The Babbling Fish says Howdy

What Are We Capable Of? THIS IS ANONYMOUS!

2011-07-22T19:01:00.001-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLJ2z8BSUPc

I turned my parents in to Zombies t-shirts and Onesies

2011-06-22T09:57:00.008-05:00

Babies - they render us in to sleep deprived zombies and yet we gladly give up our brains for them. Check out the latest designs now available at howdygal! Get them here

Tell the NYPD: Train Your Cops About Sexual Assault!

2011-05-28T12:59:00.004-05:00

OVERVIEW
On Thursday May 26, New York police officers Kenneth Moreno and Franklin Mata were found not guilty of charges that Moreno raped a woman in her apartment while Mata kept guard, despite the fact that the amount of evidence against the officers in this case was overwhelming. Instead, the jury convicted both officers of official misconduct for entering the woman’s apartment, but found them not guilty of all other charges, including burglary and falsifying business records. This despite the fact that one of the officers had been recorded on tape admitting to using a condom when having sex with the woman who made the accusation. The cornerstone of the defense required that the woman was too drunk to have a credible account of the incident, but sober enough to consent to sex.

We deserve to be safe. This verdict, and the way the NYPD acted, sends the message that we're not. “Cuddling” while naked, getting into bed with a woman you are charged to help and putting a woman in a position where she was terrified is never ok. The officers have been fired, which is a good first step, but the NYPD needs to be more vigilant in training its officers and ensuring that there are consequences for breaking the law and violating basic ethical rules.

Sign this petition to tell NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly and NYPD leadership to:

1) Institute sustained and comprehensive trainings for every incoming class of officers on rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and proper police conduct. A single training session, or a simplistic lecture not to rape, is NOT acceptable.

2) Institute a zero-tolerance policy for sexual assault, sexual harassment and sexualized behavior while on the job.While this case illustrates an extreme example of police officers using their power to abuse women, too many of us have witnessed officers behaving in sexually inappropriate ways while on the job. There is no excuse for that behavior, and the police force must take it seriously. We want an easily-accessible reporting mechanism for sexual assault and harassment at the hands of police officers, and a demonstrated commitment to punishing officers who exploit their position to harass and assault the people they are supposed to protect.

3) Be accountable to the New Yorkers they serve in a transparent process for implementing the above two demands. They must keep community leaders, local politicians and New York City residents informed about the initiatives they institute, and how they are working to make sure that an incident similar to the one involving former officers Mata and Moreno does not happen again.

More Fresh Designs from Howdygal

2011-05-20T10:40:00.004-05:00

These are just some of the fresh new designs available at Howdygal!

Cases for your iPad, iPhone, iTouch...

Pirate Treasure Chest

2011-05-17T12:57:00.003-05:00

Pirate Treasure Chest now available at Howdygal!

ARRRRRRRRRR Matey!

New Designs at Howdygal

2011-05-13T16:35:00.006-05:00

NDP Moustache riders!

2011-04-30T18:05:00.002-05:00

Don't YOU want to live in a moustache riding?
Vote for the NDP in the upcoming election! Let's get Stephen Harper out once and for all!

Free Iman iman Al-Obeidi

2011-03-27T08:14:00.001-05:00

Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »

2010-10-21T07:37:00.002-05:00

HILTON HOTELS: SAY NO TO SEX TRAFFICKING
All over the world, trafficked women and girls are forced into sexual exploitation in hotels right in front of the staff. The global Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children From Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism, compels hotels to train their staff to detect and assist the victims. The Code works, but so far Hilton has not signed up.

Hilton is a market leader in the hotel industry. Let's build global pressure on Hilton to protect the victims of this brutal trade. When we reach 250,000 signatures, we'll take out ads in newspapers in McLean, Virginia - where Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta lives and works and shame him into action.

Sign the petition here

Recipes of the World!

2010-07-30T10:00:00.000-05:00

GREAT DAY!

2010-05-18T10:50:00.000-05:00

Lily finds the bum cream

2010-05-13T15:21:00.001-05:00

Stereomood

2010-04-18T18:10:00.003-05:00

What if you could generate a playlist based on your mood or current activity? You can...

Go here.
The world is just awesome.

Fly Lady Helps You Declutter Your Life!

2010-03-13T08:21:00.002-06:00

Go to her site http://www.flylady.net/pages/get_started_1.asp for more great information on how to get rid of the excess.

World Science Festival 2009: Bobby McFerrin Demonstrates the Power of the Pentatonic Scale

2010-03-09T15:09:00.001-06:00

Simple Pop Ups You Can Make!

2010-03-07T09:54:00.003-06:00

http://www.robertsabuda.com/popmakesimple.asp

Pop up projects designed by Robert Sadbuda

SCHIZOPHRENIC VICTORIAN PAINTER OF CATS -Louis Wain

2010-03-06T21:59:00.000-06:00

“Louis Wain (1860-1939) was an English artist best known for his drawings, which consistently featured anthropomorphised large-eyed cats and kittens. In his later years he suffered from schizophrenia, which, according to some psychologists, can be seen in his works.H.G. Wells said of him, “He has made the cat his own. He invented a cat style, a cat society, a whole cat world. English cats that do not look and live like Louis Wain cats are ashamed of themselves.”

“He had always been considered quite charming but odd, and often had difficulty in distinguishing between fact and fantasy. Others frequently found him incomprehensible, and his mode of speaking tangential. His behavior and personality changed, and he began to suffer from delusions, with the onset of schizophrenia. Whereas he had been a mild-mannered and trusting man, he became hostile and suspicious, particularly towards his sisters. He claimed that the flickering of the cinema screen had robbed the electricity from their brains. He began wandering the streets at night, rearranging furniture within the house, and spent long periods locked in his room writing incoherently.”

“When his sisters could no longer cope with his erratic and occasionally violent behavior, he was finally committed in 1924 to a pauper ward of Springfield Mental Hospital. A year later, he was discovered there, and his circumstances were widely publicized, leading to appeals from such figures as H.G. Wells and the personal intervention of the Prime Minister. Wain was transferred to the Bethlem Royal Hospital, and again in 1930 to Napsbury Hospital near St Albans in Hertfordshire, north of London. This hospital was relatively pleasant, with a garden and colony of cats, and he spent his final 15 years here in peace. While he became increasingly deluded, his erratic mood swings subsided, and he continued drawing for pleasure. His work from this period is marked by bright colors, flowers, and intricate and abstract patterns, though his primary subject remained the same.”

read more at wiki

Honest Movie Titles: Oscars 2010

2010-03-05T21:12:00.003-06:00

See more hilariously honest movie titles here:

Dock Ellis and the LSD No-No

2010-02-26T14:19:00.000-06:00

We've broken the 100 Barrier!

2010-02-16T18:28:00.003-06:00

Go here to add your support to the campaign to bring back our beloved Timbit mascot.

BRING BACK THE TIMBITS MASCOT!

2010-02-04T16:08:00.002-06:00

I have started a facebook group aimed at convincing Tim Hortons to bring back the Timbit mascot. The proceeds could go to the Children’s Foundation.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=321830165774&ref=mf

Our request to this beloved Canadian institution is as follows:

Dear Tim Hortons,

We, the Canadian public are beseeching you, the fine people of Tim Hortons to bring back our beloved Tim Horton's Timbit mascot.

He has been missing in action for quite some time now and we need him now more than ever....

You could create a plush version of our dear ol' Timbit and put proceeds towards the Tim Hortons Children's foundation. Put him on mugs, shirts and I promise you we will come running to reunite with our old pal.

Signed,

The Canadian Public

Pac Man Versus Mario

2009-12-22T14:50:00.001-06:00

Tiger Woods Crash Animation

2009-12-04T15:51:00.001-06:00

A virtual communal book shelf!

2009-12-04T14:04:00.001-06:00

This site is just plain neat....

"Shelfari is the premier social network for people who love books.
Create a virtual shelf to show off your books, see what your friends are reading and discover new books - all for free!"

