, the result will be inferior sounds.

Now there are very excellent sound cards available and also software synthesizers. The thing to do is to convert your midi. file to wav. The way to do this is to play your midi file through the desired sound card and record it at the same time, using the recording application that comes with your sound card.

For windows PC, I like the SoundBlaster cards, such as the Sound Blaster 16 PCI 4.1

There are many excellent software programs for recording on windows PCs. One I like in particular is Cakewalks Plasma recording program. You can record multiple tracks, just like a professional studio. Plasma has software synthesizers and will also mix down your midi tracks to wav.

Once you have converted your midi to wav., it is a simple matter to burn it to CD. You will want to use the 44100hz setting in the audio tools for this.

To create midi tracks, you can put the musical notes on a staff with the mouse, if you know music theory, or you can connect an electric keyboard to your PC and play the tracks, setting each track with the sound of the desired instrument.

Of course, these programs also allow you to record a wav. track(s) directly, singing or playing an instrument into a microphone. Recording wav. Requires a lot of memory and a fast PC, but most new PCs are more than up to the task.

If you’ve ever had a song you wished you could record, you might want to check-out these reasonably priced software programs. It’s a whole lot of fun!

If you have any questions about this topic, drop me an Email at dizzyobrian@excite.com

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The London Palladium – The Greatest Theatre in London

November 22nd, 2011 | srk653

Where is the Palladium Located?

The London Palladium can be found just behind Oxford Street, a minute’s walk from Oxford Circus, and within easy reach of hotels, bars, restaurants and shops.

How old is the London Palladium?

Walter Gibbons, one of the early managers in the film business, had the Palladium constructed in 1910. The facade dates back to the 19th Century. It started life as a wooden building which included an aviary, but was rebuilt as a circus venue complete with an aquatic display just a year later by Frederick Hengler. In its next incarnation it became a skating rink complete with real ice. When the rink venture failed, the Palladium underwent another remodelling, this time by Frank Matcham, an architect with an impressive record in theatre design whose works include the Coliseum, also in London. Many of the original features remain today in the 2286-seat London theatre which gained Grade II* listing by English Heritage in September 1960.

What performances were shown there?

Throughout the 1930s The Palladium became known for variety performances, in particular the Royal Variety Performances, which are still staged there today. The ‘London’ part of its name was added in 1934. From 1945, Managing Director Val Parnell oversaw performances by big name American acts, including Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Ella Fitzgerald, the Andrews Sisters, Bob Hope, and Sammy Davis, Jr. Then, as the age of television dawned, the theatre became the set for various top-rated televised shows, such as Sunday Night at the London Palladium.

The first West End musical to be staged at the Palladium was Golden Boy, starring Sammy Davis, Jr. in 1968.

In 2000, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group acquired the Palladium, and brought The King and I over from Broadway, starring Elaine Paige and Jason Scott Lee. The box office took over ?7 million before the show opened, and modern technology was introduced to the venue, making way for the special effects and sensational productions which were to follow. ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ ran for three years with a succession of well-known stars in the lead roles, and was the most successful show ever run in the theatre’s history.

With the help of the newly designed technological stage systems, it became possible to stage one-off events during the run of established shows. Musical concerts and television broadcasts are still scheduled, and in 2007 and in 2010, the London Palladium was also the setting for the 2007 BAFTA awards,

A Century of History

The London Palladium was 100 years old on Boxing Day 2010. To celebrate, BBC2 showed a one-hour television special on New Year’s Eve.

What’s On Now?

After a reality show project, Over the Rainbow, found a leading lady, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of The Wizard of Oz opened on February 7, 2011. Currently still starring Danielle Hope as Dorothy and Michael Crawford as the Wizard, it is currently booking through January 2012.

Whether you’re resident or visiting London, a tourist or just looking for a night to remember, combining a London Musical with an evening in one of London’s most historic theatrical buildings, will ensure a magical experience.

