If you ever come across real elephant ivory during today's collections, it must have been crafted before the time period of the ban or illegal elephant tusks. Make sure that you collection has only very old, but legal elephant tusks or the currently legal mammoth ivory.
The most common ivory of today are the older elephant tusks, the extinct mammoth , the sperm whale , the hornbill and the walrus ivory. Because of the mammoth being extinct so long ago, all though seemingly plentiful today, there will be a time when mammoth ivory will again be extinct in the another way.
vory has long been considered a very beautiful artistic material to the human eye, and has a long standing history dating back many centuries of humans using ivory for carving exquisitely capturing works of art, and for working functions too. All though some people may not even realize it, there are many different animals that ivory can actually come from, but what is considered to be absolutely "Real" in the true meaning of it is, to be from the teeth and tusks of mammoths and elephants.
Since elephant hunting for ivory was banned in the 1970's, the only real remaining source of what would be considered "Real" material allowed today is the 10,000 year old extinct mammoth. If you ever come across real elephant ivory during today's collections, it must have been crafted before the time period of the ban or illegal elephant tusks. It is best to NEVER support any type of purchasing of today's real elephant tusks,if you have knowledge of it coming through illegal means. Make sure that you collection has only very old, but legal elephant tusks or the currently legal mammoth ivory.
The most common ivory of today are the older elephant tusks, the extinct mammoth , the sperm whale , the hornbill and the walrus ivory. There is also the hippopotamus teeth which is also very common, and maybe more than that of the others in some areas of the world, including the mammoth tusks. It is Hippopotamus ivory that is often commonly used for inlays, buttons or most any other flat surfaced items or upon most any flat surfaced area. It is walrus and the sperm whale ivory that is more commonly used in the makings of smaller objects of usage or artistically hand crafted collections of design. Highly popular in China, is the hornbill beak for making small brooches, buckles and other small wearable and collectible designs.
Even with so many choices it is the mammoth ivory that may be the most valuable due to it being the only one of two "Real" ivory originals, but also for the fact that mammoth tusk is unique within its self because of how many thousands of years old it is, and because of being directly from an extinct animal. Because of the mammoth being extinct so long ago, all though seemingly plentiful today, there will be a time when mammoth ivory will again be extinct in the another way. Even though the true number of mammoth still to be excavated is really unknown, there will be a time when there will be no more mammoth left to excavate for the makings of new mammoth tusk collectibles.
Jumat, 06 Juni 2008
Top 10 Ways Musicians Can Get More Money From A Gig
You are an artist, it's true. But just because you're an artist doesn't mean you don't need to get paid. Money makes a lot of things possible, including time in a recording studio, new and better instruments, and paying your rent so you don't have to live in a cardboard box and burn your guitar for warmth. There's nothing wrong with making money from your shows, and if you're smart you'll try to optimize that earning power. You don't have to be a marketing genius or a public relations guru-just think outside the box and make the most of what you already have going for you.
1. Don't be afraid to ask for what you're worth.
Just because you want the gig doesn't mean you have to beg for it. If you've got experience performing, and you regularly draw a crowd, your venue stands to benefit as much-if not more-than you do from the show. So don't let them tell you that you're not worth paying as much as a "bigger name". It is also a good idea to go in and tell them exactly what you're doing to generate a buzz about the show. If they can see that you're working to get a crowd in, they'll be a lot more willing to pay you a good rate.
2. Don't run up a huge bar tab.
Take a lesson from the Blues Brothers. If you're buying your own drinks at the show, it's going to eat in to your bottom line. You don't want to end up owing them money for playing a show. A couple beers to keep you loose isn't a big deal, but when you start buying round after round of top shelf drinks you're going to rack up quite a bill. Not to mention that it's going to affect your performance. You might not think it's a problem...but then, neither does Amy Winehouse. Stay on top of your game while you're on stage. There's plenty of time to party after the show.
3. Sell T-shirts, bumper stickers and CDs at the show.
A small investment in your own marketing merchandise can help generate income. Make sure whatever you're selling is cool in design and functionality. You can't go wrong with T-shirts, as long as they don't look cheesy. Don't try to sell them for $40 each. You're not Pink Floyd (yet). The kids that are going to your show aren't loaded, but they'll gladly buy and wear your shirt around if it's affordable and looks good. That's free advertising. Stickers and other inexpensive items can also bring in some extra money. Remember, you're not trying to get rich off this stuff-just clear a little profit and get your name out there.
4. The Tip Jar
It never hurts to set it out there. And even if you only get a few bucks, it's a few bucks more than you had before. Make sure that you sincerely thank the audience for their tips before you close the show.
5. Generate a buzz to ensure a big crowd.
If you're getting part of the cover, you want to do everything in your power to get people in the door. That means going out and hitting the streets for weeks before the show, printing flyers and cards, asking friends and family to spread the word, and using your contacts to get people to the show. Even if there's no cover, the more people at your show, the more opportunity you have to sell your CD's and T-shirts and get tips. Don't leave it to chance-work hard to get people to the show and it'll pay off in more ways than one.
6. Make sure your venue will attract people who will like your music.
If you're an acoustic singer/songwriter, don't try to play at a club that is known for head banging. It sounds simple enough, but there's something to be said for playing up to the regulars that are used to going to the venue where you're playing. Go to a few shows at the same venue beforehand and hang out. See who's there and talk to some people about your upcoming show. People that are already at the venue are more likely to come back than people who've never been there before-even if they know who you are.
7. Look for different types of venues-not just the same old bar scene.
There are lots of places you can play to earn a few bucks. Big corporations often throw parties a couple times a year to celebrate holidays or sales performance. Schools have festivals and events. There are endless places where you can attract a crowd and sell your CD's. Think outside the box!