New Zazzle Offerings from Howdygal

2009-08-11T16:57:00.003-05:00

Find this shirt and others here!

If David Lynch Directed Dirty Dancing

2009-08-09T11:06:00.003-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjvuCOlkO4E&feature=player_embedded

Razzle Zazzle

2009-08-06T18:04:00.004-05:00

This is a link to my new Zazzle shop...

I'm going to give it a whirl and see how it goes. Allow me to unveil my first design... The Peachy Keen Sneaker

http://www.zazzle.com/howdygal

85 Free High Quality Silhouettes

2009-08-06T07:49:00.002-05:00

You're really not going to believe these silhouette images are free.

Interactive Time Line of Internet's Most Popular Virals

2009-08-05T15:43:00.001-05:00

An interactive time line tracking the internet’s most-popular memes has itself become a viral hit.

Internet Memes on Dipity.

75 Things You Can Compost But Thought You Couldn't

2009-08-05T15:11:00.003-05:00

75 Things You Can Compost, But Thought You Couldn't
Can I really compost that? Yes you can!
Original LINK here

By Colleen Vanderlinden
Harper Woods, MI, USA | Fri Jul 31 07:30:00 GMT 2009

The basics of composting are simple. Most people know they can compost fruit and vegetable peels, leaves, and grass clippings. But what about that tea bag you used this morning? Or the fur that collects in the brush when you groom your cat?

The following list is meant to get you thinking about your compost possibilities. Not every item on the list is for everyone, and that's fine. Imagine how much trash we could prevent from going into the landfills if each of us just decided to compost a few more things. Here are 75 ideas to get you started.

From the Kitchen

Coffee grounds and filters
Tea bags
Used paper napkins
Pizza boxes, ripped into smaller pieces
Paper bags, either ripped or balled up
The crumbs you sweep off of the counters and floors
Plain cooked pasta
Plain cooked rice
Stale bread
Paper towel rolls
Stale saltine crackers
Stale cereal
Used paper plates (as long as they don't have a waxy coating)
Cellophane bags (be sure it's really Cellophane and not just clear plastic—there's a difference.)
Nut shells (except for walnut shells, which can be toxic to plants)
Old herbs and spices
Stale pretzels
Pizza crusts
Cereal boxes (tear them into smaller pieces first)
Wine corks
Moldy cheese
Melted ice cream
Old jelly, jam, or preserves
Stale beer and wine
Paper egg cartons
Toothpicks
Bamboo skewers
Paper cupcake or muffin cups

From the Bathroom

Used facial tissues
Hair from your hairbrush
Toilet paper rolls
Old loofahs
Nail clippings
Urine
100% Cotton cotton balls
Cotton swabs made from 100% cotton and cardboard (not plastic) sticks

Personal Items

It might be a good idea to bury these items in your pile. Just sayin'.

Cardboard tampon applicators
Latex condoms

From the Laundry Room

Dryer lint
Old/stained cotton clothing—rip or cut it into smaller pieces
Old wool clothing—rip or cut it into smaller pieces

From the Office

Bills and other documents you've shredded
Envelopes (minus the plastic window)
Pencil shavings
Sticky notes
Business cards (as long as they're not glossy)
Receipts

Around the House

Contents of your vacuum cleaner bag or canister
Newspapers (shredded or torn into smaller pieces)
Subscription cards from magazines
Leaves trimmed from houseplants
Dead houseplants and their soil
Flowers from floral arrangements
Natural potpourri
Used matches
Ashes from the fireplace, barbecue grill, or outdoor fire pit

Party and Holiday Supplies

Wrapping paper rolls
Paper table cloths
Crepe paper streamers
Latex balloons
Raffia
Excelsior
Jack o' Lanterns
Those hay bales you used as part of your outdoor fall decor
Natural holiday wreaths
Your Christmas tree. Chop it up with some pruners first (or use a wood chipper, if you have one...)
Evergreen garlands

Pet-Related

Fur from the dog or cat brush
Droppings and bedding from your rabbit/gerbil/hamsters, etc.
Newspaper/droppings from the bottom of the bird cage
Feathers
Alfalfa hay or pellets (usually fed to rabbits)
Rawhide dog chews
Fish food
Dry dog or cat food

I know that the longer I've had a compost pile, the more likely I've been to take a second look at something I was preparing to throw in the trash. "Hmm. Can I compost this?" is a frequent question in my house. And, as you can see, it's surprising how often you can answer "Yes!"

Get Inspired

2009-08-05T13:13:00.002-05:00

Just a great place to view great illustrations to get your creative engine whirrin'

Can you Find? [ Optical Illusions, Nice Pictures ]

2009-08-04T10:29:00.001-05:00

Can you Find? [ Optical Illusions, Nice Pictures ]

Shared via AddThis

Zombie Boot Camp

2009-08-03T06:57:00.001-05:00

Awesomeness...

Zombies at a Japanese amusement park undergo extensive training after complaints they were not scaring customers.

Post-It Love

2009-08-02T07:37:00.001-05:00

Calm down by sipping a Slow Cow

2009-08-02T07:28:00.001-05:00

Calm down by sipping a Slow Cow

Shared via AddThis

Owning and Maintaining and On-Line Emporium

2009-08-01T16:15:00.003-05:00

Howdy All!

I'm the proud proprietor of The Howdy Gal Emporium, an online clothing store catering to moms and babies looking for maternity and infant wear featuring off-beat, unique designs and logos.

http://www.cafepress.com/howdygal

I am slowly but surely building up my name recognition and clientele, and everyday is an opportunity to see how I can grow my little design shoppe.

Working from home is a challenging endeavour. I find my greatest achilles heel to be "motivation maintenance". As wonderful as it is to leave behind the cubicle labrynth, it has been quite the challenge to keep myself moving, establish my priorities and remain focused, organized and upbeat.

Here are some of the challenges I have experienced and how I've been working through them.

THE LONELY OFFICE

No coworkers! Is it heaven or is it hell? How do you stay connected to others?I've searched out online forums and websites pertaining to my specific marketing niche -- moms and babies.I have also joined a forum featured via http://www.mompreneursonline.comThere I experience a much needed sense of comradery, and am privy to wonderful advice from others experiencing challenges similar to my own.And of COURSE http://www.great-home-based-businesses.com must get a mention as a wonderful platform for those looking to grow their business and both share and learn from others doing the very same!

GETTING MY NAME OUT THERE

I established a blog through blogger.com. It's a free and easy form of advertising and also a place to share information about new products and features. Also, it grows your web presence by creating more doorways to your online site. The more you give google to work with, the more chances you have of reaching a potential customer. my blog: http://babblefishie.blogspot.com is a collection of personal musings and sites I think others might want to visit. It's yet another platform for advertising my wares, linking with others and getting mention of my product featured within the almighty google.

Also I've traded links with other cafepress entrepreneurs. Its free advertising and builds your network of business associates. Establishing these symbiotic relationships will have no end of benefit. In fact, one of my first sales came from a link swap with a more established kid's clothing store.

FIGHTING FRUSTRATION

Do not give up! Home businesses often feel like they're taking longer to build than Rome, and it is incredibly normal to wake up some days feeling daunted by the whole hairy process. Make sure to take ample time to celebrate your successes and use them as prompts to keep going towards the finish line.

Finally, if you, like myself have a brain full of witty sayings or graphic designs you feel are desparately searching for a home on someone's t-shirt, do consider joining cafepress. It's FREE unless you would prefer to upgrade and feature more designs in your store. So the price is right. Paying for the upgrade provides you with opportunity to feature more of your wares for a relatively small fee.

All the best to each of you who have taken the heroic plunge. It may not get easier, but it does get more rewarding!

Pamela Hocken,
Howdy Gal Design Emporium

WEBSITE: http://www.cafepress.com/howdygal

The Best Motivation Video

2009-07-30T13:07:00.003-05:00

Let this short video serve as inspiration when the chips are down.

