Happy Vampires

Set aside, purposefully for the youngest of viewers, Rediffusion (who later were bought out by Thames Television) produced the first moving pictures of an early Monty Python team plus a couple of others. Shot wholly in black and white, ‘Do Not Adjust Your Set,’ was designed to warm towards children, despite the unchildlike title. Appearing along side the hap hazard antics of Eric Idle, Michael Palin and Terry Jones, a very timid and almost squeaky clean to the grit of TV life, was a totally unknown David Jason. Another young, unfamiliar face to TV yet known from theatre was girlie and naturally funny Denise Coffey. Completing the team with a long haired, motley crew of old rockers calling themselves, The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band led by Neil Innes and Viv Stanshall, the cast was truly set for the surrealism, silliness and immeasurable confusion that only children adore.

Circling madly around silly sketches and peculiar yet humorous songs, the show was doomed as it appeared to be in the first series. The programme, first aired on Boxing Day 1967 didn’t quite go to plan either. With a technical error to blame, the first show was aired until the following week so the first two were accidentally swapped, thus adding to a confused production team, and a none the wiser audience at home.

As the brain child of the handsomely named TV producer, Humphrey Barclay, (great names appeared to be a requirement when applying for a job in television back then) had been heavily involved in the making of versatile and randomly amusing radio shows, he was looking to produce something as sharp and as witty, as well as mildly entertaining in the same vein. Taking a chance on seeing Jason at an end of pier show and Coffey from the Edinburgh fringe, he allowed (as most producers did then) the main writers of the new show to run free. Each half an hour programme was to aired on a Thursday at 25 minutes past 5. The ideas that sprung to life to maintain a rather fidgety audience attentive were a collection of characters that would appear over and over again. Probably the most notable for children was the defying feats of the city gent clad Jason who would turn, in a blink of an eye into Captain Fantastic and dare to bring to justice his arch enemy Mrs Black played rather cunningly by Coffey. Shot in fast framed sequences, the idea was then transformed into shorter versions then used in more adult shows. Benny Hill had cottoned on to this idea of fast action filming and again, such short serial sketches were used frequently by The Two Ronnies. Such features of a certain era can always be traced back to a particular moment!

As part of a string of satirical and more openly, topical non descriptive shows of that time, Do Not Adjust Your Set, was seen not just as a tweenie programme but even bosses felt the financial pinch when it was discovered adults sneaking out of work early one particular day of the week to rush home for this unusual yet absurdly brilliant laughter show. Fellow humorous dialogues were already haunting the airwaves in honour of The Goon Show that had gone a decade before. Casual mixes of song and sketch came in the current affair form of ‘Round The Horne‘, ‘Beyond Our Ken’ and ‘Sorry I’ll Read That Again‘; the latter comprising of another ready made Python, John Cleese.

The most apparent feature of this particular children’s programme was it’s successful failure in the quest to patronise the younger viewers. Somehow hitting the market in between with a commercial nail, this programme was a revolution in itself and not just a massive jump up the entertainment ladder for it’s budding cast. In one perspective, some would say that it was the embarking on the craziness of the subjects of each song that truly turned the programme on its head. With their ridiculous pieces of subject matter, they were a hit with both adults and children, Such classics included ‘My Brother Makes Noises For The Talkies,’ ‘I’m The Urban Spaceman,’ and who could forget, ‘My Pink Half Of The Drainpipe’? Although comedy rock never really took off, at least they had that fact that one of their songs had featured in The Beatles, ‘Magical Mystery Tour.’ For the few of you who may have witnessed the biggest Beatle flop, it was ‘Death Cab For Cutie,’ which being of a similar nature of the film that it appeared in, it made no sense…

Towards the end of this irruption of genius collaborating with nerd like qualities, the viewers, ever increasing in age and number, were subjected to the young animations of an American kid called Terry Gilliam. He first unleashed his surrealism in the form of cartoons and picture deformities in ‘Do Not Adjust Your Set,’ around 1969. The two minute macabre intervals were surprisingly well received. Since television, even in the late Sixties was still bounded in chains by the pre War stiffness of the BBC, to view such disorientating scenes of perfectly priceless paintings being chopped in half and shoved down a cannon to be blown to pieces was about as risqué as ‘Euro Trash’ forty years before it’s time. Even so, Thames seemed to be quiet prepared for anything. If a sketch was put forward by the writing team that was regarded as somewhat unsuitable for children, it was filing into a cabinet for safe keeping and possibly used for something else in the future. It wasn’t unusual for such material to get dusted off for future reference in Monty Python.

Such, it may be, as a simple children’s programme of yesteryear, we must still not be led to underrate it’s vital importance in the grand scheme we refer to as the growth of British Comedy. The show ran for an incredibly successful 18 months, quite a feat for a children’s programme in those days which also incorporated a special 50 minute feature length programme for Christmas Day 1968 called ‘Do Not Adjust Your Stocking.’ It was certainly a wise but also bold career move for all involved in the making of it. As quickly as fame can turn into something more extravagantly international, ‘Monty Python’s Flying Circus,’ was launched only five months later after the final show of ‘Do Not Adjust Your Set.’ From the first humble beginnings, ‘Python’ simply strode into view from where ‘Do Not..’ had left off.