8. Make sure you have a website and blog-and a mailing list to remind people where they can see you!
This is such an important piece of getting recognition and money. Make sure people know how to find you online. Every piece of advertising or marketing you do should have your website address on it. Keep your site updated regularly and post information about upcoming shows. When your shows are over be sure to immediately post pictures and videos. Respond to inquiries from fans, prospective venues, and press. You can also sell MP3's of your songs or the entire CD on your website to generate income. There are literally endless possibilities, and with today's web tools, it is easier and easier for anyone to create and manage their own website. Most importantly, once you're on the web, people from all over the world can find you and hear your music. Think big, and make yourself available to an unlimited fan base.
9. Treat your booking professionally.
Make sure you keep track of phone numbers, dates, and venue contacts. This is going to ensure repeat bookings. Until you make it big and have yourself a real business manager, you're going to have to keep things organized. Some people are naturally good at this, and some people, well...aren't. Bare minimum, get a big calendar and scribble phone numbers and important dates and times on it to keep track. The more you treat your band like a business, the more money you're going to make.
10. Stick around after the show and work the room.
Don't just pack your stuff and high tail it out of the club when you're done playing. Unless it's closing time, spend a while chilling out with the crowd and talking to people. When you've finished your show, you've got a little bit of 'star quality' that comes from having been the center of attention for the duration of the show. When you take the time to walk around and thank people for coming, introduce yourself to people and tell them your CD is for sale, or hand them your card with your website on it, you are doing yourself an invaluable service. Try this for three shows in a row, and I guarantee you're going to see huge results.
1. Don't be afraid to ask for what you're worth.
Just because you want the gig doesn't mean you have to beg for it. If you've got experience performing, and you regularly draw a crowd, your venue stands to benefit as much-if not more-than you do from the show. So don't let them tell you that you're not worth paying as much as a "bigger name". It is also a good idea to go in and tell them exactly what you're doing to generate a buzz about the show. If they can see that you're working to get a crowd in, they'll be a lot more willing to pay you a good rate.
2. Don't run up a huge bar tab.
Take a lesson from the Blues Brothers. If you're buying your own drinks at the show, it's going to eat in to your bottom line. You don't want to end up owing them money for playing a show. A couple beers to keep you loose isn't a big deal, but when you start buying round after round of top shelf drinks you're going to rack up quite a bill. Not to mention that it's going to affect your performance. You might not think it's a problem...but then, neither does Amy Winehouse. Stay on top of your game while you're on stage. There's plenty of time to party after the show.
3. Sell T-shirts, bumper stickers and CDs at the show.
A small investment in your own marketing merchandise can help generate income. Make sure whatever you're selling is cool in design and functionality. You can't go wrong with T-shirts, as long as they don't look cheesy. Don't try to sell them for $40 each. You're not Pink Floyd (yet). The kids that are going to your show aren't loaded, but they'll gladly buy and wear your shirt around if it's affordable and looks good. That's free advertising. Stickers and other inexpensive items can also bring in some extra money. Remember, you're not trying to get rich off this stuff-just clear a little profit and get your name out there.
4. The Tip Jar
It never hurts to set it out there. And even if you only get a few bucks, it's a few bucks more than you had before. Make sure that you sincerely thank the audience for their tips before you close the show.
5. Generate a buzz to ensure a big crowd.
If you're getting part of the cover, you want to do everything in your power to get people in the door. That means going out and hitting the streets for weeks before the show, printing flyers and cards, asking friends and family to spread the word, and using your contacts to get people to the show. Even if there's no cover, the more people at your show, the more opportunity you have to sell your CD's and T-shirts and get tips. Don't leave it to chance-work hard to get people to the show and it'll pay off in more ways than one.
6. Make sure your venue will attract people who will like your music.
If you're an acoustic singer/songwriter, don't try to play at a club that is known for head banging. It sounds simple enough, but there's something to be said for playing up to the regulars that are used to going to the venue where you're playing. Go to a few shows at the same venue beforehand and hang out. See who's there and talk to some people about your upcoming show. People that are already at the venue are more likely to come back than people who've never been there before-even if they know who you are.
7. Look for different types of venues-not just the same old bar scene.
There are lots of places you can play to earn a few bucks. Big corporations often throw parties a couple times a year to celebrate holidays or sales performance. Schools have festivals and events. There are endless places where you can attract a crowd and sell your CD's. Think outside the box!
8. Make sure you have a website and blog-and a mailing list to remind people where they can see you!
This is such an important piece of getting recognition and money. Make sure people know how to find you online. Every piece of advertising or marketing you do should have your website address on it. Keep your site updated regularly and post information about upcoming shows. When your shows are over be sure to immediately post pictures and videos. Respond to inquiries from fans, prospective venues, and press. You can also sell MP3's of your songs or the entire CD on your website to generate income. There are literally endless possibilities, and with today's web tools, it is easier and easier for anyone to create and manage their own website. Most importantly, once you're on the web, people from all over the world can find you and hear your music. Think big, and make yourself available to an unlimited fan base.
9. Treat your booking professionally.
Make sure you keep track of phone numbers, dates, and venue contacts. This is going to ensure repeat bookings. Until you make it big and have yourself a real business manager, you're going to have to keep things organized. Some people are naturally good at this, and some people, well...aren't. Bare minimum, get a big calendar and scribble phone numbers and important dates and times on it to keep track. The more you treat your band like a business, the more money you're going to make.
10. Stick around after the show and work the room.
Don't just pack your stuff and high tail it out of the club when you're done playing. Unless it's closing time, spend a while chilling out with the crowd and talking to people. When you've finished your show, you've got a little bit of 'star quality' that comes from having been the center of attention for the duration of the show. When you take the time to walk around and thank people for coming, introduce yourself to people and tell them your CD is for sale, or hand them your card with your website on it, you are doing yourself an invaluable service. Try this for three shows in a row, and I guarantee you're going to see huge results.
World Of Warcraft Faster Leveling Tips
Here are some tips to help you in your quest to be the best Warcraft play yo ever do it. These quick tips should help you save time leveling, and getting better than the competition.
