This 11 year old girl does what we all want to do at some point in our lives... blow a whole bunch of people away with our incredible skills. Bravo! From the television show America's Got Talent.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Sunday, June 04, 2006
An explosion of ink
This story was sent to you by: Doug
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An explosion of ink
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By Brian Lockhart
Staff Writer
June 3, 2006
STAMFORD -- Paul Salerno's business was blown to smithereens Thursday, a dream come true for the comic book store owner.
"Everybody's just thrilled," Salerno said.
In the real world, his store A Timeless Journey remains open for business at its Summer Street location.
But in the 532nd issue of "The Amazing Spider-Man," which shipped this week, Salerno's shop becomes a casualty of an explosive battle between superheroes and villains in the fictional Stamford of Marvel Comics.
All that remains is Salerno's soot-covered sign, which sharp-eyed local fans can find lying amid rubble on page 6 of the book while Spider-Man and Iron Man discuss the neighborhood's destruction and its ramifications.
The Spider-Man comic book is part of an ongoing Marvel summer event called "Civil War." As The Advocate reported in April, the politically charged story finds the publisher's iconic characters split on a governmental initiative to force them to register their names, alter egos and powers in response to the Stamford tragedy.
The suggestion to use Stamford came from Marvel writer Jeph Loeb, who grew up near Riverbank Road and attended the former Riverbank Elementary School, taken over by the Mead School in the mid-1990s. The school is at the epicenter of a devastating explosion that claims many civilian lives and turns up the scrutiny on costumed vigilantes.
It was Salerno's desire in that article to discover a "twisted Timeless Journey sign" in the series' illustrations that resulted in his store's small cameo.
"The day after you ran that article, I got a call from (Marvel). They asked if I was serious about what I had said and asked for digital pictures of the sign and storefront," Salerno said.
He said Marvel made no promises but he has eagerly flipped through every comic in the Civil War storyline to catch a glimpse of his shop.
The issue of Spider-Man was illustrated by Ron Garney, whom Salerno has hosted at his store in recent years for autograph signings.
Marvel spokesman Jim McCann said it was too late to include A Timeless Journey in the first issue of the Civil War limited series, "but we were working on Spider-Man that dealt with a lot of aftermath."
McCann said he forwarded the photos Salerno provided to the book's writer and artist.
"We left it up to them but said it would give a nice bit of authenticity and a nod to our retailers," McCann said. "It came back and looked great -- as great as a blown-up building can look. I'm glad it panned out."
"I've sold a ton (of the comic book), obviously," Salerno said. "I'm out of them now because I didn't know. I ordered 150 for next week."
Copyright (c) 2006, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.
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This article originally appeared at:
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-spiderman2jun03,0,4864835.story
Visit the Advocate online at http://www.stamfordadvocate.com
Friday, May 26, 2006
Sent to you from PhysicsWeb by a friend
Article sent by Doug (nospamdzymurgy@cyberdude.com)
PhysicsWeb (May)
How to make an object invisible
Theorists believe that metamterials could be used to make objects invisible
URL: http://physicsweb.org/articles/news/10/5/16/1
Comments: Closer, closer still...
Keep up-to-date with the latest news in the physics industry, subscribe to Physics World. For more information visit http://physicsweb.org/subscribe
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
[ HuffingtonPost.com ] Recommendation: School To Punish Students For "Illegal Or Inappropriate" MySpace, Blogs...
nospamdzymurgy@cyberdude.com has just sent you a piece from HuffingtonPost.com
A HuffPost post about a soon-to-be trend of schools monitoring and disciplining "illegal and inappropiate" behavior on the internet blogs and sites by students.School To Punish Students For "Illegal Or Inappropriate" MySpace, Blogs...
Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/thenewswire/archive/../../2006/05/23/school-to-punish-students_n_21528.html
High school students are going to be held accountable for what they post on blogs and on social-networking Web sites such as MySpace.com. The board of Community High School District 128 voted unanimously on Monday to require that all students participating in extracurricular activities sign a pledge agreeing that evidence of "illegal or inappropriate" behavior posted on the Internet could be grounds for disciplinary action. ... Read the rest at HuffingtonPost.com
© 2006 HuffingtonPost.com, LLC
Monday, May 01, 2006
My Carol Burnett/CBS Memories circa 1971-72
I was just looking back at my posting with the Carol Burnett clip with the Carpenters. Turns out that clip is from 1972; I would have been 10 years old around then. Saturday night was the big night to watch TV. I could stay up until 11PM and that was fine with me! I would get to watch TV without anyone tellong me to do things. And better yet, everyone wanted to watch CBS... so no arguments. But Carol was on Wednesday nights that season. Mission Impossible was the 10 PM show on Saturday nights.
This clip is from the Fall of 1971 (thanks newvillefan):
Saturday Night CBS Lineup '71 - '72:
8:00 All in the Family
8:30 Funny Face
9:00 The New Dick Van Dyke Show
9:30 The Mary Tyler Moore Show
10:00 Mission Impossible
In 1971, Carol was on Wednesdays at 8 PM; then Medical Center at 9 followed by Mannix at 10. TV was magical for me then. All I knew was that the shows were on every week. We didn't know every detail about the stars. We could just watch and enjoy.
It was quite the treat because we only had three national stations; not 700 like we have now.
I'm getting old, aren't I?
Doug
The TV IV
This clip is from the Fall of 1971 (thanks newvillefan):
Saturday Night CBS Lineup '71 - '72:
8:00 All in the Family
8:30 Funny Face
9:00 The New Dick Van Dyke Show
9:30 The Mary Tyler Moore Show
10:00 Mission Impossible
In 1971, Carol was on Wednesdays at 8 PM; then Medical Center at 9 followed by Mannix at 10. TV was magical for me then. All I knew was that the shows were on every week. We didn't know every detail about the stars. We could just watch and enjoy.
It was quite the treat because we only had three national stations; not 700 like we have now.
I'm getting old, aren't I?
Doug
The TV IV
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody
These guys were like gods when I went to high school. I can never hear this song enough...
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Book Review: Making ADD Work
I've got so many things I have to do or should be doing that it seems crazy that I'm taking time to read books. But I do. All the sudden I'm on a book frenzy. I usually read non-fiction; currently, I am reading Making ADD Work: On-the-Job Strategies for Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder by Blythe Grossberg, Psy.D. I've been struggling with a combination of a little mid-life crisis mixed with recently diagnosed ADD (with OCD coping mechanisms - yikes!) and this book has been coming in handy so far.
Dr. Grossberg tells you upfront that you are not a freak for having Adult ADD. In fact, she uses examples of how very successful people who have ADD work through or around it. I'm in the first part "Improving Your Work Skills" which addresses organization and time management, maintaining concentration, networking and maximizing one's strengths. There are two other parts: "Finding the Right Career Path" and "Getting Help".
I've found it very useful already; it has helped my productivity at work. Now I just need to bring some of that home! You can read more reviews for the book here (Amazon link).
For a great blog for ADD, check out Jennifer Koretsky's Experiencing ADDvantages: The ADD Management Coach Weighs In.
Monday, April 03, 2006
What Would Jesus Want Us To Do
I'm a Christian. Yep. I said it.
I know many people have bad feelings about religion(s), God, belief in God and Christians. Some of it comes from very painful memories and experiences. And, as a Christian, I'm sorry. The things some of you have had to endure under the guise of "Christianity" are horrific at best. It doesn't seem right; you know it wasn't right. And you're right.
Some people like to rail because it's the cool thing to do. To those people, I'd ask that they think about what they say. It's one thing to have experience rejection or hurt from a supposed follower of Christ; it's another thing to rail against the government and hit well meaning people in your crossfire.
