Call them legends or even "old wives tales," but don't call them facts.
Some of these sayings about dogs have been around for centuries, but in
reality many are simply myths that amount to bad advice. Here are some of
the biggest misconceptions about dogs that just wont die.
1. A Warm or Dry Nose Means a Dog is Sick1
2Photo C :mrMark: on flickr3This one is probably the biggest dog health myth
around. Somewhere along the line, people came to the conclusion that a cold,
wet nose is a sign of a healthy dog and a warm or dry nose is a sign of
illness.
How it Began
Like many myths, the origins of this are not definitively known but are
likely rooted in fact. Canine distemper is a deadly virus that was once
quite prevalent. One symptom of advanced distemper is hyperkeratosis
(thickening) of the nose and footpads. Basically, the nose and pads of the
feet become hard and dry. Back when distemper was more widespread, a cool,
wet nose was considered a good sign that the dog did not have distemper.
While canine distemper still occurs, thanks to vaccinations it is far less
common today.
The Facts
The temperature and moisture of your dog's nose are not miracle measurements
of his health. For instance, a dog's nose is often dry and/or warm if he has
just woken up, and this is perfectly normal. However, a nose that is
persistently dry and crusted might be a sign of a health problem. If you
notice an abnormal appearance to your dog's nose or any other signs of
illness4, contact your vet right away.
The Dry Nose Myth5
2. Dog Mouths Are Cleaner Than Human Mouths6
7Photo C GK Hart/Vikki Hart/Getty ImagesSome of us may recall hearing this
as kids, particularly if a dog licked your face or sampled whatever you were
currently eating. "Don't worry about it! Didn't you know that a dog's mouth
is cleaner than yours?"
How it Began
The idea that dogs' mouths are clean was probably surmised by the fact that
dogs lick their wounds and sometimes heal faster because of it. In reality,
if a wound heals faster after a dog licks it, that's because his rough
tongue has been removing dead tissue and stimulating circulation, much like
a surgeon would debride a wound. On the other hand, licking wounds can
sometimes cause more harm than good by introducing bacteria and/or
irritating the wound. Guess the people who came up with this myth did not
think about the dog wounds that did not heal properly.
The Facts
A dog's mouth contains plenty of germs, not to mention other "icky" things.
Think about the stuff your dog eats off the ground and out of the trash, or
the things he licks off of himself. Plus, many dogs do not get their teeth
brushed as regularly as people, so there is the dental tartar and bacteria
to consider (as if doggie breath didn't give this away). Overall, a dog's
mouth contains more germs than anyone wants to think about. But the good
news is that these germs are usually dog-specific and unlikely to cause any
harm to humans. Basically, if you keep your dog healthy8, dewormed and
up-to-date on vaccines, there is little to worry over. Better yet, take care
of your dog's teeth9 and there's even less going on in that mouth. So, a
little "kiss" from your dog is nothing to fret about, but I wouldn't go
sharing water bowls or letting your dog lick your wounds.
The Legend of Clean Dog Mouths10
3. Dogs See in Black and White11
12Photo C cogdogblog on flickr13It was once believed that dogs could see
only in black and white (and shades of gray). Many people still think this
is the case.
How it Began
There is no evidence behind the origins of this myth, but it may have to do
with old science. It could be that scientists came to the conclusion that
dogs see in black and white before they fully understood the canine eye (or
even the human eye for that matter) and the functions of cones.
The Facts
Dogs can see color, but not the way most humans do. Based of the types of
cones in the canine retina, dogs probably see colors best on the blue side
of the spectrum. Canine color vision is thought to be similar to red-green
colorblindness in humans, though not exactly the same. It is believed that
dogs see primarily in blue, greenish-yellow, yellow and various shades of
gray.
All About the Eyesight of Dogs14
4. Dogs Eat Grass to Make Themselves Vomit15
16Photo C 3Neus on flickr17It's true that dogs will often throw up after
eating a lot of grass. However, this does not mean they ate that grass to
induce vomiting, or that it is somehow a sign of illness.
How it Began
The origin of this myth is most likely due to an incorrect assumption by dog
owners. People observed their dogs vomiting after eating grass. They assumed
that dogs intentionally ate grass when feeling sick to their stomachs in
order to make them vomit. When you consider the real reason, this conclusion
seems like the long way around.
The Facts
Why do dogs eat grass? Probably because they simply like it. Some dogs like
to graze while others chomp. Enough grass in the stomach can create minor
irritation and cause the dog to vomit. Some experts believe that a dog's
taste for grass goes back to the days when a wild canid would eat the
stomach contents of its prey - usually grass, leaves, etc. Regardless of the
reason, it's relatively harmless as long as the grass is not chemically
treated. That being said, if grass-eating has led to chronic vomiting in
your dog, you should probably keep him away from the grass and visit your
vet just in case.
Why Do Pets Eat Grass?18
5. Dogs Age Seven Years for Every Human Year19
20Photo C Randy Pertiet on flickr21Saying that a one-year-old dog is seven
in dog years does not really make sense when you consider that dogs can
reproduce well before one year of age. That would make 15-year-old dog 105
in dog years, which is not the case. Plenty of dogs live to 15 and are still
healthy, far more than the humans who live past 100.
How it Began
Someone probably looked at the average lifespan of people versus the average
lifespan of dogs and made the estimate of seven dog years for every human
year. It's really just an over-simplified way of describing the rate at
which a dog ages.
The Facts
Obviously, dogs age at a faster rate than humans. However, that rate is
faster early in life and seems to get slower with age. For instance, a
one-year-old dog is basically like a human teenager, but an eight-year-old
dog is like a middle-aged human (the latter matches up more closely with the
seven-year theory). Most importantly, the size and breed of the dog has a
lot to do with its aging rate and lifespan. Many small breeds22 are known to
live 15-20 years while a lot of giant breeds23 only live 7-10 years. In a
strange twist, young giant breed dogs tend to reach adulthood more slowly
than the average dog, despite their shorter lifespans.
Estimated Dog Age Chart24
6. You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks25
26Photo C Kimberly ZwaagstraWe hear it said all the time. "You can't teach
an old dog new tricks." People say it about dogs, but they also say it about
people (usually referring to stubbornness). Of course, we all know that
people can learn at any age, but sometimes they just don't want to. It's not
much different in dogs.
How it Began
People probably noticed that their older dogs had less interest in new
activities and were less responsive to training. The saying also refers to
adults who are "set in their ways."
The Facts
While it may not be easy to teach new things to an older dog, it can be
done. One factor that may go overlooked: old-age sensory changes. A senior
dog may not see or hear like he used to. Plus, he likely does not have as
much energy as a younger dog. When training an older dog, you first need to
be able to get his attention. You also need to make sure the activity is not
too physically demanding for the dog. Keep it interesting with his favorite
toys or treats. However, be aware that some senior dogs experience cognitive
dysfunction (basically senility) and will not be able to retain new
information well. Perhaps the saying should be "you can't teach a senile dog
new tricks."
Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks27
7. A Waging Tail Means a Happy Dog28
29Photo C bsabarnowl on flickr30This common misconception could lead to an
unfortunate dog bite. Yes, dogs tend to wag their tails when happy and
excited. However, they are known to wag their tails for other reasons.
How it Began
The image of the happy, bright-eyed dog jumping for joy with a wagging tail
is the way we all love to see our dogs. Tail wagging has been associated
with happy dogs for so long it's hard to say how this generalization began,
but it is rooted in truth.
The Facts
Canine body language can get pretty complex. Tail wagging is just one of the
many ways dogs communicate. While it is true that tail wagging is often an
indication of happiness, it can sometimes be a sign of fear, anxiety or
other potential precursor to aggression. Rather than looking just at the
tail, it is best to pay attention to a dog's overall body language31 to
determine its mood.
Dog Body Language: Wagging Tail32
8. Female Dogs Should Have One Litter Before Being Spayed33
34Spay and neuter are controversial topics for many people, and this is an
argument often used against spaying dogs. There is no reason a dog should be
bred once before being spayed. In general, routine spaying and neutering of
dogs is recommended to help control the already huge population of unwanted
dogs, a major problem in the world. Yes, there are some valid reasons to
choose not to spay your dog, but this is not one of them.
How it Began
There is probably no way to know how this myth really began. Believe it or
not, some people think that a dog would feel some kind of void, like she is
missing out if she cannot have at least one litter of puppies. This is not
true and actually a prime example of anthropomorphism35. Other people
believe that there are long-term health benefits to completing a heat cycle
and/or having a litter.
The Facts
It may come as a surprise to some that dogs do not think like humans. They
will not feel "empty" because they never had puppies. In fact, some dogs are
not even good mothers. Breeding your female dog and helping to raise puppies
can turn out to be a big job for you - is it worth it? In reality, it
contributes to pet overpopulation. In addition, there is no evidence that
allowing dogs to go into heat and/or produce a litter before getting spayed
has any health benefits. In fact, spaying a dog after she has gone into heat
and/or had a litter can even raise the risks of surgery. If you want to
breed your dog, make sure she is a proven purebred dog and an excellent
example of her breed. Then, find an experienced, responsible dog breeder36
to mentor you. Breeding dogs is more than a simple hobby - it is a
lifestyle.
Should Your Spay Your Dog?37
9. Tug of War Can Cause Aggression38
39Photo C Ryan McVay / Getty ImagesThere has been much debate over playing
tug-of-war with dogs. Some feel the game causes aggression or dominant
behavior, warning people to never play tug-of-war with their dogs. Actually,
the truth is just the opposite.
How it Began
People probably noticed they way some dogs got so into the game - growling
and snarling. Naturally, it would seem that playing the game simply
reinforces those aggressive behaviors.
The Facts
Many dogs truly enjoy playing tug-of-war, and there is nothing wrong with
that. It is a healthy display of their predatory nature and an excellent
mental and physical workout. Tug-of-war is also a great way to reinforce the
human-canine bond. Over the years, many professional dog trainers have
noticed that the game actually decreases aggressive and dominant behaviors
in dogs, kind of like an outlet for these emotions. Some experts say the
human should always win the game, while others say the dog should always
win. In reality, it probably depends on the dog. Winning tug-of-war boosts
your dog's confidence, while losing might humble him. If you dog has no
behavior problems, you can probably switch up the winning and losing. If you
are in doubt, find a dog trainer40 and ask for advice. The most important
thing to remember: if your dog's teeth ever touch your flesh, the game is
over for the time being.
Playing Tug of War With Dogs
Monday, August 29, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
mas chistecitos condensados :
¡Mamá, mamá, en la escuela me dicen mentiroso!
y dice la mamá: -¡Cállate, que ni vas a la escuela!
¿Qué le dijo una estatua a otra?
¡Sos una cara dura!
Un perro le dice a otro:
- ¡Guau!
El otro le responde
- ¡Guau, Guau!
Entonces el primero ofendido le reprocha
-¡Siempre cambiando de tema!
- ¿Qué pasa si un elefante se para sobre una pata?
