If I Only Had A Brain...

It make so much sense. To organize a blog like the Dewey Decimal System. I used to know the DDS by heart. If I can wiggle into the Library Assistant Classes I will have to learn both DDS and LOC.

To book junkies this is not a bad thing. I bow at Lisa Williams feet in deep respect. Not only for the DDS but stepping up to the plate on citizen journalism.

Yes, yes I am not the only one who get this! There is another. Each one teach one and somebody has got to write this stuff down. My brain expands. The actual name of the blog is "Learning the Lessons of Nixon"

http://www.cadence90.com/wp

This World - How To Wean America Off Of Fossil Fuels

There are those of that know the world has a finite supply of dinosaur grease a.k.a. oil. After you drain Alaska, Africa, Antarctica, and the methane pool that is under Southern California there is not going to be enough of anything left to run a scooter.

It does not have to be that way. Now some folks promote wind, solar and nuclear power but I’m talking vegetable oil. This is a fuel source I understand! With the low carbohydrate craze raging on, it could not have come at a better time. Have to do something with all that unused grease.

Dig it, you can run cars on used (hopefully filtered) vegetable oil. I suppose you could also do it with rendered animal fat but I don’t want to complicate the issue. I need everybody on the same page and I strive to be inclusive.

The basic premise is that you modify a car to accept the used cooking oil. The technical term for this is Bio-Diesel. The State of California’s Energy Commission has a kid’s version explanation, which is perfect for an automotive impaired person like myself to understand - http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/transportation/biodiesel.html or to get an overall alternative fuel primer visit http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/transportation/index.html

This is not new fangled stuff. The technology has been around for 100+ years. The willingness to actively promote veggie oil or bio-diesel fuel is just kicking into consciousness in America.

The Biotta Family bought a $400 Dasher off of eBay. The car was converted into a veggie-mobile. They drove to Argentina in that car. You can read more about their trip - http://www.dailycal.org/article.php?id=15508

Even some companies are doing its part to promote alternative fuel transportation. Clif Bar – the makers of nature/healthy snack food is also doing its part to promote alternative fuels transportation. Two drivers are taking a tour of the east coast to promote natural energy mobility - http://www.clifbar.com/play/natural_energy_more.cfm?location=teamclif
The Veggie Van has made the commitment to convert Americans over to veggie-powered cars. Part of their mission is to help educate and motivate change. It is a non-profit organization that is supported by the sale of books and technology to show how easy it is to make the switch from petroleum. They will be busy moving up and down the California coastline, so be on the look out for the van - http://www.veggievan.org

All Night Long - Sniffing Out the Goodies

Real shoppers use the same skills on-line as off-line.

For those of you that need to scope out the deals Sales Circulars give you a master list of an item, for instance a camcorder. You can view a list of stores offering the product, if a rebate is available and how much product cost. For all 50 states and not just tech products. Sweet – http://www.sales-circulars.com

A good place to view actual items for sale is Overstock.com. They have a wide range of household, entertainment and computer items that change constantly. The products are new and refurbished items at 30% to 70% off retail price. If you time it right, you might get shipping for $2.95 or free. http://www.overstock.com

If you got that geek urge and need a technical fix but your wallet is light Computer Geeks is right up you alley. Barebones, new and refurbished equipment for your buying pleasure. It helps to have some computer experience but it is pretty straightforward as to what you are buying, the cost and what else you will need to make it work – http://www.geeks.com

Yummy, Yummy, Yummy I’ve Got Love In My Tummy – Dim Sum

I was walking through Chinatown taking pictures and trying to stay out of some of my old favorite food places. It was a foolish effort. I’d find myself walking in and gazing at shrimp wrapped in noodles, fried fish, stuff pig intestines, and pound after pound of ducks. I had to back away from the steam tables. The only thing I could have eaten was the Styrofoam box.

I kept walking. I always like to take the back streets and I came across another store. Like a moth to a flame I went in. Off to the side of the steam table there was a bakery section. They had Onion rolls and BBQ Buns. My god, I can eat these!

The BBQ bun was so good I forgot to remove the pastry paper that was stuck at the bottom. I was halfway into the Onion roll before I noticed. Good Dim Sum and Chinese pastry will do that to you.

To learn more about Dim Sum you can visit Cuisine Net and read a brief introduction to what Dim Sum (mostly steamed dumplings and noodles) the variety of great food available and additional links about Chinese food - http://www.cuisinenet.com/digest/region/china/dimsum_intro.shtml

Foxy Lady – Firefox Browser

It is long past time to stop using Microsoft Internet Explorer (MSIE) as your Internet browser. Too many lowlifes are using MSIE flaws to deliver viruses, Trojans and the first scourge of 21st Century – spyware. Not to mention the “phishing” expeditions that could lead you to phony banking sites that want to harvest your personal identity and bank accounts.