Work on your skills. Being a miner will help you find rocks and the being a skinner will help you skin animals. Grinding also helps you get gold cheap in world of Warcraft. If you are a higher level you will get some more gold in the end. You can also sell those items back at a auction house and make some gold!
After you make some gold, use can then use it to power level if you are a crafter. Strategy guides are invaluable if you plan on having an all night leveling session. So get out there, grab your mouse, fire up your copy of World of Warcraft and get ready to level up as fast as possible.
World of Warcraft is a massive multiplayer online role-playing game developed by Blizzard Entertainment and is the fourth game in the Warcraft series. Right now 10 million different orcs and elves make up the game's playing subscribers, it such a phenomenon. At any given time, up to 8 million players could be logged in to play.
World of Warcraft has is like the holy grail of computer gaming in some eyes. The game world is always intricate and full of tasks and quests. You may need some more help to complete tasks in the World of Warcraft tips so I want to remind you about the fact that the game is centered around playing style. There will be a time and a place for all the other guides and exploits. However, you can be resourceful by reading any of the tons of tips online, compiled by the best players around the world. These tips are sometimes complied into tips guides with the best collection of money tips, hints and advices for World of Warcraft gamers in them. Every player needs some help from others if they are going to survive the game.
In the end, World of Warcraft is a great adventure which can be played in several different ways. It is a MMORPG that will take you into the persistent state world of Azerorth. In simpler terms, it is the most advanced and popular game in the genre of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games, or MMORPGs. This is a revolutionary online game. Like I said, there are around 10 million players in their gaming universe right now.
When they make changes to online games it is always a touchy subject among users, but, at the same time, subscribers do expect MMORPGs to evolve and grow. No doubt in Warcraft power leveling, and harvesting gold are very popular aspects of the game. These haven't changed much but more preventative measures are put in everyday to fight against rapid cheating and exploration of the game. However, if you are going to play a MMORPG today, I'd consider WOW.
Work on your skills. Being a miner will help you find rocks and the being a skinner will help you skin animals. Grinding also helps you get gold cheap in world of Warcraft. If you are a higher level you will get some more gold in the end. You can also sell those items back at a auction house and make some gold!
After you make some gold, use can then use it to power level if you are a crafter. Strategy guides are invaluable if you plan on having an all night leveling session. So get out there, grab your mouse, fire up your copy of World of Warcraft and get ready to level up as fast as possible.
World of Warcraft is a massive multiplayer online role-playing game developed by Blizzard Entertainment and is the fourth game in the Warcraft series. Right now 10 million different orcs and elves make up the game's playing subscribers, it such a phenomenon. At any given time, up to 8 million players could be logged in to play.
World of Warcraft has is like the holy grail of computer gaming in some eyes. The game world is always intricate and full of tasks and quests. You may need some more help to complete tasks in the World of Warcraft tips so I want to remind you about the fact that the game is centered around playing style. There will be a time and a place for all the other guides and exploits. However, you can be resourceful by reading any of the tons of tips online, compiled by the best players around the world. These tips are sometimes complied into tips guides with the best collection of money tips, hints and advices for World of Warcraft gamers in them. Every player needs some help from others if they are going to survive the game.
In the end, World of Warcraft is a great adventure which can be played in several different ways. It is a MMORPG that will take you into the persistent state world of Azerorth. In simpler terms, it is the most advanced and popular game in the genre of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games, or MMORPGs. This is a revolutionary online game. Like I said, there are around 10 million players in their gaming universe right now.
When they make changes to online games it is always a touchy subject among users, but, at the same time, subscribers do expect MMORPGs to evolve and grow. No doubt in Warcraft power leveling, and harvesting gold are very popular aspects of the game. These haven't changed much but more preventative measures are put in everyday to fight against rapid cheating and exploration of the game. However, if you are going to play a MMORPG today, I'd consider WOW.
How To Become A Good Guitarist
Want to become not just merely a good guitarist, but a great one, then you must master the guitar fret board. A guitar fret board is the flat section on the front of the neck of the guitar. You play guitar chords and select notes to play on the fret board. There are metal bars embedded across the board dividing it into several parts and these parts are called frets.
Yes, it may seem at first almost impossible, especially for the novice guitarist to know every single note on every single fret, however, if you want to be a great guitarist, it is critical to learn them all. It may be more difficult than learning the notes on the piano but with dogged determination, you can master all the notes and chords on the guitar fret board.
Some people suggest that you can practice the guitar mentally. Frederick Noad the author of "Solo Guitar Playing" suggest mental practice methods such as "Learning by Equivalent Notes", "Transfer of Position" and "Learning by Fret". You must keep memorizing the notes and positions until you know when to play the notes instinct even with eyes closed.
Position-to-note and note-to-position are also mental practice methods. This means that whenever you think of or see a position you must know exactly which notes are there. Similarly, whenever you see or think of a note, you must know exactly where to play it on the fret board.
You can also design yourself some memory games or download some that are available on the internet. These games usually use memory cards, which have on them either the fret numbers or the position, or both. You must look at each card and give the relevant information straight out from your memory.
For instance, if you pick up a card which says "Fret 3", you will have to say "G C F A# D G" out loud. Mnemonics are used for all sorts of learning include learning how to play the guitar. It is a very useful tool in helping you to master the guitar fret board.
Here is an example of Mnemonics - An Elephant was chasing an Ape with a Dog but tripped over a Gator out popped a Bird eating an Emu, helps you learn the open notes of fret 12 and 24. The capitalized letters in bold are the open notes. If you are witty enough, you could come up with your own mnemonics to make your learning the guitar fret board much more fun.
It is also critical to know your 'sharps' and 'flats' very well. C sharp and D flat is the same note, right? However, when you are playing away on your guitar, do you remember that? You must know how it is played, both ways, equally well. This will show that nothing can confuse you or make you hesitate while playing the guitar. This makes you an expert on the guitar fret board.