There are days I'd have to admit I'm ashamed to admit I am Christian. Not because I believe in and love Christ... but because my brothers and sisters who have made such loud proclamations without compassion. These are the people who hook themselves to an issue and don't bend. They get in bed with Big Government and want a Taliban-like theocracy.
I don't pretend to be Super-Christian, but I can see the viper in the bed. Government and others in power have compromised the message and have given power to those who say they follow Christ, but actually follow world power. These people innocently believe, at first, that anyone who professes belief in Christ to be honest and loving. Many of these people have no time for the grays; only black and white.
And you know what? The problem doesn't lie with those people. You heard me right. The problem lies with those Christians that have not stood up and spoken out against the ridiculous shoutings of a frightened group of people.
I think it is time for compassionate Christians to take back their name.
How do we do this? One only has to look to the new testament to find out what Christ would have us do (Matthew 25:31 - 46):
Feed the hungry
Give drink to the thirsty
Welcome the strangers
Tend to the sick
Clothe the naked
Visit the prisoners
This is love in action.
And I believe that it is not enough to say what is wrong; in fact, in a lot of instances, it is not our place. If we Christians could concentrate on just these six areas that Christ himself spoke about, I can't help but believe this world would be that much closer to heaven. Even many of those who do not believe but have compassionate hearts could not argue with this line of thinking.
Will there be mistakes made? Probably; we are human. But I'd rather make a mistake out of love than indifference and intolerance.
Is it safe? Hell no. But it has been mentioned to me that a comfortable Christian is not Christian at all. To follow Christ is very radical; no doubt many would have a very hard time leaving their comfortable lives behind. I still struggle with it.
But I believe that practicing Love In Action will give me a joy that no creature-comfort could ever give me. I won't be in the position of judging others... I'll be loving others.I won't be above others... I'll be with others, attempting to bring heaven a little closer to the here-and-now.
Doug
I know many people have bad feelings about religion(s), God, belief in God and Christians. Some of it comes from very painful memories and experiences. And, as a Christian, I'm sorry. The things some of you have had to endure under the guise of "Christianity" are horrific at best. It doesn't seem right; you know it wasn't right. And you're right.
Some people like to rail because it's the cool thing to do. To those people, I'd ask that they think about what they say. It's one thing to have experience rejection or hurt from a supposed follower of Christ; it's another thing to rail against the government and hit well meaning people in your crossfire.
There are days I'd have to admit I'm ashamed to admit I am Christian. Not because I believe in and love Christ... but because my brothers and sisters who have made such loud proclamations without compassion. These are the people who hook themselves to an issue and don't bend. They get in bed with Big Government and want a Taliban-like theocracy.
I don't pretend to be Super-Christian, but I can see the viper in the bed. Government and others in power have compromised the message and have given power to those who say they follow Christ, but actually follow world power. These people innocently believe, at first, that anyone who professes belief in Christ to be honest and loving. Many of these people have no time for the grays; only black and white.
And you know what? The problem doesn't lie with those people. You heard me right. The problem lies with those Christians that have not stood up and spoken out against the ridiculous shoutings of a frightened group of people.
I think it is time for compassionate Christians to take back their name.
How do we do this? One only has to look to the new testament to find out what Christ would have us do (Matthew 25:31 - 46):
Feed the hungry
Give drink to the thirsty
Welcome the strangers
Tend to the sick
Clothe the naked
Visit the prisoners
This is love in action.
And I believe that it is not enough to say what is wrong; in fact, in a lot of instances, it is not our place. If we Christians could concentrate on just these six areas that Christ himself spoke about, I can't help but believe this world would be that much closer to heaven. Even many of those who do not believe but have compassionate hearts could not argue with this line of thinking.
Will there be mistakes made? Probably; we are human. But I'd rather make a mistake out of love than indifference and intolerance.