The safest option at this point for Windows users is to download and use Firefox. It does a much better job of not allowing spyware to install on your computer without you knowledge or permission. There is an added benefit of multiple tables, stopping pop-up windows and greater control of how it looks and behaves.

I know in the past that I have recommended Crazy Browser as an overlay to MSIE. Seriously, get and use Firefox. Do not uninstall MSIE. There may be a few sites that are not totally compatible with Firefox (for the moment) and you can use both browsers at the same time.

Now it is not going to solve all of your problems, particularly if you download MP3s, bootleg software or have a tendency to visit sites of a “carnal” nature. If you have children or teenagers, you are automatically at risk.

Firefox is free, open source software. That means no money changes hands, constantly updated and much better security. For more information visit http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/why and to download Firefox visit http://texturizer.net/firefox/download.html

The Next Big Thing? – Gizmodo and Engadeget

I admit it. If I have to choose between a designer gown and a 400GB hard drive, I’ll go naked and pick the hard drive. Digital cameras and camcorders place stars in my eyes and the song of switching from Windows XP to Linux is getting louder.

When I need a non-financial fix on all that is new and wonderful I visit Gizmodo or Engadeget.

Gizmodo has a brief review, pictures and links to the gadget of the minute. On the day I visited there was the Philips KEY019 flash drive with built-in MPEG-4 camcorder, a snorkel style FM radio that plays underwater and Ultra High Definition Television that is being developed that will make television appear as if you are looking out of a clean plate glass window on a spring day - http://www.gizmodo.com

Engadeget is very similar in concept to Gizmodo but I notice a few more entertainment and human-interest stories at the blog. The sheriff who took a hit of a Taser gun just to prove that it was not necessarily a bad or dangerous thing has got me worried about the decreasing intelligence of the American people. If you want to watch the video of him getting tasered, be my guest.

There is also information about the July 1st deadline for cable companies to provide access to a variety of digital cable boxes. Supposedly you are no longer locked into techno-crap boxes the cable company gives you. I really like the section on how to buy cell phones. Engadeget links to its own internal blog pages by topic so that you can really dive into a specific sections goodies.

You can never have too much stuff and between the two of these blogs I can barely keep up. This is much better than not even being in the loop - http://www.engadget.com

Paul Neave and Neave.com

There are creative folks among us and Paul Neave is one of them. I like it when I click on a border on his web site and it wiggles. Then again, I am easily amused. Oh course he has a blog, cool pictures of sites in the UK but more important than that he has games.

If you have a thing for old arcade games like Pac-Man, Asteroids, Tetris or Simon you can download free games recreated in Flash Animation format.

I have to leave Simon alone. Simon just makes me crazy. But if you are up to it and your brain cells can handle the challenge then go forth and conquer – http://www.neave.com

Real Men Cook – BBQ and Good Work

Ah, memories of the Rib Crib fill my heart and soul. Winter battered folks lining up outside in parkas exposed to bone chilling weather. All for a taste of a slab of ribs or BBQ Chicken with a side of Cole Slaw. It was the frostbite that made us do it.

Fortunately, good BBQ is not hard to find. You can satisfy your charred meat or veggie desires and help the cause. Can you do good work by eating Sweet Potato Cheesecake? Of course you can!

Real Men Cook for Charity is hosted in various cities around the country. It brings together mothers, fathers, sister, brothers and all others who care about community. The men folk do the cooking and the women folk get to ask, “Is it done yet?” The young ones get to see Pop in a new light and more importantly, money is raise for various charities that provide support and assistance.

So if you live in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans or Philadelphia get ready for some serious eating and community building. For more information on the event, visit http://www.realmencook.com

Butterfly Blue – Jon Sherman

I was rushing to catch a bus. I had agreed to be an audience participant at The Dennis Miller Show. I was going to be a rented $15 paid warm clapping body. I had talked myself into it. But my spirit was fighting me the whole way.

I rush through the Farmer’s Market wishing I could pick up one of each vegetable and fruit. I get to the bus stop and notice that my fellow passengers are a lot more mellow than is normal without medication.

I hear soothing music. There is Jon, playing to the crowd of shoppers. Somebody walks up and buys a CD. I see solar panels. The solar panels are providing electricity for the microphone and other equipment. I had never seen a non-polluting electronic musician before.