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Adriano and Vanda – Friendship Without Language

November 22nd, 2011 | srk653

For some time after we started going to this part of Umbria, I had known that Adriano and Vanda were my neighbors-at least neighbors as that goes in rural Italy. They live about 3/4 mile away and farm most of the tillable land between my house and theirs. I also knew that they spoke not a syllable of English and, at that time, my Italian was limited almost exclusively to menu items. Yet, each Friday, I would meet them in the village piazza for the weekly market. Each Friday, we would drink a cup of coffee, nodding and smiling at each other, without an intelligible word being spoken among us. Each Friday, they would invite me to Sunday lunch at their house. Each Friday, I would make an excuse. It was not that I did not appreciate the honor being bestowed upon me as it is more the rarity than the rule for Umbrians to invite strangers into their homes for a meal, particularly the high meal of the week-il pranzo-lunch on Sunday. No, the reason I consistently refused was that I had no idea how we would get through that three hour meal with no understandable conversation.

Finally, the fourth time they asked, I said yes. I figured that they knew all about the language barrier and if they thought it could be overcome, I was game to try. The invitation ended with something being said about the upcoming Friday and the fact that they would arrive at my house. Now I was in a blind panic-was the invitation for Friday not Sunday as I thought or, much worse yet, had they invited themselves to my house to eat on Friday. Each time, during the ensuing week, in which I tried to sort out this issue, the hair on the back of my neck would stand up in abject fear that I was going to have to prepare a meal on Friday for people with whom I thought I was going to eat a meal at their house on Sunday. So, I did what any enterprising woman would do-drank copious quantities of wine and planned a menu that I could, in fact, prepare in a jiffy

The week passed; Friday arrived. Late afternoon, Adriano and Vanda came driving up their driveway in their little green Ape-the tiny truck on a motor scooter chassis that is favored by farmers all over Europe. It was too early for an Italian dinner, and drizzling rain. They had just left their work in the fields. The sole purpose for their visit was not to eat a meal at my house. Rather, it was to find out whether I preferred white or red sauce on the pasta, what kind of meat I preferred to eat and whether I had any guests who would be coming with me to their house. Never before, in Italy or in the US, had I had a host and hostess go to such pains to make certain they would serve a meal I would find pleasing.

Sunday arrived. I purchased a potted plant in the village to take as a hostess gift, not even certain if that was the custom but preferring to err on the side of caution. Adriano, Vanda and their adult son, Oberdon, and I spent a most delightful afternoon. Somehow, with hard gestures and funny facial expressions on my part, we doped our way through a conversation. Their adult daughter and grandson arrived for dessert. The afternoon wiled away; the homemade wine I drank reduced my inhibitions, conversation was successful and I returned home for a much needed siesta.

Since that time, there have been many such dinners, lunches and afternoon coffees at the kitchen table at Adriano and Vanda’s. I have come to think of theirs as a second home and feel no hesitation at all to knock on the door and invite myself in for a chat. They have become some of my dearest friends; our ability to communicate has improved; and I have been enriched by their friendship,. And, also by their practical advice. One day, they literally laughed until they cried when I told them I had planted herbs in my garden. It appears that I did so when the moon was soft (la luna e dolce) not when it was hard (la luna e dura), or vice versa. I still do not understand why the timing of my planting was such a source of amusement to them. I do, however, know that both plants died.

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Mini’s Electric Car

November 22nd, 2011 | srk653

Is the earth really going green? You bet it is. The environment is coughing and spitting from all the toxins we are putting into it and most of it comes from the thousands of manufacturers worldwide. Carbon emissions are eating away at the atmosphere and it may take hundreds of thousands of years to repair. The new century is bringing forth new ideas that will help our planet recover from this surge of air and water pollution. Automobile emission control is one way to begin “going green” and the BMW Mini is in the forefront of this planet-saving march.