JK Wedding Entrance Dance

2009-07-28T08:53:00.009-05:00

I just can't feel bad about anything after watching this.

This is the epitome of JOY. Thanks to Jill and Kevin for sharing their day with over 10 MILLION people in need of some unbridled optimism.

Click HERE to VIEW CLIP.

Daft Hands - Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

2009-07-27T21:19:00.001-05:00

I had to post this great youtube classic

WORK IT!

The Tone Matrix Laboratory

2009-07-27T20:52:00.002-05:00

Insanely addictive... Create patterns and generate music.

http://lab.andre-michelle.com/tonematrix

How to Make a Super Mushroom

2009-07-27T20:26:00.003-05:00

Enjoy Super Mario Fans!

How to make The Super Mushroom (9 pics)

2009-06-18T20:57:00.001-05:00

Gummi Bear Surgery

2009-06-17T20:43:00.004-05:00

This cool site instructs one in the fine art of Frankensteinesque Gummi Bear building

Make Your Life A Triumph

2009-06-17T20:10:00.002-05:00

I feel a little embarrassed to admit that I go to this site now and again for words of inspiration and just to cleanse the palette after the daily inundation of bad news on CNN. Breaking my addiction to the bad news teet comes next. Anyhow, here it is in all it's kind of corny glory. Daily motivation from motivational writer Ralph Marston.

Possibility of success

You can make your life a triumph in spite of every adversity. Or you could make your life a mess in spite of every advantage.
Success does not depend on where you start. If it did, no one would have ever been successful.

Success comes from what you choose to do with whatever you have. It is fully available to anyone who decides to make the effort and the commitment.

Whatever the day holds, it also holds the possibility of success and achievement. Whatever the situation may be, there is a way to create real value from it.

Choose to see the positive possibilities, and you will. Choose to follow those possibilities, and success takes root.

The opportunity for success is always yours, and so is the responsibility. Decide to do what it takes, and create the success that is your own special destiny.

-- Ralph Marston

Go here for more:

http://greatday.com/

Convulsing Fashion Doll?

2009-06-12T20:54:00.003-05:00

I took a virtual sally on over to Engrish.com and was not disappointed. Fashion Girls do Amazing visual convulstions!

My sides are hurting!

Men Who Look Like Kenny Rogers

2009-06-12T20:46:00.004-05:00

Some of these men look more like Kenny than Kenny since his botched beard lift.

Enjoy....

Read Thousands of Classic Books Online For FREE!

2009-06-12T20:33:00.003-05:00

http://www.bored.com/ebooks/

Funeral for Lucky the Fish

2009-06-12T09:49:00.001-05:00

Macropinna microstoma: A deep-sea fish with a transparent head and tubular eyes

2009-02-26T09:24:00.001-06:00

WIKI HOW -- HOW TO BEAT BOX

2009-02-23T08:31:00.001-06:00

Beatboxing is not that different from normal human speech. You only have to start developing a rhythmical feeling and you have to stress the pronunciation of certain letters and vowels until you can talk in the beatbox language. Listen to some music by famous beatboxers such as Killa Kela, Rahzel, Roxorloops, Biz Markie, Doug E. Fresh, Matisyahu, Blake Lewis (American Idol finalist), or even Bobby McFerrin (The artist of 'Don't Worry Be Happy.' He created the whole song using only his voice dubbed on different tracks to create many different 'instruments'). Many of the techniques that are used by these beatboxers are explained here.

Beat It - Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson's hit music video is here. Watch the video for free!
joost.com/MichaelJackson Making Beats
Find Making Beats On Computers at Great Prices.
www.Pronto.com Bristol Recording Studios
Engineers/producers with experience attitude to get the sound you need!
www.BristolStudios.com Beat
Instrumentals 100% Legal
www.MyBeatShop.com

Hide these ads
[edit]Steps
Basic Beatbox Techniques
Three basic sounds and the beat
1. Learn how to make the classic kick drum {b}, hi-hat {t} and classic snare drum {psh}. (more about this below)
2. Combine the three sounds into an 8-beat such as this: { b t psh t / b t psh t } or {b t psh t / b b psh t }
3. Concentrate on getting the timing right. If you make a mistake, keep going, do not stop or pause.
4. Start off slowly and build up speed once you can do the 8-beat without losing timing.

When you start getting really good start the t sound b sound and the pft sound they are the simplest beat boxing technices!
The classic kick drum {b}
The simplest way to make the classic kick drum is to say the letter 'b'.
To make it sound louder and punchier, you need to do what we call a lip oscillation. This is where you let air vibrate through your lips - a bit like 'blow a raspberry'. Once you can do this, you make a very short lip oscillation.
1. Make the b sound as if you are saying b from the word bogus.
2. This time, with your lips closed, let the pressure build up.
3. You need to control the release of you lips just enough to let them vibrate for a short amount of time.

The hi-hat
closed {t}
1. Make a simple "ts" sound but have your teeth closed or lightly closed.
2. Move the tip of your tongue forward behind your front teeth for a thin hat sound and to the traditional t position for a heavy hat sound.
open {ts}
1. Make a simple t sound but have your teeth lightly closed.
2. Move the tip of your tongue forward behind your front teeth for a thin hat sound and to the traditional t position for a heavy hat sound.
3. Breath out for longer to create the open hat sound.

You can also do successive hi-hats by making a "tktktktk" sound, using the mid-back of your tongue to make the "k" sound. You can make an open hi-hat sound by drawing out the breath in the "ts" hi-hat, so it's more like "tssss" for a more realistic open hat sound.
Another way of producing a realistic high-hat sound is to make a "ts" sound with your teeth clenched.

The classic snare drum {p}
The simplest way of making a classic snare sound is to say the letter 'p'. However, making a 'p' sound is too quiet.
To make it louder you can do several things. The first is to make a lip oscillation. This is where you push the air out of your lips making them vibrate. The second is where you breath out at the same time making a [ ph ] sound.
To make the 'p' sound more interesting and more snare-like, most beatboxers add a second fricative (continuous) sound to the initial 'p' sound: pf ps psh bk.
Variation {pf}
It is similar to the bass drum, only you use the very front of your lips instead of the side, and you tighten them more.
1. Pull your lips in a bit so that your lips are sort of hidden, as if you had no teeth.
2. Build up a little air pressure behind the hidden lips.
3. Swing your lips out (not literally swing) and just before they return to their normal position (un-hidden), release the air with a "P" sound.
4. Immediately after you release the air and get the P sound out, tighten your bottom lip up against your bottom teeth to make a "fff" sound.

Develop a good bass drum sound
This is done by pressing your lips together and building up pressure with your tongue and jaw, pushing your tongue forward from the back of your mouth and closing your opened jaw at the same time. Let your lips part toward the side for just a moment so the air can escape, and it should make a bass drum sound. You want to add pressure with your lungs, but not so much that you have an airy sound afterward.
If you're not making a bassy enough sound, you need to relax your lips a bit. If your sound isn't making a bass drum sound at all, you need to tighten your lips, or make sure that you're doing it off to the side of your lips.

Another way to approach it is to say "puh." Then, take off the "uh" so that all you hear is the initial attack on the word, so that it comes out like a little puff. Try your hardest to not let any of the "uh" sound come out, and also try to not have any breathy sound or air noise with it.
Once you feel comfortable with that, you can slightly tighten your lips and force a larger amount of air through your lips to make a bigger sounding kick drum.

Another way to make a snare sound
Bring your tongue to the back of your mouth and build up pressure with your tongue or lungs. Use your tongue if you're looking for speed, or use your lungs if you want to breathe in at the same time as you make the sound. Try saying "pff," making the "f's" stop just a millisecond or so after the "p." Lifting the corners of your mouth and holding your lips really tight when making the initial "p" will help it sound more realistic. You can also use the same technique to change the apparent pitch of the snare.

