Gifts and Free Advice

Free Rock Music Football Triva Contest with Prizes Win Ritchie Blackmore Autograph or Zippy the Pinhead Autographed Sketch Sweet!

The Contest Rules

This free contest involving interrelated Football and Rock Music Trivia is open to everyone. The entry with the most correct answers for the first 10 questions wins. The questions are for the most part tricky. In the event of a tie, the First Place Winner will be decided by the tie breaker question, the total points scored by both teams in the Super Bowl. The guess closest to the total score if there is need for a tie breaker, wins.

The Fantastic Prizes

The winning First Place Prize, this is all we can afford, is your choice of either an authentic autographed promo photo card of Deep Purple’s legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore with Rainbow in a custom frame or an authentic hand drawn and signed sketch of Zippy the Pinhead by creator Bill Griffith, matted. Your welcome to take the worn down scratched custom frame Zippy is presently contained in as well (not shown). You don’t win both! Second prize is 2 1950 Baseball Cards in absolutely terrible condition of Bob Elliot of the then Boston Braves and Charles Diering of the St. Louis Cardinals. Pictures of the Prizes are at the Bottom of the Page. The correct answers will be posted in a separate Blog on the morning of the Superbowl 10:00 AM February 1, 2009 and the winner will be contacted within 2-7 days of that date (I have to count this out by hand! I’m sure this will be a harder job then the Minnesota Election of Senator). As this Blog is first class baby, we will pay for the shipping of your prizes even if you live outside the United States.

The Entry Rules, Entry Deadline and Where To Submit Your Entries So Read Carefully

Send your entries, one per person, Siamese Twins Count as 2, to the following email address in proper email format (this is part of the contest) to HiFiHiFi68 At GMAIL Dot Com - Entry deadline is January 31, 2009. Do not send any entries to a comment section on this Blog as they will be deleted. The Comment Section for this Contest is Closed.

The Contest Starts Here

1. Which College Football Teams were Ranked 1-4 in the most current AP College Football Poll at the time when a Beatle touched US soil the first time?

2. Which Pro Football Star’s ex wife dated Elvis Presley before marrying the Pro Football Player?

3. Which rock guitar legend’s childhood drawings of pro football games were exhibited at one time in the Rock Hall of Fame. I actually saw them and I think one of them was either of a Baltimore Colts or Cleveland Browns Playoff game. As this was years ago, I’m assuming they’re no longer on exhibit.

4. What connection does Frank Zappa have with the New York Jets?

5. Who was the first Beatle to attend a Pro Football Game? What was the date, Who were the teams, what was the score and where was it played?

6. What was the New York Giants connection to the first Pro Football Game a Beatle attended (See question # 5).

7. What is the Pro Football Connection between the Meatloaf album “Bat Out of Hell”? This question is not a typo.

8. . Which Former Pro Football Player released on his record label a 12″ Record produced by the Easybeats George Young – Harry Vanda (also producers of AC/DC)? What was the name of the record and who was the recording artist?

9. What member of a teenybop idol rock group in the 1960’s was recruited to play in the World Football League but decided to concentrate on another sport?

10. What current College Football Quarterback was a member of an established Rock Band that released more than one album and had 3 album tracks chart in the US Mainstream Rock Charts. Name the high school and college teams he played for? Also name his band.

Tiebreaker To Be Used Only in the Event there is more than 1 person with the highest correct answers for questions 1 to 10. Make sure to include this with your contest entry. If you don’t and there is a tie, you will be disqualified from first place.

What is the total Points Both Teams Will Score in the Super Bowl? The entry closest to this number (in absolute difference - i.e. 1 point below the total will beat 2 points above the total) in the event of a First Place Tie, will be declared the First Place Winner. The loser of the tiebreaker will be declared the Second place winner. In the event the tiebreaker results in another tie, both First Place Prizes will be awarded and divided by the 2 Winners Preferences. If both winners want the same prize, I shall decide for them!

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First Prize Either: Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow Autographed by Ritchie Blackmore includes Custom Frame The scan cam out bad because of the frame contrast This autograph looks great in person. Or Zippy the Pinhead Sketch Hand Drawn and Autographed by creator Bill Griffiths. Includes gray matt which is perfectly even again a bad scan. I will also include the custom frame if requested that is a bit worn and scratched.

Second Place are these 2 1950 baseball Cards in Horrible Condition. At least this contest keeps it real!