When speaking or thinking about electrical cars in general, people often think how tedious it will be to constantly have this car charging. The Mini comes with a 220 volt charger that can give the car a quick re-charge in three to four hours. Another detail that is often discussed is the speed and acceleration of the Mini E. Consumer reporter, Jack Ewing of Bloomberg, says that 0-60 speed in the Mini E is just less than 8.5 seconds. This is impressive when the gas-powered Mini takes 7.2 seconds to get to 60 miles per hour.

Ewing goes on to say that the ride of the Mini E is even smoother than an automatic transmission. There is no hesitation and the properties of the electric motor has just one gear, similar to fifth in an automatic or manual transmission. The motor remains connected to the drive shaft so there is no wavering or rocking from the car.

One thing that is considerably convenient is the way that the Mini E slows itself down without using the brake. As the electrical motor disengages, the car will slow down markedly. If you have ever driven an electrical golf cart, then you can easily relate to this feature. The Mini E is the same finely designed interior of the gas-powered Mini, but with no loud engine noise and smell.

The time has come for an electric motor car to be a strong consideration when thinking about your new car purchase. Not only will you be doing something conscientious for the environment, but the clean and easy maintenance of the Mini E will make your choice that much more satisfying and pleasurable.

It’s easy to say that you are environmentally aware of the situation of the new century. As the contemporary adage says, if you can talk the talk, then you should walk the walk (or drive the best car).

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Are You Waiting To Be Found? Love As A Waiting Game

November 22nd, 2011 | srk653

Are you waiting for the love of your life to find you? Are you tired of just waiting…and waiting…to be found and to start dating? Does it seem like love is a waiting game and you are losing? How long can you wait?

Recently, I read an email joke that went:

“Women are like apples on a tree. The best ones are at the top and most men don’t want to work that hard to get to them. They don’t want to climb that high and risk falling off and getting hurt. Most men are willing to settle for the rotten apples lying on the ground. Those apples aren’t as good, but they’re easy…”

This note was a tongue-in-cheek twist on an old perspective, which is, that women are waiting for men to find them and pick them. It represents a persistent dating consciousness that keeps people from having what they want.

If you are waiting to be discovered and appreciated–or waiting to be plucked from a tree–you will either be waiting a long time, or feel disappointed in the quality of the apple picker. Because when men and women get together, they need to mutually pick each other in order for both of them to be happy.

This story also makes the assumption that men are supposed to do the work to find a woman. Obviously, if men and women want to wind up with the person they want, they both have to do the work.

If you want to be with the love of your life,

*You have to BECOME the person you are looking for, and

*You have to get out of the tree, get some legs under you, and take the actions necessary to find the person you want.

Here are some things you can do to find the person you want to be with:

1. Take great care of yourself.

All apples need to be polished to look their best. Do you exercise every day? Do you pay attention to what you eat? Fast food, meals on the run, late night snacking, and skipping breakfast are all ways we add unnecessary stress and pounds. It’s hard to feel attractive when you haven’t given yourself the nutrition and attention you need to feel confident.

2. Get out of the house and connect with others.

Most people have to make plans or getting out of the house just won’t happen. Take out your calendar and check the paper, the social events where you work or worship, and talk to your friends and family to see if and when they want to go out with you. You need to get out several times a week–not just once in a while.

3. Tell people you want to meet someone.

This is an overlooked resource. You have to ASK people. Most of them won’t know anyone, but sooner or later, someone will meet a person and remember your request. Furthermore, check back with them a few weeks after you ask them and see if they have thought of anyone. People get busy with their lives and have to be reminded.

4. Develop your computer skills.

Recent research has shown that people with good computer skills are more successful and more likely to meet someone online. If you do not have strong technology skills, I suggest you take a course and become computer literate. Many people connect through the internet.

After all the talk about comparing women to apples, I looked to find what metaphor was used for men. It said men were compared to grapes. It said women had to pick them, stomp them, and turn them into wine so they were worth having dinner with.

I’m not sure I like being compared to a fruit. This picture of hanging on a tree or a vine doesn’t offer a lot of choices. Whether we are an apple or a grape, it makes it sound like we are all just waiting…and waiting… to be plucked.

