Theblogger.net is a free photoblog site. Put all your favorite photos in your own personal album. We are updating the site each day and the last addition is the possibility to send notifications on updates to various email addresses. Now you can start a a photoblog with your friends and everybody can receive notifications on new comments entered. Also we have made our new forum ready, please enter and keep in touch with others photoblog friends.
Fotoblog gratis, free photoblog - Theblogger.net
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Autism Facts
What is Autism?
A Definition
Autism is a brain disorder that typically affects a person's ability to communicate, form relationships with others, and respond appropriately to the environment. Some people with autism are relatively high-functioning, with speech and intelligence intact. Others are mentally retarded, mute, or have serious language delays. For some, autism makes them seem closed off and shut down; others seem locked into repetitive behaviors and rigid patterns of thinking. Although people with autism do not have exactly the same symptoms and deficits, they tend to share certain social, communication, motor, and sensory problems that affect their behavior in predictable ways.
What Causes The Disease?
Causes
Brain scans show differences in the shape and structure of the brain in autistic versus non-autistic children. Researchers are investigating a number of theories, including the link between heredity, genetics and medical problems. In many families, there appears to be a pattern of autism or related disabilities, further supporting a genetic basis to the disorder. While no one gene has been identified as causing autism, researchers are searching for irregular segments of genetic code that autistic children may have inherited. It also appears that some children are born with a susceptibility to autism, but researchers have not yet identified a single "trigger" that causes autism to develop. Other researchers are investigating the possibility that under certain conditions, a cluster of unstable genes may interfere with brain development resulting in autism. Still other researchers are investigating problems during pregnancy or delivery as well as environmental factors such as viral infections, metabolic imbalances, and exposure to environmental chemicals.
How Many?
Frequency
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, autism affects 1 to 2 in 1,000 Americans. Studies done in Europe and Asia since 1985 have found that as many as 2 to 6 of every 1,000 children have an Autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which is a broad array of mental problems that include autism. Many people believe that the incidence of autism is rising. A California study published this fall found that the rise in autism over the last decade was real and has little to do with better diagnosis and awareness.
In The Movies
Rain Man
Many books and films have dealt with the issue of autism. The most famous is "Rain Man," the 1988 film that starred Dustin Hoffman as the autistic brother of Tom Cruise. Cruise must come to terms with the fact that his brother is autistic.
When Was Autism "Discovered"?
Beginnings
Leo Kanner published his first paper identifying autistic children in 1943. Before then, such children would be classified as emotionally disturbed or mentally retarded. Kanner said that these children often demonstrated capabilities that showed that they were not merely slow learners, yet they didn't fit the patterns of emotionally disturbed children. "Autism" literally means "escape from reality." The name was used because Kanner suspected that these children were trying to escape from reality.
Notable Sufferers
Notable Sufferers
Among those who are thought to have exhibited traits related to autism or Asperger's Syndrome (a milder version of the disease) are inventor Thomas Edison (left), novelist Jane Austen, and philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein.
Vaccine Controversy
Vaccine Controversy
Some researchers believe that some autism may be related to the use of the certain vaccines on children. These vaccines contained thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative. Some believe that the vaccine exposed infants to high doses of mercury, which led to autism. The theory is extremely controversial, and many researchers say it is not backed by scientific evidence.
A Definition
Autism is a brain disorder that typically affects a person's ability to communicate, form relationships with others, and respond appropriately to the environment. Some people with autism are relatively high-functioning, with speech and intelligence intact. Others are mentally retarded, mute, or have serious language delays. For some, autism makes them seem closed off and shut down; others seem locked into repetitive behaviors and rigid patterns of thinking. Although people with autism do not have exactly the same symptoms and deficits, they tend to share certain social, communication, motor, and sensory problems that affect their behavior in predictable ways.
What Causes The Disease?
Causes
Brain scans show differences in the shape and structure of the brain in autistic versus non-autistic children. Researchers are investigating a number of theories, including the link between heredity, genetics and medical problems. In many families, there appears to be a pattern of autism or related disabilities, further supporting a genetic basis to the disorder. While no one gene has been identified as causing autism, researchers are searching for irregular segments of genetic code that autistic children may have inherited. It also appears that some children are born with a susceptibility to autism, but researchers have not yet identified a single "trigger" that causes autism to develop. Other researchers are investigating the possibility that under certain conditions, a cluster of unstable genes may interfere with brain development resulting in autism. Still other researchers are investigating problems during pregnancy or delivery as well as environmental factors such as viral infections, metabolic imbalances, and exposure to environmental chemicals.