- ¡El pato se queda viudo!
-¡Oye, Pepito! ¿Acaso copiaste el examen de Jaimito?
-¡No, Maestra, se lo juro!
-¡No mientas! ¡En la pregunta No. 10, él puso...¡No sé la respuesta!...y
tú escribiste...¡Y yo tampoco...!
Un hombre se paseaba por la calle, portando un enorme cartel que decía:
¡Que viva mi suegra...!
En la parte de atrás, se leía:
¡Pero que viva bien lejos....!
EN LA FARMACIA:
-¿TIENEN ALGO PARA EL CANSANCIO?
-¡SI...PERO ESTÁ AGOTADO...!
Tiernamente, la mujer le dice a su esposo:
-¡Oye, mi amor! ¿Cuándo me llevas a ver a las Momias de
Guanajuato?
-¡El día que quieras, pero avísales a tu madre y a tus
tías que vamos...no sea que les caigamos de sorpresa!
VENDO COMPUTADORA CON BUENA MEMORIA...ME TRAE INGRATOS RECUERDOS....
Dos señoras hablando:
-¡Mi hijo, en su nuevo trabajo, se encuentra como pez en el agua...!
-¿Y qué hace?
-¡Nada...nada...nada....!
El niño mosquito pregunta: -¡Mamá, mamá! ¿Puedo ir al teatro?
La mamá le responde: -¡Bueno, hijo, vé...pero ten mucho cuidado con los aplausos!
El bebé cocodrilo pregunta: -¡Dime, papá! ¿Algún día tendré mucho dinero?
El papá cocodrilo responde: -¡Claro, hijo, cuando seas billetera!
-¡Hola, señor, vengo a pedir la mano de su hija!
-¿Cuál, la mayor o la menor?
-¡Ah, caramba! ¿No tiene dos manos iguales?
Entra un hombre completamente borracho a su casa, a horas intempestivas, en estado lamentable, con todo el rostro manchado de lápiz labial. Su esposa, enfurecida, lo increpa:
-¿Estas son horas de llegar? ¿Y en ese estado? ¿Qué te pasó?
El borracho le responde:
-¡No vas a creerme...tuve una feroz pelea con un payaso!
Una joven anuncia a sus padres que se va a casar. El padre le pregunta:
-¡Dime, hijita! ¿Tu novio tiene dinero?
-¡Ay, papá! ¡Es lo mismo que él me pregunta de tí...!
¿Cómo se dice dentista en japonés?
Tekuro Tuocico.
¿Cómo se dice ducha en árabe?
Mohamed primero, secadme después.
¿Cómo se dice calzón en italiano?
Cassa de la mia colitta.
¿Cómo se dice usar el toilet en japonés?
Yoshicago agashaito.
¿Cómo se dice suegra en ruso?
Estorbo.
¿Cómo se dice besar en árabe?
Salibava salibaviene.
¿Cómo se dice resbalarse en chino?
Checayó.
¿Cómo se dice casada en chino?
Ya plobó.
¿Cómo se dice espejo en chino?
Ahitoy.
¿Cómo se dice minifalda en chino?
Chelevé.
¿Cómo se dice resorte en chino?
Toing.
¿Cómo se dice ministro de trabajo en japonés?
Tusudas Yocomo.
¿Cómo se llama el primer ruso que se cayó al suelo?
Kataplof.
¿Cómo se dice pobre en chino?
Chin Agua, Chin Lu, Chin naa.
¿Cómo se dice fusilamiento en árabe?
Bala-va atájala.
y dice la mamá: -¡Cállate, que ni vas a la escuela!
¿Qué le dijo una estatua a otra?
¡Sos una cara dura!
Un perro le dice a otro:
- ¡Guau!
El otro le responde
- ¡Guau, Guau!
Entonces el primero ofendido le reprocha
-¡Siempre cambiando de tema!
- ¿Qué pasa si un elefante se para sobre una pata?
- ¡El pato se queda viudo!
-¡Oye, Pepito! ¿Acaso copiaste el examen de Jaimito?
-¡No, Maestra, se lo juro!
-¡No mientas! ¡En la pregunta No. 10, él puso...¡No sé la respuesta!...y
tú escribiste...¡Y yo tampoco...!
Un hombre se paseaba por la calle, portando un enorme cartel que decía:
¡Que viva mi suegra...!
En la parte de atrás, se leía:
¡Pero que viva bien lejos....!
EN LA FARMACIA:
-¿TIENEN ALGO PARA EL CANSANCIO?
-¡SI...PERO ESTÁ AGOTADO...!
Tiernamente, la mujer le dice a su esposo:
-¡Oye, mi amor! ¿Cuándo me llevas a ver a las Momias de
Guanajuato?
-¡El día que quieras, pero avísales a tu madre y a tus
tías que vamos...no sea que les caigamos de sorpresa!
VENDO COMPUTADORA CON BUENA MEMORIA...ME TRAE INGRATOS RECUERDOS....
Dos señoras hablando:
-¡Mi hijo, en su nuevo trabajo, se encuentra como pez en el agua...!
-¿Y qué hace?
-¡Nada...nada...nada....!
El niño mosquito pregunta: -¡Mamá, mamá! ¿Puedo ir al teatro?
La mamá le responde: -¡Bueno, hijo, vé...pero ten mucho cuidado con los aplausos!
El bebé cocodrilo pregunta: -¡Dime, papá! ¿Algún día tendré mucho dinero?
El papá cocodrilo responde: -¡Claro, hijo, cuando seas billetera!
-¡Hola, señor, vengo a pedir la mano de su hija!
-¿Cuál, la mayor o la menor?
-¡Ah, caramba! ¿No tiene dos manos iguales?
Entra un hombre completamente borracho a su casa, a horas intempestivas, en estado lamentable, con todo el rostro manchado de lápiz labial. Su esposa, enfurecida, lo increpa:
-¿Estas son horas de llegar? ¿Y en ese estado? ¿Qué te pasó?
El borracho le responde:
-¡No vas a creerme...tuve una feroz pelea con un payaso!
Una joven anuncia a sus padres que se va a casar. El padre le pregunta:
-¡Dime, hijita! ¿Tu novio tiene dinero?
-¡Ay, papá! ¡Es lo mismo que él me pregunta de tí...!
¿Cómo se dice dentista en japonés?
Tekuro Tuocico.
¿Cómo se dice ducha en árabe?
Mohamed primero, secadme después.
¿Cómo se dice calzón en italiano?
Cassa de la mia colitta.
¿Cómo se dice usar el toilet en japonés?
Yoshicago agashaito.
¿Cómo se dice suegra en ruso?
Estorbo.
¿Cómo se dice besar en árabe?
Salibava salibaviene.
¿Cómo se dice resbalarse en chino?
Checayó.
¿Cómo se dice casada en chino?
Ya plobó.
¿Cómo se dice espejo en chino?
Ahitoy.
¿Cómo se dice minifalda en chino?
Chelevé.
¿Cómo se dice resorte en chino?
Toing.
¿Cómo se dice ministro de trabajo en japonés?
Tusudas Yocomo.
¿Cómo se llama el primer ruso que se cayó al suelo?
Kataplof.
¿Cómo se dice pobre en chino?
Chin Agua, Chin Lu, Chin naa.
¿Cómo se dice fusilamiento en árabe?
Bala-va atájala.
Southampton Varsity develops new way to generate music and control computers
University of Southampton researchers have developed a new way to generate music and control computers.
"Grab a block and add a base beat, turn a block to speed up the high hat and we have a new way to generate music through controlling the computer," said Dr Enrico Costanza at the University's ECS - Electronics and Computer Science, who is launching Audio d-touch.
Audio d-touch, which is based on Dr Costanza's research into tangible user interfaces, or TUIs, gives physical control in the immaterial world of computers. It uses a standard computer and a web cam. Through using simple computer vision techniques, physical blocks are tracked on a printed board. The position of the blocks then determines how the computer samples and reproduces sound.
"As more of our world moves into the electronic; records to mp3s, books to eBooks, we loose the satisfying richness of touching physical objects like paper and drumsticks," said Dr Costanza.
"Our Audio d-touch system allows people to set up and use tangible interfaces in their own home, office or recording studio, or wherever else they like," said Dr Costanza. This is the first time that anyone has developed a free application like this."
Audio d-touch is more than just for play: TUIs are an alternative to virtual worlds. Human-Computer Interaction researchers are investigating ways to move away from the online, purely digital world and rediscover the richness of our sense of touch.
Dr Costanza has developed Audio d-touch over several years, "Our aim is to advance the field by gaining insight into how tangible interfaces can be used in the real world. We are keen to have more people download audio d-touch and give us feedback so that we can improve it."
All that is needed is a regular computer equipped with a web-cam and a printer. The user creates physical interactive objects and attaches printed visual markers recognized by Audio d-touch. The software platform is open and can be extended for applications beyond music synthesis.
"Grab a block and add a base beat, turn a block to speed up the high hat and we have a new way to generate music through controlling the computer," said Dr Enrico Costanza at the University's ECS - Electronics and Computer Science, who is launching Audio d-touch.
Audio d-touch, which is based on Dr Costanza's research into tangible user interfaces, or TUIs, gives physical control in the immaterial world of computers. It uses a standard computer and a web cam. Through using simple computer vision techniques, physical blocks are tracked on a printed board. The position of the blocks then determines how the computer samples and reproduces sound.
"As more of our world moves into the electronic; records to mp3s, books to eBooks, we loose the satisfying richness of touching physical objects like paper and drumsticks," said Dr Costanza.
"Our Audio d-touch system allows people to set up and use tangible interfaces in their own home, office or recording studio, or wherever else they like," said Dr Costanza. This is the first time that anyone has developed a free application like this."
Audio d-touch is more than just for play: TUIs are an alternative to virtual worlds. Human-Computer Interaction researchers are investigating ways to move away from the online, purely digital world and rediscover the richness of our sense of touch.
Dr Costanza has developed Audio d-touch over several years, "Our aim is to advance the field by gaining insight into how tangible interfaces can be used in the real world. We are keen to have more people download audio d-touch and give us feedback so that we can improve it."
All that is needed is a regular computer equipped with a web-cam and a printer. The user creates physical interactive objects and attaches printed visual markers recognized by Audio d-touch. The software platform is open and can be extended for applications beyond music synthesis.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Presley's 'Jailhouse Rock' songwriter Jerry Leiber dies at 78
Jerry Leiber, the songwriter who penned the lyrics for Elvis Presley's classic rock and roll hits including 'Hound Dog' and 'Jailhouse Rock' died Monday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles of cardiopulmonary failure. He was 78.
Leiber earned his reputation alongside co-writer Mike Stoller, penning tunes for The Drifters, The Coasters and Ben E King as well as Presley.
Leiber's career began in 1953 when Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton became the first artist to record Hound Dog, sending the song - then a rhythm and blues number - to the top of the charts.
The song later became an even more successful hit record for Elvis Presley, who reinvented it as a rock and roll classic.