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Things to Avoid When Getting a Tattoo

November 22nd, 2011 | srk653

When most people are making the decision to get a tattoo, they are too busy thinking about what they should do, rather than what they should not do. Though deciding on what to do and thinking about all the positive things is fun, thinking about what not to do and the consequences is probably smarter.

In this article we are going to take a look at some of the pit-falls to avoid when getting a new tattoo. Taking the time to read this article and perhaps do a little research could save you some horrible aches and pains down the road.

The first and foremost thing to avoid when getting your new tattoo is deciding to get it done on a whim. Do not just one day decide you want a tattoo, run to your local tattoo parlor and get inked. The only thing that is going to lead to is a lot of regret. Really take the time to think about what it is you want. Getting a tattoo is a life long decision, so make sure it is a good one and one that is well thought out.

Second, never get a tattoo anywhere except at a professional tattoo parlor. Making sure that your tattoo is done by a professional is probably the second most important aspect of getting a new tattoo. Your friend who can draw and just got a tattoo gun off of eBay is not a professional. And his kitchen table is not a tattoo parlor. Tattoo parlors usually operate at a high level of sterilization and safety. Knowing this, you can be sure that your cute tattoo design is not only going to look great, but your chances for an infection are greatly reduced.

It is also important that you do not get your new tattoo in a location on your body that is going to cause problems for you. For instance if you are a business professional, a tattoo on your forehead is probably not your best bet. Depending on the life you lead, both business and personal, make sure your tattoo is in an appropriate location. A good rule of thumb I have discovered is that if your tattoo can be covered by pants and a long sleeve shirt, it is more than likely in a good location.

Those are three things to try and avoid when getting your cute tattoo idea inked on. Always make sure you know what you want, a professional is doing it, and it is not going to be in a location that could come back to haunt you later in life.

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A Short History About the Suzuki GT125

November 22nd, 2011 | srk653

The Suzuki GT125 made its debut in 1974 and was released to the public as a “naked bike.” This Suzuki model has a similar appearance in layout as the GT185 model. Both models had few common parts since both the wheelbase and engine were smaller with the GT125 model. However, some used parts will be able to fit accordingly with each model. The GT125 was an attractive seller in competitive market it competed in.

The engine that the Suzuki GT125 made its first appearance with was a twin two-stroke that allowed this motorcycle to reach top speeds of almost 80mph. The GT125 ran a chain transmission with a 5 speed gearbox. These specifications were very good for a motorcycle model released during the mid 1970′s. The first time you start up the engine it will roar at a high velocity that will have you begging for more and more you will get.

The Suzuki GT125 is a relatively light weight bike weighing in at 269 pounds with the gas tank full. The front brakes are a single disc while the rear brakes are home to an expanding brake. The brakes are of course handy to have, but if you just bought a used GT125 recently you may just want to check the brakes and change them if necessary. Keeping both you any your motorcycle safe is easy when you take the necessary precautions. Having control of every situation is just not possible.

The fuel capacity is quite small for the standards of today holding just 2.64 gallons. However, when this bike was manufactured and sold to the public 2.64 gallons went a lot further than it does now. This aspect is especially true when you put the weight of the bike into the equation. The Suzuki GT125 does have a lot of value in both enjoyment and possibilities. Though, a road trip may be out of the question if you don’t like making too many pit stops.

From 1974 to 1978 the Suzuki GT125 continued without changes except a few minor adjustments. After Suzuki decided to stop producing the GT125 model they based many later bikes such as the RG125 X4 on it. Production of the Suzuki GT125 actually stopped in 1979 while many dealerships kept selling them off the lot until 1979. The later based RG125 X4 was included in Suzuki’s sale literature in continental Europe until 1980.

The Suzuki GT125 is on the top of many collectors bike list for its sleek look and retro approach. This motorcycle has all the standards of todays bikes with the ability to interchange pieces in order to give it a modern look or the ability to restore it to its original standards. If you have just recently purchased a Suzuki GT125, in a matter of no time you will see what all the fuss is about. If you ever have the chance to hop on to a Suzuki GT125 every owner out there suggests you do so.