After two complete series, two directors and two producers, the cameras ceased rolling and an end of an era came. Having been the platform for each cast member plus the ‘Captain Fantastic,’ stories revamped on the next new title in children’s’ TV, ‘Magpie,’ there seemed little to be sad about. Since everything that had walked into the set had been blessed, it was seen as one of the greatest wombs in history for creating and giving birth to new talents and better ways of writing comedy. Just as ground breaking and manipulative as The Goons, ‘Do Not..’ had earnt a place in the history books as being the fore runner of the lesser spotted Monty Python.

Naturally coming to an end on the radio front was ‘Sorry, I’ll Read That Again,’ which had run direct parallels with it’s TV sister, both strangely, coining titles that were used a thousand times over by BBC broadcasters on a daily basis. Out stepped, a cleansed Cleese whilst three fellow radio jokers from the show broadened their feet and edge like qualities and joined forces as Tim Brooke Taylor, Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie became the wondrous Goodies. Let it not be forgotten here that Cleese took hand at an adult version of ‘Do Not..’ as the short lived, ‘At Last The 1948 Show.’ featuring the future Goodies.

Taking the working title of ‘The Fairly Pointless Show,’ ‘Do Not Adjust Your Set,’ was poignantly point full. It grounded certain members for a short while enabling them to cut their secondary teeth on the rigmaroles of working a tight schedule and delivering good sketches every week. It allowed young minds to come together and collaborated, yet none of them possibly understanding their great importance at the time, and none knowing was going to happen round the corner…

Thus, when some of us look back on our childhood (I don’t speak from experience here) to the mono chromed days of ‘Do Not Adjust Your Set,’ you can see how children’s entertainment has just to go full circle id not at all. What the team back in 1967 had stumbled upon was the ability to amuse youngsters without having to sit with silly voices dancing dolls up and down on their knees and mimic voices. There was a definite market of the children of the in between age where upon, dazzling them with a handful of nursery rhymes just wasn’t going to be enough. I look upon children’s entertainment now as the very thing that ‘Do Not Adjust Your Set,’ succeeded to avoid, making a young mind feel inadequate and stupid.

As a product of the Seventies, it was no wonder that the first thing my parents at me down in front of was Monty Python…

It was better than Playschool…

‘Do Not Adjust Your Set’ were;

Eric Idle
Michael Palin
David Jason
Denise Coffey
Terry Jones
Terry Gilliam (second series)

‘Do Not Adjust Your Set’ (9 episodes left surviving)
Released 2005 can be found new on Amazon.com for £16

The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band are currently completing their 2006 tour with Phil Jupitus and Adrian Edmondson, find out at www.bonzodog.co.uk
Albums

‘The Doughnut In Granny’s Greenhouse’ 1968

‘Anthropology - The Beast Within’ 1999

‘Wrestle Poodles And Win’ 2006

©michelle duffy(sam1942 ciao and dooyoo) 2006

Michelle is a freelance writer in the South of England and owner of the websites, generationsounds.co.uk generationsounds.co.uk, nevermindthebloggers.bravehost.com nevermindthebloggers.bravehost.com and their successful sister, ‘Never Mind The Bloggers’ at paperback-writeⲥ.tripod.com paperback-writeⲥ.tripod.com. She has been writing over the two years, for five major consumer websites across the world and is one of the only two music category advisors for one website in the U.K. Her websites promote young, amateur and professional bands/artists/musicians and their fan clubs whilst also reviewing them for local and world wide promotion. She has also launched the blogs; ‘The Ramblings Of An Old Rocker,’ ‘Bohemian Waffle,’ ‘The Rhythm Rock And Blues Machine,’ ‘The Moped’s Musings,‘ ’Generation Sound Suite’ and ’Rock Cocoon.’ She is currently working on two shops selling her music styled artwork on cafepress.com.

Have you ever taken a Spanish class? I have taken three years of classes, but that’s not how I started learning Spanish. Taking a Spanish class means being punctual and going at regular times. I found that I’m not always in the mood to go to a Spanish class on a Wednesday night – that’s why I studied myself at home.

You see, at home I could choose how often to study and when to study. If I didn’t want to, I didn’t. When I did want to study, I think my sessions came out more effective than if I would have to go to a Spanish class even when I wouldn’t want to go.

The important factor when you want to learn Spanish is your willingness to do so. Do you really want to learn Spanish? Make sure you do before you put yourself into a weekly Spanish class. You might regret that last choice, and that’s something you don’t want to do.

Spanish class can be an effective way to learn if you are very motivated to learn. If you’re willing to work extra hard in and outside of your Spanish class, then it most probably will help you learn a lot. I simply found it easier to study in the comfort of my home.