January 6th, 2009 | Posted in Football Rock Music Trivia Contest, Football Rock and Roll Trivia Contest, Music, Sports | No Comments

Anxiety Disorder Seeing a Psychiatrist for Anxiety Helped Me

I thought I’d share my experience with seeing a psychiatrist for stress and anxiety disorder which really has helped me get both under control in case it can help anyone else suffering from stress and anxiety.

I’ve suffered from stress and anxiety most of my life and in some ways, believe it or not, saw it as a good thing as they helped motivate me to stay focused to accomplish things. Unfortunately I became too focused and I’d see life with blinders on as task events that I’d have to accomplish while blocking out everything else. I’ve always been fearful that unless I did something totally right, I’d fail and that anxiety helped give me high blood pressure and obsessive task oriented behavior where instead of stopping things at a normal breaking point and going to sleep at a normal time I’d continue to 5:00 or 6 in the morning to finish what I was doing. The bottom line is I eventually became a total nervous wreck.

Basically, I went to the psychiatrist to placate my then live in girlfriend who basically gave me an ultimatum that I either I’d see a psychiatrist or she’d leave. Luckily under my Health Insurance, I could see a good psychiatrist for only $10 out of pocket each appointment. I was skeptical about seeing a psychiatrist but it turned out to be incredibly helpful to me in the long run. The first sessions I didn’t think accomplished that much but eventually by the third session when the psychiatrist had a better idea of who I was, he suggested I start on a medication called Lexapro for my anxiety. Lexapro is prescribed for adults suffering from anxiety or depression. I was hesitant at first because I thought taking Lexapro would stifle my creativity and focus which it didn’t.

Basically taking Lexapro which I still take, made me feel like a much calmer and less anxious person and I could still focus and complete things but I didn’t feel the compulsion and worry about what would happen to me if say I completed something over a period of a few days instead of immediately. My creative levels felt the same and the best way to describe my new feelings are that I no longer felt like a rat trapped against a wall who constantly had to succeed to get out of the trap. I now see my psychiatrist once every 6 weeks to 2 months basically for him to monitor my usage of Lexapro and make changes as he feels necessary. I’ve had absolutely no side effects from Lexapro but I should tell you that for the first 2-3 months it made me very sleepy as I felt so much more calm and relaxed. After that time the sleepiness went away. My blood pressure as a side benefit became much better as I was more relaxed.

The bottom line is by seeing a psychiatrist and taking the Lexapro medication he prescribed, I felt has helped me with my anxiety problems as well as dealing with stress and I’m glad I went to be treated by a psychiatrist for these problems. Do what you think is best for you.

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January 4th, 2009 | Posted in Anxiety, Health, I see a Psychiatrist for Anxiety, Seeing a psychatrist for Anxiety helped me | 1 Comment

Survive The Economy Cut Your Expenses and Make Money Blogging

Here are 15 tips on how to survive the current economy by cutting expenses and making money blogging.

If you want a few hundred extra dollars a month without having to leave your home, the easiest way to do this is through Blogging. Mind you, it will probably take a few months till you’ve established yourself and made money but once you do, it should be smooth sailing. Other than having a Domain Name, a website Host and Blogging Software, Blogging will not cost you anything and the costs of a domain name and Web Hosting are negligible and Blogging Software is a fixed affordable one time cost.

Before I go on, you will basically make money on your Blog by letting Google put those small ads on your Blog (and/or Website). Google pays you a percentage of what someone paid for the ad, everytime some one clicks it. This is called Adsense. They don’t have to purchase anything they just have to click it. The click has to be legit. If you, your family or your friends click the ads, that’s considered click fraud and Google will kick you off the Adsense Program for Good and not pay you what you made. For a more detailed and clarified article I wrote on Adsense on this Blog Please Click Here

As to blogging itself, you just need to write about anything that interests you in general or write everything about a specific related topic called a Niche. For instance you can write about your adventures and misadventures of your job or your adventures and misadventures looking for a job etc. Or you can write on say Pro Football, Hockey, Photography, Teaching, Raising Children, etc. Your Blog can be on just one of these subjects or a variety of things like this blog is. There will be an audience of people out there interested in what you write about no matter what the subject is as long as they find it either interesting or informative or they can relate to it, or all three which would give you the biggest audience. The larger your audience, the more money you can make via Adsense. For a more detailed and clarified article I wrote on Blogging, Please Click Here

Tips on Cutting Your Expenses

Here are a bunch of ways you can cut your expenses relatively painlessly. I’m sure you may be doing some of them already. These tips are not by priority.