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5 Best Android Tablet Comic Apps

November 22nd, 2011 | srk653

Just like any other book, comics also consume some space in the bookshelf. For the typical collector, spacious bookshelves are a necessity. Are you looking for ways to read more comics and view them anywhere you like? Android-powered tablets can actually allow you to read your favorite comics through several comic reader apps. Such applications allow you to download as many comics as you want in a fascinating digital experience at anytime and any place of the day. Here is a list of great comic reader apps that will your reading experience worthwhile:

1. Droid Comic Viewer

Robot Comics created Droid Comics, one of the best comic viewing apps in the Android market. It is powerful and compatible with BMP, ACV, CBZ/ZIP, JPEG, PNG and CBR/RAR files. Reading with the Droid Viewer will give you an enjoyable experience. It possesses more than 19 options that you can customize as well as 18 actions. Navigating from page to page will give you a pleasant and delightful comic viewing experience. Droid Comic Viewer is a free app for Android devices.

2. Comica

Comica has a great-looking graphical interface that utilizes the thumbnails of your comics arranged in easy and amusing ways. This digital image and comic reader for Android tablet has a dual-pane mode. It allows you to take snapshots of images that you can zoom into and store separately. It also supports a bookmark system, so you can scan for comics that you want to view on your SD card. You can add them under a collection and organize them on your folder. It works with JPG, JPEG, PNG, BMP, and GIF for image viewing.

3. Mango Manga Reader

Mango Manga Reader is a free app for Android devices which has 450,000 downloads that you can choose from. It has a huge selection of comics that you can enjoy reading. The built-in library includes thousands of great fan-translated Manga such as Fairy tale, Air Gear, Gantz, Vampire, Soul Eater, Naruto and many more. It is a user-friendly app that allows you to download the whole chapters to your SD card and read them wherever you are even without Internet connection. With its smooth scrolling, swipe gesture control, pinch-to-zoom feature and smooth animations, Mango Manga Reader gives you the best seamless and enjoyable reading experience.

4. Comic Reader Mobi

With Comic Reader Mobi, you can enjoy reading your comics even without constantly zooming in on the page to see the text. You can just simply tap the word box and the lens will automatically zoom in on the text. It has features such as auto-bookmarking and page flipping which allows you to read comics like the real print version. This Android comic app supports several file formats such ZIP RAR, CBZ and CBR. The Comic Reader Mobi app costs $14.99 in the Android market, but it is a worthy investment.

5. Comic Strips

Comic Strips is one of the best and most extensive comic viewer developed for Android gadgets. It allows you to read more than 250 comics which include Dilbert, Calvin and Hobbes, Peanuts, Garfield, and a whole lot more. This comic book app is free in the Android market.

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Distance Relationships – How to Communicate When You’re Apart

November 22nd, 2011 | srk653

We always want to be with the person we love most. Just the thought of not seeing your better half in a day or two is just an unbearable idea. What if one day, she gets a really big promotion or an opportunity she has been waiting for all her life even before you entered the picture? Sounds wonderful, right? You would most certainly be the happiest person for her! But, what if the catch is, she has to leave and stay in a place hundreds of miles away from you? Will you allow her? Can you let her go? What will you do?

What is the right thing to do, anyway?

This could be one of the hardest decisions one has to make. And if ever you are experiencing this dilemma, the only piece of advice that I can give you is to not stop her from pursuing her dreams. Instead, be the person who will support her to achieve the things that will make her a better and content person. I know. How about you? “I can’t live without her.” “I can’t imagine how life would be if she’ll be far away!” “How can we see each other and spend time together?” These maybe are a few or the possible rants that you’ll have.

Yes. Maintaining a distance relationship can be pretty difficult. But let me walk you through it. I will show you how you can make a distance relationship work.

