There is something enchanting in Celtic music
Each new song speaks to the listener
evoking in us a memory, a dream,
visions of places we have never been

The melody bestirs our senses--opening them anew
to the life in the earth, the sky, the oldest trees
and the youngest flowers. We feel their pulse and
their spirits talk to us

The air is thick with mysteries of days long past,
of the fae, of clans, and feuding lords,
of women staring into the flame of a candle,
wondering when their men would return

Entrancing, the notes herald the majestic
Mournfully, the tune brings us to that sad place
and makes it okay--to feel the pain vanquished

A single note played on the bagpipes, then another,
will roll through the air--and find our people
And we shall hear the heartbeat of our kith

When we congregate with other listeners,
each person will exchange a look of kenning
It is in our blood, our hearts--we are united

The music speaks of the gloaming, of heather and
cold winds, of young love and love lost, of green
hillocks and brisk-watered lochs, and of the wee
folk who used to dwell in the woodland

When the life of the land beckoned to one
and all, and united us through nature;
that is the heart of Celtic music…
it hunts for our souls, slips under our skin
and binds us as kin.

Do you like to listen to live music? When you think of live music what do you think of? Do you think of going to a huge stadium or concert hall and standing with thousands of other screaming fans while your favorite artist or band plays song after song? This is the type of experience that many people prefer when they think about “live music.” But, with the technology we have available today, it is possible to have a similar experience in your home every day.

It has been decades since the first live music concert was broadcast over cable television. This is a way that not just thousands but millions of viewers all over the country and even the world can be part of a live concert taking place in New York City, London, or even Tokyo. The televisions and stereo systems that we have today far outshine those of the past, and you may really feel like you are right there at the live music venue even if you are sitting in your living room or den. You can watch whatever you want to watch, eat whatever you want, and turn it up as loud as you want. Then, you can record it and watch it again later.

The internet is also a great resource for live music downloads. However, the term “live” in this case may be deceiving. Sometimes you can listen to actual music that is live, but for the most part the live performances you will find on the internet are recorded previously. They are not, however, the same recordings that you will buy on a CD. The music and the performances are unedited and raw. Many sites now offer free downloads so if this is your type of music experience you can put it on your MP3 player and go.

If you still prefer being at the venue for the live concert, but you can’t afford to spend a fortune, check out some of the local bands-you can hear samples from some of them online at sites like myspace music.

Although it may seem that country music has been around forever, it has actually only been around since the early 20th century. Although some may call it “cowboy music” the roots of country music can actually be found in the blues, gospel, Celtic and folk music. It began in the early 20th century in the Appalachians of the southeastern United States. Country music is the “working class” music of the south. It often tells a story or has a moral. In today’s fast-paced, high-tech world, it is amazing that “old fashioned” country music still has a place in the hearts of so many-even if you listen to it on your ipod or MP3 player.

The first country music recording that really got noticed was of Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter family back in 1927. This type of music had been around for a few years before that, but this was the “breakthrough album” for the genre. Jimmie Rodgers played what was called “country folk” and told stories with his songs. He sang about everything from alcohol to women and even included humor in many of his songs. The Carter family was multi-talented and not only sang beautifully, but also played skillfully on guitars and other stringed instruments in true Appalachian tradition.

The next “pioneer” of the country music industry was Hank Williams Sr. He took cues from his predecessor, Jimmie Rodgers and sang songs about life, love, and loss. He died young, just as Mr. Rodgers did but not before passing on his musical genius to his children and eventually his grandchild.

The country scene changed in the 1960’s just like everything else in the United States. Two branches broke apart and one followed the traditional and the other put more emphasis on a smooth solo vocal and less emphasis on solo instruments-like the rock and roll of the day. This division continues to some degree today.

Do you thing downloading music illegally is not a big deal? It was a big deal just a few years ago. Napster was offering a free file sharing service to members and it allowed people to download music without paying for it. When the music industry found out how many people were downloading music this way and not buying their CDs in the store or online they filed suit against Napster. Napster lost and they went out of business. People who were caught downloading music this way were prosecuted and fined. The same laws that put those people and Napster in legal trouble are still there. If you are downloading music, do it the legal way, through a downloading service. Napster is now back in business legally and is cooperating with the music industry to provide music at a low cost to consumers.

To find the best service for downloading music to meet your particular needs and tastes, you should shop around online. Most of the sites offer similar features, so it is more a matter of cost and plans as well as the types of downloads they offer. For example, if you are a country music fan, you would want to subscribe to a site which showcases the newest country hits and artists. You can find sites which will offer unlimited downloads, with a monthly subscription fee, but if you are downloading music to burn onto CDs you usually have to pay per song or per album. The charge per song is about a dollar and for a whole album it is about ten dollars.

Burning CDs is fairly simple if you have the right software and equipment. You need to have a CD burner in your PC and a CD software program along with a CD-R (not a CD-RW) disc. You can download the software online if you want. You can pick your songs from a music download site and organize them the way you want them. You cannot burn songs that you do not pay for because they are encrypted to prevent theft.

Most of you don't want to go to college and learn theory, harmony, and composition techniques. Not only is it tedious and for the most part -boring, but it's also unnecessary.

That is, if you want to compose atonal music or whatever the latest fad in academia is, go to college. If you want to capture your ideas and quickly put them down on paper, you only need to learn how to think in phrases!