When I wanted to learn Spanish, I looked online and did some research on Spanish courses. I also looked at the Spanish classes that were offered in my area, but I felt that having a self-study course would be more effective for me.

So I landed up getting a course called Rocket Spanish, one of the most popular Spanish courses out there. I did about two or three months of self study with the course, and then I started taking Spanish class. Since I already had a foundation in the language, I was able to converse easily with the teacher and learning Spanish wasn’t a chore anymore, but a fun activity.

I was in your spot too. I didn’t know if I should take a Spanish class or if I should study at home, but now I think I did the right thing. Today I can speak pretty fluent Spanish and I’m very proud of myself for accomplishing this goal.

I’d love it if you would visit my website and get your hands on my 7-day analysis of Rocket Spanish, the course I used. I’ll also discuss with you the reasons why you should learn Spanish, some tips on how to learn it and I’ll also share my experience with you. Simply go to rocketspanish.org Rocket Spanish review now.

Vincent’s Two Cafes

“I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.” Vincent van Gogh

Van Gogh′s two ultra-famous café scenes comprise a study in opposites. Though both paintings employ Vincent’s famous bold and furious brushstrokes and striking colors, the two pictures feel entirely different. One, “Café Terrace at Night,” is lovely and full of a frothy light, a night scene with stars outside the café on the Place de Forum. The other, “Night Café,” is, in the artist’s own words, “…one of the ugliest I have ever done,” a collection of clashing colors in the dreariest atmosphere.

Both paintings were made in Arles after van Gogh had lived and studied in Paris, and met various French impressionists. His own style became much lighter, less moralistic and more rife with color.

“Night Café” depicts the interior of a pool in Arles’ Place Lamartine. A more striking van Gogh canvas would be difficult to find, but no one could call this particular picture beautiful. It was the artist’s intention to show the lowest edge of humanity, without adornment, with as much impact and sincerity as possible.

There is no doubt he succeeded. Upon first glance, the viewer almost tends to glance away, as if burned. Fully two-thirds of the painting is the floor of the café, executed in sulphuric yellow with exaggerated lines of perspective that yank the eye into the painting. Next, a green billiard table, outlined in heavy black, stops us cold. Beside the table stands a figure in a light-colored coat, staring out at us without expression.

“I have tried to express the terrible passions of humanity by means of red and green,” van Gogh wrote. Yellow walls give on to blood-red walls that lead to an obtrusive green ceiling, and lining the walls are the locals at the bar tables, hunched over in late-night stupor. Lamps hang from the ceiling, surrounded by Vincent’s wheels of curving yellow strokes.

A stark black and white clock depends in the background, impossible to miss. It is almost a quarter past midnight in this desolate scene. “Night Café” is one of Vincent’s most powerful communications through art of the human condition and human emotions.

The other van Gogh café painting, “Café Terrace at Night,” shows the exterior of a café which still stands in Arles, though it was renamed The van Gogh Café and remodeled to closely resemble the painting which immortalized it. He painted this work in a flurry, using many of the same techniques he employed in his drawings. This is one of his most beautiful paintings, full of the light and peace he sought, but never found.

Perspective and warm complementary colors draw the viewer into the painting and beyond. The graphic texture of the street’s cobblestones invite the eye toward the little café itself, with its tiny white tables on the street, repeating the spheres of Vincent’s stars hung in the Prussian blue sky. The awning and walls of the café, warm yellow, cut into the sky to enhance both colors and form the main composition.

Van Gogh loved the night. He writes, “I have a terrible need of–dare I say–religion…then I go outside at night and paint the stars.” He painted this night scene on the spot, at night, using no blacks. His father was a preacher and Vincent went into the ministry for a while. It was later that this artist, now a star himself posthumously, decided his ministry would be to find a way to give hope and consolation to humanity through his art.

Visit the Life of Van Gogh website for more information on lifeofvangogh.com Van Gogh paintings, or to get out own lifeofvangogh.com/eBook.htm Biography of Vincent Van Gogh.

Phil Ivey has been labeled as the best poker player in the world by many of the top pros. He was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before reaching the age of one. His grandfather introduced him to penny-ante Five-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wanted to learn everything he could about the game. He would tell his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player while they thought he was just a kid. He didn’t let the negative feedback from others kill his dream of being one of the best poker players in the world.

He started playing serious after getting a fake ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his game at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The first few years for him was a learning experience and winning was not a normal thing at the time. He became known at the 200 World Series of Poker when he made two final tables and won his first WSOP bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. At the final table he destroyed many of the well known pros including “Amarillo Slim” Preston, David “Devilfish” Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

He decided to take his game to the next level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to play in “The Big Game” at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Ivey credits his success to hard work and an undying passion for the game of poker. He says that he is learning every single day and is very humble about his success. He admits to making mistakes every single session of poker and always strives to improve.