The guitar fret board has pearl markers strategically located which are embedded in the wood. Usually, these markers are laid in the exact same positions on every guitar. A standard guitar will have these markings on the third fret, the fifth and the ninth.
The twelfth fret has two markers because it is exactly one octave higher than the open string. The fifteenth fret again has a single marker. These markings are not only useful but important as well because they can guide you to find and play the right notes on the fret board more easily.
Mastering the guitar fret board is an extremely time consuming and tiring work. However, the effort is well worth it because once you mastered learning the guitar fret board because you will become an awesome guitarist. This is because most guitarists do not master the fret board and your guitar playing skills will be far ahead of them.
Motivate yourself by learning one fret a time and set a realistic time table when you will know every single note on the fret board. Simply mastering the guitar fret board will make you a much more proficient guitarist and who knows, you may one day become a good superstar guitarist.
Yes, it may seem at first almost impossible, especially for the novice guitarist to know every single note on every single fret, however, if you want to be a great guitarist, it is critical to learn them all. It may be more difficult than learning the notes on the piano but with dogged determination, you can master all the notes and chords on the guitar fret board.
Some people suggest that you can practice the guitar mentally. Frederick Noad the author of "Solo Guitar Playing" suggest mental practice methods such as "Learning by Equivalent Notes", "Transfer of Position" and "Learning by Fret". You must keep memorizing the notes and positions until you know when to play the notes instinct even with eyes closed.
Position-to-note and note-to-position are also mental practice methods. This means that whenever you think of or see a position you must know exactly which notes are there. Similarly, whenever you see or think of a note, you must know exactly where to play it on the fret board.
You can also design yourself some memory games or download some that are available on the internet. These games usually use memory cards, which have on them either the fret numbers or the position, or both. You must look at each card and give the relevant information straight out from your memory.
For instance, if you pick up a card which says "Fret 3", you will have to say "G C F A# D G" out loud. Mnemonics are used for all sorts of learning include learning how to play the guitar. It is a very useful tool in helping you to master the guitar fret board.
Here is an example of Mnemonics - An Elephant was chasing an Ape with a Dog but tripped over a Gator out popped a Bird eating an Emu, helps you learn the open notes of fret 12 and 24. The capitalized letters in bold are the open notes. If you are witty enough, you could come up with your own mnemonics to make your learning the guitar fret board much more fun.
It is also critical to know your 'sharps' and 'flats' very well. C sharp and D flat is the same note, right? However, when you are playing away on your guitar, do you remember that? You must know how it is played, both ways, equally well. This will show that nothing can confuse you or make you hesitate while playing the guitar. This makes you an expert on the guitar fret board.
The guitar fret board has pearl markers strategically located which are embedded in the wood. Usually, these markers are laid in the exact same positions on every guitar. A standard guitar will have these markings on the third fret, the fifth and the ninth.
The twelfth fret has two markers because it is exactly one octave higher than the open string. The fifteenth fret again has a single marker. These markings are not only useful but important as well because they can guide you to find and play the right notes on the fret board more easily.
Mastering the guitar fret board is an extremely time consuming and tiring work. However, the effort is well worth it because once you mastered learning the guitar fret board because you will become an awesome guitarist. This is because most guitarists do not master the fret board and your guitar playing skills will be far ahead of them.
Motivate yourself by learning one fret a time and set a realistic time table when you will know every single note on the fret board. Simply mastering the guitar fret board will make you a much more proficient guitarist and who knows, you may one day become a good superstar guitarist.
Plan Out Your Own Stag Party And Surviving It!
Stag parties usually follow a very predictable pattern - guys get together to drink beer, go to strip clubs, drink more beer, and more importantly, to put the groom in the hot seat. This usually means requiring him to wear ridiculous outfits, making him drink more than he can really stomach, and then there's the part where the groom's loyalty to the bride is put to test.
While this may be the type of stag party you're familiar with, it isn't necessarily the only stag party there is. Believe it or not, you can have an organized stag party that can actually be fun for you. After all, it's your day, right?
Instead of having your best man plan out a party by himself, why not get involved in the preparations? This way you get to put in suggestions for activities you'd like to happen, and most important of all, you can make sure that there are no embarrassing surprises.
How Long Should a Stag Last?
An activity-based stag do can go on for as long as a whole weekend, or a quick one-nighter. For a weekend stag, you may want to organize fun activities that you and your buds like to do - like paint-balling, go-kart racing, war game competitions, or whatever interests you. If you want your stag to be a one-night stand, or a one-day stand event for that matter, why not think of other fun, outdoor activities that won't have to last longer than 24 hrs? But if you prefer to stay indoors, ask your best man to come up with fun activities that will keep everyone entertained.
Where Is the Best Place for the Event?
You can choose to have your party right in your own city, in another city, or even in another country! Deciding the location of the stag will be dependent upon the type of activity, the duration of the activity, and of course, your budget.
Looking for a place to spend your stag in your own locality won't be much of a problem. If you aren't so familiar with the area, all you have to do is ask around - dial a couple of phone numbers, or surf the web.
The same thing applies when you want to travel to another city. The only thing you'll have to consider is the transportation expenses, the event itself, and of course, the availability of your guests.
On the other hand, if you want to travel across the world for the ultimate stag party, you'll have all the above-mentioned things to worry about, plus a few thousand dollars more. You can try contacting companies that specialize in this area, tell them what you need, what you want, and then have them give you a quote. If it sounds practical and fair, then you'll have it easier. If not, you'll have to do the asking by yourself.
Anything Else?
Actually, before anything else, you'll have to make arrangements for the meals. A stag party is never a stag party without beer - and drinking on an empty stomach is not such a good idea. If you're hosting a modest party, why not ask a friend who can cook to help you out? If you're expecting at least 50 guests, hire a caterer!