How Many?
Frequency
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, autism affects 1 to 2 in 1,000 Americans. Studies done in Europe and Asia since 1985 have found that as many as 2 to 6 of every 1,000 children have an Autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which is a broad array of mental problems that include autism. Many people believe that the incidence of autism is rising. A California study published this fall found that the rise in autism over the last decade was real and has little to do with better diagnosis and awareness.
In The Movies
Rain Man
Many books and films have dealt with the issue of autism. The most famous is "Rain Man," the 1988 film that starred Dustin Hoffman as the autistic brother of Tom Cruise. Cruise must come to terms with the fact that his brother is autistic.
When Was Autism "Discovered"?
Beginnings
Leo Kanner published his first paper identifying autistic children in 1943. Before then, such children would be classified as emotionally disturbed or mentally retarded. Kanner said that these children often demonstrated capabilities that showed that they were not merely slow learners, yet they didn't fit the patterns of emotionally disturbed children. "Autism" literally means "escape from reality." The name was used because Kanner suspected that these children were trying to escape from reality.
Notable Sufferers
Notable Sufferers
Among those who are thought to have exhibited traits related to autism or Asperger's Syndrome (a milder version of the disease) are inventor Thomas Edison (left), novelist Jane Austen, and philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein.
Vaccine Controversy
Vaccine Controversy
Some researchers believe that some autism may be related to the use of the certain vaccines on children. These vaccines contained thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative. Some believe that the vaccine exposed infants to high doses of mercury, which led to autism. The theory is extremely controversial, and many researchers say it is not backed by scientific evidence.
CBS News | When Jerry Met Mary | September 29
This was a great story. I hope you got to watch it.
CBS News | When Jerry Met Mary | September 29, 2004
CBS News | When Jerry Met Mary | September 29, 2004
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Monday, September 27, 2004
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Hello and welcome to iWebMusic.com. We enable you to add your own sound files to our server and play them on your webpage. We hope that you will enjoy using our free service. Thank you for using iWebMusic.com!
iWebMusic.com
iWebMusic.com
Saturday, September 25, 2004
A blog.
Read daily snippets about graphic design and see what others think about the subject. Be creative and make the most out of your Mac's zeros and ones.
CreativeBits
Read daily snippets about graphic design and see what others think about the subject. Be creative and make the most out of your Mac's zeros and ones.
CreativeBits
A blog.
Meandering musings from some guy named Doug residing in the 'burblands of Minnesota
Bogus Gold
Meandering musings from some guy named Doug residing in the 'burblands of Minnesota
Bogus Gold
A blog.
Paul Revere made his famous ride to warn the Colonists that the British were coming, men were in the bell towers of churches thoughout the route with laterns to warn their communities. Lamplighter is dedicated to truth in information, restoring the Constitution & ethical media.
LAMPLIGHTER
Paul Revere made his famous ride to warn the Colonists that the British were coming, men were in the bell towers of churches thoughout the route with laterns to warn their communities. Lamplighter is dedicated to truth in information, restoring the Constitution & ethical media.
LAMPLIGHTER
Blogs that have visited mine recently -
LETTERS FROM THE ROAD
LarryDerek0347 Blog
Kierra "Kiki" Sheard's blog - "I'm looking forward to keeping in touch by making updates sharing my experience as a solo debut artist with you all. Thank you for your support of me and my music."
Res Ipsa Loquitur - "Current Berkeley students and alumni unite to expose campus nonsense and support conservative causes."
Sunshine!!
LETTERS FROM THE ROAD
LarryDerek0347 Blog
Kierra "Kiki" Sheard's blog - "I'm looking forward to keeping in touch by making updates sharing my experience as a solo debut artist with you all. Thank you for your support of me and my music."
Res Ipsa Loquitur - "Current Berkeley students and alumni unite to expose campus nonsense and support conservative causes."
Sunshine!!
WALK NOW Houston 2004 - Marc's Donation Page
Join me and my son, Sean, in our efforts to support Cure Autism Now Foundation!