This is what most improvisers/composers do anyway. For example, many of you have heard me speak of using 8-bar phrases as a cornerstone to both improv and composition. Why? Because it's a very easy space to work in! You can very quickly complete 8-bars and have both your theme and the first section of music.

By working this way, you don't have to worry about what the final form of the piece will be. Many composition books suggest you block out the entire structure of the piece first including harmony, climax, etc. This is one way of working with music. It's not the only way.

Especially for beginners, it can be daunting to say the least to have no idea where you're going and what to do next. But, and here's the really good part, by working with 8-bar phrases, you learn how smaller sections are built into larger sections and so on. In other words, you learn how composers think.

Here's how I do it. I start by improvising and see what comes up. If I feel like I'm on to something, I just write out 8-bars on a sheet of paper (any paper will do) notate what key I'm playing in and the time and write out the first 2-bars of the melodic idea. Next, I'll play through and write out the chord changes. For example, if the piece is in the key of F Major, the first 2-bars may be an F Major chord, the next 2-bars, B flat Major and so on.

By working this way, you can quickly complete an 8-bar section of music and you're ready to add more sections working the same way!

Gordon Parks, the famed photographer of the last century, died this year. He learned his trade here in the Midwest and perfected it in New York. Other photographers of fame of that era, Joe Schilling, James Whitmore, Hy Perkins, Bob Gomel, Ralph Morse, Paul Schutzer, Art Shay, and George Silk to name a few, were of the “Unrehearsed Photography School.”

Photo editors in those days respected the talent of these photographers to produce useable images for their publications. No demanding art directors, or “creative consultants” looked over their shoulder to guide their inspiration. If they did, it was only to tell them what they did not need. These photographers’ efforts produced spontaneity unrestrained by commerciality.

That era is gone. At least in our field of stock photography. Giant digital stock agencies no longer leave photo production to the whims of a single shooter. Time and production costs demand that they “get it right” the first time. The process is mechanized. And the process is sensitive to current trends and public craze.

THE PROCESS

Shooting a commercial stock photo from scratch is now mechanical. Here’s how it goes. A client comes to the stock photo agency with an idea for a photo for its new campaign. “No,no, no.”, the Creative Director of the agency says to the client.

“Our research says that your idea will be out-of-style before the campaign is even launched. What you need is ‘image uniqueness’. You want to separate yourself from the flock and have a visual identity, a brand awareness that is unmistakably, you. Our team can do this for you.” In the world of commercial stock photography, this is often called “assignment photography.” The Creative Director then consults with his Art Director who then assigns the task to a production staff including a wardrobe manager, cosmetic advisor, scene location consultant, and photographer. Notice that the last team member does the grunt work and pushes a button.

In general, the aim for the stock agency is to produce a generic picture, that can lend itself to several interpretations, that ultimately will “sell product”, that is trend-timely, within a budget that won’t exceed its shelf life, and that can be wholly owned by the agency so the image can be “authored” (manipulated/enhanced) later for an extended life. All of this can be reduced to an algorithm that eventually produces an image that is within budget and will be useable within the shelf-life of a contemporary stock photo –three years or less.

This is a complicated way of looking at stock photography and far from the “unrehearsed” photos of the last century. Gordon Parks would chuckle. If the commercial stock photos manufactured today are drained of any spontaneity, you know the reason.

Amber Hiccums had had a great fall and winter in Paris and New York, and now spring was here in Ireland and she sprang out of the jaunting-car to reconnoiter with her dear friends Harmie and Armie, the most beloved couple in Dublin. Harmonious Claribel Euphony was by every man's calculation, the biggest gent in Dublin. Some took him to be equal to the length and breadth of it, and his wife, Armonium Laribel Phonieux, the most sinuous, continuous, roundabout and plural of women. There was trouble in Dublin. Before Amber could unpack or even pull down her ever-popping-up collar, Armie took her by the hand. --Let's stroll along the river, lovey, and I'll fill you in. We've had a serious robbery hereabouts. A gang of four, maybe more, has stolen the priceless Viscount Scepter and other treasures from the museum. We fear that the thieves may throw away the most precious stone, the famous Morken Diamond, since it would be recognized anywhere and so will not likely be cut into smaller gems. It would take a better knifeblade than they have to do it in any case.

--O rocks! Here's some flat ones, lets skip a few stones. You know, it seems likely that unusual goings-on will be talked about. Maybe we can pick up some gossip if we go wandering through the park.

And so they rustled up this and that path, stopping to sit hither and thither on benches occupied by chatters, some nicely dressed and others in tatters. Several suspicious men and women passed by, looking quickly at the outsider, then lowering their heads.

--Amber Hiccums, everybody thinks you are a spy. Come to think of it, they're about right. Don't get too close to those brambly bushes, mustn't skin your coat. We're not hearing much here, not worth tarrying any longer, let's go.

Armonium Laribel Phonieux hustled Amber onto a tram and they hied themselves to the Flowertown Bazaar.

--This is the merriest bazaar I've ever been to, Armie, it has everything! I must get a little something for Raoul while I'm here.

--Mind the clay and you're about to step on that potted ashplant.

--Sorry! Say, look at that candlemaker's stall over there. There's a little cloud of wicksmoke hanging over it.