And above all else, remember to have fun! But then again, be careful not to have too much fun, otherwise, you might end up missing out on your wedding!
While this may be the type of stag party you're familiar with, it isn't necessarily the only stag party there is. Believe it or not, you can have an organized stag party that can actually be fun for you. After all, it's your day, right?
Instead of having your best man plan out a party by himself, why not get involved in the preparations? This way you get to put in suggestions for activities you'd like to happen, and most important of all, you can make sure that there are no embarrassing surprises.
How Long Should a Stag Last?
An activity-based stag do can go on for as long as a whole weekend, or a quick one-nighter. For a weekend stag, you may want to organize fun activities that you and your buds like to do - like paint-balling, go-kart racing, war game competitions, or whatever interests you. If you want your stag to be a one-night stand, or a one-day stand event for that matter, why not think of other fun, outdoor activities that won't have to last longer than 24 hrs? But if you prefer to stay indoors, ask your best man to come up with fun activities that will keep everyone entertained.
Where Is the Best Place for the Event?
You can choose to have your party right in your own city, in another city, or even in another country! Deciding the location of the stag will be dependent upon the type of activity, the duration of the activity, and of course, your budget.
Looking for a place to spend your stag in your own locality won't be much of a problem. If you aren't so familiar with the area, all you have to do is ask around - dial a couple of phone numbers, or surf the web.
The same thing applies when you want to travel to another city. The only thing you'll have to consider is the transportation expenses, the event itself, and of course, the availability of your guests.
On the other hand, if you want to travel across the world for the ultimate stag party, you'll have all the above-mentioned things to worry about, plus a few thousand dollars more. You can try contacting companies that specialize in this area, tell them what you need, what you want, and then have them give you a quote. If it sounds practical and fair, then you'll have it easier. If not, you'll have to do the asking by yourself.
Anything Else?
Actually, before anything else, you'll have to make arrangements for the meals. A stag party is never a stag party without beer - and drinking on an empty stomach is not such a good idea. If you're hosting a modest party, why not ask a friend who can cook to help you out? If you're expecting at least 50 guests, hire a caterer!
And above all else, remember to have fun! But then again, be careful not to have too much fun, otherwise, you might end up missing out on your wedding!
The Life of Memphis Musician B.B. King
B.B. King is an American blues guitarist and was born Riley B. King on September 16, 1925. His name is the most recognizable in the blues genre and he is arguably one of the most respected and admired blues guitarists of all time. He began his career as a Memphis musician in Tennessee in 1946.
B.B. King only worked as a Memphis musician for a few months and after struggling to make it he returned to Mississippi. King decided that it would be easier to go back to Mississippi and spend a few years getting prepared for the scene as a Memphis musician because he had learned quickly that it was much different then what he was used to. It did not take too long for him though because he ended up returning to Memphis only two years later. His very first job as a working Memphis musician was at the R&B local radio station WDIA as a singer. By 1949, he had begun to record songs for the RPM Records label that was based out of Los Angeles. B.B. King recorded most of his early songs with producer Sam Phillips who later became the founder of Sun Records. As a Memphis musician, King had a myriad of jobs in the area and one of them was working as a disc jockey which is where he got his nickname Beale Street Blues Boy. This nickname was later shortened to B.B. and is still what he goes by today.
Throughout the 1950s, B.B. King became on of the most important names in all of R&B music with hits like You Know I Love You, Woke Up This Morning, Please Love me, When My Heart Beats Like a Hammer, Whole Lotta Love, You Upset Me Baby, Every Day I Have the Blues, Bad Luck, Ten Long Years and Sweet Little Angel. By 1962, King was very popular and landed a music contract with ABC Paramount Records which later became part of MCA Records. Now, he works on his current label, Geffen Records, which is what became of MCA Records.
B.B. King has a lot of success outside of the blues market as well, but it was definitely his time working as a Memphis musician that claimed him his fame. This popularity was what allowed King to go into the mainstream parts of the music scene in the 1980s all the way through to today.
B.B. King only worked as a Memphis musician for a few months and after struggling to make it he returned to Mississippi. King decided that it would be easier to go back to Mississippi and spend a few years getting prepared for the scene as a Memphis musician because he had learned quickly that it was much different then what he was used to. It did not take too long for him though because he ended up returning to Memphis only two years later. His very first job as a working Memphis musician was at the R&B local radio station WDIA as a singer. By 1949, he had begun to record songs for the RPM Records label that was based out of Los Angeles. B.B. King recorded most of his early songs with producer Sam Phillips who later became the founder of Sun Records. As a Memphis musician, King had a myriad of jobs in the area and one of them was working as a disc jockey which is where he got his nickname Beale Street Blues Boy. This nickname was later shortened to B.B. and is still what he goes by today.
Throughout the 1950s, B.B. King became on of the most important names in all of R&B music with hits like You Know I Love You, Woke Up This Morning, Please Love me, When My Heart Beats Like a Hammer, Whole Lotta Love, You Upset Me Baby, Every Day I Have the Blues, Bad Luck, Ten Long Years and Sweet Little Angel. By 1962, King was very popular and landed a music contract with ABC Paramount Records which later became part of MCA Records. Now, he works on his current label, Geffen Records, which is what became of MCA Records.
B.B. King has a lot of success outside of the blues market as well, but it was definitely his time working as a Memphis musician that claimed him his fame. This popularity was what allowed King to go into the mainstream parts of the music scene in the 1980s all the way through to today.
Music from Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city that sits in the southwest corner of Tennessee and is the county seat of Shelby County. Memphis rises above the Mississippi River on the Chickasaw Bluff which is just south of the mouth of the Wolf River. The estimated population of Memphis is over 670, 000 which makes it the largest city in the state of Tennessee. It is also the second largest city in the entire southeastern region of the United States only behind Jacksonville, Florida. Memphis is the youngest of the four major cities in Tennessee which include Knoxville, Chattanooga and Nashville. It seems hard to believe that it is the youngest of these four cities because music from Memphis has been around for so long.