WALK NOW Houston 2004 - General Donation
WALK NOW Houston 2004 - General Donation
Friday, September 24, 2004
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
20 Reasons to Vote for John Kerry
September 21, 2004
by Joe Mariani
20 Reasons to Vote for John Kerry
September 21, 2004
by Joe Mariani
I'm beginning to feel sorry for most "supporters" of John Kerry. No matter how many times they're asked why anyone should vote for him, they never seem to have an answer except "he's not Bush." I'm not speaking of the far-far-looney Left, for whom that answer is enough; I'm referring to moderate Democrats who want to support Kerry out of party loyalty, but can't quite convince themselves of his suitability for office. Whatever a Kerry supporter's pet issue is, he or she never seems able to give a solid reason why Kerry would deal with it better than Bush would, and give details about precisely how. All they can do it complain about President Bush. Even those who support Kerry's plan for socialised medicine (the same system which is falling apart in Canada) can't explain how it would be paid for. Raising taxes on those making over $200,000 a year would generate less than $250 billion over ten years, which would only cover a portion of the estimated $1 trillion cost. (They also can't explain why Kerry the health-care crusader doesn't seem to have introduced any legislation concerning his best issue at any point during his 20-year Senate career.) In any case, Kerry supporters seem to need help. Well, help is on the way! If you're looking for a reason to actually support Kerry, instead of joining up with the anti-Bush, anti-military, anti-industry, anti-capitalism, anti-Israel, anti-America crowd typified by Michael Moore, the Hollywood Left, and sign-waving protesters in the streets, then here are twenty reasons for you to consider as your reason to vote for John Kerry.
20. Israel's security fence really is both a "legitimate act of self defense" and a "barrier to peace," and at the same time.
19. In fact, no matter what you believe about any issue, Kerry's on your side 50% of the time. Unfortunately, if there are three sides to an issue, he's only with you 33%.
18. Anyone who had the foresight to bring his own Super 8 movie camera to Vietnam to shoot campaign commercials for when he got back home is okay by you.
17. Kerry should be President because, as he said, he was born in the "west wing" of a hospital. This has nothing to do with all the other people ever born in the west wings of all the hospitals in the world, however.
16. You believe that Saddam was a threat with nuclear weapons. After all, John Kerry himself said, "If you don't believe ... Saddam Hussein is a threat with nuclear weapons, then you shouldn't vote for me." Of course, that would make the liberation of Iraq the right thing to do then, wouldn't it? Maybe you'd better skip this one.
15. He and John Edwards have "better hair." Aren't you glad Don King isn't running?
14. The company you work for doesn't pay enough taxes. If they did, they wouldn't have money in the budget to waste on you.
13. Europe wants him to be our President, which automatically means that you should, too... if you want to be popular when you visit your family in France, that is.
12. Kerry was in Vietnam for a few months 35 years ago, and he still remembers how to curse like a sailor!
11. Kim Jong Il prefers him, Iranian mullahs and other unnamed foreign leaders would certainly prefer him, and the CPUSA (US Communist Party) prefers him. You don't want them mad at you, do you?
10. He owns American-made SUVs... no, no, wait, his FAMILY does. Sorry.
9. He was in Vietnam for a few months 35 years ago -- did you know that? He was in Cambodia, too. The memory of his secret mission on Christmas Day 1968 was seared -- seared -- in him. Or maybe it was some other time, or some other place, or some other guy. But he has a hat to prove it... whatever it is.
8. John Kerry said that he believes we "need to build multilateral support for whatever course of action we ultimately would take." America should never act on its own, like other countries do.
7. He was the only Vietnam veteran to be honored by both America and the North Vietnamese for his activities during the Vietnam War.
6. The best way to deal with terrorism is to wait until they hit us again. "Any attack will be met with a swift and certain response," Kerry said when he accepted the Democrat nomination.
5. After years of marrying rich women, shouldn't he finally have his own house?
4. Although he would raise your taxes, his speech explaining why would cure your insomnia.
3. You've probably already forgotten that he was in Vietnam for a few months 35 years ago.
2. As well as revealing at various times that he's Irish, Czech, Catholic, Jewish, Liberal and Conservative, he will also be the second "black" President.
1. Ketchup packets with the presidential seal! How cool is that?
20 Reasons to Vote for John Kerry
Dan Rather Sucks
Why can't the news just report the facts instead of trying to force feed us their (liberal) political agenda?! - Marc
With CBS News publicly disavowing disputed documents in a 60 Minutes story on President Bush's National Guard service, the question now shifts to the future of Dan Rather as the face of the black-eyed network.
Monday's on-air mea culpa likely only served to reinforce his many critics' view of Rather as the poster boy for liberal mainstream media.
Whether it takes down the longtime anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News remains to be seen.
HoustonChronicle.com - After the mea culpa, what's left for Dan Rather?