Even though Ivey has won some big tournaments, he prefers destroying cash games on a regular basis. Aside from playing in “The Big Game”, he also spends a lot of time playing at the huge limits on Full Tilt Poker. He can be seen playing four different types of games at once and beating each and everyone of them on a regular basis. His hyper-aggressive style makes his opponents feel intimidated and outmatched. Make sure to watch him crush his opponents online at Full Tilt.

Napoleon Will is a self-published author and semi-professional poker player. He updates the poker review and strategy site
mypokerstart.com mypokerstart.com

Uruguay, the second smallest country in South America, allows three forms of legalized gambling: casinos, pari-mutuel, and horse racing. Tourists are the main visitors to the Uruguay casinos, where most of the well-known international games such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, punto-bunco, and poker, as well as the ever popular slot machines, are played. Poker is extremely popular, as it is in most South American countries, and a number of different types are played here such as Caribbean Stud and Texas Hold’em.

There are 15 cities with 18 gambling facilities spread throughout the country in regions including Artigas, Atlantida, Carmelo, Chui, Fray Bentos, La Paloma, Paysandu, Piriapolis, Rivera, and Salto Grande. The Casino de Estado Victoria Plaza in Montevideo, the capital, has 12 table games and over 500 slots, while the largest Uruguay casino is the 36,000 square foot Conrad Resort and Casino in Punta del Este, with 80 table games and 640 slot and video gaming machines. Punta del Este is an upscale tourist spot, a beach resort located between the Rio de la Plata and the Atlantic Ocean. As a beach resort, it has the distinction of two different beaches, one for surfers, and one for calmer water activities such as swimming and water skiing. It is reasonable, therefore, that this resort would feature a large casino, as well, as part of its lively nightlife and daytime activities. There are also four restaurants, two bars, and a hotel at this resort. Two other large casinos in Punta del Este are the Mantra Resort and Spa, with 185 slots and 30 table games, and the Casino Nogaro with 240 slots and 10 table games.

Other Uruguay casinos include the Carmelo Hotel and Casino, with 48 slots and eight table games, and the Casino Hotel Rivera with 74 slots and nine table games. Salto, the 2nd largest town in Uruguay and linked to the neighboring country of Argentina by a bridge, also has a casino in the Hotel Horacio-Quiroga, with 50 slots and eight table games. This is another tourist-friendly place with numerous activities, such as water sports, horseback riding, sailing, and the well-known hot springs in the area. In addition, there are Uruguay casinos in various cities including the Casino de Estado Chui, the Sala de Esparcimientos in Artigas, the Sala Sarandi in Rivera, and the Sala Rocha that only offer slots and video gaming machines.

Uruguay may be a relatively small country, but it has a great deal to offer in the way of casinos and other gambling entertainment.

This article is the property of uruguay-casinos.com/ Uruguay Casinos

Nominated for four Emmys, including Outstanding Dramatic Series two times in its short three-year stint, Star Trek is a true legend of television history. The brainchild of former L.A. policeman Gene Roddenberry, the show premiered in Fall 1966 only to be cancelled after three seasons due to lackluster ratings. But it may well have been NBC’s network executives who were the cause of the low ratings as they allotted a less than desirable time slot for the show. When Star Trek moved into syndication, its reruns captured the science-fiction imagination of an entirely new audience, catapulting the Star Trek franchise to new heights. Its newfound popularity would, in the decades to come, spawn novels, comic books, six full-length feature films, and reams of merchandise as fans clamored for anything Star Trek-related. Beginning in the 1980’s, spin-offs of the show began to appear such as Star Trek: The Animated Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Enterprise…

Star Trek, the original TV series, follows the adventurous exploits of the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise as they “boldly go where no man has gone before…” The spaceship Enterprise is led by Captain James Tiberius Kirk (William Shatner), an Earth-born astronaut who often exhibits the charm, leadership, and creativity necessary for the mission’s survival. Kirk is joined by Lt. Commander Spock (Leonard Nimoy), a Vulcan-born retired commander and theoretical scientist. Chief medical officer Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley) rounds out the main cast of Star Trek which includes a plethora of supporting crew with multiple guest appearances and cameo roles. Together, the crew of U.S.S. Enterprise seeks to carry out its mission: “to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations…” It’s this pioneering attitude, coupled with imaginative sci-fi worlds, that provides Star Trek with its nostalgic allure - especially these episodes from the original TV series, widely regarded as the most popular of all the TV series…

The Star Trek (Season 2) DVD features a number of action-packed episodes including the season premiere “Amok Time” in which Spock begins to exhibit strange and irrational characteristics. Concerned, Kirk orders a full medical examination and learns that Spock is experiencing the instinctual mating patterns of a Vulcan and must return to his home planet immediately in order to avoid death. When they arrive, Spock’s chosen mate challenges the pairing, prompting a duel between Spock and the man of her choosing. Kirk is chosen, and he and Spock are forced to fight to the death… Other notable episodes from Season 2 include “Metamorphosis” in which the Enterprise encounters a mysterious force known as The Companion which is in love with a human, and “Patterns of Force” in which the crew of the Enterprise visits a planet resembling the society of 20th Century Nazi Germany…