1. Assuming you have Health Insurance, have all your prescription drugs filled by mail order pharmacy. You should save about 33% of what you’d pay to a store pharmacy.

2. If you need to buy any electronic equipment, see if you can buy it used online from a reputable seller in very good or better condition. The only things off the top of my head I wouldn’t buy used or refurbished are HDTV sets,TV sets, DVD players, Blu-Ray Players and DVD recorders. You will save a lot of money this way. I’ve never been burned once. If you want to buy a used or refurbished computer, there are large dependable businesses online where you can by them with a warranty like Computergeeks.com for example.

3. You can buy CDs and DVDs used online at a big saving from buying new. If you don’t want to keep them, just sell them back online and you will hardly be out any money overall. The same with Used Books. You can also join a program like Netflix and rent DVDs by mail cheaper than you can at a Video Store.

4. If you do buy CDs, DVDs and books new, you can always resell them at places like Amazon and Ebay. Keep and use the padded envelopes that contain products you bought online when you sell online. This will save you $1-$2 an item you sell on postage. Don’t reduce the amount you charge for postage so you’re making this money!

5. If you’re going to eat out, especially if you’re by yourself, take your meal out instead of eating it in the Restaurant. Assuming you’re equipped at home, you’ll save on overpriced drinks and beverages (which is how a lot of Restaurants make their Money) and tips. Just eating a Sandwich and Coca Cola for lunch at a Restaurant costs me $5 more than it would eating it at home or in my office.

6. You can easily make cheap good tasting meals like Spaghetti once or twice a week.

7. Instead of buying Soda and Snacks from Vending Machines at work, if you have access to a refrigerator, just bring in a supply of canned soda and snacks that you can get much cheaper at the grocery. You’ll be surprised what this saves you in the long run.

8. Hold off on any vacations.

9. Hold off having kids or any more kids for the present. Don’t be like Bristol Palin!

10. Take care of your teeth by Brushing and Flossing twice a day as dental costs are expensive.

11. Don’t go to movies as much. I don’t know about you but when everything is said and done, it costs me over $20 a movie. I’m happier watching a movie on my Blu-Ray Home Theater System for pennies and less hassle!

12. If you’re single, don’t spend a fortune wining and dining someone other than the first date or two because if she’s truly interested in you, you don’t have to impress her with your money.

13. If you live with a girlfriend who will share your mutual expenses like rent, electricity, etc., do it, you’ll save a nice amount and get sex regularly! Read My Blog Post on This Click Here

14. Get an electric scooter for local travel and errands. This will save you a lot of Gas Money and its fun riding. Read My Blog Post on This Click Here

15. If you read a magazine regularly like Sports Illustrated and TV Guide for example, get a subscription which will save you hundreds of dollars a year from Newsstand Prices.

Lastly and this is something I wish I had done, if you can save money and you don’t need to save it now, save it anyway for the future because you might become a victim of the economy at one time or another and you’re best off having a nest egg to get you through.

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January 4th, 2009 | Posted in Anxiety, Cutting Expenses Painlessly, Free Google Adsense Program, Intro to Adsense, Make Money Blogging, Make Money with Adsense, Money Making Tips, Money Saving Tips, Surviving the Economy, blogging | 2 Comments

Pepsi Commercial Rips Off ‘Put A Little Love in Your Heart’ I Think

I’m no musicologist but I was shocked when I just saw what I assume to be a new Pepsi Cola Commercial at the 2 minute warning during the Arizona Cardinals Atlanta Falcons Playoff Football game on NBC that starts with the wording “Yo” “Howdy” “Aloha” shown and the lyrics “And the world is made of energy and the world is electricity” and so on, which sounds with the melody practically identical to the part on “Put A Little Love in Your Heart” by Jackie DeShannon that goes “and the World will be a better place, and the World will be a Better Place, For You and Me”. Now unless Pepsi Cola received permission from Jackie DeShannon and/or her publisher to incorporate (for lack of a better word) this part of “Put A Little Love in Your Heart” something seems not right to me. Note, I do not know what constitutes a song being similar but considered original and a song which is too similar to another song and therefore not considered original as I am not a musician or songwriter. Here by the way is a video of Jackie DeShannon, a great performer and songwriter, performing “Put A Little Love in Your Heart” Click Here

Honestly this is none of my business and I’m not a fanatic but it just seems like a total insult by a huge corporation like Pepsi Cola to blatantly rip off a classic song if they didn’t receive permission. I’m sick of corporations that know better and can afford to follow the rules, just do what they want to because they can. I did an online search as I thought there would be some information on this commercial but I couldn’t find any. Again, I’m not a musical expert but something seems clearly wrong. If anyone has any further information on this and wishes to correct me, feel free to. I have no interest in taking on a Giant like Coca-Cola who can squash me like a bug on something I have no financial interest on whatsoever and I’ll be happy to delete this post, if I’m in left field looking at right.