With CBS News publicly disavowing disputed documents in a 60 Minutes story on President Bush's National Guard service, the question now shifts to the future of Dan Rather as the face of the black-eyed network.
Monday's on-air mea culpa likely only served to reinforce his many critics' view of Rather as the poster boy for liberal mainstream media.
Whether it takes down the longtime anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News remains to be seen.
HoustonChronicle.com - After the mea culpa, what's left for Dan Rather?
Monday, September 20, 2004
Very interesting and cool.
ArticleCity.com - Free Articles for Reprint. Free Articles for your web site and newsletters.
ArticleCity.com - Free Articles for Reprint. Free Articles for your web site and newsletters.
Sunday, September 19, 2004
Saturday, September 18, 2004
Friday, September 17, 2004
Hmmm... certainly this is some liberal, Photoshop'ed, conspiracy theory bullsh*t. The plane must have just disintegrated and/or burnt up. Can someone find me some original sites with original photos of this? I'm sure this is just a hoax. Hold on, I'll look.
About 9/11 Pentagon crash
About 9/11 Pentagon crash
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Recent Referrals to Marc's Blog -
Search on Yahoo for "viagra and beer"
Search on MSN for - blog pages on autism
Search on Yahoo for - ez auction stop in Houston Texas
Search on MSN for - ro
Search on Yahoo for - architectural salvage in houston
Interesting to me how folks stumble onto my blog.
Search on Yahoo for "viagra and beer"
Search on MSN for - blog pages on autism
Search on Yahoo for - ez auction stop in Houston Texas
Search on MSN for - ro
Search on Yahoo for - architectural salvage in houston
Interesting to me how folks stumble onto my blog.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Fox Hangs Up Tru Calling Damnit
The Fox network has delayed the premiere of Eliza Dushku's supernatural drama Tru Calling, originally scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 4, until mid-season, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The network may also cut its original order of 13 episodes to six, putting the future of the struggling series in doubt.
Last spring, Fox executives said that their decision to bring the show back for a second season demonstrated their willingness to be patient and give shows with potential time to find an audience, the trade paper reported. But budgetary concerns and the popularity of the network's reality programming may have become a factor. The Hawaii-based drama North Shore will now air on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT instead.
Sci Fi Wire -- The News Service of the Sci Fi Channel
The Fox network has delayed the premiere of Eliza Dushku's supernatural drama Tru Calling, originally scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 4, until mid-season, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The network may also cut its original order of 13 episodes to six, putting the future of the struggling series in doubt.
Last spring, Fox executives said that their decision to bring the show back for a second season demonstrated their willingness to be patient and give shows with potential time to find an audience, the trade paper reported. But budgetary concerns and the popularity of the network's reality programming may have become a factor. The Hawaii-based drama North Shore will now air on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT instead.
Sci Fi Wire -- The News Service of the Sci Fi Channel
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Faces.com is a unique online social network which helps you meet new friends with similar interests as well as getting to know your current friends better!
faces.com
faces.com
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Friday, September 10, 2004
Texans will mark the third anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks with solemn ceremonies around the state remembering the nearly 3,000 Americans who died that day in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.
HoustonChronicle.com - Houston to mark third anniversary of 9/11
HoustonChronicle.com - Houston to mark third anniversary of 9/11
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
BlogShares - Fantasy Blog Share Market
Someone had gotten to my Blog site from this page, I need to check this out more.
BlogShares - Fantasy Blog Share Market
BlogShares - Fantasy Blog Share Market
Very Cool.
Sept. 8, 2004, 11:42AM
New DVR is something to see
By MIKE MCDANIEL
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
Having a night on the town could be a whole lot easier now that Houston's largest cable supplier has entered the DVR market.
Time Warner Cable, which has 730,000 subscribers in the metro area, quietly began offering a digital video recorder earlier this month. Made possible by a "system overlay" created by Scientific-Atlanta, the device, called the Explorer 8000, rivals and in some ways exceeds such stand-alone and satellite DVRs as those made by TiVo and Replay.
About the size of a high-end VCR, Time Warner's DVR provides 80 gigabytes of memory, capable of storing 35-50 hours of programming, depending on how graphics- and video-saturated the programs are (sports events take more space than a soap opera, for example). The DVR is a two-tuner device, meaning you can record two programs — and play back a third — simultaneously. The two tuners also make picture-in-picture display possible.
Like other DVRs, Time Warner's box allows viewers to pause live television for up to an hour — enough time to order a pizza, jump in the shower, call Mom and pay for the pizza — then resume the show where you left off.