Is it safe? Hell no. But it has been mentioned to me that a comfortable Christian is not Christian at all. To follow Christ is very radical; no doubt many would have a very hard time leaving their comfortable lives behind. I still struggle with it.
But I believe that practicing Love In Action will give me a joy that no creature-comfort could ever give me. I won't be in the position of judging others... I'll be loving others.I won't be above others... I'll be with others, attempting to bring heaven a little closer to the here-and-now.
Doug
Monday, March 27, 2006
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Nasson Reunion: End of Day One
Be gentle... I listened to my audio blog and it sounds particulary wimpy. But I had had a few...
powered by Audioblog.com
MP3 File
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Upcoming Speaker at the Greenwich Boys and Girls Club March 24th
I've been working with groups to improve the lives of youth in my part of the world. To understand what needs to be done, sometimes it's necessary to learn about the forces that work against kids having a happy, safe growing environment. The following is just such an opportunity. What is it that drives a young person to join a gang? What can we in the community do to give kids another choice? This is even more relevant as the reports of a nationwide increase in gang violence is in the news.
GANGS: Story of a former Street Gang Member
"The Life Story of Malaki Mapp"
March 24, 2006
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
At the Greenwich Boys and Girls Club, 4 Horseneck Lane, Greenwich, CT
Malaki Mapp will speak about his experiences in a street gang and how those experiences affect his life today. He will give you an opportunity to see what gang life can't do for you.
For more information call 869-3224. Sponsored by the Greenwich Police Department and The Silver Shield Association.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Music to Stimulate Babies
You may have heard about the subject of playing certain types of music to stimulate the positive growth of babies (prenatal and newborn). The Make Way for Baby site states,
Many experts use the music of Mozart and other classical composers as examples of the types of music that would produce such an effect. But, as I was thinking this morning, I wondered if other music might be more appropriate. For example, how cool would a kid be if his or her mother listened to Al Green while they were in the womb? Would a kid be more wimpy if the mother listened to the Goo Goo Dolls? Would the newborn be more inclined to join a gang if mom jammed to gangsta rap?
Maybe, if we really wanted to infect the next generation with peace, expectant moms should be listening to John Lennon's Imagine or Louis Armstrong's What A Wonderful World. Or maybe they could just invite them to get on the Love Train:
Join hands (join)
Start a love train, love train
People all over the world (all the world, now)
Join hands (love ride)
Start a love train (love ride), love train
The next stop that we make will be soon
Tell all the folks in Russia, and China, too
Don't you know that it's time to get on board
And let this train keep on riding, riding on through
Well, well
People all over the world (you don't need no money)
Join hands (come on)
Start a love train, love train (don't need no ticket, come on)
People all over the world (Join in, ride this train)
Join in (Ride this train, y'all)
Start a love train (Come on, train), love train
All of you brothers over in Africa
Tell all the folks in Egypt, and Israel, too
Please don't miss this train at the station
'Cause if you miss it, I feel sorry, sorry for you
Well
People all over the world (Sisters and brothers)
Join hands (join, come on)
Start a love train (ride this train, y'all), love train (Come on)
People all over the world (Don't need no tickets)
Join hands (come on, ride)
Start a love train, love train
Ride, let it ride
Let it ride
Let it ride
People, ain't no war
People all over the world (on this train)
Join in (ride the train)
Start a love train, love train (ride the train, y'all)
People all over the world (come on)
Join hands (you can ride or stand, yeah)
Start a love train, love train (makin' love)
People all over the world ('round the world, y'all)
Join hands (come on)
Start a love train, love train
Lyrics by the O'Jays. Reprinted without permission.
What do YOU think about this?
By the way, I read a really cool article in USA Weekend. It's on NPR's This I Believe series. The essay is titled "I am not my body!". You can read it here.
Ciao for now,
Doug
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Webclippings - Saturday Morning
Below is a link to an article I thought was positive, hopeful and informative this morning. It started me thinking good-think.