The pair also crafted the enduring Ben E King hit Stand By Me, seen by critics as one of their most influential and enduring songs.
Leiber and Stoller's work as a songwriting duo earned 15 number one hits and secured them both entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1987.
"The music world lost today one of its greatest poet laureates," the BBC quoted Terry Stewart, president of the Hall of Fame and Museum, in Cleveland, Ohio, as saying.
"Jerry not only wrote the words that everyone was singing, he led the way in how we verbalised our feelings about the societal changes we were living with in post-World War II life.
"Appropriately, his vehicles of choice were the emerging populist musical genres of rhythm and blues and then rock and roll," he said.
Leiber earned his reputation alongside co-writer Mike Stoller, penning tunes for The Drifters, The Coasters and Ben E King as well as Presley.
Leiber's career began in 1953 when Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton became the first artist to record Hound Dog, sending the song - then a rhythm and blues number - to the top of the charts.
The song later became an even more successful hit record for Elvis Presley, who reinvented it as a rock and roll classic.
The pair also crafted the enduring Ben E King hit Stand By Me, seen by critics as one of their most influential and enduring songs.
Leiber and Stoller's work as a songwriting duo earned 15 number one hits and secured them both entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1987.
"The music world lost today one of its greatest poet laureates," the BBC quoted Terry Stewart, president of the Hall of Fame and Museum, in Cleveland, Ohio, as saying.
"Jerry not only wrote the words that everyone was singing, he led the way in how we verbalised our feelings about the societal changes we were living with in post-World War II life.
"Appropriately, his vehicles of choice were the emerging populist musical genres of rhythm and blues and then rock and roll," he said.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Now, a boat hotel above Thames for 2012 Olympics
A bizarre new hotel, shaped like a boat,- is to be placed on top of the Queen Elizabeth Concert hall peering out over the River Thames for the 2012 Olympics to be held here.
The nautical building, due to be hoisted into position on London's South Bank in December, will be equipped with a mast and look-out station and guests will be expected to keep a detailed log and hoist a flag to indicate they are aboard, the Daily Mail reports.
The designers of the building, called A Room For London are David Kohn Architects and artist Fiona Banner who said they set out to create something 'playful, beguiling and thought-provoking.'
The hotel, which is expected to be massively popular during next year's Olympic games, will have panoramic windows and an upper viewing deck affording some of the most spectacular views of the capital.
But those demanding a degree of privacy will be left very disappointed. The South Bank is one of the busiest places in town and guests will have to get used to a constant stream of curious tourists.
Inside, it will be fitted-out using real timber and the designers promise it will be full of 'nooks and crannies' for guests to explore
The design was chosen from 500 entries in a competition set up by cultural organizations Living Architecture, and Artangel, in association with Southbank Centre.
The hotel will be equipped with a mast and look-out post and guests will be required to hoist a flag to show they are in residence
Tickets for night stays during the first half of 2012 will be available from next month and tickets for the rest of the year, covering the Olympics, will go on sale in January.
A spokesman for the architects said: 'It will appear to have come to rest there, grounded, perhaps, from the retreating waters of the Thames below.
'The idea evolved from narratives of travel and displacement in literature, in particular Joseph Conrad's novella 'Heart of Darkness,''
The nautical building, due to be hoisted into position on London's South Bank in December, will be equipped with a mast and look-out station and guests will be expected to keep a detailed log and hoist a flag to indicate they are aboard, the Daily Mail reports.
The designers of the building, called A Room For London are David Kohn Architects and artist Fiona Banner who said they set out to create something 'playful, beguiling and thought-provoking.'
The hotel, which is expected to be massively popular during next year's Olympic games, will have panoramic windows and an upper viewing deck affording some of the most spectacular views of the capital.
But those demanding a degree of privacy will be left very disappointed. The South Bank is one of the busiest places in town and guests will have to get used to a constant stream of curious tourists.
Inside, it will be fitted-out using real timber and the designers promise it will be full of 'nooks and crannies' for guests to explore
The design was chosen from 500 entries in a competition set up by cultural organizations Living Architecture, and Artangel, in association with Southbank Centre.
The hotel will be equipped with a mast and look-out post and guests will be required to hoist a flag to show they are in residence
Tickets for night stays during the first half of 2012 will be available from next month and tickets for the rest of the year, covering the Olympics, will go on sale in January.
A spokesman for the architects said: 'It will appear to have come to rest there, grounded, perhaps, from the retreating waters of the Thames below.
'The idea evolved from narratives of travel and displacement in literature, in particular Joseph Conrad's novella 'Heart of Darkness,''
Saturday, August 20, 2011
US Students Spread Musical Message in Kenya
A group of university students and alumni has returned to the United States after three weeks in Kenya, where they were part of a cultural exchange program which aims to transform lives through music.
The group, from Berklee College of Music in Boston, taught music, performed, donated instruments to a local community center and learned about traditional Kenyan music.
Music is an integral part of life in Kenya.
"Growing up, I sang a lot in school. And we had competitions and choir and music every year," says Sam Lutomia, a staff member at Berklee College of Music. Born and raised in Kenya, he now lives and works in Boston. "When I moved to the States, I got exposed to a higher level of music and I was like, 'Is there something I can do now that I'm in the States?'"
Global Youth GrooveBerklee alumnus Aaron Colverson with a student at Matende High School in Kakamega, Kenya.
He co-founded Global Youth Groove, with the goal of exposing Kenyan young people to Western music and encouraging them to pursue a career in music.
"I started talking with students at Berklee College of Music and faculty members and they all responded positively," says Lutomia. "And we started collecting instruments. After that, we traveled to Kenya last month to start a community center."
Thirteen Americans made the trip, including four high school students from the Boston area. Among them was 17-year-old Marina Miller.
"We started out in Nairobi," she says. "We got a chance to meet with local musicians and listen to them play."
Global Youth GrooveChildren at the Divine Providence Children's Home in Kakamega, Kenya, examine a guitar.
In Kakamega, in western Kenya, the Americans presented a gift.
"We"ve gathered like 20 instruments," says project coordinator Aaron Colverson. "They include acoustic guitar, electric guitar, acoustic violin, flute, clarinet, saxophone, also a trumpet and a trombone. We had some recorders and also an entire drum kit, lap tops and recording software."
Dozens of young Kenyans, between the ages of 15 and 30, took workshops offered by the group.
Berklee student David Chapman says, for some of the Kenyans, it was their first time seeing and touching such instruments. "Their music classes would just be them reading books about western instruments.
The workshops offered a more hands-on approach.
"We would lecture for a while and teach, everything would be very interactive," Chapman says. "If anyone had any questions or wanted to play with instruments, we would always welcome that."
The group also held workshops in orphanages and performed at a national music festival.
"When you put music in front of kids, it seems that their minds open up," says project coordinator Aaron Colverson. "Music gives them a chance to express themselves through songs and writing the songs."
Throughout the trip, the group met with local musicians and listened to them play. They also learned about traditional Kenyan instruments, dances and songs.
The short trip has had a lasting impact, according to Nairobi native Wambura Mitaru, who studies at Berklee.
"Up until today, kids are talking to one another," she says. "There is one young man, his name is Scott from Kenya, and he plays violin. He met with Aaron Colverson from Berklee. They really got to jam with each other and play the violin and Scott got to learn about different things. He now plays everywhere, when he can."
Trip leader Sam Lutomia is happy with the enthusiasm generated by the exchange program. He hopes the trip becomes an annual event and would like to expand it to neighboring countries.
The group, from Berklee College of Music in Boston, taught music, performed, donated instruments to a local community center and learned about traditional Kenyan music.
Music is an integral part of life in Kenya.
"Growing up, I sang a lot in school. And we had competitions and choir and music every year," says Sam Lutomia, a staff member at Berklee College of Music. Born and raised in Kenya, he now lives and works in Boston. "When I moved to the States, I got exposed to a higher level of music and I was like, 'Is there something I can do now that I'm in the States?'"
Global Youth GrooveBerklee alumnus Aaron Colverson with a student at Matende High School in Kakamega, Kenya.
He co-founded Global Youth Groove, with the goal of exposing Kenyan young people to Western music and encouraging them to pursue a career in music.
"I started talking with students at Berklee College of Music and faculty members and they all responded positively," says Lutomia. "And we started collecting instruments. After that, we traveled to Kenya last month to start a community center."
Thirteen Americans made the trip, including four high school students from the Boston area. Among them was 17-year-old Marina Miller.
"We started out in Nairobi," she says. "We got a chance to meet with local musicians and listen to them play."
Global Youth GrooveChildren at the Divine Providence Children's Home in Kakamega, Kenya, examine a guitar.
In Kakamega, in western Kenya, the Americans presented a gift.
"We"ve gathered like 20 instruments," says project coordinator Aaron Colverson. "They include acoustic guitar, electric guitar, acoustic violin, flute, clarinet, saxophone, also a trumpet and a trombone. We had some recorders and also an entire drum kit, lap tops and recording software."
Dozens of young Kenyans, between the ages of 15 and 30, took workshops offered by the group.
Berklee student David Chapman says, for some of the Kenyans, it was their first time seeing and touching such instruments. "Their music classes would just be them reading books about western instruments.
The workshops offered a more hands-on approach.
"We would lecture for a while and teach, everything would be very interactive," Chapman says. "If anyone had any questions or wanted to play with instruments, we would always welcome that."
The group also held workshops in orphanages and performed at a national music festival.
"When you put music in front of kids, it seems that their minds open up," says project coordinator Aaron Colverson. "Music gives them a chance to express themselves through songs and writing the songs."
Throughout the trip, the group met with local musicians and listened to them play. They also learned about traditional Kenyan instruments, dances and songs.
The short trip has had a lasting impact, according to Nairobi native Wambura Mitaru, who studies at Berklee.
"Up until today, kids are talking to one another," she says. "There is one young man, his name is Scott from Kenya, and he plays violin. He met with Aaron Colverson from Berklee. They really got to jam with each other and play the violin and Scott got to learn about different things. He now plays everywhere, when he can."
Trip leader Sam Lutomia is happy with the enthusiasm generated by the exchange program. He hopes the trip becomes an annual event and would like to expand it to neighboring countries.
French fashion label draws fire with lingerie for young girls
French company Jours Après Lunes is drawing fire from critics over its new range of ‘loungerie’, which is reportedly a mix between loungewear and lingerie...but for young girls.
“What's disturbing about Jours Après Lunes is not just the fact that it's lingerie for people who probably shouldn't be old enough to even know what lingerie is, but the photographs on their website,” an opinion piece on Fashion website Fashionista.com opined.
Fashionista.com broke the story of Jours Après Lunes’ new line of underwear, which has been released along with a photographic ad campaign featuring infants, young girls and teenagers wearing the ‘loungerie’.
They smile for the camera, reclining in bras and panties, some wearing makeup and expressions that some have called disturbing.