Below is a list of episodes included on the Star Trek (Season 2) DVD:

Episode 30 (Amok Time) Air Date: 09-15-1967
Episode 31 (Who Mourns for Adonais?) Air Date: 09-22-1967
Episode 32 (The Changeling) Air Date: 09-29-1967
Episode 33 (Mirror, Mirror) Air Date: 10-06-1967
Episode 34 (The Apple) Air Date: 10-13-1967
Episode 35 (The Doomsday Machine) Air Date: 10-20-1967
Episode 36 (Catspaw) Air Date: 10-27-1967
Episode 37 (I, Mudd) Air Date: 11-03-1967
Episode 38 (Metamorphosis) Air Date: 11-10-1967
Episode 39 (Journey to Babel) Air Date: 11-17-1967
Episode 40 (Friday’s Child) Air Date: 12-01-1967
Episode 41 (The Deadly Years) Air Date: 12-08-1967
Episode 42 (Obsession) Air Date: 12-15-1967
Episode 43 (Wolf in the Fold) Air Date: 12-22-1967
Episode 44 (The Trouble with Tribbles) Air Date: 12-29-1967
Episode 45 (The Gamesters of Triskelion) Air Date: 01-05-1968
Episode 46 (A Piece of the Action) Air Date: 01-12-1968
Episode 47 (The Immunity Syndrome) Air Date: 01-19-1968
Episode 48 (A Private Little War) Air Date: 02-02-1968
Episode 49 (Return to Tomorrow) Air Date: 02-09-1968
Episode 50 (Patterns of Force) Air Date: 02-16-1968
Episode 51 (By Any Other Name) Air Date: 02-23-1968
Episode 52 (The Omega Glory) Air Date: 03-01-1968
Episode 53 (The Ultimate Computer) Air Date: 03-08-1968
Episode 54 (Bread and Circuses) Air Date: 03-15-1968
Episode 55 (Assignment: Earth) Air Date: 03-29-1968

About the Author

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a thedvdreport.blogspot.com movie review site where you can find more reviews like this one of the thedvdreport.blogspot.com/2006/02/star-trek-season-2-dvd.html Star Trek (Season 2) DVD Review.

Are you one of those people who would like to learn the tricks after seeing a magic show? Would you like to do some tricks on your friend especially when you want him to just ìpoof!î out of your life for a while? Then, it is time that you learn the secret in doing magic tricks.

The problem is that most people who want to learn magic tricks could not get them directly from a magician. Probably, they were just afraid you could outwit them, or maybe they do not simply want anybody to learn the tricks.

However, the truth is that everybody can learn magic tricks. Obtaining the skills in order to perform magic tricks is not limited. It is open for everybody who is willing to learn and master the craft.

Take for example the well-loved box tricks. Most people are so amazed with the fact that people can disappear with just a snap while inside the box. The good thing about it is that they can easily reappear in the box.

Impossible? Think again.

Box tricks, like any magic tricks are all based on illusions. The purpose of these illusions is to amaze and bewilder the audience, generating a belief that something extraordinary had just taken place.

In reality, people knew that these box tricks are just forms of trickery but the fact that the action is truly baffling; everybody is entertained.

Generally, box tricks entail the disappearance of a person after he was placed inside the box. With just a tap on the lid, and some ìmagic wordsî the person inside the box disappears.

Usually, the secret to these box tricks is based on the box itself. These boxes are made from a huge ìcardboard boxî that is carefully made in such a way that the trick can be executed without having to give the audience a hint.

Hence, the box should be made in such a way that the person who will fit into the box could easily get hide behind it without having to reveal any means of knowing the trick.

How to Make the Box

The greatest secret in box tricks is based on the composition of the box. Here is how to make the magic box:

1. Choose a box that has plenty of room for the person who will get in. Be sure that he will still be able to move a little once he needs to get out of the box at once.

2. Cut the boxís base. Be sure you to leave an edge on the three sides.

3. Slit the ìfalse bottomî from an additional portion of the cardboard fixing it in the interior, and fastening it with the center of a sturdy tape.

4. Fasten them on the grip.

5. Slash or fasten jointly a ìone-pieceî cardboard cover. Try to color it with a dark hue to add more fuss.

The Box Trick

Basically, the magic box that is being used in the trick has a bogus base. This means that the box has no real, solid bottom. This make up is generally made in order to allow the box to be tipped forward without having to reveal the person inside the box.

The tricky part here is that when the magician tries to tilt the box forward, so that the audience can see whether the person is still inside or not, the box actually slips over the person who is inside it. The reason why he is not exposed to the audience is that he is tugging the ìhingedî base closed by simply clutching its grip at the same time.

In this way, the person is blocked out at the back of the magic box. The magical part is that the audience is amused on how the person had vanished.

This type of magic trick is usually known as stage magic, wherein the magician or the performer will do the trick in front of many people.