Music from Memphis first began in the early 1920s with the introduction of the blues sound. Some of the most popular musicians credited for the beginning of Memphis blues are Frank Stokes, Sleepy John Estes, Furry Lewis, and Memphis Minnie. The music from Memphis in the blues era was largely based around simple guitar sounds and jug bands. Jug bands were exactly what they sound like, a jug that is made into an instrument which when blown upon the opening, emits a lovely and musical sound. The pitches can be altered by increasing or decreasing the space between the mouth and the opening of the jug. Jugs that are made into musical instruments are typically made of glass or stoneware.
Some other unusual instruments that were used to produce music from Memphis during the blues era are harmonicas, violins, mandolins, banjos and kazoos.
In addition to the blues music from Memphis, there was also a large genre of music known as soul that originated from the area. Memphis soul music is a subset of the genre of soul music. Soul music emerged in the late 1950s in African American neighborhoods in Chicago, Memphis, Detroit and Philadelphia. It began when artists like Sam Cooke and Ray Charles started to merge traditional gospel with R&B music. Soul music revolved around two record labels; Stax Records and Hi Records. Stax Records produced all the songs from songwriters and musicians in the entire Memphis area. Hi Records used a nearby studio to record their songs and with Stax, brought soul music to a national level. Music from Memphis has had a large influence on the way we look at and feel about music today and without it, it is safe to assume that the sounds of music today would be completely different.
Music from Memphis first began in the early 1920s with the introduction of the blues sound. Some of the most popular musicians credited for the beginning of Memphis blues are Frank Stokes, Sleepy John Estes, Furry Lewis, and Memphis Minnie. The music from Memphis in the blues era was largely based around simple guitar sounds and jug bands. Jug bands were exactly what they sound like, a jug that is made into an instrument which when blown upon the opening, emits a lovely and musical sound. The pitches can be altered by increasing or decreasing the space between the mouth and the opening of the jug. Jugs that are made into musical instruments are typically made of glass or stoneware.
Some other unusual instruments that were used to produce music from Memphis during the blues era are harmonicas, violins, mandolins, banjos and kazoos.
In addition to the blues music from Memphis, there was also a large genre of music known as soul that originated from the area. Memphis soul music is a subset of the genre of soul music. Soul music emerged in the late 1950s in African American neighborhoods in Chicago, Memphis, Detroit and Philadelphia. It began when artists like Sam Cooke and Ray Charles started to merge traditional gospel with R&B music. Soul music revolved around two record labels; Stax Records and Hi Records. Stax Records produced all the songs from songwriters and musicians in the entire Memphis area. Hi Records used a nearby studio to record their songs and with Stax, brought soul music to a national level. Music from Memphis has had a large influence on the way we look at and feel about music today and without it, it is safe to assume that the sounds of music today would be completely different.
Design Is Key In Leaflet Printing
Many companies when looking for ways to advertise their company, especially when it's for a public event, choose to hand out leaflets. Leaflets are convenient because they can be handed out to a large number of people quickly, efficiently, and for a fraction of the cost of direct mail or other forms of printing for advertising purposes. But because so many companies are using this inexpensive form or printing, consumers are being left with many leaflets to sort through. The chances are they won't and many leaflets will end up in the trash. You certainly do not want this to happen when you have spent time leaflet printing and so, it's important to know a few things before printing out the final leaflets!
Design is essential when leaflet printing. Without a good design, the entire purpose of the leaflet is lost because consumers will not look at it. The design should be unique, stand out, and be very appealing to its target audience. The first thing to keep in mind when designing your leaflet for printing is who you are advertising to. If it's for a younger population, you will want to choose trendier patterns and colors whereas if it's a mature population, you may want simple lines and solid colors. The consumer decides instantly upon looking at a leaflet whether it's appropriate for them or not and so, you need to set the tone with everything from colors to fonts.
Pictures can greatly help set the tone when leaflet printing. Many companies make the mistake of simply printing their leaflet with a generic picture taken from a software program. Although the image may keep in tone with the rest of the leaflet, it's still not going to grab anyone's attention. Pictures that have the most impact are those that are real photographs. Choose pictures that have something to do with the product or event being advertised and make it personal to the company or individual that is doing the advertising. For instance, if a company is printing leaflets to advertise an annual customer appreciation barbecue, a picture of the previous year's barbecue would be appropriate and would be very interesting to consumers.
Another design element that is important to keep in mind when leaflet printing is the size of the leaflet. Many companies make the mistake of making the leaflet the size of a standard piece of paper and then fold it in thirds. While this does allow for much information to be included in the leaflet, this size is very ineffective. The purpose of a leaflet is easy advertising that can be easily given and easily taken. If the leaflet is too big to place in a pocket, it will get thrown out before being read simply because the consumer does not have time to put your leaflet away to read it later.
Leaflet printing can be a do-it-yourself project or it can be given to printing professionals. Both have pros and cons and the choice will depend on your needs. Professionals can provide a more professional look but they can sometimes be quite pricey. If you choose to do it yourself, you can complete the entire leaflet printing process on your computer. A combination of the two different methods of leaflet printing is to design your own leaflet and then send it to a company online that will have them professionally printed for you.
Design is essential when leaflet printing. Without a good design, the entire purpose of the leaflet is lost because consumers will not look at it. The design should be unique, stand out, and be very appealing to its target audience. The first thing to keep in mind when designing your leaflet for printing is who you are advertising to. If it's for a younger population, you will want to choose trendier patterns and colors whereas if it's a mature population, you may want simple lines and solid colors. The consumer decides instantly upon looking at a leaflet whether it's appropriate for them or not and so, you need to set the tone with everything from colors to fonts.