Jours Après Lunes creator Sophie Morin defended her brand and the photographs included in the ad campaign in an interview with the Lingerie Trade website.
Morin insisted that there was no “vulgar connotation” in the ad campaign photos, because none of the materials used are transparent, while she said her collection includes no bras as none of the tops include support wires.
This is not the first time child-oriented fashion has created an uproar. The US clothing brand Abercrombie and Fitch drew fire from the public when it released its "Ashley" push-up bra for 70year-olds. The bra was later marketed to 12-year-olds as well.
“What's disturbing about Jours Après Lunes is not just the fact that it's lingerie for people who probably shouldn't be old enough to even know what lingerie is, but the photographs on their website,” an opinion piece on Fashion website Fashionista.com opined.
Fashionista.com broke the story of Jours Après Lunes’ new line of underwear, which has been released along with a photographic ad campaign featuring infants, young girls and teenagers wearing the ‘loungerie’.
They smile for the camera, reclining in bras and panties, some wearing makeup and expressions that some have called disturbing.
Jours Après Lunes creator Sophie Morin defended her brand and the photographs included in the ad campaign in an interview with the Lingerie Trade website.
Morin insisted that there was no “vulgar connotation” in the ad campaign photos, because none of the materials used are transparent, while she said her collection includes no bras as none of the tops include support wires.
This is not the first time child-oriented fashion has created an uproar. The US clothing brand Abercrombie and Fitch drew fire from the public when it released its "Ashley" push-up bra for 70year-olds. The bra was later marketed to 12-year-olds as well.
Friday, August 19, 2011
AND I LOVE HER
Lyrics
---
I give her all my love
That's all I do
And if you saw my love
You'd love her too
I love her
She gives me everything
And tenderly
The kiss my lover brings
She brings to me
And I love her
A love like ours
Could never die
As long as I
Have you near me
Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine
Will never die
And I love her
Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine
Will never die
And I love her
---
I give her all my love
That's all I do
And if you saw my love
You'd love her too
I love her
She gives me everything
And tenderly
The kiss my lover brings
She brings to me
And I love her
A love like ours
Could never die
As long as I
Have you near me
Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine
Will never die
And I love her
Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine
Will never die
And I love her
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
HEAVEN
LYRICS
Bryan Adams
--
Oh, thinkin' about all our younger years
There was only you and me
We were young and wild and free
Now nothin' can take you away from me
We've been down that road before
But that's over now
You keep me comin' back for more
[Chorus]
Baby you're all that I want
When you're lyin' here in my arms
I'm findin' it hard to believe
We're in heaven
And love is all that I need
And I found it there in your heart
It isn't too hard to see
We're in heaven
Oh, once in your life you find someone
Who will turn your world around
Bring you up when you're feelin' down
Yeah, nothin' could change what you mean to me
Oh, there's lots that I could say
But just hold me now
'Cause our love will light the way
[Chorus]
I've been waitin' for so long
For somethin' to arrive
For love to come along
Now our dreams are comin' true
Through the goodtimes and the bad
Yeah, I'll be standin' there by you
[Chorus]
Bryan Adams
--
Oh, thinkin' about all our younger years
There was only you and me
We were young and wild and free
Now nothin' can take you away from me
We've been down that road before
But that's over now
You keep me comin' back for more
[Chorus]
Baby you're all that I want
When you're lyin' here in my arms
I'm findin' it hard to believe
We're in heaven
And love is all that I need
And I found it there in your heart
It isn't too hard to see
We're in heaven
Oh, once in your life you find someone
Who will turn your world around
Bring you up when you're feelin' down
Yeah, nothin' could change what you mean to me
Oh, there's lots that I could say
But just hold me now
'Cause our love will light the way
[Chorus]
I've been waitin' for so long
For somethin' to arrive
For love to come along
Now our dreams are comin' true
Through the goodtimes and the bad
Yeah, I'll be standin' there by you
[Chorus]
Lingerie for girls as young as 4 irks fashion world
A French clothing line has sparked controversy after developing a lingerie line for girls as young as four.
The fashion industry was left fuming after French label Jours Apr
?s Lunes launched a line of lingerie.
According to Fashionista, scantily clad young girls wearing make-up and sporting voluminous upswept hairdos are featured promoting a new range of lingerie.
'Loungerie' - combining lingerie and lounge wear, Jours Apr
?s Lunes line up a range of panties, bras, camisoles and T-shirts with lace edges, ribboned bow detailing and nautical stripes for girls between the ages of 4 to 12.
The pictures show the young girls in risque poses and styling way too premature for their age, wearing striped bras and panties, playing with make-up, jewellery and a string of pearls wrapped around their miniscule frames.
In one of the shots, a girl wearing Jackie O-style sunglasses lounges back on a pillow, her reverence shielded merely by panties and a cropped polka dot tied top, with another shot showing three young girls playing together, their hair done in Amy Winehouse style and lips painted bright pink and red.
"What's disturbing about Jours Apr
?s Lunes is... that it's lingerie for people who probably shouldn't be old enough to even know what lingerie is," the Daily Mail quoted Fashionista as saying.
"These pictures are not cute. It's entirely inappropriate to put a four-year-old in a bouffant like she's Brigitte Bardot," the magazine added.
"It's cute when a little girl dresses up in her mom's clothing and jewelry and high heels," Marilisa Racco, author of Le Snob Lingeries told NY Daily News.
"These pictures are not cute. It's entirely inappropriate to put a 4-year-old in a bouffant like she's Brigitte Bardot in And God Created Woman.
"It's inappropriate to sexualize children. A pearl-encrusted triangle bra on a little girl does not sit well with me," she added.
The fashion industry was left fuming after French label Jours Apr
?s Lunes launched a line of lingerie.
According to Fashionista, scantily clad young girls wearing make-up and sporting voluminous upswept hairdos are featured promoting a new range of lingerie.
'Loungerie' - combining lingerie and lounge wear, Jours Apr
?s Lunes line up a range of panties, bras, camisoles and T-shirts with lace edges, ribboned bow detailing and nautical stripes for girls between the ages of 4 to 12.
The pictures show the young girls in risque poses and styling way too premature for their age, wearing striped bras and panties, playing with make-up, jewellery and a string of pearls wrapped around their miniscule frames.
In one of the shots, a girl wearing Jackie O-style sunglasses lounges back on a pillow, her reverence shielded merely by panties and a cropped polka dot tied top, with another shot showing three young girls playing together, their hair done in Amy Winehouse style and lips painted bright pink and red.
"What's disturbing about Jours Apr
?s Lunes is... that it's lingerie for people who probably shouldn't be old enough to even know what lingerie is," the Daily Mail quoted Fashionista as saying.
"These pictures are not cute. It's entirely inappropriate to put a four-year-old in a bouffant like she's Brigitte Bardot," the magazine added.
"It's cute when a little girl dresses up in her mom's clothing and jewelry and high heels," Marilisa Racco, author of Le Snob Lingeries told NY Daily News.
"These pictures are not cute. It's entirely inappropriate to put a 4-year-old in a bouffant like she's Brigitte Bardot in And God Created Woman.
"It's inappropriate to sexualize children. A pearl-encrusted triangle bra on a little girl does not sit well with me," she added.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Boy beaten for 30 minutes after he stole to play video games
A 12-year-old boy in China was hung from a pole by his hands and feet, whipped and then beaten for 30 minutes by his angry parents as he had stolen money to play video games.
The incident took place here Sunday and a photograph of the incident has stirred an online outcry.
Ning, an eyewitness, said he heard the screams of the boy and he saw the boy tied up, hanging from an iron pole about two metres above the ground.
The boy's father lashed him while his mother pulled a rope with which the boy was tied up.
'I've never seen such a horrible way of education in my life,' Shanghai Daily quoted Ning as saying. '
It seemed like the parents really wanted to beat their own son to death on the street.'
Neighbours who tried to intervene were told, 'It's my son and my own way to educate him! That's none of your business!'
The parents became angry when they realised that 300 yuan kept for rent was stolen by their son who spent it on video games.
The beating ended only after the police arrived.
The incident took place here Sunday and a photograph of the incident has stirred an online outcry.
Ning, an eyewitness, said he heard the screams of the boy and he saw the boy tied up, hanging from an iron pole about two metres above the ground.
The boy's father lashed him while his mother pulled a rope with which the boy was tied up.
'I've never seen such a horrible way of education in my life,' Shanghai Daily quoted Ning as saying. '
It seemed like the parents really wanted to beat their own son to death on the street.'
Neighbours who tried to intervene were told, 'It's my son and my own way to educate him! That's none of your business!'
The parents became angry when they realised that 300 yuan kept for rent was stolen by their son who spent it on video games.
The beating ended only after the police arrived.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Meet the Brit girl who dozes off for 2 months at a stretch
A British girl, who suffers from the rare Kleine-Levin Syndrome, is said to nod off to sleep for two months at a time.
Lily Clarke, 21, a student, has slept through university exams, Christmas, New Year and even her own 18th birthday party after falling asleep a few days before.
Her mum Adele, 47, said the condition came on in 2007 after the family went for a meal following a day's ice-skating.
"Before the food arrived Lily had fallen asleep in her chair. We couldn't wake her and had to carry her from the restaurant," the Sun quoted her as saying.
Lily sleeps deeply for about 23 hours a day and is woken just long enough to be fed at her parents' home in Haslemere, Surrey.
She now sleeps for an average of two months at a time roughly every seven months.
"She is missing out on huge chunks of her life," Adele added.
There is no known cure for the syndrome but medics say it usually affects young people - so Lily may grow out of it.
Lily Clarke, 21, a student, has slept through university exams, Christmas, New Year and even her own 18th birthday party after falling asleep a few days before.
Her mum Adele, 47, said the condition came on in 2007 after the family went for a meal following a day's ice-skating.
"Before the food arrived Lily had fallen asleep in her chair. We couldn't wake her and had to carry her from the restaurant," the Sun quoted her as saying.
Lily sleeps deeply for about 23 hours a day and is woken just long enough to be fed at her parents' home in Haslemere, Surrey.
She now sleeps for an average of two months at a time roughly every seven months.
"She is missing out on huge chunks of her life," Adele added.
There is no known cure for the syndrome but medics say it usually affects young people - so Lily may grow out of it.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
LOTERIA
Una mujer quería comprar un numero de loteria, pero estaba indecisa
sobre qué números escoger, así que va donde el joven vendedor y le pregunta:
- Mire, quiero jugar a la Lotería, pero la verdad es que no sé cómo
escoger los 5 números, a lo mejor usted me puede ayudar?
- Claro, como no - responde el joven y a la vez le pregunta:
- ¿Por ejemplo, dígame. ¿Cuántas veces ha salido usted del país?
- Cuatro veces.
- Perfecto, ese es su primer número, el 4. Ahora dígame ¿Cuántos hijos
tiene?
- 2 hijos.
- OK. Ese es su segundo número. ¿Y cuántos libros ha leído este año?
- 5 libros.
El joven anota.