Unlike other DVRs, Time Warner's is not an additional box for your television; it takes the place of the cable set-top box you already have. The box also does not require hookup to a phone jack.
I've been tinkering with the device for almost a month, and it works flawlessly. It's a significant upgrade of the digital set-top box I had, and, to me, well worth the $6.95 monthly fee. It's $9.95 a month if you are not a digital service subscriber. The majority of Time Warner customers in Houston get digital service.
That's cheaper than the $12.95 monthly fee for a TiVo programming guide, which comes on top of $99 you pay for the TiVo box. But note: The TiVo device offers subscribers the ability to program the device using a Web site. And TiVo's monthly fee drops to $4.99 if you are a DirecTV subscriber.
Considering the customer service Time Warner can provide, though, the cable company's DVR appears to be highly competitive.
"We're anticipating that most people will want to take advantage of this product," said spokesman Carrie Milbank.
Houston is the last of Time Warner's big-city markets to get the service, Milbank admitted.
"We could have launched something before that was just as good as the competition, but we decided to upgrade our plant and invest in that," she said. "The result is a DVR that's one of the most advanced products on the market."
The Time Warner DVR comes with a remote control that's superior to the one Time Warner supplied with its other boxes. It has a faster response time and can do more.
Channel-changing, for example, is instantaneous, whereas the previous remote took a couple of seconds. Like the old remote, the new one has a "Last" button, which tunes to the previous channel you were watching. With the DVR, that now happens instantaneously.
Hit the "Guide" key and immediately receive titles for 90 minutes of programming, not 30 minutes as with the old remote. Scroll down to a title you like, hit "Info" and you get complete program details.
At any time, press the red button and the DVR will immediately begin recording whatever's on your TV screen.
Hit the "Pause" button and the DVR pauses whatever's playing. Hit "Play" to start watching again. Press "Live" and you immediately jump ahead to real-time TV.
The device keeps track of all programs you wish to record, how you wish to record them, and when you recorded them. If Seinfeld is a favorite, you can order the DVR to record one or all episodes of the show. If you don't think you'll be watching those saved recordings in the two-week window the DVR automatically provides, you can change settings and extend the wait.
Press the green "List" button, and all the programs you've recorded are listed in chronological order. Select the show you want to watch and it immediately comes on. You now can watch it as easily as you watch a DVD or tape, using the remote's forward, rewind, pause and stop buttons. Press the forward or rewind key once, twice or three times to change speeds. An on-screen tracking device shows how much program is left.
Once you watch a recording, you can keep it, erase it or tell your VCR to make a copy of it.
The picture-in-picture buttons are simple to use. Hit "PIP" and a second channel appears in the upper left of the screen. Hit the "+" and "—" keys to change the channel. Hit "swap" and the little picture changes places with the big picture you were watching. Hit "move" and you can move the smaller picture to a different quadrant on your screen.
If you're a digital cable subscriber, it's only a matter of swapping out boxes and initializing the DVR. Time Warner will install it for $19.95 or subscribers can do it for free.
Researchers estimate that 11 million people will be DVR subscribers by the end of 2005.
HoustonChronicle.com - Time Warner's DVR is something to see
Sept. 8, 2004, 11:42AM
New DVR is something to see
By MIKE MCDANIEL
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
Having a night on the town could be a whole lot easier now that Houston's largest cable supplier has entered the DVR market.
Time Warner Cable, which has 730,000 subscribers in the metro area, quietly began offering a digital video recorder earlier this month. Made possible by a "system overlay" created by Scientific-Atlanta, the device, called the Explorer 8000, rivals and in some ways exceeds such stand-alone and satellite DVRs as those made by TiVo and Replay.
About the size of a high-end VCR, Time Warner's DVR provides 80 gigabytes of memory, capable of storing 35-50 hours of programming, depending on how graphics- and video-saturated the programs are (sports events take more space than a soap opera, for example). The DVR is a two-tuner device, meaning you can record two programs — and play back a third — simultaneously. The two tuners also make picture-in-picture display possible.
Like other DVRs, Time Warner's box allows viewers to pause live television for up to an hour — enough time to order a pizza, jump in the shower, call Mom and pay for the pizza — then resume the show where you left off.
Unlike other DVRs, Time Warner's is not an additional box for your television; it takes the place of the cable set-top box you already have. The box also does not require hookup to a phone jack.