I'm taking it easy on the ankle this weekend and doing some cyber-catching up.
I've got to say, as much as it sucks to have really twisted my ankle, it's given me some new insights as well as slowed me down enough to think about life and friends. God didn't sprain my ankle; God just gave me the brains to see what profits I can make on lemonade (if you get my drift).
It would be cool if you were viewing this on Firefox, Navigator, Opera or any other browser because you could open these link via tabbed browsing. That way, you wouldn't leave me [cry for help]. Anyway, here's the link:
- from the HuffingtonPost.com, Raymond J. Leary writes about Japan's Gutsy Response to Iran's Oil Threats
I'm also listening to Whole Wheat Radio. I hear a lot of the indie music artists that are on MySpace there. And you can download podcasts as well. It's more folk than headbanger.
Take care,
Doug
I'm taking it easy on the ankle this weekend and doing some cyber-catching up.
I've got to say, as much as it sucks to have really twisted my ankle, it's given me some new insights as well as slowed me down enough to think about life and friends. God didn't sprain my ankle; God just gave me the brains to see what profits I can make on lemonade (if you get my drift).
It would be cool if you were viewing this on Firefox, Navigator, Opera or any other browser because you could open these link via tabbed browsing. That way, you wouldn't leave me [cry for help]. Anyway, here's the link:
- from the HuffingtonPost.com, Raymond J. Leary writes about Japan's Gutsy Response to Iran's Oil Threats
I'm also listening to Whole Wheat Radio. I hear a lot of the indie music artists that are on MySpace there. And you can download podcasts as well. It's more folk than headbanger.
Take care,
Doug
New Ways to Get Fed
I took the suggestion from Blogger Central and hooked up with Feedburner. Now, you can subscribe via Atom site feed as well as other popular RSS feeds through Feedburner. Just check out the links on the side and you're cookin' with gas.
We're live!
Doug
We're live!
Doug
Monday, March 13, 2006
Your Touch Inspires Me (MySpace repost)
Your touch
Inspiring
I find I'm left
Desiring
You are a gift, a muse, a star
And as brilliant as you are
I am left speechless and in wonder
Your love
Embraces me
Your kiss
Encases me
You are an anchor to my dreams
In this sea of love, it seems
It is towards you my love does stream
Doug
Copyright 2006
Sunday, March 12, 2006
The Bigger They Are, the Harder They Fall (a MySpace repost)
I slipped in the parking garage at work and really sprained my ankle. Ow! [Note - official date was Thursday evening, 3/9/06 - Doug]
In pain, I drove myself to the ER and got a pair of crutches and an air cast. Oh yeah... and a prescription of vidacin(sp?). The kicker was that on the same kind of surface in the garage the next day (yesterday) I slipped again - crutches and all. Yep, it hurt a lot.
They paint the cement with this gray protective paint that gets slippery when it's humid or dirty and wet. People are quick to suggest that I should sue. But I'm not inclined to. I just hope that they'll reconsider redoing the way they cover that area. Because I'm not the only one that has taken a header in this garage.
Ciao for now,
Doug
Copyright 2006
In pain, I drove myself to the ER and got a pair of crutches and an air cast. Oh yeah... and a prescription of vidacin(sp?). The kicker was that on the same kind of surface in the garage the next day (yesterday) I slipped again - crutches and all. Yep, it hurt a lot.
They paint the cement with this gray protective paint that gets slippery when it's humid or dirty and wet. People are quick to suggest that I should sue. But I'm not inclined to. I just hope that they'll reconsider redoing the way they cover that area. Because I'm not the only one that has taken a header in this garage.
Ciao for now,
Doug
Copyright 2006
SOMEBODY - Update! (Opens May 6th, 2006)
I'm in a new film by Paul David Anthony called Somebody. Below is a link to the site. There you'll find a download for the press conference as well as a movie trailer. Enjoy!
SOMEBODY
Doug
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