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January 3rd, 2009 | Posted in Is Pepsi Cola "Ripping Off" a Classic Song?, Music | No Comments

Anquan Boldin Arizona Cardinals Football Déjà Vu NJ Nets Dr. J

The Anquan Boldin Arizona Cardinals contract situation reminds me very much of what happened to the New Jersey Nets (Long Island Nets) Dr. J, Julius Erving, when the Nets wouldn’t pay Dr. J what he was worth when they joined the NBA. I hope for the Arizona Cardinals sake they aren’t stupid enough to do to Anquan Boldin what the Nets did to Julius Erving by trading him which destroyed their franchise for years.

If ever a professional athlete deserved to have his contract renegotiated its Anquan Boldin. Anquan Boldin is the anti-Terrell Owens and has let his game do the talking and what a game it is. Even though Boldin is making millions, he’s being paid way to low for a player of his stature and importance to his team. Unlike other athletes involved in bitter contract negotiations, Anquan Boldin hasn’t let his contract situation affect his play. He’s had an awesome season and without him, Larry Fitzgerald the other All-Star wide receiver and Quarterback Kurt Warner, the Cardinals wouldn’t be in the NFL playoffs for the first time in years. Boldin is so dedicated a player that he came back from a brutal helmet-to-helmet collision against the New York Jets for which he suffered fractured paranasal sinuses and was expected to miss 6 to 8 games which he could have chosen to do. Instead he came back after 2 games which given his contract situation most players wouldn’t.

Bottom line is the Arizona Cardinals are lucky to have a player of Anquan Boldin’s stature and they need him a lot more then he needs them. If they don’t pay Anquan Boldin what he wants and deserves and trade him, the team will be set back for years like what happened to the New Jersey Nets after they got rid of Dr. J. Anquan Boldin rules and is worth every cent he wants. Give it to him!

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January 3rd, 2009 | Posted in Anquan Boldin Arizona Cardinals, Pro Football | No Comments

House TV: Rating the Doctors on House in Terms of Ability

Based on my observations of the “Doctors” abilities on the Fox TV series “House” and not their personal habits good or bad, here is how I rate the doctors in terms of actual medical ability and not bedside manner:

1. Gregory House - Has probably saved 90% of the patients that the other Doctors couldn’t diagnose. This one’s obviously a no brainer.

2. Taub - In my opinion the second overall smartest Doctor in the group and seems to be the one Doctor on his staff that House has the most respect for as a Doctor. Was capable of having his own practice which he left for personal reasons not medical ability.

3. Cuddy - This is a leap of faith in my part ranking her so high as she’s more involved in the administrative end of running the Hospital and I’m not sure how much she has kept up on actual medical matters. I’m assuming that to put her in charge of the Hospital she must have demonstrated excellent medical knowledge and ability. If you think she should be ranked lower, I’m not going to argue.

4. Chase - I’m sure this will surprise a lot of you but he’s actually saved the most lives after House with his diagnosis’s, in fact House even punched him in the face once for it. Despite the fact that he’s been House’s punching bag, he’s come through in the clutch more than once, though I think he screwed up once and got a patient killed. As the NCAA football team can have 1 loss and be ranked number 1 in the polls over an undefeated team, so can Chase be number 4.

5 & 6 Tie. Foreman and Cameron - I’m sure a lot of you think that Foreman should be number two or at least ranked ahead of Chase and Cameron but I obviously disagree. I think Foreman probably talks a better game than Chase and Cameron but in terms of what he’s actually accomplished, I think Chase has accomplished more and I don’t see Foreman’s medical ability and knowledge being any better than Cameron who probably isn’t taken as serious because of her looks and femininity.

7. Kutner - Of all the Doctors, he has the potential to be ranked higher in the future. Right now he basically just lacks experience. Probably the only Doctor outside of House who can think outside of the box. Has as I said huge potential.

8. Thirteen - Is a good doctor but her health and personal problems have affected her medical ability to a degree.

Not Ranked: Wilson - I didn’t feel it is fair to rank Wilson in that he is a Specialist and is not involved directly in most of the shows cases.

Anyway, let me know if you agree or disagree and why. Please no comments as to why Amber hasn’t been mentioned till now. I never thought she was hot anyway!