I've been tinkering with the device for almost a month, and it works flawlessly. It's a significant upgrade of the digital set-top box I had, and, to me, well worth the $6.95 monthly fee. It's $9.95 a month if you are not a digital service subscriber. The majority of Time Warner customers in Houston get digital service.
That's cheaper than the $12.95 monthly fee for a TiVo programming guide, which comes on top of $99 you pay for the TiVo box. But note: The TiVo device offers subscribers the ability to program the device using a Web site. And TiVo's monthly fee drops to $4.99 if you are a DirecTV subscriber.
Considering the customer service Time Warner can provide, though, the cable company's DVR appears to be highly competitive.
"We're anticipating that most people will want to take advantage of this product," said spokesman Carrie Milbank.
Houston is the last of Time Warner's big-city markets to get the service, Milbank admitted.
"We could have launched something before that was just as good as the competition, but we decided to upgrade our plant and invest in that," she said. "The result is a DVR that's one of the most advanced products on the market."
The Time Warner DVR comes with a remote control that's superior to the one Time Warner supplied with its other boxes. It has a faster response time and can do more.
Channel-changing, for example, is instantaneous, whereas the previous remote took a couple of seconds. Like the old remote, the new one has a "Last" button, which tunes to the previous channel you were watching. With the DVR, that now happens instantaneously.
Hit the "Guide" key and immediately receive titles for 90 minutes of programming, not 30 minutes as with the old remote. Scroll down to a title you like, hit "Info" and you get complete program details.
At any time, press the red button and the DVR will immediately begin recording whatever's on your TV screen.
Hit the "Pause" button and the DVR pauses whatever's playing. Hit "Play" to start watching again. Press "Live" and you immediately jump ahead to real-time TV.
The device keeps track of all programs you wish to record, how you wish to record them, and when you recorded them. If Seinfeld is a favorite, you can order the DVR to record one or all episodes of the show. If you don't think you'll be watching those saved recordings in the two-week window the DVR automatically provides, you can change settings and extend the wait.
Press the green "List" button, and all the programs you've recorded are listed in chronological order. Select the show you want to watch and it immediately comes on. You now can watch it as easily as you watch a DVD or tape, using the remote's forward, rewind, pause and stop buttons. Press the forward or rewind key once, twice or three times to change speeds. An on-screen tracking device shows how much program is left.
Once you watch a recording, you can keep it, erase it or tell your VCR to make a copy of it.
The picture-in-picture buttons are simple to use. Hit "PIP" and a second channel appears in the upper left of the screen. Hit the "+" and "—" keys to change the channel. Hit "swap" and the little picture changes places with the big picture you were watching. Hit "move" and you can move the smaller picture to a different quadrant on your screen.
If you're a digital cable subscriber, it's only a matter of swapping out boxes and initializing the DVR. Time Warner will install it for $19.95 or subscribers can do it for free.
Researchers estimate that 11 million people will be DVR subscribers by the end of 2005.
HoustonChronicle.com - Time Warner's DVR is something to see
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Wish I lived in New York...
Harry Chapin - A Celebration In Song
Starring:
The Chapin Family
Tom * Steve * Jen * The Harry Chapin Band * Family & Friends
Sunday, October 17th 2004 - 7:00 p.m.
Tarrytown Music Hall
Tarrytown, New York
(less than 30 minutes north of New York City)
Reserved Seating: $45 & $65
Circle Seating: $150
(includes pre-concert dinner with performers)
Harry, It Sucks! Fan Page
Starring:
The Chapin Family
Tom * Steve * Jen * The Harry Chapin Band * Family & Friends
Sunday, October 17th 2004 - 7:00 p.m.
Tarrytown Music Hall
Tarrytown, New York
(less than 30 minutes north of New York City)
Reserved Seating: $45 & $65
Circle Seating: $150
(includes pre-concert dinner with performers)
Harry, It Sucks! Fan Page
Monday, September 06, 2004
Sunday, September 05, 2004
Heart's Wilson sisters come to town with a new album
Heart back in Houston for Saturday show
The Wilson sisters come to town with a new album to promote
(I didn't get to go, damnit.)
By JOEY GUERRA
For The Chronicle
As lead singer for seminal rock collective Heart, Ann Wilson — along with sister Nancy — shattered, then redefined conceptions about women in a genre long dominated by males.
The band released its debut album, Dreamboat Annie, in 1976 and found speedy success with the singles Crazy on You, Magic Man and the whimsical title track. More albums, more singles and more drama ensued.