Drum-machine snare sound
First say "ish." Then, try saying "ish" without adding the "sh" at the end, again going only for the intial attack. Make it very staccato (short), and you should get a sort of grunt in the back of your throat. Push a little bit when you say it, so that it has a big, accented attack.
Once you're comfortable with that, add the "sh" on the end and you'll get a synth-like snare sound. You can also work on moving the grunt so that it feels like it's coming from the top of your throat, for a higher drum sound, or so that it feels more like it's coming out of the lower part of your throat, for a lower drum sound.

The crash cymbal
This is one of the easier sounds to make. Whisper (don't say) the syllable "chish." Then, do it again, but this time clench your teeth and take the vowel out, going from "ch" straight to "sh" without little or no transition, and you'll have a basic crash cymbal.

The reversed cymbal
Place the tip of your tongue so that it touches the place where your top teeth meet your palate. Keeping your lips about a half-inch apart, breath in forcefully through your mouth. Notice how the air blows past your teeth and tongue and makes a sort of small rushing sound. Then, breath in forcefully again, and this time close your lips as your breathing in; they should sort of feel like they're popping closed, without making a popping sound.

Breathe
You would be surprised at the number of human beatboxers who pass out because they forget that their lungs need oxygen. You may want to start by incorporating your breath into the beat. Eventually you will gain a great deal of lung capacity throughout your practice. An intermediate technique is to breathe in during a tongue snare, since it requires the least amount of lung capacity. An expert will have slowly practiced breathing whilest beatboxing each sound independently (see previous step), thus separating their breathing from the beat, allowing several kinds of bass sounds, snare sounds, and even some hi-hat sounds to continue without pause. As an alternative to breating exercises, there are many sounds that can be done breathing inwards such as variations on the snare and handclap sounds.

Inward Sounds
One thing that puzzles people is how beatboxers can beatbox for a long time without actually taking a breath. Well, the answer is to make a sound and breathe in at the same time! We call these inward sounds. What is more, as you'll discover, some of the best sounds are made like this!
There are many ways of making inward sounds. Nearly every sound that can be made outwards can be made inwards - although it may take some practice to get it right!

Holding the mic
Microphone technique is very important for performing or if you just want to enhance the sound made by your mouth. And there are different ways of holding the microphone. Many beatboxers deliver poor performances because they hold the microphone incorrectly and thus they fail to maximise the power and clarity of the sounds they produce.
While you can just hold the mic as you would while singing, some beatboxers find that putting the mic between your ring and middle fingers and then gripping it with your first two fingers on top of the bulb and your thumb at the bottom results in a cleaner, more crisp sound. Try not to breathe into the mic while you beatbox.

Advanced Beatbox Techniques
Here's where you'll find out how to do some of the more interesting techniques. Don't worry if you aren't getting it at first, all of these techniques will come with time.

Sweeping bass drum (X)
This should be used in place of a bass drum. It takes about 1/2-1 beat to perform. To do a sweeping bass drum, start out like you're about to do a bass drum. Then let your lips loose so they flap when you push air past them. Then touch the tip of your tongue to the inside gum of your bottom teeth and push it forward to perform the technique.

Techno Bass (U)
This is done by making an "oof" sound, as if you've just been hit in the stomach. Do it while keeping your mouth closed. You should be able to feel it in your chest.

Techno Snare (G)
This is done the same way as the Techno Bass, but position your mouth as if you were going to make a "shh" sound. You'll still get the bass sound underneath.

Scratching
This is done by reversing the airflow of any of the previous techniques. A commonly misunderstood technique, scratching involves different tongue and lip movements depending on the instrument you are trying to "scratch" with. To understand better, record yourself laying down a beat. Then using a music program, like windows recorder, listen to it in reverse. Learning to emulate those reversed sounds literally doubles your known techniques. Also, try making the sound, and then its reverse immediately afterwards (Ex: A bass sound followed by its reverse in quick succession make the standard 'scratch' noise).

Jazz Brushes
Lightly blow out through your mouth while trying to sustain the letter "f." By blowing slightly harder on the beats 2 and 4, you'll have the accents.

Rimshot
Whisper the word "kaw," then say it again without letting any of the "aw" through. Push on the "k" a little harder and you'll get a rimshot.

Click Roll (Kkkk)
This is a very difficult technique to perform at first, but once you know how, you can use it any time. To start, position your tongue so that the right (or left, depending on preference) side is resting right above where your top teeth meet your gum. Then pull the back of your tongue toward the back of your throat to do a click roll.

Humming the Baseline and beatboxing at the same time
This technique isn't as difficult as singing, but when you're just starting off, it is easy to get lost. To start, you must first realize that their are two ways to hum: one is from the throat (say "ahh") and the other is through the nose ("mmmmmm"), which is considerably harder to get used to but immeasurably more versatile. The key to humming and beatboxing at the same time is to start with a baseline or melody in mind. Listen to rap hooks, whether they be hummed or not (For example, listen to Parliament Funkadelic's "Flashlight" and practice humming the melody, then try beatboxing over top of it; James Brown is also great for melodies). Scour your music collection for baselines and melodies to hum, then try and put some of your beats or someone else's beats over top of it.It is necessary to learn how to hum a melody or baseline for several reasons, especially if you plan to learn to start singing. This is the area of beatboxing that takes some originality! If you've tried to beatbox and hum at the same time, you must have realized that you've lost of some of your proficiency with certain beat techniques (the Techno Bass and Techno Snare are severely limited, as well as the click roll becomes, if not totally unusable, very hard to hear). Learning what works takes time and practice. If you ever find yourself in a beatbox battle, don't forget that while your endurance and speed are important, using new and interesting melodies and baselines win always win the crowd.

Inward Humming
This is an advanced technique which is not widely used in the realm of beatboxing. There are several resources available on how to sing/hum inwards. For the purposes of beatboxing, when you need to breathe really bad, it may be a good idea to hum inwards. You can always continue humming the same melody, but the pitch (note) will change drastically. With practice, you can correct this pitch change to some extent, but many beatboxing experts who use inward humming decide to change the melody when switching from outward humming to inward humming.

Trumpet Sound
1. Hum falsetto (that's high pitched - like Mickey Mouse).
2. Lift the back of your tongue to make the sound thinner and sharper.
3. Add a loose, lip oscillation (classic kick drum) to the front of each note.
4. Close your eyes, let rip and pretend you are Louis Armstrong.

Singing and beatboxing at the same time
This isn't a very hard technique,once you get to know the basic principles. The key to singing and beatboxing at the same time is to line up consonant sounds with the bass and vowel sounds with the snare. Don't try to add hi-hats in, as even the best beatboxers have trouble in that respect.

A worked example is provided here, and hopefully you can use the basic technique described to adapt to any other song. Once you know how it's done it is easy.

(b)if your (pff)mother (b)(b)on(b)(pff)ly knew(b)knew(pff) (Rahzel's IYMOK-routine)

Listen to the song you want to beatbox to a few times to find out where the beat goes. In the example above, the beats are marked out.
Sing the tune a few times with words.
Try and fit in the beats. Most songs will have the beat in front of the words.
Since the word 'if' in our example starts with a vowel, it is easy to fit in the bass just before it, as though you were saying 'bif'. Note however, that the 'b' must be low and if necessary, separate the beats from the words a little when you first start.
Now the word 'mother'. It starts with a consonant. In this case, you could drop the 'm' and substitute it with the 'pff' since they sound quite close when said together quickly. Or, you could stagger the word just a little so that the beat comes first, and the lyric slightly delayed. If you choose the first, you will end up singing 'pffother'. Notice that your top teeth contact your lower lip, which is what creates the m-like sound. If you can manipulate this, it will sound a lot better.
For the double beat on 'on', you can hum the pitch while doing 'b-b-on', then come in straight away with 'b pff-ly knew', all the while humming the pitch. For the 'on', you might find that the sound breaks if you do the second bass beat. To remedy this, hum through your nose. This can be done simply by pushing the back of your tongue up to close off against your soft upper palate. This hum now comes out through your nose, and is not interrupted by what you do with your mouth.
The 'knew' echoes and fades off.
These steps can be adapted for any song with a beat. Keep practicing, with different songs and soon you will be able to ad-lib more easily.