--That's where we are going Ambo, here, let me introduce you to our nosiest operative, Icarious Uplump Stately.

--Aieeayoh you scared me with your blooody feral dog. What happened to him?

--Wo, you sound like one of them sirens durin' the war. Ol' Bunk here stuck his nose in the wrong pub, got a dog biscuit box thrown at him. Glad to meet you. Has Armie told you the plan?

--Not so's you'd notice, I am a ...

--No, no, we can't talk here. I sold a few candles already so I'll close up shop for now and meet you two at noon by the timeball. Bring Harmie and I'll round up the rest.

Noon found them all hunkered in a circle drawing diagrams in the sand and receiving assignments. Amber and Armie were sent to the hamlet of Kidneyzod because a some big spending had been spotted there.

At twenty-three Enkeedoo St., beside the Gilgamishemishe Fountain, they found a giant curio sale going on. A mother and her brood, and for that matter all her neighbors were buying multifarious titbits, necklaces of rosevean beads, cheap little booklets of poems, CDs of The Ballad of Garry Owen. O the noise, the noise was enough to wake the dead.

Oops! a boy almost knocked me down. Well bite my bunions!

Amber recognised a warm human plumpness of a man flashing his money about with great to do. It was Harmonious Claribel Euphony, her friend who had left the meeting to go to Dalkey where it was thought that some of the stolen booty had been seen.

--So, Harmie, do you belong here at our investigation site, and why are you just throwing your cash around?

--Shh... Cash'll flush 'em out. Go. Go away, go away, I had hoped that I wouldn't encounter you.

--Okay, okay, I'm history, don't blame me. Ppecmshdepoaufw! Don't forget to pull the chain. Acts like he's trying to get over a nightmare.

Amber caught up with Armonium and the two traipsed off to the brownstone bookstore to show off what nothing they had discovered to Icarious and his fellow councilor Mr. Nolanetti.

Before they could reach the door, a one-armed fisherman with crazy eyes pulled them aside and into a narrow path between two buildings. He growled menacingly.

--You'd best come with me if you want to save a life y' know. This way.

Behind the bookstore was a square ditch to let the river run off in case of a swelling tide. Over that was a bridge into a yard with what seemed to be a storage shed. The fisherman pushed aside some movable rocks, opened the ramshackle door and waved his remaining hand for them to enter. Amber tugged at her collar. She could barely see a tunnel, dank and close. They tiptoed along for about a block and came into a cave-like room with a fire going and several men sitting around with their pipes asmoke.

--Here they are, tell 'em the tale.

--Hee Haw, you must be Amber, Armonium I already know . You sit down ladies, tea water's boilin'. Here comes each a cup, and now the story. Not two hours ago, one of our agents hiding behind a lamppost in the park, spied a group of two young women and three soldiers whispering like paranoids. He moseyed over casual-like and asked did anyone have a match perchance. Well, you should have heard all the fancy excuses they came up with about why and where and how come and no one even asked them their business, did they?. So upset they were that they grabbed a hostage, one little wandering chewer who was munching neither on a candy bar nor a popsicle, but only a bit of potato, that harmless she was. As it happens, the girl is the very daughter of Martha Pandybat, the very secretary and keeper of the keys of our very little museum. We then received a letter that said we could get Martha's girl back if we would send a messenger with a sackful of money to 1132 Seashell St. right there at the foot of the castle just at 7 P.M.

He clearly explained it all and showed them the note. Amber was not known to the rapscallions, so was elected as the bag lady, the thought being that she would not pose a threat to them. Whoever had that thought was missing more than an arm, but that was the decision and off she went, with invincible Armie following some distance after.

In the excitement of finding a casino gambling site, some people lose their heads completely and start to bet without preparation. For a few hours of fun, most end with no cash to spare, or worse, a pending legal charge. Experienced gamers learn these things over time, and unfortunately, most, after losing cash or legal hassles. For beginners in internet casino gambling, here are some basic rules that can save you from unnecessary losses and legal troubles.

The rules regarding casino gambling or any form of gambling possess a fluid nature. They are easily changed and usually, vary among states and countries. Some states allow gambling, as the case of the legal Nevada casinos. But other forms of gambling remain illegal, or at times, remain unregulated. This is especially true for most forms of online gambling. Therefore, it is one of its most basic rules to research and be informed of the rules about internet gambling in your place. The best way to do this is not by hearsay, rather, your best option is to ask the local government or authorities if gambling online is allowed or prohibited in your state. Remember that no amount of online gambling fun is worth a jail term.

If gambling online is allowed in your place, you are free to look for sportsbook sites or online casinos to start gaming. However, registration is standard procedure to start your gaming career. This usually requires personal information like bank account number, address, phone number, your email, and your name. Sensitive data like these are in danger of being intercepted by hackers or identity thieves. To avoid this, make server security a factor in choosing your casino gambling site. Reputable sites post information about their security technology in their websites. Another way is by verifying this information by asking the operators of the site, either by using an alternative email or by phone.

When you're satisfied with their security measures, don't register just yet. Knowing the casino gambling websites you are using and betting on gives you advantage. Read reviews about the sites or browse the sites for a genuine feel. Sites usually have an information page such as FAQs page or an "About Us" page. Most strong and established sites also offer free trials of their casino or poker software. Download these and try playing for free. Playing gives you better insight and allow you to evaluate the merits of the website. If you have several options, download their free softwares to determine which one satisfies your gaming needs.