Pictures can greatly help set the tone when leaflet printing. Many companies make the mistake of simply printing their leaflet with a generic picture taken from a software program. Although the image may keep in tone with the rest of the leaflet, it's still not going to grab anyone's attention. Pictures that have the most impact are those that are real photographs. Choose pictures that have something to do with the product or event being advertised and make it personal to the company or individual that is doing the advertising. For instance, if a company is printing leaflets to advertise an annual customer appreciation barbecue, a picture of the previous year's barbecue would be appropriate and would be very interesting to consumers.
Another design element that is important to keep in mind when leaflet printing is the size of the leaflet. Many companies make the mistake of making the leaflet the size of a standard piece of paper and then fold it in thirds. While this does allow for much information to be included in the leaflet, this size is very ineffective. The purpose of a leaflet is easy advertising that can be easily given and easily taken. If the leaflet is too big to place in a pocket, it will get thrown out before being read simply because the consumer does not have time to put your leaflet away to read it later.
Leaflet printing can be a do-it-yourself project or it can be given to printing professionals. Both have pros and cons and the choice will depend on your needs. Professionals can provide a more professional look but they can sometimes be quite pricey. If you choose to do it yourself, you can complete the entire leaflet printing process on your computer. A combination of the two different methods of leaflet printing is to design your own leaflet and then send it to a company online that will have them professionally printed for you.
Digital Photography Tips That Work Fast and Easily
So you want some digital photography tips that work quick and are easy? Well, photography is not that hard to start getting good at. It's like playing an instrument. Anybody can get to a decent level but those that are very dedicated and with some talent are the ones that become great. I will try to show you how to become great.
The key for a beginner to start taking better shots is actually divided into two different keys...
1. Ultimate Control Over Your Camera and Equipment
2. Compositional Expertise
Experts have these two down pat and you as a beginner must try to develop these as best as you can. When expert photographers take photos they spend very little time composing a shot. Instead, they focus their attentions more on the message, the style, and what they want the photo to do to the viewer. That's art!
Until you get to that level, master these two aspects of photography.
Technical Expertise.
This may be the easiest part to photography. It's kind of like math. You must understand what exposures to use, what aperture, shutter speed, etc for proper exposure and such. If you don't know what those terms mean then you need to learn!
Basically, shutter speed is the device in the camera that controls the amount of time light that is let in. Aperture controls how much light is let in. So, when you take a photo the camera lets light in a certain amount of time from a certain size of an opening.
Compositional Techniques:
There are lots of compositional techniques, and honestly, a lot of these tips conflict with one another. The key is to use the compositional tip that works with the situation your in. For a sample, I'll give you three powerful and easy to implement techniques:
1. Isolate. Beginners make the mistake of trying to photography everything in a single shot. Don't. Take a simple picture with a definite subject that anybody will understand as the main object of interest. If a viewer has to ask what to look at, you have a cluttered shot.
2. Avoid the Middle. People that take photos for "memories" take shots dead center. You want photos that look nice and thus, are going to want to use the rule of thirds. Simply stated, it says to avoid the middle. Place the subject to the left or the right, top or bottom.
3. Use Lines. Many different tips come into this category of tips. Use lines to lead to the subject of interest. This can add more impact to the subject. For example, have lines on a road lead to a car far head. Also, you can use lines to set the mood. Vertical lines make shots look fast paced whereas horizontal lines make relaxing shots like the beach.
This was just a brief touch to the tips and techniques out there for taking awesome shots. The ultimate tip towards success, however, is one you are going to hate hearing: practice! Overstated but true.
The key for a beginner to start taking better shots is actually divided into two different keys...
1. Ultimate Control Over Your Camera and Equipment
2. Compositional Expertise
Experts have these two down pat and you as a beginner must try to develop these as best as you can. When expert photographers take photos they spend very little time composing a shot. Instead, they focus their attentions more on the message, the style, and what they want the photo to do to the viewer. That's art!
Until you get to that level, master these two aspects of photography.
Technical Expertise.
This may be the easiest part to photography. It's kind of like math. You must understand what exposures to use, what aperture, shutter speed, etc for proper exposure and such. If you don't know what those terms mean then you need to learn!
Basically, shutter speed is the device in the camera that controls the amount of time light that is let in. Aperture controls how much light is let in. So, when you take a photo the camera lets light in a certain amount of time from a certain size of an opening.
Compositional Techniques:
There are lots of compositional techniques, and honestly, a lot of these tips conflict with one another. The key is to use the compositional tip that works with the situation your in. For a sample, I'll give you three powerful and easy to implement techniques:
1. Isolate. Beginners make the mistake of trying to photography everything in a single shot. Don't. Take a simple picture with a definite subject that anybody will understand as the main object of interest. If a viewer has to ask what to look at, you have a cluttered shot.
2. Avoid the Middle. People that take photos for "memories" take shots dead center. You want photos that look nice and thus, are going to want to use the rule of thirds. Simply stated, it says to avoid the middle. Place the subject to the left or the right, top or bottom.
3. Use Lines. Many different tips come into this category of tips. Use lines to lead to the subject of interest. This can add more impact to the subject. For example, have lines on a road lead to a car far head. Also, you can use lines to set the mood. Vertical lines make shots look fast paced whereas horizontal lines make relaxing shots like the beach.
This was just a brief touch to the tips and techniques out there for taking awesome shots. The ultimate tip towards success, however, is one you are going to hate hearing: practice! Overstated but true.
Beginner Quilting - Instructions For Picture Quilt Making
Memories are never ending tales of the warmth and happiness that we have shared over a period of time with friends, family and relatives. This experience only gets better day after day and therefore there are many more memories that we will want to preserve over a period of time.
Here in a picture quilt shall be a great way to do that. A picture quilt serves the purpose of keeping memories for us intact and later narrates them as if it were just yesterday.