Despite intraband romances and constantly changing lineups, the Wilson sisters remained Heart's focal point. The group has issued more than a dozen releases (not to mention bootleg recordings and best-of compilations), sold more than 30 million albums and lodged 21 Top 40 hits, including the No. 1 smashes These Dreams and Alone.
"At this point, there's no way for us to really separate the personal and the professional, and we don't really try to do that. But we do work hard on our communication, because that's the thing that really keeps things steady," Ann Wilson says.
The group performs Saturday at H'Town's Arena Theatre as part of its Jupiters Darling international summer tour.
"We don't fight with each other, but we can become frosty sometimes, like anybody," Wilson adds. But we just see fit to talk it out rather than let it rankle and turn into something bad. I think that's helped us through the years. No big catfights."
After a glossy career renaissance in the mid-'80s with albums Heart and Bad Animals, the '90s found the duo settling into its hard-earned status as respected rock goddesses.
Nancy Wilson scored three films (Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous, Vanilla Sky) for husband Cameron Crowe and released an experimental solo album.
Ann Wilson dabbled in theater and embarked on a solo tour. The sisters also released two albums — with another new lineup — under the Lovemongers name. The days of Heart, it seemed, were over.
Not so fast.
The Wilson sisters re-emerged under the Heart moniker with last year's critically lauded Alive in Seattle, a double-disc collection of hits and new tracks. It was a precursor to 2004's Jupiters Darling, the group's first studio album since 1993's Desire Walks On. The album harks back to the melodic, thoughtful sound of Heart's early recordings, with plenty of room to rock.
" It's been a dream of ours for a long time, and you don't just whip an album out on a timetable, really," Wilson, 52, says. We wanted to do it ourselves this time, in terms of Nancy producing and us writing all the songs. We did it all on our own dime."
After the creative process was worked out, the album took only two months to record. It features longtime members Darian Sahanaja (keyboards), Mike Inez (bass) and Ben Smith (drums), along with new guitarist/co-producer/co-writer Craig Bartock.
Jupiters Darling also features contributions from Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell and Pearl Jam's Mike McCready.
From the opening chords of Make Me, Jupiters Darling positively sparkles with vitality. Vainglorious and Fallen Ones showcase chunky rock riffs, while Enough and I Need the Rain recall Heart's tenderest ballads.
"We knew that we wanted it to sound rockin' and raw and as much like the essential, real Heart as we could make it," Wilson says.
"To get there we just had to relax, basically, and just close out all the other voices we've heard down through the years that told us what we should be doing and just do what we do."
Still, a lot has changed in the rock 'n' roll world since the Wilson sisters' commercial heyday. Britney Spears and Ashlee Simpson have replaced Joan Jett and Pat Benatar atop the charts, but Wilson feels artists such as Lucinda Williams and Avril Lavigne are proudly carrying the rock torch without needing slinky dance moves and skimpy outfits.
Wilson's life these days includes caring for two adopted children, Marie, 13, and Dustin, 6, who she says has the makings of a rock star. It's a picture of what life is like for a rock mama balancing Heart and home.
"You're up onstage in front of a packed house, and it's just really great," Wilson says. "You just did Barracuda. The place is going crazy! You're feeling really great. You come offstage and you're all high, and you feel so good. You walk backstage, and then someone goes, 'Mom, would you wipe my butt?'
"Your hat just spins around. It's a nice counterpoint to the rock-star thing."
HoustonChronicle.com - Heart's Wilson sisters come to town with a new album
The Wilson sisters come to town with a new album to promote
(I didn't get to go, damnit.)
By JOEY GUERRA
For The Chronicle
As lead singer for seminal rock collective Heart, Ann Wilson — along with sister Nancy — shattered, then redefined conceptions about women in a genre long dominated by males.
The band released its debut album, Dreamboat Annie, in 1976 and found speedy success with the singles Crazy on You, Magic Man and the whimsical title track. More albums, more singles and more drama ensued.
Despite intraband romances and constantly changing lineups, the Wilson sisters remained Heart's focal point. The group has issued more than a dozen releases (not to mention bootleg recordings and best-of compilations), sold more than 30 million albums and lodged 21 Top 40 hits, including the No. 1 smashes These Dreams and Alone.
"At this point, there's no way for us to really separate the personal and the professional, and we don't really try to do that. But we do work hard on our communication, because that's the thing that really keeps things steady," Ann Wilson says.
The group performs Saturday at H'Town's Arena Theatre as part of its Jupiters Darling international summer tour.