The bus is late. I do not care. I’m snapping pictures and grooving to the tunes. By the time it comes, it is too late to make my next bus connection. No loss. I feel inspired. Who needs food and that other stuff? You can get more information about Jon Sherman's use of solar panels for music or to order Jon’s CD at http://www.rokcircle.com

People Are Strange – The Museum Of Bad Art

You might find dogs playing poker on a velvet rug repulsive. Others see it as a cultural icon. One man’s kewpie doll is another man’s solid gold horseshoe with diamonds.

The Museum Of Bad Art makes no judgments on the quality of the art, so long as it is bad, ugly or at best questionable value. Not everyone can be a Marcel Duchamp.

Marcel was an early corruptive influence of mine. You got to love a guy who makes a perfect copy of the Mona Lisa and at the bottom, in French, writes the following: “She has a hot a**!” I was 15 when I saw it. It was cool. Marcel is too good for this museum. One look at Johnny McGrory's Unseen Forces Number 5 http://www.museumofbadart.org/collection/unseen-5.html will just leave you baffled.

You have been warned. http://www.museumofbadart.org/

I’m Going To Jackson - Jack T. Chick

You have seen a Jack T. Chick book. Your eyes might have glanced at one resting on a bus stop bench. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw a stack on the floor of a record store. Somebody might have left one on your chair at work. These are small religious tracts in comic book form.

Now if this was a 79 year old guy standing on the corner passing out Xerox copies of his work it might be easy to ignore him. Since 1961, Jack T. Chick has over 500 million copies of his comic books in circulation around the world. Jack also has his own web site. You can find examples of his work that are sold to churches and other religious establishments - http://www.chick.com Let’s just say Jack is not hurting for cash or donations but he is not opposed to receiving either to continue his work.

The story changes but the plot is the same. Depending on how you answer the last question in the tract will indicate if you are you headed up north or working you way down south.

This is not politically correct stuff. He insults a lot of people and for a tract that is supposed to be a guide to the Prince of Peace there is a whole lot of hating going on inside those comic books.

Jack inspires passion among readers and collectors of his work. Even the ones he would classify as atheists and heathens. In Jack’s world, that does not take much effort. If you do not believe exactly as he does then you are doomed. If you are a member of the Catholic, Islam, Jehovah’s Witness or Jewish faith that puts you on the express train of the unworthy.

There are a number of parody and tributes sites that does a good job explaining why Jack does what he does. One place is the Jack T. Chick Museum of Fine Art at http://members.aol.com/monsterwax/chick.html. You can view examples of his work, link to parody sites, network with other Chick-lets, view a catalog of his work and fill in the back story on this guy. See, Jack keeps a low, low profile.

He does not talk to the press or have his picture taken. Nothing but his books and side projects speak for him. However, miracles do happen.

Jimmy Akin actually met with the elusive Mr. Chick at a movie premier. In his blog, Jimmy talks about meeting the nice old man with mean old tract business. http://members.cox.net/jimmyakin/x-meet-jack-chick.htm

My Green Tambourine - Media Literacy

Media literacy is the ability to figure out what the true message is in an advertisement, news article or television program. It is important to develop the skills to go deeper than the surface communication. This is especially true now with new communication pathways being created and old ones coming under constriction.

The journalism 5W's (Who, What, When, Where and How) are still important. Now you also need to know:

*Who produced the material?
*What is their goal or objective?
*What in it for them and for me?

Two places to ramp up to speed about evaluating the validity of web page and, by extension, other media information is Virtual Salt http://www.virtualsalt.com/evalu8it.htm and the critical thinking article at UCLA at
http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/college/help/critical

So here is an overview to start your media literacy juice flowing:

Advertorials are commercials for a product or service dressed up like a news or entertainment report. Companies pay for mention in featuring their products in a positive light. In print, they are a little easier to spot. They have a tiny 3-point type label above the story with the words "advertorial or "advertising supplement". On television, it is much sneaker but there is usually a disclaimer at the beginning and ending of the program. But not always.

Press Releases and Video Press Releases contain news and information from companies and non-profit organizations. In the old days, press releases were directed to reporters and editors who made decisions to cover the story or toss it in the trash can as an advertisement in drag. PR News Wire is a distributor for company public relations news for print, radio, television and the Internet -
http://www.prnewswire.com

Video press releases appear in regular local TV news programs. Here is an example. Various published reports cites test that show a high PCB levels in farm raised Salmon.
http://ottawa.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=ot_salmon200
30918 or http://www.ewg.org/reports/farmedPCBs/refs_allfoods.php

Sales of farm raised Salmon start to dive. The industry needs to counter those reports. They create a VPR campaign using a nutritionist and Graham Kerr to dispute the validity of the report and to assure viewers that it is safe to eat farm raised Salmon -
http://www.salmonoftheamericas.com/play_kerr.htm

They also cite the VPR as proof that it is okay to eat Salmon -
http://www.wfga.net/news.asp?id=6527 and at
http://xgen.vitalstream.com/mcasx.asx?media=1843177&package=1817918

Video Press Releases (also known at Video News Releases) are delivered to television stations free of charge. You should know that every local station in the nation runs VPR's. There is no mention on air of the source of the VPR. Some stations use only
the visuals and have local talent read from a supplied script.