Another name which picture quilts are known by is photo quilt, while the name - memory quilt is there because of the purpose and the making procedures. Kindly don't get confused when the terms photo quilt, picture quilt and memory quilt come up as they are all the same.
If I were to be asked then picture quilt of all the different types would be the one I shall like to have. Let me share a personal tale with you here, once I sat for 5 days to build a picture quilt for my granny and those 5 days were very trying.
Reason was not pain in making that design I choose but because I couldn't stop my hands while making it for her and then when I finally presented it to my grandmother she cried endlessly. These are precious things that you should make and be proud off as well.
I hope you are dreaming off the emotional talk I have made, I think you are as upbeat as I sound to craft a picture quilt so here's how
Here in a picture quilt shall be a great way to do that. A picture quilt serves the purpose of keeping memories for us intact and later narrates them as if it were just yesterday.
Another name which picture quilts are known by is photo quilt, while the name - memory quilt is there because of the purpose and the making procedures. Kindly don't get confused when the terms photo quilt, picture quilt and memory quilt come up as they are all the same.
If I were to be asked then picture quilt of all the different types would be the one I shall like to have. Let me share a personal tale with you here, once I sat for 5 days to build a picture quilt for my granny and those 5 days were very trying.
Reason was not pain in making that design I choose but because I couldn't stop my hands while making it for her and then when I finally presented it to my grandmother she cried endlessly. These are precious things that you should make and be proud off as well.
I hope you are dreaming off the emotional talk I have made, I think you are as upbeat as I sound to craft a picture quilt so here's how
HDTV Buying Tips
Shopping for the right HDTV is not an easy task - it can be quite daunting. What features are important when making a decision? How do you compare different models of TVs? How do you make sense of it all? This article should help you understand the ins and outs of shopping for a HDTV.
Understanding some of the technical specifications of high definition televisions will make it easier to select the right one for you. First, make a selection based on native resolution (this is the number of horizontal pixels by vertical pixels the has the capability to display.) TVs with a higher native resolution produce a better picture. Sets with a 1080p display have a native resolution of 1920x1080 - anything lower than 720p is not truly a high definition television. Luckily HD TV prices have dropped significantly over the years, which means you can have your cake and eat it too.
The next item to consider with HDTV TVs is contrast ratio. What this boils down to is the difference between a white pixel and a black pixel (or the brightest image to the darkest). Again, the higher the ratio the better off you'll be when it comes to HD TV. If you select a 1080p TV, a contrast ratio of 10,000:1 is stellar - the picture quality of these TVs will blow you away. But there is one thing to watch out for when researching the contrast ratio of a HD TV. Sometimes the manufacturer will advertise a 10,000 or 15,000 ratio that really refers to the dynamic contrast ratio of the TVs, which is different. This is something to look out for when searching for a LCD HD because with a LCD television the contrast ratio tends to be on the low side. The dynamic ratio only reflects the amount of dark and bright luminosity that the television produces over a period of time.
Next, consider selecting from HDTVs with standard definition. Most people still watch many forms of media that are not made for high definition TV, so this is an important feature to have. Although HDTVs can display standard definition from DVDs, VHS, and satellite and cable, the picture quality is not up to par. Televisions that are designed to play standard definition are a better investment.
The video processor is also important. The computer inside the LCD HDTV is the brain behind high definition television - it processes the high definition TV signals coming into the set and displays them on the screen. If this part of the system is not up to scratch, the picture quality will suffer, no matter how good the other specifications are. A cheap HDTV processor leads to a disappointing experience. HD televisions are meant to be high quality. The easiest way to research processors is to read reviews on High Definition televisions and find out what the experts say about picture quality for each system you are considering. Whether purchasing a LCD, or any of the other HD TVs available, research is key.
Understanding some of the technical specifications of high definition televisions will make it easier to select the right one for you. First, make a selection based on native resolution (this is the number of horizontal pixels by vertical pixels the has the capability to display.) TVs with a higher native resolution produce a better picture. Sets with a 1080p display have a native resolution of 1920x1080 - anything lower than 720p is not truly a high definition television. Luckily HD TV prices have dropped significantly over the years, which means you can have your cake and eat it too.
The next item to consider with HDTV TVs is contrast ratio. What this boils down to is the difference between a white pixel and a black pixel (or the brightest image to the darkest). Again, the higher the ratio the better off you'll be when it comes to HD TV. If you select a 1080p TV, a contrast ratio of 10,000:1 is stellar - the picture quality of these TVs will blow you away. But there is one thing to watch out for when researching the contrast ratio of a HD TV. Sometimes the manufacturer will advertise a 10,000 or 15,000 ratio that really refers to the dynamic contrast ratio of the TVs, which is different. This is something to look out for when searching for a LCD HD because with a LCD television the contrast ratio tends to be on the low side. The dynamic ratio only reflects the amount of dark and bright luminosity that the television produces over a period of time.
Next, consider selecting from HDTVs with standard definition. Most people still watch many forms of media that are not made for high definition TV, so this is an important feature to have. Although HDTVs can display standard definition from DVDs, VHS, and satellite and cable, the picture quality is not up to par. Televisions that are designed to play standard definition are a better investment.
The video processor is also important. The computer inside the LCD HDTV is the brain behind high definition television - it processes the high definition TV signals coming into the set and displays them on the screen. If this part of the system is not up to scratch, the picture quality will suffer, no matter how good the other specifications are. A cheap HDTV processor leads to a disappointing experience. HD televisions are meant to be high quality. The easiest way to research processors is to read reviews on High Definition televisions and find out what the experts say about picture quality for each system you are considering. Whether purchasing a LCD, or any of the other HD TVs available, research is key.
Minggu, 01 Juni 2008
Tips For Photographing Your Paintings
There are good reasons for taking photographs of paintings. One of the most important is so you'll have an accurate record of your valuable artwork .... your camera. If you have nothing you can use to lean on, just hold your camera close to your chest to steady it, hold your breath, and take your shot.
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