- Ahora cuénteme, ¿Cuántas veces al mes hace el amor con su marido?
- Oiga pero, eso es muy personal, ¿no cree?
- Bueno, ¿quiere o no ganar la lotería?
- Bueno bueno,.... 2 veces al mes.
- O.K. Y ahora que ya entramos en confianza, dígame:
¿Cuántas veces en su vida le ha puesto los cuernos a su marido?
- Perdone joven, pero sepa que... ¡Yo no soy de esas mujeres sueltas...!
- Está bien, está bien, no se enoje - le dice el joven - Eso quiere
decir que cero veces.
Ya lo tengo, su número es el:
4 2 5 2 0
Efectivamente la mujer compra la serie completa y al día siguiente lo
primero que hace es mirar el periódico y encuentra que el número ganador
del premio es el:
4 2 5 2 7
Y GRITA:
¡¡MIERDAAAAA, ESO ME PASA POR MENTIROSA!!
sobre qué números escoger, así que va donde el joven vendedor y le pregunta:
- Mire, quiero jugar a la Lotería, pero la verdad es que no sé cómo
escoger los 5 números, a lo mejor usted me puede ayudar?
- Claro, como no - responde el joven y a la vez le pregunta:
- ¿Por ejemplo, dígame. ¿Cuántas veces ha salido usted del país?
- Cuatro veces.
- Perfecto, ese es su primer número, el 4. Ahora dígame ¿Cuántos hijos
tiene?
- 2 hijos.
- OK. Ese es su segundo número. ¿Y cuántos libros ha leído este año?
- 5 libros.
El joven anota.
- Ahora cuénteme, ¿Cuántas veces al mes hace el amor con su marido?
- Oiga pero, eso es muy personal, ¿no cree?
- Bueno, ¿quiere o no ganar la lotería?
- Bueno bueno,.... 2 veces al mes.
- O.K. Y ahora que ya entramos en confianza, dígame:
¿Cuántas veces en su vida le ha puesto los cuernos a su marido?
- Perdone joven, pero sepa que... ¡Yo no soy de esas mujeres sueltas...!
- Está bien, está bien, no se enoje - le dice el joven - Eso quiere
decir que cero veces.
Ya lo tengo, su número es el:
4 2 5 2 0
Efectivamente la mujer compra la serie completa y al día siguiente lo
primero que hace es mirar el periódico y encuentra que el número ganador
del premio es el:
4 2 5 2 7
Y GRITA:
¡¡MIERDAAAAA, ESO ME PASA POR MENTIROSA!!
CHISTE - Me parece que ésta es una difícil situación.....y ustedes ¿Que hubieran hecho ?
Una mujer está en la cama con su amante y de repente escucha que alguien abre la puerta de calle. Es su esposo que acaba de llegar de modo inesperado. La mujer no sabe qué hacer, sepone muy nerviosa..., claro, en losdepartamentos modernos no hay un espacio debajo de la cama, no tienen balcón, están en el piso 20, no existen los armarios. Piensa un segundo y le dice a su amante: 'Cariñito, sígueme el cuento y déjame actuar a mí, pero sobre todo, quédate de pie, quietito, sin pestañear'.
Entra el marido a la habitación: ¡Hola mi amor!, he adelantado mi vuelo y he llegado un día antes...Hey... ¿y quién es este huevón?... ¿y qué mierda hace parado ahí en pelotas?
La adúltera se ríe de manera forzada... 'ja, ja, já, ¿apuesto que creíste que es un hombre de verdad?Como me tienes tan abandonada con tantos viajes y tantas reuniones..., me compré este
ROBOT ESCLAVO SEXUAL MODELO RTSEX-2008
Ven, … tócalo... tiene piel casi humana de verdad, vienerefrigerado por agua, gasta muy poco, tiene un procesador de 256 bits, con conexiónGPS a Internet, actualización automática de programas, etc., etc.'-¡Pero mi amor! ... ¿era necesario que te compraras algo así? -¿Y tu qué quieres?, ¿que me meta a la cama con algún vecino o con el portero?.
No es para tanto, déjate de leseras y vámonos a la cama - dice él.La mujer, que estaba algo más que agotada con tanto sexo, le dice:¡Ay mi amor,… es que me duele tanto la cabeza, y además justo hoy, me llegó la regla...
--¡Puta la mala suerte que tengo!...entonces prepárame alguna cosita que vengo con mucha hambre. La mujer se va a la cocina, y el marido se queda a solas con el supuesto 'robot'. Lo mira detenidamente y dice:
- Si este invento es bueno para mi mujer, también lo puede ser para mí,… ¡supongo!. Lo toma de un brazo y lo tira sobre la cama. Lo pone culo arriba, y cuando está a punto de clavárselo, el 'robot', con la voz más metálica y robótica que puede imitar:
ERROR... ERROR…
ERROR DE SISTEMA,…
AGUJERO INCORRECTO
ERROR... ERROR…
ERROR DE SISTEMA,…
AGUJERO INCORRECTO
El tipo lo mira, se sube los pantalones y dice:
¡Vaya mierda de ROBOT!,… y tan moderno.¡Ahora mismo tiro esta güevá por la ventana!.El amante robot, recordando que está en el piso 20,recapacita y gime con la misma voz metálica:
¡SISTEMA ACTUALIZADO...!
DESCARGA DE SOFTWARE COMPLETADA...
¡SISTEMA ACTUALIZADO...!
¡¡¡POR FAVOR, INTÉNTELO DE NUEVO!!!
Entra el marido a la habitación: ¡Hola mi amor!, he adelantado mi vuelo y he llegado un día antes...Hey... ¿y quién es este huevón?... ¿y qué mierda hace parado ahí en pelotas?
La adúltera se ríe de manera forzada... 'ja, ja, já, ¿apuesto que creíste que es un hombre de verdad?Como me tienes tan abandonada con tantos viajes y tantas reuniones..., me compré este
ROBOT ESCLAVO SEXUAL MODELO RTSEX-2008
Ven, … tócalo... tiene piel casi humana de verdad, vienerefrigerado por agua, gasta muy poco, tiene un procesador de 256 bits, con conexiónGPS a Internet, actualización automática de programas, etc., etc.'-¡Pero mi amor! ... ¿era necesario que te compraras algo así? -¿Y tu qué quieres?, ¿que me meta a la cama con algún vecino o con el portero?.
No es para tanto, déjate de leseras y vámonos a la cama - dice él.La mujer, que estaba algo más que agotada con tanto sexo, le dice:¡Ay mi amor,… es que me duele tanto la cabeza, y además justo hoy, me llegó la regla...
--¡Puta la mala suerte que tengo!...entonces prepárame alguna cosita que vengo con mucha hambre. La mujer se va a la cocina, y el marido se queda a solas con el supuesto 'robot'. Lo mira detenidamente y dice:
- Si este invento es bueno para mi mujer, también lo puede ser para mí,… ¡supongo!. Lo toma de un brazo y lo tira sobre la cama. Lo pone culo arriba, y cuando está a punto de clavárselo, el 'robot', con la voz más metálica y robótica que puede imitar:
ERROR... ERROR…
ERROR DE SISTEMA,…
AGUJERO INCORRECTO
ERROR... ERROR…
ERROR DE SISTEMA,…
AGUJERO INCORRECTO
El tipo lo mira, se sube los pantalones y dice:
¡Vaya mierda de ROBOT!,… y tan moderno.¡Ahora mismo tiro esta güevá por la ventana!.El amante robot, recordando que está en el piso 20,recapacita y gime con la misma voz metálica:
¡SISTEMA ACTUALIZADO...!
DESCARGA DE SOFTWARE COMPLETADA...
¡SISTEMA ACTUALIZADO...!
¡¡¡POR FAVOR, INTÉNTELO DE NUEVO!!!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Dog IDs all the rage
DogIDs has partnered with PetHub to make QR code collars that take advantage of today’s smartphone technology.
The ID collars include a unique web address and engraved QR code, the latter which can be scanned with any smartphone, including iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Microsoft Windows Mobile and more.
The ScruffTag itself sits on the scruff or back of a dog’s neck, making it easy to scan the QR code without having to reach under a dog’s jowls.
The collar can also include the pet’s name and the owner’s phone number.
A profile page on PetHub.com enables owners to build their pet’s profile by storing a myriad of information including medical history and current medications, training facts, care instructions, primary and alternative contacts, biography data and photos.
The information can be shared securely with care providers, vets, family and friends with the click of a button.
The ID collars include a unique web address and engraved QR code, the latter which can be scanned with any smartphone, including iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Microsoft Windows Mobile and more.
The ScruffTag itself sits on the scruff or back of a dog’s neck, making it easy to scan the QR code without having to reach under a dog’s jowls.
The collar can also include the pet’s name and the owner’s phone number.
A profile page on PetHub.com enables owners to build their pet’s profile by storing a myriad of information including medical history and current medications, training facts, care instructions, primary and alternative contacts, biography data and photos.
The information can be shared securely with care providers, vets, family and friends with the click of a button.
Friday, August 12, 2011
LUIS KALAFF
el rey del mereng
MERENGUE TIPICO
--
1 La Mecha
2 La Salve Las Antills
3 Limpiando La Hebilla
4 Pa Despues Venir Llorando
5 Alabao Sea Dios
6 Madora Che Che
7 Cada Tirra com Su Ritmo
8 Ahi Viene La Nena
9 Ahora Me Viene Llorando
10 Rio abajo Voy
11 El Fucu
12 Tu Si Sabes Como Fue
--
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4187780/LUIS%20KALAFF.zip
MERENGUE TIPICO
--
1 La Mecha
2 La Salve Las Antills
3 Limpiando La Hebilla
4 Pa Despues Venir Llorando
5 Alabao Sea Dios
6 Madora Che Che
7 Cada Tirra com Su Ritmo
8 Ahi Viene La Nena
9 Ahora Me Viene Llorando
10 Rio abajo Voy
11 El Fucu
12 Tu Si Sabes Como Fue
--
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4187780/LUIS%20KALAFF.zip
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Alejandra Guzman marks 20 years in music
Alejandra Guzman, the queen of Mexican rock, has released a live album summarising her first two decades in music.
'During all this time I've accumulated the energy of the people,' said La Guzman in an interview with EFE.
'What they give me back every night, the magic of a hit, when they see that I'm singing each one a song, it touches their heart and they feel it inside. Yes, I've had hard times too, but I'm still here loving what I do. Basically I'm still the same as when I began,' she said.
At 43, the controversial artist is still a whirlwind. An extrovert chatterbox, the two-time Grammy winner now bases her concerts on updated versions of her best-known numbers backed by the rock group Moderatto.
The album documents a March 17 concert and its release will set the theme for an international tour beginning Aug 20 in Mexico and will come to the US in November.
The daughter of singer Enrique Guzman and actress Silvia Pinal, she has sold more than 10 million discs, though she has also been through some tragic moments, such as the 2003 miscarriage that dragged her down a 'dark period' of addictions.