Using VPR's doesn't always work to the promoters or TV stations advantage. The Medicare VPR designed to look like an actual news story by the Bush administration. It cause a big ole stink because it was perceived as a propaganda piece -
http://www.jsonline.com/enter/tvradio/mar04/215698.asp

Amy Gahran has a good article about the use of VPR's on her blog at http://blog.contentious.com/archives/000144.html and the
Poynter Institute has a little something to say about
http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=31&aid=63074

Advocacy News and Entertainment Media

Now VPR's are risky, there is no guarantee that the local TV station will show them. You could try to hook up with Fox News.com where there is a conservative focus to the news of the day - http://www.foxnews.com but that might not be a good match for your needs.

What do you do when you want your message heard but the existing gatekeepers block your message? You could create your own news network.

On the left hand side is Air America, which is positioning itself as a news and entertainment outlet for the politically left and proud. Mainly found on the AM band (never thought I'd say those words again) or on Satellite Radio XM 167 or Sirius Ch 125. If your city doesn't carry Air America you can download live feeds using Real Player. http://www.airamericaradio.com

Being frustrated with the way their organization is presented in traditional media, The National Rifle Association has created an internet video news channel. NRA News.com focuses attention on gun laws, gun safety, Ted Nugent and the electoral process. You
can view video created by the NRA and get more information about the National Rifle Association - http://www.nranews.com

I bring this up because there is a plan to develop long form advertainment (advertisement-entertainment) films and other products using embedded advertising. The New York Times looks at this growing trend at
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/21/business/media/21adco.html
(Subscription to the NYT web site required).

Know what you are looking at - it isn't always what it seems.

My Time Seems To Be Lost In The Hoopla...

Trying to do this everyday is a challenge. Trying to think up stuff is not a challenge but making it readable is.

So I am going to try to do a better job of having stuff ready. There will be a mix of the old and the new so tell friends and relations to check in - you never know what you might find.

Flashlight - Homestar Runner

It has been a while since I found a flash animation site to recommend to you but here you go. Seinfeld fans can relate to watching a story about nothing becoming something.

I am not a Seinfeld fan. No hostility please.

 I just don't get it. I have tried. Really.





It will take a few visits to check out the goodies. I think I use to go to school with someone that talks just like The Coach.

I just want to warn you that watching Strong Bad can be addicting and he is not to be encourage. His ego stretches to Pluto as it is. When you need something silly but not insulting give Marzipan a call - http://www.homestarrunner.com

Black Box Voting

Bev Harris was one of the first people to sound the alarm about electronic voting and in particular the ability to manipulate the votes.

The fact that Diebold is a major contributor to Duyba’s election campaign made it all the more sleazy to entrust voting to this particular company.

On Black Box Voting.com you can find the online version of the book, “Black Box Voting: Ballot-Tampering in the 21st Century” and current news about an uphill battle to stop the malfunctioning machines from tallying the 2004 election.

You got to read the story that appeared in the Tri-Valley Herald http://www.trivalleyherald.com/Stories/0,1413,86~10669~2100333,00.html# and shake your head. They knew the machines didn’t work, still sold them, and big surprise the machines did not work.

I like the part when the head of Diebold apologizing for $40 million dollars of crappy voting machines.

Bev must be jumping up and down saying “I told you so, I told you so.” I strongly urge you to visit her site and become educated about the electronic chad fiasco that still is a factor in the 2004 election. Watch and be aware. http://www.blackboxvoting.com

Sales Circular.com

Shopping is like washing the dishes. At some point, you just got to do it.

I have been on the prowl for a printer. I was bouncing from site to site, printing up pages, trying not to get confused with which rebate goes with what product. And then the techno-muse took pity on me. I saw a link to Sales Circular.com

Ahh. It ain’t pretty. It does not have flash animation, javascript or gaudy graphics. But I can click less than 4 links to find the product information I need. The items are listed by store, make or model, description, the price, the dates that the sale is valid and the rebate offer.

They could have saved me hours if I had know about them sooner. The joy, the rapture – http://www.salescircular.com

The Monkey Chased The Weasel – Opensecrets.Org

What would you do with access to the IRS's public information of non-profit companies and organizations?