Of course, casino gambling is also about winning. It is to your convenience if you're informed about the pay-out procedures or banking options that your casino website offers. Pay-out delays are often caused by inefficient and slow pay-outs. Players confess that slow returns cause agitation and takes the fun out of playing. An efficient banking system also indicates exceptional customer service. This shows that the website takes your fun and convenience seriously.

Lastly, gambling online is also about fun. Knowing the casino gambling games before signing up makes you ready to enjoy the experience. Read the instructions and game rules before placing bets and playing. It is true that losing is part of the game. But, losing because you don't have a clue about half of what you are doing is not fun and can cost you precious cash. Taking free casino gambling online tutorials and other tactics boosts the fun factor because they improve your game. Nothing is more fun than actually winning.

If you are playing video poker slot machines or looking to play them, then consider Jokers Wild - its the perfect introduction for novice players.

Video poker slot machines, unlike standard slot machines allow you to get an edge over the casino by playing correctly, you can therefore increase your chances of winning if you play correctly.

If all the video poker slot machine games Jokers Wild is arguably one of the most fun. Below we will look at the rules and how you can win.

An easy and fun introduction

Jokers Wild is a hot new video poker slot game that is easy, has lots of winning hands, and with the wild Joker (good for any card you wish it to be), you can more often than other video poker slot machine game.

You can play as fast or as slow as you wish, and most machines accept small bets (even $0.01) to $10.

The Rules

Jokers wild on the video slot uses a 53 pack of cards.These are all the normal cards, plus one Joker. If the Joker appears in any hand, it can used as any card you wish it to be.

You begin by making a bet. Then five cards are dealt. Now you can discard as many of the 5 cards as you wish, or keep them all. After your decision on what to keep and what to discard new cards are dealt to replace the discarded ones.

The game at this point is essentially over, it only needs to see if you won or not.

Below is a list of the winning hands, from the lowest to the highest rank.

The Winning Hands (from the lowest ranking to the highest)

Two Pair / Pair of Kings or Aces – This is any 2 cards of the same values

Three of a Kind – This is any 3 cards of the same value.

Straight – This is any 5 consecutive cards, such as J, 10, 9, 8 and 7, but not in the same suit..

Flush – This is any 5 cards of the same suit, in no particular order.

Full House – This is 3 cards of one value, and 2 cards of another value.

Four of a Kind – This is a hand with 4 cards of the same value.

Straight Flush – This is 5 consecutive cards in the same suit, for instance 8, 9, 10, J and Q. Remember the A count as a 1 or after the K.

Joker Royal Flush – This is a royal flush where one of the five cards is the poker

Five of a Kind – This is four same-value cards plus the joker.

The Natural Royal Flush (without the joker) - A, K, Q, J, and 10 of the same suit.

How to Win

Firstly, in any Video poker slot machine game like joker poker, play a machine with the highest payouts i.e. a 7 / 5 machine.

Keep in mind you want to win the royal flush and you only get this by playing max coins so make sure you do.

Now here are some tips below to help you win that are statistically proven to help you win at Jokers Wild.

They are tried and tested rules of what to keep and what to discard, and each depending what in your hand. Follow these tips, and you will see yourself

If you cant memorize them then pre printed cards are available free on the net.

Here they are:

If you find a joker in your hand then keep all cards that are three-of-a-kind or higher, except hold four cards to the royal flush.

Keep any 4 card straight flush and a 4-card flush if it includes K, A or both.

Keep 3 cards to a royal flush

Keep any paying pair of high cards (K , A).

Keep any 3 cards to a straight flush.

Keep any 4-card flush without K or A.

If none of the above applies, keep the Joker only.

If there is no Joker in your hand, then,

Keep all paying hands, except hold a 4-card royal flush.

Keep any 4 cards to a straight flush and any 3 cards to a royal flush.

Keep 4 cards to any flush.

Keep any pair of 2's to Queens.

Keep any 3 cards to a straight flush.

Keep any 4-card consecutive straight.

Keep 2 cards to a royal flush if one of the cards is a A or K.

Keep unsuited K and A.

Keep K or A alone.

Keep 2 suited royal flush cards lower than K or A.

If you have no joker and no potential cards, its better to ask for 5 new ones. The odds are much better than keeping even one card - if you have junk throw the cards away.

An involving gaming experience fun and great odds

Video poker bridges the gap between games of pure chance such as other online slots and games of skill such as blackjack. Add in the fact that the graphics are normally fantastic and you have an involving slot game, that is great fun and good odds of success - if you play the right way.

Cary Grant had a marvelous analogy to explain the mechanism of fame in Hollywood.

He likened the whole film industry to a tramway car with only so many seats and standing space.

The tramway car is always full. Some people try to step on board from the front door but that can happen only if some people leave the car from the back door.

The prime locations are the seats in the middle. Then come the standing slots in the middle.

Some actors in Cary Grant’s time had a firm seat in the middle of the “Hollywood Tramway,” like Gary Cooper.

Others, like Cary Grant himself and that other great actor with whom he shared the same initials, Clark Gable, were busy making room for themselves and shouldering their way towards the middle of the moving car.

They were still standing up but they had a firm hold on the leashes dangling from the metal bar overhead.