If there is one thing that makes Guzman feel proud, it's having given some meaning to the 'craziness and rebellion' that has always infused her life.
'For me the key is to give my all onstage,' she said. 'I sweat my butt off and give myself heart and soul. Onstage I have found many reasons to be alive. There I find some sense in my craziness and discover why I am the way I am. It's all fun to me and I feel like a fish in water,' she said.
'During all this time I've accumulated the energy of the people,' said La Guzman in an interview with EFE.
'What they give me back every night, the magic of a hit, when they see that I'm singing each one a song, it touches their heart and they feel it inside. Yes, I've had hard times too, but I'm still here loving what I do. Basically I'm still the same as when I began,' she said.
At 43, the controversial artist is still a whirlwind. An extrovert chatterbox, the two-time Grammy winner now bases her concerts on updated versions of her best-known numbers backed by the rock group Moderatto.
The album documents a March 17 concert and its release will set the theme for an international tour beginning Aug 20 in Mexico and will come to the US in November.
The daughter of singer Enrique Guzman and actress Silvia Pinal, she has sold more than 10 million discs, though she has also been through some tragic moments, such as the 2003 miscarriage that dragged her down a 'dark period' of addictions.
If there is one thing that makes Guzman feel proud, it's having given some meaning to the 'craziness and rebellion' that has always infused her life.
'For me the key is to give my all onstage,' she said. 'I sweat my butt off and give myself heart and soul. Onstage I have found many reasons to be alive. There I find some sense in my craziness and discover why I am the way I am. It's all fun to me and I feel like a fish in water,' she said.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Buddhist Temple Workers Cant Afford Worship in Sri Lanka
KELANIYA, SRI LANKA - Nilantha Dias and his father operate a flower boutique in Kelaniya, a small town near Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital. The shop, which specializes in flowers and other items used for worship, is one of 11 boutiques that belong to the much revered Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara temple here.
Said to have been made holy by a visit from Lord Buddha, the temple is one of the most ancient and sacred worshipping places for Buddhists in Sri Lanka. It is situated along the Kelani River, six miles from Colombo. According to the Mahavamsa, a historical poem detailing Sri Lanka's founding, Lord Buddha visited this ancient temple during his visit to Sri Lanka in 523 B.C.
While Buddhists used to worship at the temple every day of the year, today worshippers and pilgrims crowd the temple mostly on Saturdays, Sundays and Poya Days - Buddhist public holidays that occur during the full moon.
The 11 small boutiques that belong to the temple sell items used for worship - including flowers, coconut oil, oil lamps and sandalwood sticks - to worshippers and pilgrims. Ten boutiques are situated close to the temple parking lot, while one boutique stands near the temple's front entrance. Eleven different businessmen run the boutiques, with each paying weekly rent to the temple.
"On Poya Days, Saturdays and Sundays, we get good income comparing to other days," says Dias, whose shop sells flowers. "In my boutique, three of us are working."
Dias, whom everyone calls "Jabba," introduces his father and a young employee, Tharidu Kumara, 19.
Dias and his father often work from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. to accommodate worshippers - and even longer on Poya Days.
"On Poya Days, the shop is open [until] 10 or 10:30 p.m.," Dias says.
In addition to running the shop, each store manager is also responsible for paying rent to the temple. Dias says the money from the store he operates goes toward temple upkeep.
"According to the agreement with the temple, we pay 3,000 rupees [$27 USD] per week for the welfare of the temple," he says. "Our team has taken the responsibility of cleanliness of the temple."
But sometimes it is difficult to come up with the money.
"In some weeks, it is very difficult to pay 3,000 rupees [$27 USD] of our sales," he says. "I have to pay salaries for two persons. In my shop, another two persons are working except me. With our income and the current economic situation of the country, it is very difficult to manage."
Still, he says they're happy to do it.
"But it is our pleasure to pay that 3,000 rupees [$27 USD] for the maintenance of the temple," he says.
Kumara, the energetic teenager who helps Dias, stands outside the shop, calling customers in.
"Enna mal ganna," he calls, which means, "Come and buy flowers from our boutique."
Kumara, who studied only through primary school, says he joined Dias' shop as a salesman three years ago, when he was in 16. He works from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week - every day except Monday - and gets paid weekly.
"I get 700 rupees [$6.40 USD] per day," he says. "Except that, breakfast and lunch are provided by Jabba."
Born in Matara, located in southern Sri Lanka, he came to Colombo when he was young after his father died. He says his mother has done several jobs to look after him, so he started this job to look after her. They stay in a rented room close to the Kelaniya temple.
"This money is enough for me and my mother," he says, arranging a bunch of flowers.
"It is my responsibility to keep this place clean and neat," he says, while moving around the shop to arrange the worshipping items. "Otherwise, customers will not buy things from us."
But because Dias and his employees depend on their earnings from selling worshipping items to pay rent to the temple management and to support themselves and their families, they say that - ironically - they never get the chance to worship at the temple themselves.
The boutique workers spend their days selling flowers and other items for Buddhists to use to worship at the sacred Kelaniya temple. The sellers are Buddhists too, but they say that because of their economic status and the hefty fee that must be paid to the temple, they can't afford to worship inside the temple they help to maintain.
More than 75 percent of Sri Lankans are Buddhists, according to the government. The majority of Sri Lankan Buddhists go to temple and worship on the Poya Day of every month.
The national poverty line in Sri Lanka was 3,239 rupees, $30 USD, per person a month as of June 2011, according to the Sri Lanka Department of Census and Statistics. The percentage of Sri Lankans living below the poverty line declined by nearly half from 15 percent in 2006-2007 to 9 percent in 2009-2010.
Dilrukshi Hettiarachchi, 38, sells flowers in another of the temple's boutiques. Since joining the boutique's staff two years ago, she says she has worked almost every day from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. She says she earns 500 rupees, $4.60 USD, per day in wages, plus an extra 200 rupees, $1.80 USD, for breakfast and lunch.
"My house is in walking distance to this place," she says. "For the breakfast and lunch, I [must] go home and share it with my children."
Hettiarachchi says she works at the boutique in order to support her three children.
"I am the breadwinner of the family," she says. "My husband drinks alcohol all the time of the day and does not look after me or my children."
She says she is worried about her children's education. She says her eldest son finished his ordinary-level schooling but failed his exam and has since stopped going to school.
"My elder son was good in education," she says. "But I do not know what happened to him. I believe that because of our family problems, he missed his education."
She says she is working at the boutique to educate her two younger sons, who are in grades nine and six. Hettiarachchi, who completed her education up to the ordinary level, says she aspires for them to achieve their dreams since she couldn't.
"Because of poor family background, I was forced to stop my education," she says, then starts to cry. "I wanted to be a dancing teacher. It was my dream. I got a distinction for dancing."
She says she works for 14 to 15 hours in the boutique per day. Still, she says she rarely earns enough to make ends meet, much less to be able to take time off work to worship at the temple.
"It is very difficult to run the family by my wage," she says.
And after finishing her daily work at the boutique, she must fulfill her responsibilities at home.
"It is very [tiring] to do housework after finishing this job," she says. "The whole day standing and calling to people to sell flowers. No chairs to sit down [on]. My legs pain. But [at the] end of the day, I cannot sleep peacefully without giving cooked food by myself to my children."
She says she is happy to provide for them. Still, she says she wishes she didn't have to work so hard so that she had the chance to worship inside the temple once in a while.
"We sell flowers and worshipping items to thousands of people," she says. "But we are not lucky enough to go inside the temple and worship [with] flowers. I could not remember the last day when I worship [inside] this temple. One day I would like to observe Sil here. But it's a dream."
Sil is a religious ritual observed on Poya Days in which Buddhists sit and listen to several sermons by Buddhist priests on righteousness in an effort to enhance their goodness.
But Hettiarachchi says she can't give up a day's wages.
"If so, who gives food for my children?" she asks. "Not only me, most of these flower sellers do not go inside the temple. But Triple Gems may protect my children."
Triple Gems is a Buddhist blessing.
P.A. Nandawathi, 45, also works in the boutique with Hettiarachchi. Nandawathi, a widow, says she started working in the boutique four months ago to support her son and mother.
"Before that, I worked in a tea factory," she says. "I worked there in night shifts, too. It was difficult. So I left the job. After that, I sold fruits in the market. But I failed to get a profit."
She says she is happy to earn a decent wage here, but that it's not always easy.
"It is difficult to stand up [the] whole day and calling people," she says. "That is the only problem I face. [My] doctor has advised me to not to stand for long hours. But I cannot do this job without standing up."
Like Hettiarachchi, Nandawathi also says she doesn't have the luxury of visiting the temple.
"I have never visited inside the temple in these four months," she says. "On Poya Days, ladies of the age of me come here to observe Sil wearing white cloths. When I look at them, I feel I also want to observe Sil."
But like the other boutique workers, she says she can't afford to miss a day of work or the clothing needed to participate.
"If I do not earn the wage of the day, it is difficult to survive my family," she says. "I do not have clean white clothes to wear. It has to be spent a lot of money to buy clothes. So it is better to forget it."
The boutiques buy their flowers from wholesale flower sellers, who collect the flowers from areas far from Colombo, such as Chilaw, Kurunegala, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, and bring them to Kelaniya.
Somapala Banda, a wholesale flower seller, delivers flowers in his minivantwice a week - on Tuesdays and Fridays- from Chilaw to Kelaniya.
"I sell 4,000 lotus flowers a day to this market," he says, adding that olu and manel flowers are also popular in the shops here.
But sales vary by season.
"I have a good profit in dry season, but we face difficulties in rainy season," he says. "We cannot supply the flowers to fulfill the demand."
Like the boutique workers, he says that he is so busy earning a living that he doesn'thave the time or peace of mind to go inside the temple to worship.
One of the Buddhist monks, who is a resident of the Kelaniya temple but declined to give his name, says that all boutique owners pay their weekly rental fee on time to the temple for its upkeep. But he says that the temple management doesn't have much information about the sales personnel in the boutiques.
"They are casual, daily-waged laborers," he says. "Some of them work in the boutiques for a long period and some of them for a short period. We have only the details of the owners. We do not know about their employees."
But he says he has noticed that they rarely come worship in the temple.
"According to our observation, most of these sales [personnel] are from very poor families," he says. "They try to earn some money for the [survival] of them. It is a very rare incident that they come inside the temple for worshipping. I am a resident of this temple for more than six years. Since then, I have not seen any step taken to develop the lives of them. It is needed to have a system to develop their lifestyle."
But he says the monks have no control over whether the sales personnel have time to come worship. He suggests they band together to improve their working conditions.
"If the sales [personnel] could form a welfare society, they could have [a] common system of work, wages, leave, etc.," he says. "Then they should have at least one day leave per week. But the problem is they are not capable enough to form that kind of society with their educational background. We also cannot intervene for that because the owners run the boutiques as their private business."