[edit]Patterns
Modified drum tab
The first line is for the snare sound. This can be a tongue snare, a lip snare, or any other snare. Next is the Hi-hat line, and the third is the Bass line. Another line can be added at the bottom for miscellaneous sounds, which should be defined below the tab and apply only to that pattern. Here's an example:

S |----|K---|----|K---||----|K---|----|K---|
H |--T-|--T-|--T-|--T-||----|----|----|----|
B |B---|----|B---|----||B---|----|B---|----|
V |----|----|----|----||--W-|--W-|--W-|--W-|
W = Vocalized "What?"

Beats are separated by single lines, bars by double lines. Here's a key for the symbols:

Bass
JB= Bumskid bass drum
B = Strong bass drum
b = Soft bass drum
X = Sweeping bass drum
U = Techno bass drum
Snare
K = Tongue snare (without lungs)
C = Tongue snare (with lungs)
P = Pff or lip snare
G = Techno snare
Hi-Hat
T = "Ts" snare
S = "Tssss" open snare
t = front part of successive hi-hats
k = back part of successive hi-hats
Other
Kkkk = Click Roll
Basic Beat
This is the basic beat. All beginners should start here and work their way up.

S |----|K---|----|K---||----|K---|----|K---|
H |--T-|--T-|--T-|--T-||--T-|--T-|--T-|--T-|
B |B---|----|B---|----||B---|----|B---|----|

Double Hi-hat
This one sounds cool and is a good exercise for speeding up your hi-hats without using the successive hi-hat sounds.

S |----|K---|----|K---||----|K---|----|K---|
H |--TT|--TT|--TT|--TT||--TT|--TT|--TT|--TT|
B |B---|----|B---|----||B---|----|B---|----|

Modified Double Hi-hat
This is a more advanced beat that should only be attempted if you can successfully do the Double Hi-hat pattern with perfect accuracy. It switches up the rythms in the Double Hi-hat pattern to make it more interesting.

S |----|K---|----|K---||----|K---|----|K---|
H |--TT|----|TT--|--TT||--TT|----|TT--|--TT|
B |B---|--B-|--B-|----||B---|--B-|--B-|-B--|

Advanced Beat
This is a very advanced beat. Only try it if you've mastered the above patterns as well as the successive hi-hat(tktktk).

S |----|K---|----|K---||----|K---|----|K---|
H |-tk-|-tk-|tk-t|-tkt||-tk-|-tk-|tkSS|--tk|
B |B--b|---B|--B-|----||B--b|---B|--B-|----|

Techno Beat
S |----|G---|----|G---||----|G---|----|G---|
H |--tk|--tk|--tk|--tk||--tk|--tk|--tk|--tk|
B |U---|----|U---|----||U---|----|U---|----|

Simple but Cool Beat
This beat has 16 beats in it. ch4nders split it into 4 beats. it sounds cool when it is faster

|B t t t |K t t K |t k t B |K t t K |
1--------2--------3--------4-------

MIMS "This is Why i'm Hott" beat
When it says D, do a quick double bass kick.

S |--K-|--K-|--K-|--K-|
H |-t-t|t--t|-t-t|t--t|
B |B---|-D--|B---|-D--|

Snoop Dogg’s “Drop It Like It’s hot” Beat
For the t line, you actually click your tongue. The number three represents a relatively open mouth, for a higher more open sound. One represents a small “O” shaped mouth, for a low tongue click, and 2 is somewhere in the middle. The beat is quite difficult, and you can practice doing just the bass and snare until you feel ready to add the tongue clicks. Additionally, you may add a high pitched “Snoooop” humming in your throat. Listen to the song to see what it’s like. By shiitake228

v|snoooooooooooooooo
t|--3--2--|1--2----|
S|----k---|----k---|
B|b--b--b-|--b-----|
v|ooooooooooooooooooop
t|--1--2--|3--2----|
S|----k---|----k---|
B|b--b--b-|--b-----|

Create your own patterns
Don't be afraid to use odd sounding beats. Fool around with the location of the different sounds, as long as they flow.

Tips
Make sure that you know how to beatbox while exhaling and how to beatbox without exhaling. This can help you sing and beatbox at the same time.
Practice wherever possible. Because you don't have to have anything but your body, you can practice at home, at work, at school, on the bus, just about anywhere is appropriate. One of the best places to practice is in the bathroom because there are good acoustics and the beats sound a lot better.
If you start out beatboxing, or trying to do a difficult beat, always start out practicing the beat with weak sounds. This way it's easier to do everything smoothly in the beat. After some time you'll get the timing just right and then you can put your focus on the loudness and clarity of your sounds. This is easier on the head, because you already know WHEN to do those sounds, even if they were weak at first.
Always practice with a consistent tempo. This means that you should try to keep the same speed throughout a pattern.
Try to find other beatboxers and beatbox together. It's fun and you can learn things from your new friends.
Periodically take a drink of water to keep your mouth from drying out.
Certain types of lip gloss can be really good on the lips to beatbox for a long time without having to suffer from dry lips. It's also healthy for them.

14 Year Old Beat Box Extraordinaire

2009-02-23T08:27:00.001-06:00

HOW TO TIE A BOW TIE

2009-02-21T11:52:00.001-06:00

CHANGE ME

2009-02-18T07:25:00.004-06:00

Frank Shepard Fairey style magnets featuring baby.

Vote Betch!

2008-10-16T07:09:00.006-05:00

Because it's like yer civic duty or something.....

VOTE BETCH shirts and other cool gear available

here....

Take on Me - Literal version

2008-10-11T11:05:00.002-05:00

A bit of sheer brilliance from the fine people at www.dustfilms.com

Future Voter T-shirts & Baby Gear Available at HowdyGal!

2008-09-30T07:14:00.003-05:00

Two Scoops of Triple Nipple Ripple Please

2008-09-24T13:32:00.000-05:00

PETA Urges Ben & Jerry's To Use Human Milk

Group Says Move Would Help Humans, Cows

WATERBURY, Vt. -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent a letter to Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, cofounders of Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc., urging them to replace cow's milk they use in their ice cream products with human breast milk, according to a statement recently released by a PETA spokeswoman.
"PETA's request comes in the wake of news reports that a Swiss restaurant owner will begin purchasing breast milk from nursing mothers and substituting breast milk for 75 percent of the cow's milk in the food he serves," the statement says.
"The fact that human adults consume huge quantities of dairy products made from milk that was meant for a baby cow just doesn't make sense," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "Everyone knows that 'the breast is best,' so Ben & Jerry's could do consumers and cows a big favor by making the switch to breast milk."
"We applaud PETA's novel approach to bringing attention to an issue, but we believe a mother's milk is best used for her child," said a spokesperson for Ben and Jerry's.
Read PETA's letter to Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield

September 23, 2008
Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, Cofounders
Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc.
Dear Mr. Cohen and Mr. Greenfield,
On behalf of PETA and our more than 2 million members and supporters, I'd like to bring your attention to an innovative new idea from Switzerland that would bring a unique twist to Ben and Jerry's.
Storchen restaurant is set to unveil a menu that includes soups, stews, and sauces made with at least 75 percent breast milk procured from human donors who are paid in exchange for their milk. If Ben and Jerry's replaced the cow's milk in its ice cream with breast milk, your customers-and cows-would reap the benefits.
Using cow's milk for your ice cream is a hazard to your customer's health. Dairy products have been linked to juvenile diabetes, allergies, constipation, obesity, and prostate and ovarian cancer. The late Dr. Benjamin Spock, America's leading authority on child care, spoke out against feeding cow's milk to children, saying it may play a role in anemia, allergies, and juvenile diabetes and in the long term, will set kids up for obesity and heart disease-America's number one cause of death.
Animals will also benefit from the switch to breast milk. Like all mammals, cows only produce milk during and after pregnancy, so to be able to constantly milk them, cows are forcefully impregnated every nine months. After several years of living in filthy conditions and being forced to produce 10 times more milk than they would naturally, their exhausted bodies are turned into hamburgers or ground up for soup.
And of course, the veal industry could not survive without the dairy industry. Because male calves can't produce milk, dairy farmers take them from their mothers immediately after birth and sell them to veal farms, where they endure 14 to17 weeks of torment chained inside a crate so small that they can't even turn around.
The breast is best! Won't you give cows and their babies a break and our health a boost by switching from cow's milk to breast milk in Ben and Jerry's ice cream? Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Tracy Reiman
Executive Vice President

GROW LITTLE BABY BUSINESS... GROW!

