I just found this, and it’s quite fascinating.

Peter Schiff virtually had a crystal ball to see the financial health of the U.S., and the other financial “experts” just laughed at him.

This includes financial news clips from 2006 and 2007.

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When I think of a simple occasion, yet one that can often become a most memorable one, good friends sharing an excellent meal is at the top of the list.  Many years ago, visiting the West coast on business, my long-time friend, Dave, invited me over to dinner to meet his wife, Melissa.

After working a full day in an executive position, Melissa served up a meal that was a culinary piece of art — both in appearance and flavor. I was quietly in awe. After that evening, I don’t believe I ever mentioned it to them again, but it was as casual as it was uniquely special, becoming a simply unforgettable (as well as an unforgettably simple) occasion that still elicits a warm smile.

Success in the culinary arts requires passion, just as any art form does.

The Culinary School Guide

Recently, I discovered that the online Culinary School Guide published their list of the Top 100 Useful Search Engines for Chefs, Cooks and Food Lovers.  When you read down the list and begin to visit their selected sites, I suggest you begin at a comfortable time after eating a meal … don’t do it when you’re hungry.  It is eye-opening.  The sites they chose offer an incredible variety of sources to find virtually anything one could drool over — well, almost anything.
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The following post falls directly into the category of shameless self-promotion.

This is a closely monitored category by the Special POC Police Force. The POC consists solely of police cadets who failed training in any other police program — this is a group you do not want to mess with.

Those who break the rules concerning self-promotional activities are usually snatched-up, without warning, as they walk out their door, exit their car, or are just taking care of business in a public rest room. They are immediately blind-folded, and taken to the special venue established for public humiliation.  At that point, only the unspeakable remains.

So, to play it safe, I just checked the Big Book of Rules, sub-category Self-Promotion, sub-section Shameless or Flagrant, and there it was — it would appear that I am no where near my quota.  Actually, I’m in a credit status, telling me that I need to do more of these.

In any event, you can comfortably breath a collective sigh of relief.

WAIT! Don’t go yet. We haven’t arrived at the start.

Sorry about all that — just taking care of business (not as in the way used above).

OK, here’s the start:

MSNBC.com has a sub-section in the Travel sub-category titled Picture of the Week.

A photo that was exposed in the camera I was holding, loaded with Kodachrome 64, back in 1983, while shooting a Honda commercial in Arches National Park, is in this week’s finalists for Picture of the Week.  I would guess the idea now is to be the highest vote-getter.

So, to make it easier to find my photo on the MSNBC Web page, I created a focused version — simply click on the Web page thumbnail and you’ll see where my image is.

As it looks now, I don’t have a chance in hell of winning.  But, if you take the time to look at the page, and feel just a bit of pity … that’s good enough, as I’ll gladly accept a vote of pity.  And sharing this info with your closest friends (down to distant acquaintances) would be acceptable, too.

Just think how great you’ll feel as being part of a group that really made a difference — or, consider how you’ll feel if you don’t.

Lastly, please feel free to use any or all those little tiny buttons right there … see them? … just below these last few lines, for your added convenience.

Ready to Vote?   MSNBC’s PICTURE OF THE WEEK

Gracias … Thank you … Obrigado … Вы … 감사하십시오 … Merci
Dank u … 谢谢 … Σας ευχαριστούμε … ありがとう… Danke

FINE ART PRINTS

This photograph is also available as a high-resolution, gicleé print, with many sizes to choose from. Custom framing is also available.

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From the time a baby is born, to sometime before they learn to speak, they still remember where they came from … and I’m not referring to the womb. I mean the place before that — that place we return to when we leave these cheap, humanoid housings behind.

And that’s why babies cry so much: they are totally bummed when they get here, and want to go back.  But by the time they can speak, those memories have been overwritten by Tipsy-Aunt-In-Your-Face-Martha, Crazy-Uncle-Bad-Breath-Bob, and all the other Earth monsters.

Hell, maybe this is purgatory … uh?

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Do you know any beautiful, expecting moms with a sense of humor that can occasionally use a defibrillator? If you’ve personally experienced that glorious miracle of childbirth — either as the carrier or the coach — you know how the simplest of joys can make a huge difference for that special mom.

The canine model is Kelsey, and currently my oldest rescue. She was born in late 1998, and raised in the wild for her first six to eight months. I adopt dogs that are considered un-adoptable. A challenge, yes. Rewards unbelievable.

But I’m sure you’ll be the hero of the day for that mom-to-be, and quite possibly a few additional days, as well. Lucky for you, the shirt comes in multiple colors and styles.

Check out all my apparel and gift options at: CafePress.com/Matre

And if your interest is in fine art prints, please browse my online gallery located at Matre.com/gallery-store.

All purchases come with a full 30-day, money-back guarantee.

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I recently switched printing and framing fulfillment companies — from one in Seattle to a very proactive POD (print on demand) and high-quality operation, known as Fine Art America.