With the demands of the audience, the effectiveness of the box trick as one type of the stage magic is based on stage presence, proper timing, comedy value, and other skills that would generate amusement without having to appear that the performer is making a trick out of the audience.

The most important thing, when somebody wants to learn this kind of magic trick is that he should be able to divert the audience attention from one area to another. It is through this moment that the trick is being executed without the audience realizing it.

So, if you want to learn the box tricks, be sure that you have all the skills properly coordinated with the ideas you will obtain. Keep in mind that a good trick is only applicable to those who were amazed with your act, so be sure to perform your best shot.

Jenny Wren Magic Circle Member,

Today, there are numerous radio stations all over the world playing Christian music for everyone to enjoy. There are those that play Christian music round the clock in major markets throughout America. Based on latest count, there are more than 1,500 Christian radio stations in the United States. Given the huge supply of radio stations serving the Christian community, the audience can expect some variations in each station’s programming, as each tries to capture their target audience share.

The Christian music radio stations are generally classified as traditional and commercial.

Traditionally, the programs of Christian radio stations concentrate on conveying Christian messages in their music. The music is limited to gospel or worship, and the principal goal is to strengthen the faith of the listeners and attract non-believers by combining the power of God’s words and music. As most of the traditional radio stations are owned or subsidized by Christian organizations, the concern for profit is clearly not emphasized. The traditional radio stations even conduct and support events within their ministry as a way of reaching out to their listeners. Some of the radio stations interject political news or talk shows in their programming to keep it more interesting.

The commercial Christian music radio stations are more selective in the type of Christian music they play. They opt to play the music of more popular Christian artists in order to attract more advertisers. They tend to ignore new artists that might not appeal to their listeners. The increase in advertising leads to a higher market value for the station and greater profit growth. These radio stations play all kinds of current Christian music including folk, country, alternative, pop, rock and roll, punk, hip hop/rap or heavy metal.

Whether you are a traditional or a commercial Christian music listener, there is always a radio station that will satisfy your listening needs.

e-ChristianMusic.com Christian Music provides detailed information on Christian Music, Christian Music Lyrics, Download Christian Music, Christian Sheet Music and more. Christian Music is affiliated with i-GospelMusic.com Southern Gospel Music.

The Ben Franklin fan club will come to order, with apologies for having delayed the 293rd anniversary celebration of his birth January 17.

We gather not to honor his achievements as patriot, statesman, philosopher and scientist — but to relish his irreverent contributions as a columnist. His approach to life was often unconventional, some times scandalous, but always provocative.

Ben’s distinguished career began as a 14-year-old printer’s apprentice to his brother James, indentured by their father until the younger brother would be 21. He likely would have continued all his life as a poor, hard-working printer if it had not been for the first newspaper war in America.

The first newspaper in the colonies was the Boston News Letter. It was started by Postmaster John Campbell because he read the mail, learned the news, had it printed and distributed his papers through the postal system.

A new postmaster in 1718 started his own paper called the Boston Gazette and gave the printing of it to James Franklin. Within a year, there was another postmaster who took the printing away from James.

In anger, James started a third newspaper — The Courant — though there was not enough business for one.

Ben was impressed by the intelligence and wit of the men of letters who submitted articles for the paper. He wished to try his hand at writing but felt his brother would not print anything from his teenage brother.

Ever resourceful, Ben began writing a series of political commentaries using the pen name “Mrs. Silence DoGood, a widow.” He slipped them under the door at night. James printed them because they were perceptive and well received by readers.

When Ben was 16, James was arrested for “contempt of authorities” and jailed for a month. Ben carried on the newspaper, flooding its pages with Silence DoGood articles. With free run of the columns, Mrs. DoGood began to sound less like a refined widow and more like a brash apprentice.

* * *

Ben fell completely out of character when relating an evening walk of Mrs. DoGood: “I soon came up with a company of females who, by throwing their heads to the right and left at everyone who passed by, I concluded they came out with no other designs than to revive the spirit of love in disappointed bachelors, and expose themselves to sale by the first bidder.

“On the whole, I conclude that our night-walkers contribute very much to the health and satisfaction of those who have been fatigued with business or study and occasionally observe their pretty gestures and impertinencies.

“Shoemakers and other dealers in leather are doubly obliged to them — inasmuch as they exceedingly promote consumption of their ware. I have heard of a shoemaker who, upon being asked by a noted rambler whether he could tell how long her shoes would last, very prettily answered that he knew how many days she might wear them but not how many nights — because they were then put to a more violent and irregular service than when she employed herself in the common affairs of the house.”

* * *

For such ribald columns, the commonwealth council forbade James to publish the Courant or any other paper of like nature. James overcame this obstacle by canceling Ben’s indenture and naming him the publisher.

The Courant prospered under a less political policy, increased its circulation and raised its price. However, Ben, now 17, became vain and opinionated — lovable traits typical of columnists.

The two brothers took to quarreling, and James cuffed his younger brother around. Ben fled to New York, which then was just a village with one printer. Unable to find work there, he went on to Philadelphia.