"We don't fight with each other, but we can become frosty sometimes, like anybody," Wilson adds. But we just see fit to talk it out rather than let it rankle and turn into something bad. I think that's helped us through the years. No big catfights."
After a glossy career renaissance in the mid-'80s with albums Heart and Bad Animals, the '90s found the duo settling into its hard-earned status as respected rock goddesses.
Nancy Wilson scored three films (Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous, Vanilla Sky) for husband Cameron Crowe and released an experimental solo album.
Ann Wilson dabbled in theater and embarked on a solo tour. The sisters also released two albums — with another new lineup — under the Lovemongers name. The days of Heart, it seemed, were over.
Not so fast.
The Wilson sisters re-emerged under the Heart moniker with last year's critically lauded Alive in Seattle, a double-disc collection of hits and new tracks. It was a precursor to 2004's Jupiters Darling, the group's first studio album since 1993's Desire Walks On. The album harks back to the melodic, thoughtful sound of Heart's early recordings, with plenty of room to rock.
" It's been a dream of ours for a long time, and you don't just whip an album out on a timetable, really," Wilson, 52, says. We wanted to do it ourselves this time, in terms of Nancy producing and us writing all the songs. We did it all on our own dime."
After the creative process was worked out, the album took only two months to record. It features longtime members Darian Sahanaja (keyboards), Mike Inez (bass) and Ben Smith (drums), along with new guitarist/co-producer/co-writer Craig Bartock.
Jupiters Darling also features contributions from Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell and Pearl Jam's Mike McCready.
From the opening chords of Make Me, Jupiters Darling positively sparkles with vitality. Vainglorious and Fallen Ones showcase chunky rock riffs, while Enough and I Need the Rain recall Heart's tenderest ballads.
"We knew that we wanted it to sound rockin' and raw and as much like the essential, real Heart as we could make it," Wilson says.
"To get there we just had to relax, basically, and just close out all the other voices we've heard down through the years that told us what we should be doing and just do what we do."
Still, a lot has changed in the rock 'n' roll world since the Wilson sisters' commercial heyday. Britney Spears and Ashlee Simpson have replaced Joan Jett and Pat Benatar atop the charts, but Wilson feels artists such as Lucinda Williams and Avril Lavigne are proudly carrying the rock torch without needing slinky dance moves and skimpy outfits.
Wilson's life these days includes caring for two adopted children, Marie, 13, and Dustin, 6, who she says has the makings of a rock star. It's a picture of what life is like for a rock mama balancing Heart and home.
"You're up onstage in front of a packed house, and it's just really great," Wilson says. "You just did Barracuda. The place is going crazy! You're feeling really great. You come offstage and you're all high, and you feel so good. You walk backstage, and then someone goes, 'Mom, would you wipe my butt?'
"Your hat just spins around. It's a nice counterpoint to the rock-star thing."
HoustonChronicle.com - Heart's Wilson sisters come to town with a new album
Saturday, September 04, 2004
Fence
We are looking to get a dog.
A puppy is preferable.
We have cats and we need the two to get along. Plus, the boys haven't experienced a puppy yet, neither have I.
The puppy must also grow up to be a big dog, my preference. I'd like a lab or shepherd.
I went to go see an eight-month-old yellow lab today at the local animal clinic. He's already pretty big, definitely past the little puppy stage. A "teenager" is what My Wife would call him.
His name is Fence. Someone had found him tied up to one, underfed and with ringworm.
As soon as I started petting him, he started peeing all over the floor. After that incident he was VERY happy to see me (if you know what I mean). This guy definitely needs to be fixed.
He's a really sweet and beautiful dog. We're gonna pass though and still hold out for a younger puppy. The clinic will find a home for him.
A puppy is preferable.
We have cats and we need the two to get along. Plus, the boys haven't experienced a puppy yet, neither have I.
The puppy must also grow up to be a big dog, my preference. I'd like a lab or shepherd.
I went to go see an eight-month-old yellow lab today at the local animal clinic. He's already pretty big, definitely past the little puppy stage. A "teenager" is what My Wife would call him.
His name is Fence. Someone had found him tied up to one, underfed and with ringworm.
As soon as I started petting him, he started peeing all over the floor. After that incident he was VERY happy to see me (if you know what I mean). This guy definitely needs to be fixed.
He's a really sweet and beautiful dog. We're gonna pass though and still hold out for a younger puppy. The clinic will find a home for him.
Friday, September 03, 2004
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
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