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January 3rd, 2009 | Posted in House Ranking the Doctors by Ability, TV | No Comments

Laser Eye Surgery Info: What’s involved in Laser Eye Surgery

For anyone just needing some quick general information on what’s involved in laser eye surgery, here is some basic information I got online. I am not a Doctor so do not take any of this as Gospel- if you see a real Doctor get the actual detail from them. As I couldn’t even handle wearing contact lenses, just use glasses for distances and try to avoid all surgery unless something is absolutely necessary, I won’t have laser eye surgery but here is some basic general information for you to determine if you should investigate this further and make a Doctor’s appointment and decide from there after seeing a Doctor. If you see anything I wrote that needs revising or anything I should add to this post, please let me know.

Pluses of Successful Laser Surgery

* Little pain
* Vision is corrected within a day after laser eye surgery though it can take up to 6 months for your vision to stabilize
* Recovery is quick and usually no bandages or stitches are required.
* Adjustments can be made after to correct vision further as applicable
* Most patients don’t need glasses afterwards.

Potential Side Effects

* Discomfort Up to 2 Days after the operation
* Glare
* Halos around images
* Trouble Driving at Night
* Fluctuating vision
* Dry eyes

Pre-Laser Eye Exam

Your ophthalmologist conducts a pre-Laser eye examination to determine whether you are a good candidate for Laser eye surgery.

Weeks Before the Operation

Patients wearing soft contact lenses are usually instructed to stop wearing them 5 to 21 days before surgery. One industry body recommends that patients wearing hard contact lenses should stop wearing them for a minimum of six weeks plus another six weeks for every three years the hard contacts have been worn. Before the surgery, the patient’s corneas are examined with a pachymeter to determine their thickness, and with a topographer to measure their surface contour. Using low-power lasers, a topographer creates a topographic map of the cornea. This process also detects astigmatism and other irregularities in the shape of the cornea. Using this information, the surgeon calculates the amount and the locations of corneal tissue to be removed during the operation. The patient typically is prescribed and self-administers an antibiotic beforehand to minimize the risk of infection after the procedure.

The day before surgery, you should stop using:

* creams
* lotions
* makeup
* perfumes

Surgery Procedure Information from the US FDA

“Surgery should take less than 30 minutes.

A numbing drop will be placed in your eye, the area around your eye will be cleaned, and an instrument called a lid speculum will be used to hold your eyelids open.

Your doctor may use a mechanical microkeratome (a blade device) to cut a flap in the cornea.

If a mechanical microkeratome is used, a ring will be placed on your eye and very high pressures will be applied to create suction to the cornea. Your vision will dim while the suction ring is on and you may feel pressure and experience some discomfort during this part of the procedure. The microkeratome, a cutting instrument, is attached to the suction ring. Your doctor will use the blade of the microkeratome to cut a flap in your cornea. Microkeratome blades are meant to be used only once and then thrown out. The microkeratome and the suction ring are then removed.

Your doctor may use a laser keratome (a laser device), instead of a mechanical microkeratome, to cut a flap on the cornea.

If a laser keratome is used, the cornea is flattened with a clear plastic plate. Your vision will dim and you may feel the pressure and experience some discomfort during this part of the procedure. Laser energy is focused inside the cornea tissue, creating thousands of small bubbles of gas and water that expand and connect to separate the tissue underneath the cornea surface, creating a flap. The plate is then removed.

You will be able to see, but you will experience fluctuating degrees of blurred vision during the rest of the procedure. The doctor will then lift the flap and fold it back on its hinge, and dry the exposed tissue.

The laser will be positioned over your eye and you will be asked to stare at a light. This is not the laser used to remove tissue from the cornea. This light is to help you keep your eye fixed on one spot once the laser comes on. NOTE: If you cannot stare at a fixed object for at least 60 seconds, you may not be a good candidate for this surgery.

When your eye is in the correct position, your doctor will start the laser. At this point in the surgery, you may become aware of new sounds and smells. The pulse of the laser makes a ticking sound. As the laser removes corneal tissue, some people have reported a smell similar to burning hair. A computer controls the amount of laser energy delivered to your eye. Before the start of surgery, your doctor will have programmed the computer to vaporize a particular amount of tissue based on the measurements taken at your initial evaluation. After the pulses of laser energy vaporize the corneal tissue, the flap is put back into position.

A shield should be placed over your eye at the end of the procedure as protection, since no stitches are used to hold the flap in place. It is important for you to wear this shield to prevent you from rubbing your eye and putting pressure on your eye while you sleep, and to protect your eye from accidentally being hit or poked until the flap has healed.”