Said to have been made holy by a visit from Lord Buddha, the temple is one of the most ancient and sacred worshipping places for Buddhists in Sri Lanka. It is situated along the Kelani River, six miles from Colombo. According to the Mahavamsa, a historical poem detailing Sri Lanka's founding, Lord Buddha visited this ancient temple during his visit to Sri Lanka in 523 B.C.
While Buddhists used to worship at the temple every day of the year, today worshippers and pilgrims crowd the temple mostly on Saturdays, Sundays and Poya Days - Buddhist public holidays that occur during the full moon.
The 11 small boutiques that belong to the temple sell items used for worship - including flowers, coconut oil, oil lamps and sandalwood sticks - to worshippers and pilgrims. Ten boutiques are situated close to the temple parking lot, while one boutique stands near the temple's front entrance. Eleven different businessmen run the boutiques, with each paying weekly rent to the temple.
"On Poya Days, Saturdays and Sundays, we get good income comparing to other days," says Dias, whose shop sells flowers. "In my boutique, three of us are working."
Dias, whom everyone calls "Jabba," introduces his father and a young employee, Tharidu Kumara, 19.
Dias and his father often work from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. to accommodate worshippers - and even longer on Poya Days.
"On Poya Days, the shop is open [until] 10 or 10:30 p.m.," Dias says.
In addition to running the shop, each store manager is also responsible for paying rent to the temple. Dias says the money from the store he operates goes toward temple upkeep.
"According to the agreement with the temple, we pay 3,000 rupees [$27 USD] per week for the welfare of the temple," he says. "Our team has taken the responsibility of cleanliness of the temple."
But sometimes it is difficult to come up with the money.
"In some weeks, it is very difficult to pay 3,000 rupees [$27 USD] of our sales," he says. "I have to pay salaries for two persons. In my shop, another two persons are working except me. With our income and the current economic situation of the country, it is very difficult to manage."
Still, he says they're happy to do it.
"But it is our pleasure to pay that 3,000 rupees [$27 USD] for the maintenance of the temple," he says.
Kumara, the energetic teenager who helps Dias, stands outside the shop, calling customers in.
"Enna mal ganna," he calls, which means, "Come and buy flowers from our boutique."
Kumara, who studied only through primary school, says he joined Dias' shop as a salesman three years ago, when he was in 16. He works from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week - every day except Monday - and gets paid weekly.
"I get 700 rupees [$6.40 USD] per day," he says. "Except that, breakfast and lunch are provided by Jabba."
Born in Matara, located in southern Sri Lanka, he came to Colombo when he was young after his father died. He says his mother has done several jobs to look after him, so he started this job to look after her. They stay in a rented room close to the Kelaniya temple.
"This money is enough for me and my mother," he says, arranging a bunch of flowers.
"It is my responsibility to keep this place clean and neat," he says, while moving around the shop to arrange the worshipping items. "Otherwise, customers will not buy things from us."
But because Dias and his employees depend on their earnings from selling worshipping items to pay rent to the temple management and to support themselves and their families, they say that - ironically - they never get the chance to worship at the temple themselves.
The boutique workers spend their days selling flowers and other items for Buddhists to use to worship at the sacred Kelaniya temple. The sellers are Buddhists too, but they say that because of their economic status and the hefty fee that must be paid to the temple, they can't afford to worship inside the temple they help to maintain.
More than 75 percent of Sri Lankans are Buddhists, according to the government. The majority of Sri Lankan Buddhists go to temple and worship on the Poya Day of every month.
The national poverty line in Sri Lanka was 3,239 rupees, $30 USD, per person a month as of June 2011, according to the Sri Lanka Department of Census and Statistics. The percentage of Sri Lankans living below the poverty line declined by nearly half from 15 percent in 2006-2007 to 9 percent in 2009-2010.
Dilrukshi Hettiarachchi, 38, sells flowers in another of the temple's boutiques. Since joining the boutique's staff two years ago, she says she has worked almost every day from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. She says she earns 500 rupees, $4.60 USD, per day in wages, plus an extra 200 rupees, $1.80 USD, for breakfast and lunch.
"My house is in walking distance to this place," she says. "For the breakfast and lunch, I [must] go home and share it with my children."
Hettiarachchi says she works at the boutique in order to support her three children.
"I am the breadwinner of the family," she says. "My husband drinks alcohol all the time of the day and does not look after me or my children."
She says she is worried about her children's education. She says her eldest son finished his ordinary-level schooling but failed his exam and has since stopped going to school.
"My elder son was good in education," she says. "But I do not know what happened to him. I believe that because of our family problems, he missed his education."
She says she is working at the boutique to educate her two younger sons, who are in grades nine and six. Hettiarachchi, who completed her education up to the ordinary level, says she aspires for them to achieve their dreams since she couldn't.
"Because of poor family background, I was forced to stop my education," she says, then starts to cry. "I wanted to be a dancing teacher. It was my dream. I got a distinction for dancing."
She says she works for 14 to 15 hours in the boutique per day. Still, she says she rarely earns enough to make ends meet, much less to be able to take time off work to worship at the temple.
"It is very difficult to run the family by my wage," she says.
And after finishing her daily work at the boutique, she must fulfill her responsibilities at home.
"It is very [tiring] to do housework after finishing this job," she says. "The whole day standing and calling to people to sell flowers. No chairs to sit down [on]. My legs pain. But [at the] end of the day, I cannot sleep peacefully without giving cooked food by myself to my children."
She says she is happy to provide for them. Still, she says she wishes she didn't have to work so hard so that she had the chance to worship inside the temple once in a while.
"We sell flowers and worshipping items to thousands of people," she says. "But we are not lucky enough to go inside the temple and worship [with] flowers. I could not remember the last day when I worship [inside] this temple. One day I would like to observe Sil here. But it's a dream."
Sil is a religious ritual observed on Poya Days in which Buddhists sit and listen to several sermons by Buddhist priests on righteousness in an effort to enhance their goodness.
But Hettiarachchi says she can't give up a day's wages.
"If so, who gives food for my children?" she asks. "Not only me, most of these flower sellers do not go inside the temple. But Triple Gems may protect my children."
Triple Gems is a Buddhist blessing.
P.A. Nandawathi, 45, also works in the boutique with Hettiarachchi. Nandawathi, a widow, says she started working in the boutique four months ago to support her son and mother.
"Before that, I worked in a tea factory," she says. "I worked there in night shifts, too. It was difficult. So I left the job. After that, I sold fruits in the market. But I failed to get a profit."
She says she is happy to earn a decent wage here, but that it's not always easy.
"It is difficult to stand up [the] whole day and calling people," she says. "That is the only problem I face. [My] doctor has advised me to not to stand for long hours. But I cannot do this job without standing up."
Like Hettiarachchi, Nandawathi also says she doesn't have the luxury of visiting the temple.
"I have never visited inside the temple in these four months," she says. "On Poya Days, ladies of the age of me come here to observe Sil wearing white cloths. When I look at them, I feel I also want to observe Sil."
But like the other boutique workers, she says she can't afford to miss a day of work or the clothing needed to participate.
"If I do not earn the wage of the day, it is difficult to survive my family," she says. "I do not have clean white clothes to wear. It has to be spent a lot of money to buy clothes. So it is better to forget it."
The boutiques buy their flowers from wholesale flower sellers, who collect the flowers from areas far from Colombo, such as Chilaw, Kurunegala, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, and bring them to Kelaniya.
Somapala Banda, a wholesale flower seller, delivers flowers in his minivantwice a week - on Tuesdays and Fridays- from Chilaw to Kelaniya.
"I sell 4,000 lotus flowers a day to this market," he says, adding that olu and manel flowers are also popular in the shops here.
But sales vary by season.
"I have a good profit in dry season, but we face difficulties in rainy season," he says. "We cannot supply the flowers to fulfill the demand."
Like the boutique workers, he says that he is so busy earning a living that he doesn'thave the time or peace of mind to go inside the temple to worship.
One of the Buddhist monks, who is a resident of the Kelaniya temple but declined to give his name, says that all boutique owners pay their weekly rental fee on time to the temple for its upkeep. But he says that the temple management doesn't have much information about the sales personnel in the boutiques.
"They are casual, daily-waged laborers," he says. "Some of them work in the boutiques for a long period and some of them for a short period. We have only the details of the owners. We do not know about their employees."
But he says he has noticed that they rarely come worship in the temple.
"According to our observation, most of these sales [personnel] are from very poor families," he says. "They try to earn some money for the [survival] of them. It is a very rare incident that they come inside the temple for worshipping. I am a resident of this temple for more than six years. Since then, I have not seen any step taken to develop the lives of them. It is needed to have a system to develop their lifestyle."
But he says the monks have no control over whether the sales personnel have time to come worship. He suggests they band together to improve their working conditions.
"If the sales [personnel] could form a welfare society, they could have [a] common system of work, wages, leave, etc.," he says. "Then they should have at least one day leave per week. But the problem is they are not capable enough to form that kind of society with their educational background. We also cannot intervene for that because the owners run the boutiques as their private business."
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Now, listen to music made from the sound of radiation
A nuclear safety team in Sweden have teamed with composer Axel Boman and musician Kristofer Hagbard to make music from the sound of radiation - present in everything around us.
"Right now we know of 3,175 different isotopes," Georg Herlitz, who heads the project, told FoxNews.com, "each with its owns decay pattern. We took the energy loss from each level and translated it into hertz, something like one kiloelectron voltage for two frequencies."
The result was phenomenal.
They ended up creating a web interface wherein you can create your own melodies that use isotopic frequencies-and visualize how radioactive energy moves.
Hagbard explained that he listened to hundreds of isotopes to find those that were artistically pleasing. In some cases, as with the Cobalt-60 isotope, he used an actual gamma spectra signature and converted it into an audio signature, and then incorporated that into the music.
"As far as we know this is the first time in history where radiation is translated to something quite tangible. It's a way of showing that radiation does not have to be harmful," added Liselotte Herlitz, who heads the nuclear safety team in Sweden called K
?rnkraftss?kerhet och Utbildning or KSU.
Boman and Hagbard are about to release a new album, called Radioactive Orchestra, using their own melodies based on the work, releasing August 15.
"Right now we know of 3,175 different isotopes," Georg Herlitz, who heads the project, told FoxNews.com, "each with its owns decay pattern. We took the energy loss from each level and translated it into hertz, something like one kiloelectron voltage for two frequencies."
The result was phenomenal.
They ended up creating a web interface wherein you can create your own melodies that use isotopic frequencies-and visualize how radioactive energy moves.
Hagbard explained that he listened to hundreds of isotopes to find those that were artistically pleasing. In some cases, as with the Cobalt-60 isotope, he used an actual gamma spectra signature and converted it into an audio signature, and then incorporated that into the music.
"As far as we know this is the first time in history where radiation is translated to something quite tangible. It's a way of showing that radiation does not have to be harmful," added Liselotte Herlitz, who heads the nuclear safety team in Sweden called K
?rnkraftss?kerhet och Utbildning or KSU.