2008-09-04T22:58:00.003-05:00

Howdy All!

I'm the proud proprietor of The Howdy Gal Emporium, an online clothing store catering to moms and babies looking for maternity and infant wear featuring off-beat, unique designs and logos.

www.cafepress.com/howdygal

I am slowly but surely building up my name recognition and clientele, and everyday is an opportunity to see how I can grow my little design shoppe.

Working from home is a challenging endeavour. I find my greatest achilles heel to be "motivation maintenance". As wonderful as it is to leave behind the cubicle labrynth, it has been quite the challenge to keep myself moving, establish my priorities and remain focused, organized and upbeat.

Here are some of the challenges I have experienced and how I've been working through them.

THE LONELY OFFICE

No coworkers! Is it heaven or is it hell? How do you stay connected to others?
I've searched out online forums and websites pertaining to my specific marketing niche -- moms and babies.
I have also joined a forum featured via http://www.mompreneursonline.com
There I experience a much needed sense of comradery, and am privy to wonderful advice from others experiencing challenges similar to my own.
And of COURSE http://www.great-home-based-businesses.com must get a mention as a wonderful platform for those looking to grow their business and both share and learn from others doing the very same!

GETTING MY NAME OUT THERE

I established a blog through blogger.com. It's a free and easy form of advertising and also a place to share information about new products and features. Also, it grows your web presence by creating more doorways to your online site. The more you give google to work with, the more chances you have of reaching a potential customer. my blog: http://babblefishie.blogspot.com is a collection of personal musings and sites I think others might want to visit. It's yet another platform for advertising my wares, linking with others and getting mention of my product featured within the almighty google.

Also I've traded links with other cafepress entrepreneurs. Its free advertising and builds your network of business associates. Establishing these symbiotic relationships will have no end of benefit. In fact, one of my first sales came from a link swap with a more established kid's clothing store.

FIGHTING FRUSTRATION

Do not give up! Home businesses often feel like they're taking longer to build than Rome, and it is incredibly normal to wake up some days feeling daunted by the whole hairy process. Make sure to take ample time to celebrate your successes and use them as prompts to keep going towards the finish line.

Finally, if you, like myself have a brain full of witty sayings or graphic designs you feel are desparately searching for a home on someone's t-shirt, do consider joining cafepress. It's FREE unless you would prefer to upgrade and feature more designs in your store. So the price is right. Paying for the upgrade provides you with opportunity to feature more of your wares for a relatively small fee.

All the best to each of you who have taken the heroic plunge. It may not get easier, but it does get more rewarding!

Pamela Hocken
Howdy Gal Design Emporium

www.cafepress.com/howdygal

Dear Non-Pregnant Person

2008-08-21T08:03:00.004-05:00

Had to post this brilliant list of pointed pointers written on behalf of all pregnant women for the benefit of the non-pregnant public.

I found it on a forum I visit quite frequently called I-am-pregnant.com

Thanks to momof2oneonway for original posting.

Dear Non-Pregnant Person,

1) The appropriate response to a couple telling you they are having a baby is 'Congratulations!' with enthusiasm. Any other response makes you an arse,

2) Through the wonders of science, we now know that babies are made ONLY by the mother and father- not grandparents. Unless the baby is in your uterus or you are the man that helped put it there, you may not ever use the phrase 'my baby'.

3) On the same note, unless you made the baby as defined in 2, the pregnancy, birth and raising of the child are not about you. You do not have input. No one wants to hear your opinion unless they ask for it.

4) The body of a pregnant women should be treated the same as any other body. You would not randomly touch someone's stomach if they were not pregnant, nor would you inquire into the condition of their uterus, cervix or how they plan to use their breasts. Pregnancy does not remove all traces of privacy from a woman.

5) Likewise, no women wants to hear comments on her weight- ever. A pregnant woman does not find it flattering that you think she is about is pop, must be having twins, looks swollen or has gained weight in her face. Telling her she looks too small only makes her worry that she is somehow starving her baby. Making such comments invite her to critique your physical appearance and you may not act offended. The only acceptable comment on appearance is 'You look fabulous!'.

6) By the time we are 20-30 years old, most of us have picked up on the fact that the summer is hot. We are hot every summer when we are not pregnant. We don't need you to point out that we will be miserably hot before the baby comes.

7) There is a reason that tickets to L&D are not yet sold on Ticketmaster. Childbirth is actually not a public event. It may sound crazy, but some women really do not relish the idea of their mother, MIL or a host of other family members seeing their bare butt and genitals. Also, some people simply feel like the birth of their child is a private and emotional moment to be shared only by the parents. Like everything else is life, unless you receive an invitation, you are NOT invited. This includes doctor appointments, ultrasounds, labor, delivery, the hospital and the parents home. You do not decide if you will be there for the birth or if you will move in with the new parents to 'help out'. If your assistance is desired, rest assured that you will be asked for it.

8) If you are asked to help after the birth, this means you should clean up the house, help with cooking meals, and generally stay out of the way. Holding the baby more than the parents, interfering with breastfeeding and sleeping schedules and making a woman who is still leaking fluid from multiple locations lift a finger in housework is not helping.

9) The only people entitled to time with the baby are the parents. Whether they choose to have you at the hospital for the birth or ask for you to wait three weeks to visit, appreciate that you are are being given the privilege of seeing their child. Complaining or showing disappointment only encourages the parents to include you less. I hope this helps- it sure makes us feel better.

Signed, All Pregnant Women

Bread and Butter in the Sewer - Diaroogle!

2008-08-14T16:57:00.003-05:00

'Diaroogle helps you find quality public toilets from your mobile phone.
It's for the discerning, on-the-go defecator who is brave enough to use a public bathroom, but still demands a hygienic and private bathroom experience. It is also a community authored database of New York'

The site is in it's infancy but all in all, a pretty "solid" idea... ba dump bump ching!

Future Voter

2008-07-13T12:43:00.005-05:00

Get your future voter gear at www.cafepress.com/howdygal

You Gabba Gabba 'Party in My Tummy'

2008-05-26T08:16:00.001-05:00

Federal government blocks sale of MDA space division

2008-04-13T10:14:00.005-05:00

Ottawa blocks sale of space agency to U.S. firm
Andrew Mayeda and David Akin , Canwest News Service
Published: Thursday, April 10, 2008
OTTAWA -- In an unprecedented move, the Harper government has blocked the sale of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd., a Canadian aerospace firm that developed a key surveillance satellite, to a U.S. company.

WAY TO GO FOLKS! I believe our signatures were a little part of this momentous decision.

Painting Elephant

2008-04-13T09:59:00.002-05:00

France Sings for the USA

2008-04-12T12:54:00.004-05:00

Pangea Day..... May 10th... A day to recommit ourselves to a new worldview...

This is a brilliant idea. Individuals are invited to sing the national anthem of another country in an effort to redefine how we look at our neighbours.

Just Beautiful.

http://pangeaday.org/?gclid=CPjp-9CL1pICFQksswodKAOAAA

Apartment Hunt in New York

2008-04-01T14:33:00.003-05:00

is an exercise in international diplomacy.