Rule Setting

Dr. Greg Guldner, an expert on distance relationships and author of the book Long Distance Relationships: The Complete Guide Book once said that 70% of distance relationship couples, who failed to set rules in order to deal with the changes that being apart will contribute to the relationship, resort to breaking up after around six months. Having an agreement about not dating others, or communicating every day while being miles away from each other, and sticking to the agreements, is extremely important in order for distance relationships to survive. So, don’t forget to set the rules. Make sure that you both agree with every parameter you two have set and you two are pretty much willing to stick with the rules.

24/7 Open Communication Channels

In any relationship, open and clear communication is the key. Be vocal about your feelings and never forget to tell her how much you love her as many times as possible. And in all honesty, you are quite lucky to be able to live in the 21st century because you need not wait for months for her to receive your snail mail, pay huge amounts for monthly phone bills, or worst, wait for that glass bottle with a letter inside by the seashore just to get your partner’s response. All you need is an internet connection in order to have a 24/7 open communication not just with your romantic partner but also with your loved ones across the globe. A Skype account will work best for your video calls. MSN and Yahoo messengers are very helpful tools of communication that you can use even if you’re at work. E-mails are your best alternative for snail mails.

Regular Meet Ups

Who said you two can’t date anymore? How about playing a video game at the same time? Syncronize your times and agree to have a “cyber date.” See a movie and talk about it over the phone after. Beat each other on a Facebook game! And have a physical meet up once in a while.

Package Surprises

Make some effort to send her stuffs. A card, a bubble bath package, a box of chocolates – with the help of the internet, these things can be sent to your better half in just a few clicks! Or make a video message and upload it on YouTube then send her the link. There are so many ways to warm a lover’s heart even though you two are apart.

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Art As An Investment

November 22nd, 2011 | srk653

Looking at art and investment in art from England, it is evident that this sector has much potential. The most common form of investment, apart from saving in banks, is buying stocks and shares of a company, in the hope that the company will grow and therefore increase the value of the shares. The main reason why many people invest in stocks and a shares in companies is because this is the area that can be fairly easily understand by the majority.

Over the ages many people have invested in art, or become patrons for a particular artist.

The reason however behind the caution around investing in art is mainly due to the lack of proper comprehension of the industry. Taking a closer look at the two sectors, one thing is rather clear that investing is always about speculation, and speculation can take place in anything that interests the investor.

It is all too easy to become emmotionally attached to a piece of art or the style of an artist. This can so often lead to the downfall of the work as an investment, as history has shown over time.

The greatest advantage however in investing in art as compared to stocks and shares is due to the fact that the value of the former never depreciates rapidly in situations of economic weakness as does the latter.

We can see this at present, in the current turbulent financial times, the ‘top level’ art by renowned artists has dramatically increased in value, even more so than gold, which is always reckoned to be a safe bet in tough times.

Work by British artists such as L.S. Lowry have seen the prices rise over the last few years to record heights. This is because the value of art is often quite distinct and must not be likened to other prevailing economic situations. While the stock market could easily fall overnight due to the mismanagement or closure of a major company in whose shares you may have invested, this is unlikely to happen when dealing with artistic work.

Economic crunches and political instability cause major falls in stocks and shares. The list of damaging factors that could negatively influence the value of stocks is endless. Natural calamities that can cause major chaos to the values of world class rated companies overnight.

However, we have seen the sale of a painting by L.S. Lowry ‘Going to the match’ which was valued at ?500,000 six years ago, but achieved ?1,900,000 at auction and has been recently been valued at six- ten million pounds should it be offered for sale in the current market.

If investment in stocks is a store of value for speculative purposes, it is highly advisable to invest in products that are not so vulnerable to risks. This is not to mean that there is anything that is absolutely free of risk but all that is required is to take on the less risky ventures and art and investing in art from England is one such option.

By studying the history of an artist, examining the change in prices of his or her paintings over the years. Looking at where the paintings are exhibited, both galleries and museums, and how much of the artist’s work has been published. All these factors go towards the possible investment of a piece of art.

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