So their situation was perhaps as not comfortable as the sitting deities like Cooper but it was still stable.

In the fifties Grant would earn a safe seat in middle of the car.

Who are the “standing passengers” in today’s “Hollywood tramway car”?

Tom Cruise, who made the cover of the Premiere magazine lately as the "most powerful actor on earth," now seems to occupy the same seat once enjoyed by Cooper and Grant.

Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon are definitely making their way towards those seats in the middle.

And as to those who are leaving the tight little tramway of Hollywood from the back door, that’s not a polite topic to discuss in public, don’t you agree? Such is life.

Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a Creative Copywriter, Editor, an experienced and award-winning Technical Communicator specializing in fundraising packages, direct sales copy, web content, press releases, movie reviews and hi-tech documentation. He has worked as a Technical Writer for Fortune 100 companies for the last 7 years.

In addition to being an Ezine Articles Expert Author, he is also a Senior Member of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), and a Member of American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI).

In this two-part series, we will briefly discuss eight ways you can further your professional goals and make a solid living as a musician. Although there are thousands of different ways to break into the music business, what we've compiled here are some of the habits most successful professional musicians share when pursuing their goal of making a living from their music.

Realize Your Fans Are Your Business

Whenever someone expresses interest in your music, instead of just talking to them like a friend, ask them the same questions you'd ask an A&R Rep if you had them right in front of you. Why? Because news travels fast in the indie music scene, and it's usually by word of mouth. Most localities who attend your shows are (a) more interested than you think, (b) may have a connection to someone you want to get in touch with, and (c) may have advice on how to get more POW for your musical punch. Do this both online and in-person by handing out free CD's at gigs with your contact information, uploading your songs to free music download sites and offering up your favorite songs to local radio stations to create a buzz and get instant feedback from the people you need it from the most: your fans.

Gig Often and Everywhere

Have you ever attended a show where you were mesmerized by the performers because they played with heart? You knew that it didn't matter if anyone got paid for the gig (although surely they did!) because they were playing for the right reasons - and those aren't money. Accept as many gigs as your band is able to play, and play often. Don't worry too much about money at first: focus on the show, the fans, your set-up and how to play the crowd. And don't just contact the paying venues for gigs: play EVERYWHERE! At non-profit events, school fairs, charities, church groups, organizations or jam spots.

Learn Your Craft Better Than Anyone Else

Except for the recent grunge trend in the 90’s, the musicians who have made a significant impact throughout history were experts in their art. They mentored other up-and-coming performers, took pride in their skill and were the absolute best at what they did. Take those who came before you as an example to better yourself as well. Take lessons, read books, pore over the magazines in your field, attend shows, ask questions and push yourself further than you thought you ever could. If you take the time to invest in yourself, it’ll show in the end, and record labels will appreciate that you’ve invested in what eventually will become a product of theirs.

Protect Your Music

One of the simplest and easiest ways to determine if a musician is really a professional is to ask him or her if they’ve registered all of their songs. Any why wouldn’t you? In Canada, the process is free (go to SOCAN for more information), and in the US it costs about $30 to register your music (try BMI or ASCAP). Think about it: as soon as an inventor discovers something new that would appeal to a mass audience, he copyrights the idea. If you value your creations, protect them in the same way. For more information on music copywriting, take a peek at this website.

In today’s world, we find that we are unable to find time to indulge ourselves with our favorite pastime or hobby. You find people who love literature but reading does not interest them. Surprised? Our world has become digitized mainly due to our dependence on computers and also the availability of everything in a digitized format be it songs or books. This has lead to people losing interest in paper based reading material. Hence if you are looking at gifting literary material to someone, think of audio CD books as an option.

In terms of the contents, the audio CD books are exact replicas of the printed version. Be it a self-help book or an epic, the audio version does not lose anything. Normally, a person who has a likeable voice recites these books. It could be a singer or a performer or a familiar voice from radio or television.

There are many other advantages of the audio CD books. If you feel peeved at the constant interruptions by commercials on your car radio, choose your favorite audio CD book title to give you company. If you like philosophy, an audio rendition of Foucault’s Pendulum by Umberto Eco can be mesmerizing.

Audio CD books have something extra as compared to their printed counterparts. They can be effectively used as ancillary tools for learning for people with visual, mental or other learning difficulties. For example, people who are blind or people who have difficulty in reading like the elderly population can use them. Nowadays, many states and volunteer organizations have undertaken the efforts to get the printed books digitized into audio for the benefits of such people. In fact some schools and teaching centers have a facility under which such students can order a course book that a Professor is using to be converted into an audio CD book.

Having said that, you should not be surprised if you do not find an audio CD book that you so badly wanted to gift to a perfect friend. Be it an audio copy of Margaret Atwood’s ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ or an audio version of the posthumous work of genius Jonathan Kennedy O’Toole, ‘A Confederacy of Dunces’. This is still a new phenomenon and will take some time before you can order any title of your choice as an audio CD. Till that time, you can take heart from the fact that you would still be able to find some classic that you cherish and would like to ‘play’ it when you take your sweetheart for a long sunset drive the next time.

Clip art is used in many different ways, including newsletters, websites and flyers. Commonly found on a CD collection, clip art is often distributed by the hundreds or even thousands. These small images are more than capable of making a big statement, but you have to know their proper uses. Clip art is all about customization. It helps to distinguish one business from another and is largely used in the design of logos.