After the Operation

Patients are usually given antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops for a few weeks and advised to sleep more. A darkened pair of shields to protect eyes from bright lights and protective goggles to prevent rubbing of the eyes when asleep and to reduce dry eyes are used. Patients are required to moisturize the eyes with preservative-free tears and follow directions for prescription drops. Your Surgeon will advise you exactly what you need to do after the operation.

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January 3rd, 2009 | Posted in Health, Laser Eye Surgery General Info | 1 Comment

Play the Outdoor NHL Hockey Winter Classic 30 Games a Year

I haven’t been following the National Hockey League in 30 years but I did follow the annual Outdoor NHL Hockey Winter Classic which has been a total success for the NHL in terms of everything (Attendance for the Game, Publicity, Goodwill, etc.). The latest Outdoor NHL Winter Classic played on January 1 at Wrigley Field in Chicago between the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks in 32 degree weather drew 40,818 people. OK, a total success. It’s such a success that anyone with an IQ over 2020, except that “knucklehead” of an NHL Commissioner, Gary Bettman, can’t seem to grasp the fact that if outdoor Hockey is such a success on every level, why not play it more than once a year, say 30 games a year? Duh! This is why the NHL is the only League to cancel a complete season.

When “Survivor” became a smash hit on CBS, CBS was smart enough to have it on twice a year not once. Why can’t the 30 NHL teams play hockey outdoors twice a year in Stadiums that will technically allow for outdoor hockey games? I don’t want to hear that this is against tradition or the weather will make conditions for some games really bad or that 1 game a year on New Years Day makes it special. So what, it’s good overall for both the league and the players in terms of everything, who cares? Hell, even I might go.

Just remember the legendary NFL Playoff game in 1967 known as the “Ice Bowl” when the Green Bay Packers defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the freezing Green Bay weather. I don’t think anyone ever complained about that game. The NHL finally did something more than right and when you’ve got a good thing going, you don’t limit it. If Gary Bettleman had produced “The Godfather” there never would have been a “Godfather 2″. If he launched the first Hilton Hotel, he never would have launched a second. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist. NHL you go for it!

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January 2nd, 2009 | Posted in NHL Outdoor Hockey, Sports | 3 Comments

‘Replay’ Greatest Time Travel Novel Brad Pitt Movie Never Was

My First Edition Hardback Autographed in pen by Ken Grimwood

If you are a fan of time travel, “Replay” by Ken Grimwood is a must read as it is absolutely the greatest Time Travel Novel ever written and was supposedly optioned at one point to be made into a movie starring Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts, but somehow fell through. At least Ken Grimwood was paid a lot of money for the movie rights and lived a good life with the money till ironically he died unexpectedly just like the Hero of “Replay” of a heart attack at a premature age. Before you scream, you spoiled “Replay” so why should I read it, well the Hero of Replay, dies three times in the book and is reborn as himself, in 3 different periods of his lifetime!

“Replay” is quite simply a masterpiece and its almost impossible to put down without reading from beginning to end. It is the only novel I actually read twice I loved it so much. After it was published, the movie “Groundhog Day” used several concepts similar to some in “Replay” for which Grimwood was allegedly furious but couldn’t do anything about and the Ashton Kutcher movie “The Butterfly Effect” used similar concepts as well but you can’t copyright a concept I don’t think. I’d actually recommend renting “The Butterfly Effect” which was quite good as was Ashton Kutcher and I say that not being an Ashton Kutcher fan.

In the first part of “Replay”, Jeff Winston, 43, dies of a heart attack and finds himself back in his 18 year old body in college 1963, with all the memories of his previous life. He lives a full life making decisions based on what he knows is going to happen which leads to all types of paradoxes, ironies, tragedies, etc. External History is still the same: Same World Events, Sports Events, everything is the same except for his destiny and his life and how he effects the people around him. He lives a full life and then he “Replays” it again and then once more again! He changes his life each time based on his previous “Replays”. I’m sorry, I’m being vague here but I don’t want to spoil the book for you which is simply fascinating. A bunch of Time Travel concepts that I never thought of are introduced in “Replay”. As I said, its non-stop reading and easily the greatest novel as well as science fiction book I ever read.