After a credit check, submission of past three years taxes, copies of rrsp documentation, letter from employer stating salary and bondable status, willingness to pay 4 months rent in advance, we are still struggling to secure a basement apartment for $50 more than we currently pay for half a house in Toronto.

We are ... in a word... discouraged

Earth Day Goodies!

2008-03-31T12:04:00.005-05:00

Earthy the Earth has a timely reminder for you as Earth Day nears............

Send a photo of yourself in any of our gear and you'll be featured on our site!

Mind's Eye Creations

2008-03-31T09:03:00.007-05:00

Don't have time to hand fashion those lovely crafty items that make a home a home?

Go to Mind's Eye Creations for some homey-home essentials. Shop owner Gina just opened her doors and already has a nice array of products to peruse.

Click on the header to go directly to the site or copy paste the following:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5737934

Cloth Diapers

2008-03-30T10:28:00.007-05:00

Saving the planet one pantload at a time........

Just because you care about the earth doesn't mean you have to lose your sense of humour!

www.cafepress.com/howdygal
or click on header to go directly to the site

Rockin' Robin design now at Howdy Gal

2008-03-28T22:24:00.003-05:00

Just in time for spring!
www.cafepress.com/howdygal

NEW LEMON BIBS AND T'S AVAILABLE AT MY ONLINE SHOP

2008-03-27T11:29:00.005-05:00

Commemorate your wee one's first citrus experience with this fine paraphernalia dedicated to sour faces everywhere.

Feel free to contact me if you would like merchandise personalized.

www.cafepress.com/howdygal

Nowruz, Persian celebration of love and peace

2008-03-24T08:46:00.005-05:00

I was contacted by an Iranian journalist named Kourosh Ziabari. He wished me a happy spring and invited me to peruse his article about Nowruz -- A Persian celebration of the arrival of spring.

This is a gem of a blog and I invite you to visit it. Firstly for it's artistic merit and secondly to see Iran through the eyes of an Iranian.

A sincere thanks to Kourosh for this article and link to your blog!

"The Vernal equinox is started right now and we are exactly at the first of spring. This fabulous and delightful day is called “Nowruz” (having various local and intaernational pronunciations) in Persian culture, so I have a basket full of happy congratulations to present you within the best wishes at the very beginning of New Year. "

http://cyberfaith.blogspot.com/

PEACE

Moose A. Moose 'Everywhere I Go'

2008-03-22T12:19:00.001-05:00

Barack Obama's Speech

2008-03-22T10:59:00.004-05:00

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hisownwords/

Wow.... wow!

I tried to watch it with a cynical eye..... but I was impressed. It's been called a Kennedyesque speech. I do agree.

Can I Get a Napkin Please?

2008-03-15T11:11:00.003-05:00

Improv Everywhere stages a musical in a food court of unsuspecting people. I giggled and giggled.

SYSTEM BY MR. ROAM...... featuring Socrates

2008-02-13T14:06:00.003-06:00

My boy Jeffrey K. Hocken edited this video. It was his first major project out of school. I'm proud as punch!

Post Secrets

2008-01-25T08:47:00.000-06:00

POST SECRETS

For some reason this recent batch choked me up a little.
postsecret.blogspot.com

FINAL PETION PUSH - LET'S GIT 'ER DONE FOLKS!

2008-01-24T11:58:00.000-06:00

We are calling on the Government of Canada to intervene in sale of Canadian-based MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates to US company ATK which derives more than half of its $4 billion US in annual revenue from military contracts, including cluster bombs, depleted uranium rounds and landmines.

We support American-born engineer Paul Cottle's decision to quit for ethical reasons.

We ask Federal Industry Minister Jim Prentice to review the sale, keeping in mind the death and destruction ATK products cause around the world.

We as members of the global community SAY NO TO THIS AQUISITION!

We are proud of the CANADARM and do not want this Canadian icon associated in any way with this company.

Thank you for your time and consideration. '

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/notoatksale/index.html

Study: 935 false statements on Iraq

2008-01-23T08:36:00.000-06:00

By DOUGLASS K. DANIEL, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - A study by two nonprofit journalism organizations found that President Bush and top administration officials issued hundreds of false statements about the national security threat from Iraq in the two years following the 2001 terrorist attacks.

The study concluded that the statements "were part of an orchestrated campaign that effectively galvanized public opinion and, in the process, led the nation to war under decidedly false pretenses."

The study was posted Tuesday on the Web site of the Center for Public Integrity, which worked with the Fund for Independence in Journalism.

White House spokesman Scott Stanzel did not comment on the merits of the study Tuesday night but reiterated the administration's position that the world community viewed Iraq's leader, Saddam Hussein, as a threat.

"The actions taken in 2003 were based on the collective judgment of intelligence agencies around the world," Stanzel said.

The study counted 935 false statements in the two-year period. It found that in speeches, briefings, interviews and other venues, Bush and administration officials stated unequivocally on at least 532 occasions that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction or was trying to produce or obtain them or had links to al-Qaida or both.

"It is now beyond dispute that Iraq did not possess any weapons of mass destruction or have meaningful ties to al-Qaida," according to Charles Lewis and Mark Reading-Smith of the Fund for Independence in Journalism staff members, writing an overview of the study. "In short, the Bush administration led the nation to war on the basis of erroneous information that it methodically propagated and that culminated in military action against Iraq on March 19, 2003."

Named in the study along with Bush were top officials of the administration during the period studied: Vice President Dick Cheney, national security adviser Condoleezza Rice, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and White House press secretaries Ari Fleischer and Scott McClellan.

Bush led with 259 false statements, 231 about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and 28 about Iraq's links to al-Qaida, the study found. That was second only to Powell's 244 false statements about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and 10 about Iraq and al-Qaida.

The center said the study was based on a database created with public statements over the two years beginning on Sept. 11, 2001, and information from more than 25 government reports, books, articles, speeches and interviews.

"The cumulative effect of these false statements — amplified by thousands of news stories and broadcasts — was massive, with the media coverage creating an almost impenetrable din for several critical months in the run-up to war," the study concluded.

"Some journalists — indeed, even some entire news organizations — have since acknowledged that their coverage during those prewar months was far too deferential and uncritical. These mea culpas notwithstanding, much of the wall-to-wall media coverage provided additional, 'independent' validation of the Bush administration's false statements about Iraq," it said.

THIS IS WHAT CLUSTER BOMBS DO

2008-01-18T08:04:00.000-06:00

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/notoatksale/signatures-1.html

NO! TO SALE OF MDA TO ATK!

Thanks to everyone who has signed so far - over 20 signatures in just one day! Let's keep going. Please forward link to friends and family around the world.

Lets aim for 1000.

We as a global community do not need to see arms producers aquiring the talents of engineers -- engineers who could be using their skills for peaceful endeavours.

Show your support for Paul Cottle. An MDA engineer who quit his firm upon announcement of company's aquisition by arms producer ATK.

FACEBOOK GR0UP LINK: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8097171374

PETITION LINK: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/notoatksale/signatures-1.html

PETITION! No to SALE of MDA to ATK - CLICK HERE FOR LINK

2008-01-17T10:40:00.000-06:00

The petition

We are calling on the Government of Canada to intervene in sale of Canadian-based MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates to US company ATK which derives more than half of its $4 billion US in annual revenue from military contracts, including cluster bombs, depleted uranium rounds and landmines.

We support American-born engineer Paul Cottle's decision to quit for ethical reasons.

We ask Federal Industry Minister Jim Prentice to review the sale, keeping in mind the death and destruction ATK products cause around the world.

We as members of the global community SAY NO TO THIS AQUISITION!

We are proud of the CANADARM and do not want this Canadian icon associated in any way with this company.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

ENGINEERS QUITTING COMPANY AFTER IT'S SOLD TO US ARMS MANUFACTURER

2008-01-17T09:15:00.000-06:00

I'm so proud of American-born engineer Paul Cottle. He quit his job at
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd when the Canadian company was sold to ATK of Minnesota.