Ben found immediate employment. He roomed at the home of John Read and courted his daughter Deborah.

Ben’s industry, love of books and engaging personality brought him to the attention of Governor William Keith who encouraged him to go to London to get a printing press and type.

Ben hustled off to England but with intention of earning enough money in the printing shops to set up a business there. He wrote Deborah that he was not coming back to her. Whereupon she married a potter.

High living in London — including goodly sums to women of easy virtue and imprudent loans to a friend — kept Ben from advancing his project.

After two years, he had accumulated barely enough money for passage back to the colonies. Nonetheless, he resolved to return and try his fortune again in Philadelphia. His London experience humbled Ben and led him to adopt a deferential attitude — other lovable traits typical of columnists. Borrowing the equivalent of $5,000, he set up a printing shop.

Deborah’s husband had deserted her soon after their marriage and fled to the Bahamas to avoid debtors’ prison. Mutual friends brought Ben and Deborah back together.

The old love was rekindled, but two complications kept them from marriage. Deborah’s husband might come back; and Ben was presented with an illegitimate son, the mother of whom he never revealed.

Quietly, Ben and Deborah set up a household without marriage — complete with Ben’s little son. The arrangement was accepted calmly by the couple’s family and friends. Very soon Deborah bore a daughter, Sarah.

In his printing shop, Franklin started a newspaper, The Gazette; published his Poor Richard’s Almanac; and managed a large volume of printing for the colony.

* * *

As Poor Richard, Ben coined hundreds of epigrams:

* “He that lieth down with dogs shall rise up with fleas.”

* “A lie stands on one leg, truth on two.”

* “Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.

* “Lost time is never found again.”

* “God helps them that help themselves.”

* “Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”

* “If you’d know the value of money, go borrow some.”

* “Clean your finger before you point at my spots.”

* * *

He wrote provocative songs — such as the ode to beer busts — and sang them to friends:

The antediluvians were all very sober,

For they had no wine, and they brewed no October;

All wicked, bad livers, on mischief still thinking,

For there can’t be good living where there’s not good drinking.

Derry down.

‘Twas honest old Noah first planted the vine,

And mended his morals by drinking its wine;

And thenceforth, justly, the drinking of water decried;

For he knew that all mankind, by drinking it, died.

Derry down.”

* * *

In one of his columns, Ben wrote a spoof about the “Speech of Polly Baker.” This lady pleaded so ably for mercy upon her fifth trial for bastardy the presiding judge married her the next day — by whom she had fifteen children:

“May it please the honorable bench to indulge me in a few words. I am a poor, unhappy woman who have not money to fee lawyers to plead for me, being hard put to it to get a living.

“I take the liberty to say that I think this law, by which I am punished, is both unreasonable in itself, and particularly severe with regard to me who have always lived an inoffensive life in the neighborhood where I was born. “I can not conceive — may it please your honors — what the nature of my offense is. I have brought five, fine children into the world at the risk of my life. I have maintained them well by my own industry, without burdening the township. I would have done it better if it had not been for the heavy charges and fines I have paid.

“Can it be a crime — in the nature of things, I mean — to add to the king’s subjects, in a new country that really wants people?

“You are pleased to allow I don’t want for sense; but I must be stupefied to the last degree not to prefer the honorable state of wedlock to the condition I have to live in. I defy anyone to say I ever refused an offer.

“On the contrary, I readily consented to the only proposal of marriage that ever was made to me, which was when I was a virgin. But too easily confiding in the person’s sincerity that made it, I unhappily lost my honor by trusting to his — for he got me with child and then forsook me.

“That very person, you all know, is now become a magistrate of this country. I had hopes he would appear this day on the bench and endeavor to moderate the court in my favor.

“You have already excluded me from the comforts of your church communion. Is not that sufficient? How can it be believed that heaven is angry at my having children? “With the little done by me, God has been pleased to add his divine skill and admirable workmanship in the formation of their bodies. And He crowned the whole by furnishing them with rational and immortal souls.

“What must poor young women do, when customs and nature forbid them to solicit the men and who cannot force themselves upon husbands. Yet, the laws take no care to provide them any, and severely punish them if they do their duty without them.

“The duty of the first and great command of nature and God is increase and multiply — a duty from the steady performance of which nothing has been able to deter me.”

* * *

The most famous of Ben’s earthy essays is his advice to a nephew on the choice of a mistress:

“My Dear Friend.

“I know of no medicine fit to diminish the violent, natural inclinations you mention. And, if I did, I think I should not communicate it to you. Marriage is the proper remedy.

“But, if you will not take this counsel, and persist in thinking a commerce with sex inevitable, then I repeat my former advice — that in all your amours you should prefer old women to young ones. “You will call this a paradox and demand my reasons. They are these:

1. “Because they have more knowledge of the world. Their minds are better stored with observations, their conversation is more improving and more lastingly agreeable.