Last year I wrote about the Center for Responsive Politics at www.opensecrets.org which allows citizens to know who has contributed to political campaigns and how much money groups of people (and, by extension, companies) contribute to certain political efforts.

Using IRS public documents and the Freedom of Information Act you can find out just how much money the Dibold Corporation, a vendor of electronic voting machines heaved into the Dubya's election and now re-election efforts. http://www.opensecrets.org

The (extreme) conservative right was slow on the uptake but has caught on. The CBS back down on the Reagan tele-movie was a focused targeted action taken by citizens who were mobilized by conservative, politically right organizations. This was not just talk radio, this was an Internet fueled buzz. In the interest of fair and balanced information, here is how the other side does it.

The Monkey Thought T'was All In Fun – Consumerfreedom.Com/Activist Cash

Consumer Freedom/Activist Cash presents itself as fighting those people against capitalism. They viewed 325,000 IRS documents to find what tax-exempt non-profits and activists are doing. If you are for environmental causes, non-genetically modified foods, universal health care, vegetarianism or believe in anything that they are against you make the anti-capitalist list, if you have money.

Ben and Jerry's Foundations and the Center for Science in the Public Interest are on the list. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and groups that have received grants through the foundation. I know George Sorros made the list. He has pledged $15 millions to prevent Dubya's occupation for another four years. Oh yeah, he's getting calls.

Robert Redford is on the list because of his involvement in the Natural Defense Council. I have a deeper respect and a burning desire to rent a copy of The Way We Were. This site is like a virtual Nixon Enemy List. I remember how proud or upset people were because they did or did not make the list.

Being cited is a total badge of honor. I know this was not the intent and 99.89% of the regular visitors are probably contemptuous of every name and organization that is listed. The site lists names, job titles, addresses, phone numbers and means of contact - http://www.consumerfreedom.com or
http://www.activistcash.com

Pop Goes the Weasel...

Send In the Clowns - Clownarchy.com

Come October 2004 there will be a bunch of bozos, flower squirters and multi-colored nosed clowns descending on Washington, DC. This isn't the usual political circus but the gathering of the Million Clown March.

One million non-violent, peaceful, balloon-toting clowns are planning a march to call attention to their concerns about the country.

According to the web site, "It will be a huge social event, a party, and a non-stop clowning performance, all with the clear message that this administration, with their secrets, dishonesty and bullying, must go."

This is on the level. These clowns mean business. So long as clown and clown sympathizers hold to the Clown Manifesto - i.e. cause no harm to persons or property - you are good to go. This is open to professional clowns, amateurs, wannbe's, or those that want to partake of the clown lifestyle for a day or two.

As a clown sympathizer and a repressed clown at heart, I wish them the best. But there may be organizational hurdles to overcome. Cuz when you have a chant like:

"What do we want?"

"Procrastination!"

"When do we want it?"

"Later!"

Well, let just say there are things to be worked out. If you cannot make it to D.C., there is a possibility of networking with local clowns in your area. For more information on how to hook up with a clown and view what the San Franciscan clowns have been up to visit http://www.clownarchy.org

Self-Advocacy Media - Software Suggestions 2004

January 2007 - I wrote this before my involvement in video blogging and personal media. Before YouTube, before Blip TV and a bunch of stuff. It is even easier now. Check out tags for tutorials, PSA and Presentation.
***
So you have your blog, Got folks set up for RSS feeds but you still need content. In the prior century, you needed to be connected to a media source or money.

Now you can buy the tools for less than $80. Or maybe $0. Macromedia Flash is an animation program that let you create visual content. At $700 it
is expensive and hard to learn.

But if you have easy to use third party flash animation software like $79 SwishMax, Swish at $49.95 http://www.swishzone.com or the free program Powerbullet, http://powerbullet.com you can create video or flash content.

Hook that up with a digital camera or camcorder you have the ability to add your opinion, create your own campaign ad and send it to friends, enemies and relations. Case in point, a friend sent me a flash animation about Dubya http://www.liberaloasis.com/Bushmovie.swf.

I sent it on to another person. This is known as viral marketing by the way. Cost to transmit the ad? Less than 4 cents. I generally don't pass stuff along but I got caught up in the moment.

Now take it a step further. The news media ignores an event or chose not to write about a topic. You don't need them as much as you once did because you can now document it yourself and pass it on to other like minded individuals. They tell two friend and so on.

If you don't believe me just ask any teenage boy if he have seen Paris' video.

(This won't work if you ask your own son.)

Well, now. A clean and well lighted place.

Time to move in. Might take a few days. This could be fun.