I call it a buyers’ gallery since a buyer has nothing to risk — if they are not happy with their purchase, they can return it within 30 days for a FULL refund — including reimbursement for shipping both ways. I know of no other POD offering such a guarantee.

With over 13,000 artists represented, I was humbled to be mentioned three times in a newsletter which seems to come out about once a year. My artist-colleague from England, Elizabeth Edwards, was also mentioned for an article she wrote.

Clicking on the FAA logo will open a window highlighting the my attributions, as well as showing (along the right side) how long the newsletter is — very long.

My FAA Gallery Store is easily found by clicking Store in the menu above. My article referred to in the newsletter is about Digitizing Paintings for Making Prints.

And Ms. Edwards’ great interview is truly worth the read.

The Fine Art America home page.

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What would you do?

You become aware of secretive information that would directly hurt one or more of your friends — physically, financially or emotionally — and not only were those secrets meant to deceive, but you were even aware that their ongoing denial that secrets even exist, in itself, is just another deception.

You can look the other way, and avoid any risks that you would potentially be taking, and just feel lucky that those secrets will have no effect on you. Or, can that be your own denial?

You know you have your own issues to worry about, and you will simply play the safe game, and if the shit does hit your friends, as it most likely will, you’ll certainly offer some comfort, though of course you’ll do it in a safe place, so it doesn’t appear you’re on their side.

So, considering your decision, why do you call them friends?

Or, do you still have your integrity and morality?

To be continued . . .

There are few places on the planet that are near the fun of the original Disneyland, The Walt Disney World, and all the other Disney Properties.

My only request would be that Disney would set aside a few days per year where no one under 40 is allowed in.

Heck, they could be all-nighters … I really wouldn’t care. Let the older kids run from ride-to-ride without worrying about tripping over the younger kids.

That would be a true dose of reality … then we’d need to come back to this *other* world, until next year.

• Sooo, this post may seem oddly out-of-place … maybe yes?

The *real* reason it is here is to show a somewhat different example of illustration and image enhancement — clicking to see the large view shows the details.

SYNOPSIS — Two-dimensional artists, such as those who paint with oils, acrylics, water colors and other media, are increasingly discovering the need to digitize their work, either for archives, or for reproduction. For many, it’s daunting, and for many more, they don’t know it’s daunting.

As a photographer with extensive skills in both areas, I am sharing a very general and basic overview of what’s needed, both in equipment and skill. This is meant to give you a foundation and help you head in the right direction for you. Considering that, it is still a fairly long article.

INTERACT: Please use the comment section (below) for any input:  helpful … not helpful … you’d like to send money.

THE PROCESS OVERVIEW

There are two distinct tasks to obtaining a high-quality digital replica of your two-dimensional medium.

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I’m sorry, but this promotion has expired. If you would like to be notified of upcoming promotions (maybe 1-2 emails per month) I welcome you to join the First-to-Know list, in the right-hand column.

For a limited time, get 20% OFF Lar Matré prints, AND 20% off custom framing.

From now through January 5, 2009 10PM PST, receive 20% off any size of Matré prints through ImageKind, as well as 20% off the framing itself.

On each of my prints, I have chosen a size, and selected a custom mat and frame combination.  I suggest you begin by viewing my suggested framing, since it is classic gallery framing, simply, and not very expensive to begin with.  The samples at right show my suggested framing.

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that if you choose a larger or smaller print size, you will need to adjust the mat size accordingly — it will not change based on the print size.  I have included a link on most of the pages of prints, in the right hand column, helping you figure that.

But I would be more than willing to calculate it for you. Simply contacting me using the mail form under the Contact menu above, include the print name and size.  I will get back to you with the specifics.

PLEASE NOTE: The print prices have already been reduced, but you must add the Promo Code Groove20 to see the frame discount appear.

Thank you for your continued patronage.

View all Matré Prints

. . . or, go directly to the photos shown:

Frank’s “Eyesore” (top)  —  SPEED (middle)  —  Business District (bottom)

And remember there’s always a 30-day money back guarantee

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – If a woman wants to drive the men wild, she might want to dress in red.

Men rated a woman shown in photographs as more sexually attractive if she was wearing red clothing or if she was shown in an image framed by a red border rather than some other color, U.S. researchers said Tuesday.
The study led by psychology professor Andrew Elliot of the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York, seemed to confirm red as the color of romance — as so many Valentine’s Day card makers and lipstick sellers have believed for years.

Although this “red alert” may be a product of human society associating red with love for eons, it also may arise from more primitive biological roots, Elliot said.

Noting the genetic similarity of humans to higher primates, he said scientists have shown that certain male primates are especially attracted to females of their species displaying red. For example, female baboons and chimpanzees show red coloring when nearing ovulation, sending a sexual signal that the males apparently find irresistible. continue reading >>