"ATK is a company that produces weaponry that kills people indiscriminately — soldiers and civilians alike," Cottle said.

"Part of the reason I came to Canada was to avoid having my tax dollars go to support companies like ATK," the American said.

Full story here or click above header to go directly to link.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/01/16/bc-satelliterdeveloper.html

SCIENTISTS WORKING ON DOG LANGUAGE DECODER

2008-01-16T11:25:00.000-06:00

By Stone Martindale Jan 16, 2008, 16:10 GMT

What would you do if you could translate your dog's barks? Would you be interested in hearing what your pooch is telling you, or afraid the dog would be hitting you up incessantly for Milk Bones?

According to scientists who have developed a computer programme to translate dog barks, that day is soon approaching.

The Daily Mail reports that a special program analyzed more than 6,000 barks from 14 Hungarian sheepdogs in six different situations.

In a series of tests the team of scientists, from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary led by Csaba Molnár, discovered that a computer could recognise whether a dog was in a stranger, fight, walk, alone, ball or play scenario.

The barks were tape recorded and then digitized on a computer, which used software to study their differences.

The results appear in the journal Animal Cognition, and suggested that dogs have acoustically different barks depending on their emotional state. The article claims that the computer "correctly identified the different situations 43 per cent of the time."

Although it was not a high success rate it was far better than human recognition, the researchers said.

The computer was most accurate in identifying the "fight" and "stranger" contexts, and was least effective at matching the "play" bark.

The software correctly identified the dogs 52 per cent of the time, again much better than the human result, suggesting there are individual differences in barks even though humans are not able to recognize them.

The Animal Cognition article notes that the team will study the barks of different breeds to discover any commonalities.

SMURFS TURN 50!

2008-01-14T11:36:00.000-06:00

LA LA LA LA LA LA SING A HAPPY SONG!
article courtesy of © Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.

Smurfs reach half century.

The Smurfs have turned 50 and a host of events are planned to celebrate the birthday of one of Belgium's greatest exports.

'Les Schtroumpfs' as they were originally called in French, first appeared in Le Journal de Spirou comic strip in 1958 as the brainchild of the Belgian comic artist, Peyo.

Museums and comic bookstores across the country are set to go crazy for the loveable characters which stand just three apples highBy 1960, they had their own comic strip series and with the advent of the Hanna-Barbera Productions animated cartoon in 1981 secured a global fan base.

To many, the first attraction will always be their blue and white appearance, but according to the experts, the Smurfs - who stand just three apples high - have "hidden depths".

Willem De Graeve, deputy director of the Centre for Belgian Comic Strips said: "They manage to have a perfect society and altogether they enjoy life and they have fun."

The Belgium Museum of Fine Arts will be one of three European cities, along with Paris and Berlin, to officially host the European tour of Happy Smurfday, said to be a unique, striking, and European retrospective of the Smurfs.

YOU SUCK AT PHOTOSHOP TUTORIAL

2008-01-12T08:58:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Ryan R. for this gem.

WOMAN HAS WEDDING CAKE MADE IN HER IMAGE

2008-01-11T09:52:00.001-06:00

I wonder if it bleeds red icing like the armadillo groom's cake featured in 'Steel Magnolias'. Look at her husband! He looks like he can't wait to carve into that thing.

I'm not that gauche. I'm just going to have a simple bust made of myself out of ice positioned on an 8 foot pillar.

Neighbour of the Beast

2008-01-10T08:24:00.000-06:00

I was walking down street today, and I happened upon 666 Pape Street. I got to thinking, wouldn't it be funny, as the next door neighbour to put a sign on your mailbox reading, 'the devil steals my paper'?

I thought that would be funny

Questions for all y'all - would you live in 666 numbered house? Would you live next to it?

VOTE ZOD 2008

2008-01-09T10:16:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Mike S. for this post

Vote for your ruler
When I first came to your planet and demanded your homes, property and very lives, I didn't know you were already doing so, willingly, with your own government. I can win no tribute from a bankrupted nation populated by feeble flag-waving plebians. In 2008 I shall restore your dignity and make you servants worthy of my rule. This new government shall become a tool of my oppression. Instead of hidden agendas and waffling policies, I offer you direct candor and brutal certainty. I only ask for your tribute, your lives, and your vote.

-- General Zod
Your Future President and Eternal Ruler
www.zod2008.com

ATTACK OF THE RABID SKUNKS!

2008-01-04T08:28:00.000-06:00

It wasn't enough to shoot stink outta their butts? Now with the rabies!

Source: The Globe and Mail
See full article here:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080104.ATTACK04/TPStory/National

Brandon faces rabid skunk outbreak
Two cases confirmed as sick animals chase horses, attack broomsticks
DAWN WALTON

January 4, 2008

Skunks that should be hunkering down to hibernate in southern Manitoba are instead braving low temperatures to hound horses, attack inanimate objects and charge at people.

A rabies outbreak has hit Brandon, prompting police in Manitoba's second largest city to issue a rare warning this week to beware bizarrely behaving skunks.

"On New Year's Eve when we came home, there was a skunk chasing the horses in the pasture," recalled Barb Vinthers, who has an acreage at the city's outskirts and a horse farm as a neighbour.

"We've been here 35 years," she added, "I've never seen a rabid skunk. Don't want to see another one. They're very aggressive."

LOSE 3000 POUNDS OF CARBON DIOXIDE

2008-01-02T11:57:00.000-06:00

Link to National Geographic step-by-step guide to living greener this year.

REMEMBER - don't be overwhelmed. You don't have to be perfect -- just better.

'This New Year, resolve to change the planet: Slim your carbon footprint with our month-by-month plan.'

http://www.thegreenguide.com/

LET ME BORROW THAT TOP

2007-12-30T10:02:00.000-06:00

Never too SOON.....

2007-12-29T11:48:00.001-06:00

I'm getting ready for Valentine's Day. Yep I'm whipping up a fresh batch of love at the Howdy Gal Emporium.

Why dontcha stop on by for a spell?

PUFFERFISH DESIGN - NOW IN STORE

2007-12-27T12:49:00.000-06:00

Here's the latest offering from the shoppe!

Cheers,

Pam

www.cafepress.com/howdygal

I HEARD THE NEWS JUST NOW

2007-12-27T08:19:00.000-06:00

'Benazir Bhutto killed
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated today as a suicide bomber killed at least 14 of her supporters, a spokesman for her party and other officials said. Bhutto suffered bullet wounds, TV networks are reporting'

Source: CNN

It was just a matter of time. I was impressed with her tenacity and courage. I'm sorry she didn't make it to the election date. She would have likely won.

Rest in Peace, Benazir Bhutto.

Happy Boxing Day

2007-12-26T20:36:00.001-06:00

I've got nothing. I'm so full of turkey and chocolate..............

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2007-12-25T20:52:00.000-06:00

2007-12-24T12:55:00.000-06:00

Oxfam Mastercard You're Gorgeous Christmas ad

2007-12-23T11:06:00.000-06:00

My sister sent this to me and I love it and had to share it with you all. A feel-good advert for the holidays.

NO DOES NOT COMPUTE

2007-12-22T08:09:00.000-06:00

Robot gear is now available at the shop!

Dearest fellow bloggers and facebook friends -- Help me get out of cubicle hell by forwarding this link to a friend or two. I'd be happy to pay you back by doing the same or with reciprocal link dealio!

www.cafepress.com/howdygal

Tis the season

2007-12-21T10:41:00.000-06:00

for over-indulgence and extra bending of the elbow!

I highly recommend perusing the following paperback for shocking tales of drunken mayhem.

'The Man Who Scared a Shark to Death and other true tales of drunken debauchery'
will make you feel a heck of a lot better about your office party shennanigans with the temp. These tales of tangles with the tipple are doooooozies......

http://www.thesharkbook.com/blog/