Newsletters. Many of today’s businesses realize the importance of a newsletter and keeping their customers informed of the latest happenings. A crucial part of any newsletter is color and style, which is made easier with the use of clip art. For instance, a jewelry designer may use a clip art featuring some type of jewelry in order to make his/her newsletter more customized.

Flyers. Whether you are posting flyers about a lost pet, an upcoming yard sale or other announcement, you will want your design to stand out. The best way to do that is with colorful clip art. A yard sale flyer may depict a large ‘Sale’ banner or perhaps another image that conveys the excitement of finding a bargain.

Websites. These days, websites are all about competition and design. The best way to make sure that any website is unique and fresh is through the use of strategically-placed clip art. Remember, clip art is just a small image and they do not take up a lot of space. This is why they are perfect for websites, especially those concerned with a page’s load time.

Newspapers. In almost every newspaper, there is a comic section or a cartoon that has been provided by a local artist. This is the perfect place to display some fun pieces of clip art that will provide readers with a smile. Clip art, even though it is small in size, can feature more than one image of an activity or an individual. In fact, some clip art actually features a small scene with more than one character. A good example would be an individual setting at a desk and drinking coffee, which many can relate to, and a small caption that notes a humorous saying.

Magazines. Much for the same reason as newspapers often use clip art, magazines also commonly place it throughout their pages. It’s fun, whimsy and can often fill a small space that was otherwise bare and boring.

Advertisements & Logo Design. When a company sets out to produce a new advertisement or logo design, they need to be looking at the use of clip art. Why? Because ads cost money and the larger the size, the bigger the price tag. Because clip art is small, it can provide some style to the advertisement or logo without overpowering the ad itself or causing it to be larger in size.

Resale. Many artists are taking their talent to the digital world. Clip art CDs are very popular and can be quite profitable in the world of retail. It is important to own all rights to any image before you sell it, however, so keep this in mind.

Stationary. Everyone loves stationary with a cute little cottage or a puppy dog. That’s what makes stationary so fun, but many people make their own stationary with their computer and the use of clip art. Books. Readers will often find that a book’s cover, both front and back, and even the internal pages often feature clip art. In between chapters or even in the table of contents, clip art is everywhere.

Sales Letters & Business Cards. Have you ever gotten a letter from a local car dealership? What stands out the most? Is it the black and white typeface? Probably not, but it may very well be the images on either the sales letter or business card that draws your eye to the actual letter. Clip art is widely used on business cards due to the fact that these cards are small in design and require small, but clear, images.

If you would rather promote yourself ...

Some models would rather promote themselves instead of listing through an agency. Nothing wrong with this but it does require more work on your part.

If you are signed with an agency, they promote the business, they talk to the clients in your behalf, they set up the shooting dates, they take the heat if you don't make it to the session, etc.

But, there are many models who are "loners" in the pool of modeling and want complete control over who they work with and why.

If you are one of these models, read on ...

There are several ways to promote yourself. I will try to mention some ways for you to promote your modeling talent and a step by step format to follow.

First things first ..

In self promotion, the first step to take is putting together a professional portfolio.

Once you've followed the portfolio guidelines from above, it's a good idea to have comp cards and business cards made.

A) Business Cards - Your business card should have as much information on it as possible. It's not expensive to have extra words listed and this way you can include things other than the name and phone number.

For best results and at just a little extra cost, I would suggest putting your photo (preferably a headshot) on the card. People don't tend to throw away photos as quickly as they do just cards. Below the photo (or on your card if you choose not to include the photo) you should list ..

Your name, contact phone number, email and don't forget to put your web address on the card You may want to also include in bulleted form your attributes (i.e. height and weight), special skills and the type of modeling you specialize in (your modeling strength area)

B) Composite Cards - You'll definitely want to get composite cards (comp cards) made to hand out to possible clients / agents and to leave with clients or photographers you work with. A comp card is one of the least expensive pieces of printed promotional material but packs a big punch in saying, "I'm a professional model".

Here is a basic layout of a comp card ..

Front - Photo covering the front of the card (I suggest a good, strong headshot here) along with your name in bold letters.

Back - From four to six photos showing different looks (indoor and outdoor) in a variety of outfits with at least one good body shot (swimwear or tight-fitting clothing).

The back of the card will list important information about you and your stats including ...

Contact information (Who to contact, phone, email, web address, etc.)
Height
Weight
Bust size / cup size
Waist size
Hip size
Dress size
Shoe size
Hair color
Hair length (short, shoulder length, long)
Eye color
Type(s) of modeling jobs preferred (i.e. commercial, fashion shows, catalog, promotional, etc.)
No need to feel overwhelmed with the details of getting your comp card ready. There are many companies online such as CompCard.Com who have versions and templates online which will help you every step of the way.

Remember too that there are many different versions of comp cards so it's all a matter of personal preference as to which style you choose.

C) Modeling Websites - When it comes to websites, I could probably write complete chapters on the subject but I will try as best I can to simplify this part.

Your website - Paid or Free?

Should you pay to have your own website created or go with one of the free web listing services online? Your choice in the type of web promotion you do depends upon your level of experience and the amount of budget you have to work with.