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January 2nd, 2009 | Posted in Book Reviews, Replay Brad Pitt Time Travel Non-Movie, Replay Ken Grimwood Time Travel, Sci-Fi Fantasy | No Comments

Snowy White of Pink Floyd Thin Lizzy Fame is a Great Guitarist

Just thought I’d use this blog to give Snowy White, an “auxiliary guitarist” for Pink Floyd live and on record, co- lead guitarist with Thin Lizzy from 1979-81, and leader of his own band, as recognition for being one of the best lead guitarists in the world and as an introduction to any guitar rock or guitar blues fans who aren’t familiar with him. In my opinion, imagine Mark Knopfler with more bite meeting vintage Fleetwood Mac Peter Green, and you have Snowy White, a lead guitarist who plays beautiful fluid melodic electric guitar with an edge that makes the notes glow.

Snowy White is an English lead guitarist who’s been a professional for over 35 years and who’s career is still active and going strong today. In 1977 Snowy White began his association with Pink Floyd who were looking for an additional guitarist for their “In The Flesh” stadium tour of 1977. White’s solo on “Pigs On The Wing,” although ultimately not used for the Animals album version (it appears on the 8-track version and on Snowy White’s Goldtop Anthology album), was his very first time playing for Pink Floyd (as David Gilmour did not require an audition). During the tour, White started off the show himself by playing bass on the song “Sheep,” as well as soloing during “Have A Cigar” and “Shine On You Crazy Diamond part XIII.” He also played guitar during the 1980-81 “The Wall” Tour and is on Pink Floyd’s” Is There Anybody Out There? The Wall Live 1980-81″ album. He’s also been a member of Roger Waters live bands for who he still plays with and is on 2 Roger Waters Live albums: “In the Flesh Live” and “The Wall Live in Berlin”.

The two albums Snowy White made as a member of Thin Lizzy, “Chinatown” and “Renegade” are my personal favorite Thin Lizzy albums and I would totally recommend buying both albums if you’re a fan of guitar rock. He also wrote several songs on these albums and his guitar work along with Scott Gorham playing co lead guitar is awesome. Hard rock but melodic yet not syrupy guitar with great vocals by the late Phil Lynott. My favorite tracks from these albums are “We Will Be Strong” and “Renegade” and these albums are amongst my favorite albums in my record collection.

As for Snowy White’s solo work as well as sessions he’s played on, I would recommend the excellent anthology album of his work called “Goldtop” on RPM Records. It features besides the already mentioned Pink Floyd “Pigs in the Wing” and “Renegade” with Thin Lizzy, session recordings with Rick Wright of Pink Floyd and the aforementioned Peter Green as well as some of his best recordings including his two “Snowy White Blues Agency Agency” as well as “Bird of Paradise” which reached number 6 in the British charts.

I’d recommend the Thin Lizzy albums “Chinatown” and “Renegade” as well as the Snowy White Collection “Goldtop” to start with and from there get the 2 Snowy White Blues Agency Albums and then any of his other great albums. Most of these albums are available but you may have to look online and dig a bit for some of them. If Snowy White isn’t amongst your favorite guitar players now, I think he may be after you listen to some of his great recordings.

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January 2nd, 2009 | Posted in Music, Snowy White Great Lead Guitarist, Snowy White Pink Floyd Thin Lizzy | No Comments

Are Mermaids Abducting Disappearing Cruise Ship Passengers and Crew?

I don’t mean to sound insensitive but what the Hell is going on, on Cruise Ships? It seems like almost each week someone else disappears off a Cruise Ship and the latest victim is a cruise ship Entertainment Worker who fell overboard early Thursday off Florida’s east coast. At least this time, witnesses actually saw this person fall overboard, not like the other people who just disappeared off their cruse ship. It’s getting like traveling on a cruise ship is more dangerous than flying? Hell maybe Mermaids roaming the deep are using their psychic powers to lure these people overboard. Something is going on!

The easiest thing these cruise ships could do that would at least give law enforcement and these victims family’s some clue as to what happened to them is to have security cameras all over the Cruise Ship Decks. Of course some member of the ACLU would make a big production of loss of privacy and being in a Police State!

I really believe that every time some bizarre publicized act of misfortune happens like passengers disappearing off cruise ships, plane crashes, etc., it somehow subconsciously sets off a trend, and more of the same thing happens for the next few years and its almost like accidents waiting to happen. All I can say is, I’ll stick to women with legs not Mermaids with fins. I’m not leaving my cozy home!