2. “Because when women cease to be handsome they study to be good. To maintain their influence over men, they supply the diminution of beauty by an augmentation of utility. They learn to do a thousand services small and great, and are the most tender and useful of friends when you are sick. Thus, they continue amiable. There is hardly such a thing to be found as an old woman who is not a good woman.

3. “Because there is no hazard of children, which irregularly produced may be attended with much inconvenience.

4. “Because through experience they are more prudent and discrete in conducting an intrigue to prevent suspicion. Commerce with them is therefore safer with regard to your reputation. And with regard to theirs, if the affair should happen to be known, considerate people might be rather inclined to excuse an old woman who would kindly take care of a young man, form his manners by her good counsels, and prevent his ruining his health and fortune among mercenary prostitutes.

5. “Because in every animal that walks upright, the deficiency of the fluids that fill the muscles appears first in the highest part. The face first grows lank and wrinkled; then the neck; then the breast and arms. The lower parts continue to the last as plump as ever; so that covering all above with a basket, and regarding only what is below the girdle, it is impossible, of two women, to tell an old one from a young one. As in the dark all cats are gray, the pleasure of corporal enjoyment with an old woman is at least equal, and frequently superior — every knack being, by practice, capable of improvement.

6. “Because the sin is less. The debauching of a virgin may be her ruin, and make her unhappy for life.

7. “Because the compunction is less. The having made a young girl miserable may give you frequent, bitter reflection none of which can attend the making an old woman happy.

8. “8th, and lastly — Because they are so grateful!”

* * *

Now, let ‘s hear it for columnists, past and present.

Derry down!

Lindsey Williams is a Sun columnist who can be contacted at:

mailto:LinWms@earthlink.net LinWms@earthlink.net

mailto:LinWms@lindseywilliams.org LinWms@lindseywilliams.org

Website: lindseywilliams.org lindseywilliams.org

Do you like to take photos at night? I know I do. There’s something magical about them - pictures of the moonlight sky and dazzling neon lights convey a special something that daytime photos can′t.

When I started out taking digital photos at night, boy, did I have problems! The issue is that many digital cameras do not perform very well under low-light conditions. To take good night photos, there are some tricks you need to remember - so here are a few of them.

Tip 1: Use Long Exposures

The key to successful night photography lies in a long exposure. We’re talking about exposures measured in seconds. When a long exposure is used, more light is allowed into the camera, allowing the details in your night photo to be captured.

The problem with using long exposures is that you may shake the camera, resulting in poor pictures. The way around this is to use a tripod. I prefer to install a tripod with a shutter-release cable to ensure that I don’t jolt the camera at all.

Tip 2: Take Control Shots

One problem with digital cameras is that there are always some pixels on the image sensor which are bad. When taking day photos, these defects are not discernible. However, they are pretty obvious in night photos. How do we correct these? Here’s a simple way – take a control shot, then use image editing to subtract out those bad pixels.

This is how it works. The next time you’re out to take night photos, go ahead and snap a picture of Scene A, as you normally would. Then, when it’s convenient, take a photo of the exact same Scene A again, but with the lens cap on.

Now you will have two images, one night shot and one control shot (with the hot pixels). Load them up in say, Paint Shop Pro. Switch to the control shot and select Edit and Copy from the menu. Next, switch to the night shot and paste the copied image as a new layer. Then, select the new layer and change the Blend Mode to Difference and click OK. You’ll get the correct night shot with the hot spots subtracted out.

Tip 3: Try to Capture Motion

With a long exposure, you have many creative options when it comes to photography. This includes capturing motion. For example, have you ever wondered how those professional photographers shoot pictures of trails of car lights as they zoom down the highway at night? It’s all due to long exposures. Try to keep this in mind the next time you’re taking a night photo – you don’t have to restrict yourself to still images.

Tip 4: Play with the Aperture

In addition to shutter speed (which determines exposure time), you can play around with the aperture size of your digital camera. There are two scenarios here. If you set a long exposure, try to use a small aperture to avoid overexposing any stationary lights. in the picture. On the other hand, if you set a short exposure, try using a larger aperture to avoid any motion in your shot.

Tip 5: How to Use the Flash

As a general rule, I turn the flash off when taking night photos. There are some exceptions though – one specific example I can think of is trying to shoot a subject in the foreground, with motion trails of car lights in the background. In this case, bring along an external flash unit and shine it on your subject manually. Set a long exposure, then have your subject wait until the picture is taken.

Tip 6: When to Take Night Photos

When’s the best time to take night photos? I usually like to take them during dusk when colors and details are easier to capture. I’d recommend that you do some research on the evening before the photo shoot. Decide on the location, then come back the next day to take the photo at dusk.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article has taught you some tips on taking better night photos. The important concept to remember is that a long exposure is need for good night photos. This means you need to keep you digital camera really, really still. Once you understand that, the quality of your night photos will definitely improve.

Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on digital photography. Visit his
website at basic-digital-photography.com basic-digital-photography.com for tips and
tricks on buying digital cameras, as well as shooting great photos.