If you are, in actuallity, an eccentric millionaire and are just pursuing modeling out of boredom, by all means hire a professional web designer and start from scratch to build a website that other models will be in awe of! But, even if you go this route, there's the promotional costs and time to think about; time that could be better used to improve your modeling abilities and make contacts with clients who need you for their photo projects.

I personally feel that it's better to start but using a few of the online services (paid and free) to get your name out there. You can do a search and find many listing places but two sites that seem to have lots of buzz at the time of this writing are ..

One Model Place & Model Mayhem

Both of these sites offer a basic free package or a paid premium package. Either way, this is a less expensive way to get your feet wet and find out if you've got a look which is in demand.

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A word of warning about putting your model photos online

Remember to stay safe when placing your photos online. Don't provide too much personal information about yourself or location untill you've thoroughly checked out the person who is contacting you.

If you are under 18 years of age, put your parents' email address in the contact section and have them deal with any incoming offers.

Never, Never meet a photographer or potential client alone. Take a parent or friend (preferably male) with you untill you are completely satisfied that you're in a safe environment. I cannot stress this enough!!

Photographing a portrait is both very easy and very difficult. Anybody can shoot a portrait. The photographs we take of our children, friends, parents, teachers are all portraits. But, we are also aware that some are better than the others. Let us analyze the factors that make a portrait better than the others.

A successful portrait has always the quality of making an impression on the viewer. The impression left may be because of some physical aspect of the photograph’s subject, or it may be of some subtle characteristic getting underscored. The portrait makes a dramatic statement about the subject. It is very individual. A simple photograph of a person that does not leave any imprint on our mind cannot be called a portrait. The portrait always reveals something about the person. It may be some mood, some attitude or some mannerism which constitutes the personality of the person.

A photographer who is able to bring out these features in his portraits is a successful photographer. Now, how does one do that? It depends mostly on the personality of the photographer, but it can also be learned.

The photographer should always be in command of the situation. He is the 'boss' of the moment. He should be able to strike a rapport with his subjects. This can be achieved by starting a small conversation with the person. It can be small talk about the currently popular topics, or the photographer can try and find a subject which strikes a chord in the person being photographed. This will put the subject at ease; make him animated and more alive, bringing out some interesting aspects of the personality of the person.

But this is not a rule. Many great photographers used to remain very serious and focused on their work, but still took great portraits. It is all in the personality of the photographer. Something in the photographer must evoke respect in the subject, so that he or she cooperates and does what the photographer wants. A good portrait photographer should have a real interest in people. He should be a keen observer of the human nature. He should be quickly able to make out the outstanding traits or habits of the person and make them appear in the portraits.

The photographer can take his photograph in the natural surroundings of the subject. This definitely is advantageous, since it puts the other person at ease. However, this is not always possible, in which case the photographer can make use of his studio. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. In natural surroundings of the subject the lighting may not be proper and even, or surroundings not so appealing for a good photograph. In studio, everything can be controlled, while the natural ease of the other setting will be missing.

The natural light is always better but in many cases this light is uneven and is not good for photography. In that case, one has to think of taking pictures indoors. The surroundings can be used to emphasize certain aspects of the personality of the subject. The background can be made to reflect or enhance certain attitude or mannerism of the person. For this, certain props can be used. It can be a hat, a cigar, a fan or a toy in the case of toddlers. Sometimes, photographer also uses a completely black or white background. In these cases, the focus is entirely on the subject of the photograph. Some very beautiful portraits can be seen with such stark backgrounds.

Do you know where to go for wonderful free entertainment? Do you love music and dancing? Do you like to meet new people? Do you look for places the entire family can be entertained? If the answer is yes, read on.

Summer is here in full swing. We’ve had a heat wave that could melt butter and fry and egg without trying. It’s time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors in the early evening when the heat dies down.

I just came from a free concert in my area. They are all over the city on different days and areas. They are at the beaches on the weekends and they rock and roll and attract hundreds of music lovers at each gig.

The park I was in tonight had a great band and singer. They sang various songs and played music going back to the 40’s and worked its way up the ladder ending with popular now music.

It was wonderful watching the people clap their hands and dance in their chairs if they were not out on the dance floor. It was a wonderful evening and the whole family was throughly entertained.

The children dance and run around the park having a great time. The children can dance with their moms and dads and other children. It is a wonderful, positive family fun time together.

They have a short intermission and have a drawing. There were three wonderful baskets to choose from or you could have chosen all three baskets to win in the drawing. All you needed was the right ticket.

Every week there is a different band and singer at numerous parks and beaches around town. The admission is free. You can bring your own food if you like. It is a wonderful time for the family to spend time together.

If you do not have any free concerts in your state start them. They are a wonderful way for the community and family to reach out to each other.

Thank you for reading my article. Please feel free to read any of my numerous articles.

Up from down under the Australian born Keith Urban continues to cement himself as a solid up and coming star with the release of his CD Be Here.

Throughout Be Here Urban distinguishes himself by easily transitioning between country, rock, pop and tinges of bluegrass, creating his own signature style. As has become his trademark, the depth and passion that he brings to his songs through the lyrics can have you in tears.

Be Here has such a great mix of songs. Everything from upbeat fun songs like Days Go By, and Better Life, to sweet romantic songs like Making Memories of Us, and the the ones that will really tug at your heart like Tonight I Wanna Cry, and Nobody Drinks Alone.