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January 1st, 2009 | Posted in Cruise Ship Disappearances & Mermaids, Psychic Phenomena and The Supernatural | No Comments

Panasonic DMP-BD55 Blu-Ray Player Night and Day Better than DVD Players

I just got the Panasonic DMP-BD55 Blu-Ray Player for $350 on sale and its night and day better than any DVD player I’ve had or seen. The picture quality is excellent and much better than I’ve seen on regular DVD players including my Harmon Kardon 31 DVD player which I loved and the Audio sound is awesome and I really feel I’m hearing Home Theater Surround Sound the way its suppose to be heard for the first time.

As my Receiver did not have an HDMI connection, I connected the audio by Analog cable to my receiver in order to get True HD Audio, the best Audio you can get from Blu-Ray. As I said the sound was totally awesome and I really felt like I was experiencing home theater for the first time, as it was so much better than I was used to. Imagine the difference between Nicole Kidman and Raquel Welch in her 20’s, it was that kind of pronounced Va Va Va Voom difference! I used 3 pairs of Acoustic Research AP031 6-Foot Stereo Analog Interconnects with Gold RCA Plug Molded Connectors for my Analog Connection, which cost around $11 each and produce excellent neutral sound. If I used 7 speakers and a sub instead of 5 speakers and a sub, I would have gotten another pair.

The picture of the Panasonic DMP-BD 55 Blu-Ray player was perfect. I had actually thought the picture of my regular DVD Player, a Harmon Kardon 31, could not be beat till I saw the BD-55 Blu-Ray Picture which seemed to add “Juice and liveliness” if that makes any sense to the picture like I’ve never seen before. For the picture I used a Nexxtech 6′ HDMI Cable (Model # NXX N6HDMI) which is highly rated and listed for $60 but I got new online for $40 and connected the BD 55 Blu-Ray to my HDTV HDMI input with it.

I suggest if you are watching Blu-Ray for the first time, you watch Batman The Dark Knight which looked and sounded spectacular. If you have a receiver with HDMI, the Panasonic DMP-BD35 Blu Ray Player is supposidly similar ot the DM-BD55 other than not having Analog Audio connections and goes for around $285 on sale. I would definitely recommend buying the Panasonic DMP-BD 55 Blu-Ray player if your receiver has no HDMI connection as well as the Nexxtech 6′ HDMI Cable and Acoustic Research AP031 6-Foot Stereo Analog Interconnects to enjoy the Home Theater Experience at its finest.

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January 1st, 2009 | Posted in Electronics, Panasonic BD55 Blu-Ray Player is Awesome | No Comments

Great 2009: Gifts and Free Advice Blog Appreciates Our Readers

I would just like to thank all the people who’ve read my blog in the past year as well as anyone who has bought Discount items from my Online Gift shop or any of my other E-Commerce Stores which I customarily list after each Blog Post. I hope 2009 is a great year for you and your loved ones and I hope you’ll continue to read this blog and tell your friends about it. If you ever have a request for an original Blog Piece to be written by me, all of the Blogs here are my writing, feel free to suggest it. I’ll continue to write about how to stop the Man or Woman from Walking Over You, Sports, Electronics and Electronics Advice including Home Theater and Home Audio, TV and Movie Reviews, Dating, Beautiful Women, Fixing Computer Problems, Making money, Saving Money, Your Health and Much More in a straightforward concise way, that hopefully will be entertaining and a good read for you.

Here are a couple of my Best Blogs for the Year that you may enjoy, Click them to read the Blog Post:

All of my Blogs Are Categorized on the right by Subject if you want to read more. Posts that are Marked Repost means I had to resubmit a Blog because it Was Somehow Not Indexed Initially in the Search Engines and/or I made some revisions. Thanks again for your readership and hope you have a great 2009 and please continue reading our Blog in 2009. Yay!

Picures of My Ten Hottest Women of All-time in their 20’s prime including Lynda Carter, Raquel Welch, Sophia Loren, Jayne Mansfield and 6 more hotties.

Thank God I Have Renters Insurance

Why Do Celebrities Look Worse After Plastic Surgery

HDTV Buying tips and Secrets

Free Guide to Starting a Blog and Making Money Step by Step

Good Teeth for Success and Attracting Women

If Fired, Use E-Commerce To Cover Your Tracks on a Resume

Easier to attract a Goodlooking Woman than an Average Looking One or Worse

Online Dating Follow-Up

1965 New York Giants Worse Field Goal Kicking Team in NFL History

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January 1st, 2009 | Posted in Music, We Appreciate You Reading Our Blog, blogging | 1 Comment

Panasonic DMP-BD55 Blu-Ray Player Analog Connection Set Up The Quick Way

Denon 3801 Back