Boman and Hagbard are about to release a new album, called Radioactive Orchestra, using their own melodies based on the work, releasing August 15.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Computers for the Blind
Here is your chance to have a powerful computer with software
allowing blind and visually challenged persons to be able to join
family and friends, doing what they are doing.
Each computer comes complete with monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers,
and all associated cables. It also comes with preloaded software.
Software includes: Open Office for word processing/book keeping, NVDA
screen reader, demo version of Window-Eyes (will function for 30
minutes before computer restart), and 60 day demo version of ZoomText.
For a donation of only $100, the Texas Center for the Visually
Challenged will send your newly refurbished computer right to your
door. As of this morning, they have sent over 4,100 computers to
visually impaired individuals. Computers can only be shipped to the
United States or Canada.
Call Lee Mann at 214 340 6328 for full information. Please pass this
information on to other people who may need an inexpensive, fully
accessible computer.
allowing blind and visually challenged persons to be able to join
family and friends, doing what they are doing.
Each computer comes complete with monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers,
and all associated cables. It also comes with preloaded software.
Software includes: Open Office for word processing/book keeping, NVDA
screen reader, demo version of Window-Eyes (will function for 30
minutes before computer restart), and 60 day demo version of ZoomText.
For a donation of only $100, the Texas Center for the Visually
Challenged will send your newly refurbished computer right to your
door. As of this morning, they have sent over 4,100 computers to
visually impaired individuals. Computers can only be shipped to the
United States or Canada.
Call Lee Mann at 214 340 6328 for full information. Please pass this
information on to other people who may need an inexpensive, fully
accessible computer.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman
LYRICS
bryan adams
--
To really love a woman
To understand her - you gotta know her deep inside
Hear every thought - see every dream
N' give her wings - if she wants to fly
Then when you find yourself lyin' helpless in her arms
You know you really love a woman
When you love a woman then tell her
that she's really wanted
When you love a woman then tell her that she's the one
'cause she needs somebody to tell her
that it's gonna last forever
So tell me have you ever really
- really really ever loved a woman?
To really love a woman
Let her hold you -
till you know how she needs to be touched
You've gotta breathe her - really taste her
Till you can feel her in your blood
N' when you can see your unborn children in her eyes
You know you really love a woman
When you love a woman
then tell her that she's really wanted
When you love a woman then tell her that she's the one
'cause she needs somebody to tell her
that you'll always be together
So tell me have you ever really -
really really ever loved a woman?
You got to give her some faith - hold her tight
A little tenderness - you gotta treat her right
She will be there for you, takin' good care of you
Ya really gotta love your woman...
Then when you find yourself lyin' helpless in her arms
You know you really love a woman
When you love a woman you tell her
that she's really wanted
When you love a woman you tell her that she's the one
she needs somebody to tell her
that it's gonna last forever
So tell me have you ever really
- really really ever loved a woman?
Just tell me have you ever really,
really, really, ever loved a woman? You got to tell me
Just tell me have you ever really,
really, really, ever loved a woman?
--
http://www.goear.com/listen/e4b62a6/have-you-ever-really-loved-a-woman-bryan-adams
bryan adams
--
To really love a woman
To understand her - you gotta know her deep inside
Hear every thought - see every dream
N' give her wings - if she wants to fly
Then when you find yourself lyin' helpless in her arms
You know you really love a woman
When you love a woman then tell her
that she's really wanted
When you love a woman then tell her that she's the one
'cause she needs somebody to tell her
that it's gonna last forever
So tell me have you ever really
- really really ever loved a woman?
To really love a woman
Let her hold you -
till you know how she needs to be touched
You've gotta breathe her - really taste her
Till you can feel her in your blood
N' when you can see your unborn children in her eyes
You know you really love a woman
When you love a woman
then tell her that she's really wanted
When you love a woman then tell her that she's the one
'cause she needs somebody to tell her
that you'll always be together
So tell me have you ever really -
really really ever loved a woman?
You got to give her some faith - hold her tight
A little tenderness - you gotta treat her right
She will be there for you, takin' good care of you
Ya really gotta love your woman...
Then when you find yourself lyin' helpless in her arms
You know you really love a woman
When you love a woman you tell her
that she's really wanted
When you love a woman you tell her that she's the one
she needs somebody to tell her
that it's gonna last forever
So tell me have you ever really
- really really ever loved a woman?
Just tell me have you ever really,
really, really, ever loved a woman? You got to tell me
Just tell me have you ever really,
really, really, ever loved a woman?
--
http://www.goear.com/listen/e4b62a6/have-you-ever-really-loved-a-woman-bryan-adams
Gene McDaniels
Gene McDaniels, who was most famous for the 1961 hit "A Hundred Pounds
Of Clay" and for writing the 1974 #1 hit "Feel Like Makin' Love" for
Roberta Flack,
died (July 29, 2011). He was 76.
Details are sketchy surrounding the circumstances of McDaniels' passing
at presstime. Word of McDaniels' passing came to this writer courtesy
of his good
radio friend, Dick Bartley, who in turn passed along information posted
on the web site of Ann Ruckert, The Music Business Guru. According to
Wikipedia,
McDaniels had been residing in Maine. It's believed he died in his
sleep. On her website, Ruckert (believed to be in the upper right hand
photo with Gene)
said, "His wife, Karen, told me he was working until the very end. They
went to bed last night, he was full of ideas and new projects, and this
morning,
she turned in bed to wake him and he was gone."
The son of the Reverend B.T. McDaniels, Eugene Booker McDaniels was
born February 12, 1935, in Kansas City and grew up in Omaha. According
to Joel Whitburn's
Record Research, he sang in church choirs and attended the Omaha
Conservatory Of Music. According to writer Norm N. Nite, he joined a
professional gospel
group at the age of 13, played saxophone in his high school band and
would eventually form his own vocal quartet. McDaniels had at least one
minor single
release in 1960 with "In Times Like These" before hitting the jackpot
with a song about God building the world.
The late Luther Dixon co-wrote "A Hundred Pounds Of Clay" along with
Bob Elgin and Eddie Snyder. Dixon's songwriting credits include "Big
Boss Man" and
"Doncha Think It's Time" for Elvis Presley, "Just Born (To Be Your
Baby)" for Perry Como and many of the Shirelles' hits like "Boys" and
"Soldier Boy."
"A Hundred Pounds Of Clay" reached #3 in the spring of 1961 and was
ranked #15 for the year by Cash Box magazine. After his followup
release, "A Tear",
reached #24, McDaniels had his only other Cash Box top 10 with the #9
"Tower Of Strength" in the fall of '61. McDaniels had three more top 40
hits in 1962
with "Chip Chip" (#16), "Point Of No Return" (#32) and "Spanish Lace"
(#38).
Although the solo hits stopped for McDaniels on the Liberty label after
1963, he was always into various music projects right up until the time
of his passing.
He produced for at least seven labels, including Capitol, Motown and
A&M. He wrote "Compared To What" in 1968 and it became a minor #96 hit
in early 1970
for Les McCann and Eddie Harris. The song made it onto the soundtracks
of eight movies, including "Ice Storm" and "Casino." McDaniels himself
appeared
in at least three movies: "It's Trad, Dad!" (released in 1962 in the
USA as "Ring-A-Ding Rhythm"), "The Young Swingers" (1963) and "Uptown
Saturday Night"
(1974). He recorded at least two albums in the 1970's, another in the
1980's and still another as recently as 2009.
Roberta Flack recorded the most Gene McDaniels-penned songs, including
"Feel Like Makin' Love," which was nominated for three Grammy Awards.
At the time
of his death, McDaniels was working with Mandy Bennett, an upcoming
singer-songwriter.
In eulogizing McDaniels on her website, Ruckert wrote, "Whenever Gene
came to New York, the joint was jumping. My house was filled with the
folks who loved
him and there was a lot of laughter."
Of Clay" and for writing the 1974 #1 hit "Feel Like Makin' Love" for
Roberta Flack,
died (July 29, 2011). He was 76.
Details are sketchy surrounding the circumstances of McDaniels' passing
at presstime. Word of McDaniels' passing came to this writer courtesy
of his good
radio friend, Dick Bartley, who in turn passed along information posted
on the web site of Ann Ruckert, The Music Business Guru. According to
Wikipedia,
McDaniels had been residing in Maine. It's believed he died in his
sleep. On her website, Ruckert (believed to be in the upper right hand
photo with Gene)
said, "His wife, Karen, told me he was working until the very end. They
went to bed last night, he was full of ideas and new projects, and this
morning,
she turned in bed to wake him and he was gone."
The son of the Reverend B.T. McDaniels, Eugene Booker McDaniels was
born February 12, 1935, in Kansas City and grew up in Omaha. According
to Joel Whitburn's
Record Research, he sang in church choirs and attended the Omaha
Conservatory Of Music. According to writer Norm N. Nite, he joined a
professional gospel
group at the age of 13, played saxophone in his high school band and
would eventually form his own vocal quartet. McDaniels had at least one
minor single
release in 1960 with "In Times Like These" before hitting the jackpot
with a song about God building the world.
The late Luther Dixon co-wrote "A Hundred Pounds Of Clay" along with
Bob Elgin and Eddie Snyder. Dixon's songwriting credits include "Big
Boss Man" and
"Doncha Think It's Time" for Elvis Presley, "Just Born (To Be Your
Baby)" for Perry Como and many of the Shirelles' hits like "Boys" and
"Soldier Boy."
"A Hundred Pounds Of Clay" reached #3 in the spring of 1961 and was
ranked #15 for the year by Cash Box magazine. After his followup
release, "A Tear",
reached #24, McDaniels had his only other Cash Box top 10 with the #9
"Tower Of Strength" in the fall of '61. McDaniels had three more top 40
hits in 1962
with "Chip Chip" (#16), "Point Of No Return" (#32) and "Spanish Lace"
(#38).
Although the solo hits stopped for McDaniels on the Liberty label after
1963, he was always into various music projects right up until the time
of his passing.
He produced for at least seven labels, including Capitol, Motown and
A&M. He wrote "Compared To What" in 1968 and it became a minor #96 hit
in early 1970
for Les McCann and Eddie Harris. The song made it onto the soundtracks
of eight movies, including "Ice Storm" and "Casino." McDaniels himself
appeared
in at least three movies: "It's Trad, Dad!" (released in 1962 in the
USA as "Ring-A-Ding Rhythm"), "The Young Swingers" (1963) and "Uptown
Saturday Night"
(1974). He recorded at least two albums in the 1970's, another in the
1980's and still another as recently as 2009.
Roberta Flack recorded the most Gene McDaniels-penned songs, including
"Feel Like Makin' Love," which was nominated for three Grammy Awards.
At the time
of his death, McDaniels was working with Mandy Bennett, an upcoming
singer-songwriter.
In eulogizing McDaniels on her website, Ruckert wrote, "Whenever Gene
came to New York, the joint was jumping. My house was filled with the
folks who loved
him and there was a lot of laughter."
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