These days it's a very rare CD on which every single song is good or better than the one before it. This CD is certainly one of those rare CDs. I love every song on it and recommend it to anyone who not only enjoys country music but music in general. Urban, through his unique style, has a way of making the listener feel the lyrics.

It should be noted that Urban's guitar playing is top notch as well. Providing stirring solo's like that on She's Gotta Be. Making him a really well rounded young musician.

The CD launches with a great track, Days Go By, that will definitely be heard on country music radio stations everywhere, and deservedly so. From there Urban proceeds to display why he is quickly becoming one the best in the business as he mixes his signature style throughout the collection.

Overall Be Here is an outstanding release. Definitely must have music. I give it two thumbs up.

While this entire CD is outstanding the truly standout tunes are Better Life [track 2], You're My Better Half [track 6], and These Are The Days [track 13]. My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 10, Nobody Drinks Alone. Very nice!

Release Notes:

Keith Urban originally released Be Here on September 21, 2004 on the Capitol record label.

CD track list follows:

1. Days Go By
2. Better Life
3. Making Memories Of Us
4. God's Been Good To Me
5. The Hard Way
6. You're My Better Half
7. I Could Fly
8. Tonight I Wanna Cry
9. She's Gotta Be
10. Nobody Drinks Alone
11. Country Comfort
12. Live To Love Another Day
13. These Are The Days

What is poetry? The meaning is apparently difficult enough that my dictionary uses circular defining. "The art or work of a poet" is the first entry. The other two definitions don't clarify this much. I might define it as "The use of words in a primarily artistic (as opposed to informational) form."

However you define poetry, a given poem often can't be enjoyed universally. This is because unlike writing that "explains" things, poems use words to evoke scenes and emotions more directly. Words and their connotations are cultural, so as a result most poems don't translate well. (An exception is haiku, which translates better because of it's heavy reliance on simple nouns and verbs). Certainly the concept of "apple pie" and the words "red, white and blue" could evoke more feeling in an American than in someone from Mongolia.

More than just the larger cultural connotations of words, though, is the issue of the personal meaning that words and scenes have for each of us. A line like "Making love by the dashboard lights," from the singer Meatloaf, may be very poetic to some, but meaningless or even offensive to others. It all depends on the experiences of the reader, and the personal meaning attached to the words.

Consider the following stanza from "Their Eyes":

Shame becomes a smaller thing
The first time you reach down
On the side of the road
To pick up a can or a bottle;
Pick it up and put it in your bag
Without hesitation, without waiting...
For traffic to clear.

For some this would be meaningless. For others it would be understandable at least, because they know that in some areas people collect cans and bottles to turn them in for a refund or for the scrap aluminum value, and that the people who do this are looked down on or pitied. Now, for the person who has actually done this, who may have even been homeless and needed to collect cans - that person can relate more deeply to the poem.

Since this is not a widely shared experience, it may not be a poem that can be widely appreciated. On the other hand, writing poetry like this can be very cathartic and meaningful to the writer. It can even help him understand the feelings he has. This is why poetry is often more for the sake of the writer than the reader.

A lost love can be related to by millions. A margarine tub full of blueberries can bring back childhood memories for hundreds of thousands. Maybe a few hundred of us can relate to the sense of peace that comes from collecting blueberries on rocky islands a day from the nearest road. Without further explaining, two shoes on a tree stump might bring just one person to tears, while being meaningless to the rest of the world.

Of course these things can be explained. All experiences can be made more universally understandable in good poetry. However, as with jokes, the impact can be lost with too much explanation. It is wonderful to be able to touch others with your words, but in the end, perhaps the value of a poem starts and ends with its value to the poet.

The TV industry has lost one of its most successful producers. Aaron Spelling, 83, the son of Russian Jewish immigrants, has made it from a poor kid to the creator of such unforgettable shows as the CHARLIE'S ANGELS, DYNASTY, and THE LOVE BOAT has passed away in Los Angeles, as a result of a stroke.

Early on, Spelling's writing ability worked very well for him. A small and frail kid often harassed at school, he had a nervous breakdown at the age of 8 and that's when took it to reading while recuperating in bed. Soon he was inventing stories to himself and putting them on paper as well.

Spelling's real break as a screenwriter came when he started to contribute regularly to the DICK POWEL'S ZANE GREY THEATER. Next step was producing the shows he was writing at a terrific pace. He started with the SMOTHERS BROTHERS SHOW and never looked back.

Some of his shows received bad reviews in the media but were nevertheless box office hits with the public. CHARLIE'S ANGELS was one such show. Among his other very popular productions are STARSKY AND HUTCH, HART TO HART, FANTASY ISLAND, MATT HOUSTON and THE MOD SQUAD.

He lived in a Hollywood mansion that once belonged to Bing Crosby. His daughter actor Tori Spelling starred in another of his hit shows, BEVERLY HILLS 90210.

Spelling spelled success. He was one of those entertainment geniuses that come once in a life time. May he rest in the real FANTASY ISLAND, together with real ANGELS.

Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a Creative Copywriter, Editor, an experienced and award-winning Technical Communicator specializing in fundraising packages, direct sales copy, web content, press releases, movie reviews and hi-tech documentation. He has worked as a Technical Writer for Fortune 100 companies for the last 7 years.

In addition to being an Ezine Articles Expert Author, he is also a Senior Member of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), and a Member of American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI).