Follow-up for Storage

I have not done much reserach about this yet, but I find it intriguing.

The online back-ups are all around. As I said before, that hard drive WILL fail. So, maybe this is the answer.

The sites I found best were:
Carbonite which is $54.95 a year and
Mozy which is $54.45 a year.

***If you are looking to go with the online storage route, I've got the hook-up with Mozy! Save 15% with this Mozy promotional code.

Both seem good and popular. You can get 2 gigs free at mozy.com.

With subscriptions they have unlimited storage. Seems you can back-up from any computer anywhere.

Carbonite seems to have a 4GB per file transfer limit. Not sure if that would matter to any of you.

Carbonite's homepage has this quote:
"Every year, 43% of computer users lose their music, photos, documents, and more."

Better get on that back-up. My only real issue with these sites is, what happens to my data once my subscription runs out? Do I have 30 days to remove? Or is it just on there forever? I would ask that before purchasing.

Down side is you will have to go online to acquire your files as opposed to plugging in something wherever you are. It would be a great "permanent" back-up.

Just thought I'd let you know of other possibilities.
Too bad like all else, the internet WILL fail!!
Ha. Sad but possibly true.

Your memories/media is/are dying

I'm back! For good this time...how many times have you heard me say that?

This is a topic that isn't so crazy but I don't think people think too much about it or worry like they should.

I am talking about the technology of media and storage. First, the simple...back-up that hard drive.

Hard drives fail. Often! Back it up. I mean everything on your computer that you can't logically recreate. Pictures, video, music and any other files. Back them up! Put them on an external or copy them all to DVD's once a month. You can never back up enough. Make the copies. The drives will fail, the DVD's will scratch or fade and you will get that virus.

Now that that is out of the way, on to the media. I mentioned that your DVD's will fade. And they will. Their shelf life is about 10 years. 10 years!!! I am speaking of the DVD you burned in your computer, not the 3rd season of Seinfeld.

So make a copy of that thing every few years. Get a fresh version and put it away.

More importantly is the memories. There are 2 very important items that I think everyone should focus on as soon as possible, and the company I work for can help.

First is VHS transfers. You don't have that VCR anymore, so why keep those around? Get them on DVD. It is a relatively easy process with the proper equipment. This can obviously not be done to the copywritten movies you bought at Best Buy. I've tried Home Alone and its not happening. It is probably the single reason I keep my VCR.

So take all those great home videos and get them on a convenient DVD. We can do DVD authoring too so there is a menu with all your videos listed. Get them transferred. VHS tapes fade. They degrade and they are actually a huge fire hazard. Those tapes lose quality drastically every year. Save them!

Second and probably most importantly are the hard copy pictures. Those are fading fast and everyone knows is. We can make all those pictures digital and put them on a DVD, CD, or hard drive so you can have them forever and access them easily.

Pictures get damp, tear, wither and fade. They will never be better quality then they are today. Don't let the history fade. Get them scanned into a high resolution digital format.

Take some time and pile all your media together. Then contact me or someone else who can do it. You just want them to be organized properly and it is typically cheaper the more you do, so get them all together at once. Take all the pictures out of frames and label if you need to.

Organize the memories, people. I have seen way too many people bring pictures in that are too far gone.

Once you get your pictures and VHS transferred....Back Them UP!!!

Let me know if you have any questions about this.

At work, we also do Slideshows with those pictures to remember the special ones.

You'll be kicking yourself if you don't do this!

I loved Lucy

This one is just a nice pretty story. So, sit back and kick off those shoes. I am sorry I have been away for a while, but honestly, if I posted on a normal schedule, you would think I paid someone.

This all starts just last Monday. Gary (my roommate) was on his way to work and saw a little puppy on our front porch. He gave it a little food and went went to work. About 7 hours later he came home to find the same dog still there. I came home shortly after and saw it and didn't really know what to do.

My first move was to call my animal wrangler (my girlfriend Stephanie). She came right over. I am not usually someone to take in a stray dog but it was about 35 degrees out. This dog weighed about 6 pounds and was shivering. I told Steph I wanted to bring it inside but didn't know if it was a good idea. She said, "Wouldn't you rather have a stray dog in your basement than a dead dog on your porch?" Good point.

I went outside to get the dog and that wasn't really working. Lots of growling and teeth showing. Stephanie got a box and a blanket and the dog quickly ran for its shelter. After some coaxing, I picked up the box and took it into the basement.

We made a small area into a "cage". A high-top bar table flipped over on its side, some buckets and picture frames and then we lined everything with a recliner and a futon for support.

We put the dog inside its cage and it wouldn't come out of the box.

I give you little description because that is what we had. We couldn't really describe it much. I will tell you it was a girl. We didn't know until later because of all her matting. She weighed 6 or 7 pounds and had tight brown curls like a poodle, but we didn't think that's all she was. She had several different shades of brown and some gray. She was slow and a bit mean at first and now she was in our basement.

We got her to come out a bit but not much. Later that night I figured I should take her out and see if she would go to the bathroom. We didn't know if she was potty trained and thought she was just a puppy.

I "bravely" reached into her box to force her out. I was petrified that she would just bite me. But she seemed to trust me. I wore a heavy winter coat in fear that she had fleas plus she smelled like goat poo.

Once we got outside she became scared and shook as if she thought I was going to leave her out there. After a few minutes she went to the bathroom right away. She was very well potty trained.

I took her back into her bed and went to bed.

The next morning I played with her outside a bit and then put her back in her bed. I didn't want her to play in my house too much because of Stephanie's dog Maddox. If this dog had fleas or anything else, I didn't want to risk her hurting Maddox.

At work, Stephanie called her vet and made an appointment to get the dog a check-up just so we would be comfortable in keeping her.

I made posts on craigslist and called other posts to try and find her owners. Neither were successful. I also put a post in the newspaper the next day. It was sad to get all the calls and have to tell hopeful people that it wasn't their dog.

The vet told us that she was about 6 years old and a toy poodle. She hadn't been spayed yet, which needed to be done. Also, she had Periodontal Disease that was very far along. She would need some teeth extracted. He said that the surgeries would cost about $1100 - $1400. He also said that she had dislocating knee caps but that it was a common thing for those dogs. She may need work on those down the road.

Other than that she was healthy. So, now the problem was what to do with a dog that has such a high price tag. The doctor discussed my options which weren't great. I could find the owners, which wasn't likely that they would want her back with the way she looked. I could keep her but can't afford her surgeries. I could find another home for her but its a lot to ask someone to pay for that. Then there are rescues and the pound. The pound would probably euthanize her sooner than later and rescues aren't taking strays now. They are just rescuing from the pound.

Then he discussed me euthanizing her. He told me that he'd be willing to bet that her last 24 hours were the best she had ever had. What to do??

We kept calling, kept posting, kept looking. Then the good news started rolling in.

We were turned down by several rescue shelters but one wanted to help. They were called One of a Kind Pets. She said since she was so little they could fit her in. All we had to do was foster her for 3 weeks and then they would do all her surgeries and take her in. We loved the idea.

We prepared ourselves for the task and Gary and Steph were in on it. We made all our arrangements and things just sort of worked out. We didn't know what to do with her while we were home over the Christmas weekend. Steph's family has 3 dogs and a cat and I couldn't burden them with another. My parents have 2 psychotic cats that could use a trip to a psychologist. I knew that it wouldn't be a good idea to bring her there. I made some calls and my friend Nick and his fiancee Carrie offered their home for the weekend. People were trying to help any way they could. Everyone was looking for a home and spreading the word.

We gave her a bath and introduced her to Maddox. It took a little bit but they warmed up to each other. After she was cleaned up she was a new dog. She was so loving and playful. She fit right in.

We decided that we would have to name her if we were going to keep her for 3 weeks. Stephanie wanted to call her Lulu. I just couldn't walk her around calling, "come here, Lulu!". So I started calling her Lucy. And it stuck.

Now, you're thinking that this is months later. Nope. We are in about day 3. Things escalated quickly.

Wednesday I got a call from a lady named Julianna. She said that she would be interested in taking Lucy. I had been warned about this, though, so I just requested her to go through the rescue shelter. She agreed that if that would make me feel more comfortable to just do that.

I spoke with the shelter and they actually knew her. She is a police officer and so is her husband. They adopt dogs and foster them. They have 6 already but have the room and finances for more.

I called her back and said we should go ahead and hurry it along so she can get the dog. We decided to do it without the rescue shelter since we would have to wait. She actually requested to pay for the surgeries herself instead of burdening the shelter.

She wanted to pick up Lucy on Christmas Eve and we would keep her until then. Then I started sending pictures and they really fell in love. The date kept moving up until she wanted her Friday. We agreed and set up a time.

We all really started falling in love with Lucy. She was such a great dog. She was obedient and loving. She loved just laying on your lap and following you around. Needless to say, even though it was only 5 days after finding her, we knew it would be tough to give her up. We had just done so much preparing to keep her for a month and now it was going to end before it all even started.

Julianna came over and Lucy did not take to her well. She was here for about 45 minutes before Lucy really relaxed. Julianna was so caring and made me very comfortable. She has a huge fenced in yard and a 3500 Sq ft house. She has the money and care Lucy needed. On Friday, Julianna had already schedule her vet visit, her grooming and all her surgeries.

It was very sad and I was actually surprised how much I thought about it after but Julianna took Lucy home with her.

She has been texting me the last couple of days and said that Lucy slept all night cuddled with her other toy poodle.

I'm not sure why I wrote this whole thing, besides a bunch of people had been asking me what happened with her. But I guess I was just astounded at how much people seemed to care and worry about something or someone that they never even knew existed. It was great. And I thank everyone who helped or tried to.

I know Stephanie will say we will never do that again but her heart is too soft.
On to the next dog!

You can donate or volunteer at the link below.
One of a kind Pets

Happy Holidays!

What Music did you come from?

So, I was listening to a group called "Owl City" the other day (who is actually just one guy and some laptops), and it sort of stuck me as odd that I enjoy his music. He plays poppy, keyboard type stuff. It has clever lyrics but just doesn't seem like something I would be into. But I am. I love it.

I sort of wondered why I enjoy that stuff and it got the old brain a-turnin'. I listen to what is considered alternative music. That genre is used so loosely, though, its crazy. But I started related things that I like to each other and it so interesting to see how you got to where you are in your music tastes.

It all started with a man who will show more about me than I'd like. His name is Garth Brooks. I used to listen to his fiddlin' jams all the time while growing up. He was the man. I recall listening to 99.5 WGAR, just so I could call after his song and win free tickets. (To no avail). But he was great.

That flowed into a more pop-like experience for me and I began to listen to a little U2 (which I can't stand at all anymore). Once I ditched Bono, I searched for something better. Something with more heart and soul.

I discovered Classic Rock. This stayed with me the longest and will die with me. The Led Zeppelins, the Pink Floyds, the Claptons and Hendrix, and even a little Skynyrd. This was my culture. I learned about histories music rather than political events.

My appreciation for these artists turned me to blues music. Delta style blues is so rich and beautiful. The only good thing that ever came from slavery is the Delta Blues. They used all the emotion that they had left to create this music. Which has formed Rock today.

I took some time with Jazz and then I hit some newer stuff. But once I went to college, I was forced to listen to music I made fun of all my life. This alternative stuff. It was no Nirvana (who I've always had a special place in my heart for). The Brand New and Panic at the Disco and Mewithoutyou and all these artists I hated. They started to grow on me. I listen to them from time to time but what I really got out of it all was the Death Cab for Cutie and the Editors and Oceans (look them up!)

My tastes now bring me to Owl City. They are pretty good. But why do I like them? Well, they sound a lot like The Postal Service (not the real postal service, mom). And we all know that the Postal Service is just a side project of Death Cab. And this stuff all loops and connects with each other.

I find it crazy when I make a Pandora playlist and type in Owl City, that Death Cab plays and Something Corporate plays and Relient K plays and Jack's Mannequin (new something corporate) plays and it continues to touch on all of my alternative favorites.

I suppose the alternative terms isn't necessarily just a broad genre. Maybe all these artists are connected somehow.

I don't know. I just thought I'd share about how crazy it is that your music tastes evolve, not just because of what you like but by your surroundings and peers.

It's a beautiful thing.

So, I went from Garth Brooks to Owl City.
What music did you come from?

Bring Futbol (soccer) to the US....again

It has been so long. Too long. I apologize to all 4 of my followers. You are too good to me.

I have been posting things on my facebook linking to the World Cup page. The link is a petition that people in the US can sign to help bring the world cup back to the United States.

Basically, FIFA is deciding who will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup. Next summer 2010 it will be in South Africa and 2014 will be in Brazil. The US has a bid for both 2018 and 2022. Along with Australia, Belgium-Netherlands, England, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Russia, and Spain-Portugal. Also, South Korea and Qatar have bids for 2022 only.

We are leading the way for the 2022 games. I'm guessing FIFA doesn't like to bring the World Cup here too much. They have only done it once. We are not a huge soccer country which makes sense that we shouldn't be aloud to host. But, the issue is a bit deeper than that.

First off, most likely the only reason we even have a chance is because of our American Football. What am I talking about? Well, soccer stadiums hold anywhere from 20,000 to maybe 50,000 fans. Some are much bigger. But soccer stadiums start small at 70,000. We can hold more people and we market well. The World Cup made more money in 1994 when the US hosted than any other World Cup. What's greater is that in 1994 they had 24 teams qualify. In 2008 they changed that to 32. That means that we even made more money than other World Cup tournaments with more games.

So, they are torn. We don't hold the same respect for the event but we make the most money for it. The reason that we need to have it here within the next 15 years is the MLS (major league soccer). Soccer in the US is at a crossroads. It has never been as successful as it is right now. It makes money and more money every year. More teams are added and more talented people are sought out.

I read a book called How Soccer Explains the World and it shows that more kids in the United States play soccer than baseball. Soccer is actually the number one sport played by US kids. No joke, people.

So, all this talk and no point...it's what I do. The MLS brought in David Beckham and Blanco and Juan Pablo Angel. They did this to raise the bar but more importantly, to sell tickets. It worked and it worked well. We've got people who are giving it a chance. And the world knows that if you just see a match, it will hook you. But the MLS is at that crossroads I mentioned earlier. They need something dramatic to happen or the jig is up.

They may lose all of these fans but with a couple simple events, they could change the face of soccer in the US.

First, We need to host a World Cup and soon. 2022 would be just fine. That's not too far away. If you don't think hosting will do anything for soccer in the US, ask your parents how big soccer was before 1994. (I'm assuming you're youngins like me reading). Soccer really didn't exist much beyond little kids playing. The World Cup in '94 stimulated our nation with soccer. We wanted more and we would get our wish. Hosting the World Cup will make more children want to play. Hosting will also surround us all with so much culture and excitement. Soccer or no, these other countries know how to party. Who doesn't like a good party.

Secondly, the USA needs, badly, to perform well in the next World Cup. We NEED to. If we don't, all we have worked for could be lost. We took an early exit after the first round last World Cup. We were ranked 6th going in an moved up to 5th at one time. That is a ranking of every country in the WORLD. We were that good. Or at least people thought we were. Then we played terrible on the world stage and it was a bunch of build-up for nothing.

We must perform well. The rest of the world thinks we're a joke and our whole country think soccer is a joke. That's deadly if we play bad. We just played very well in the Confederations Cup. We don't need to win the World Cup, just get deep into the tournament. Show everyone that we can be a soccer playing nation.

So, I'm done, I suppose. What you can do now is sign the petition. This shows FIFA that we as a country are serious about having it here. Also, if you sign, you put in your zip code and it votes for your closest big city to have games there. I live near Cleveland and Cleveland is still in the running for cities.

Click here to see if your city is still in the running.

Then VOTE HERE!!!

Long live soccer, everyone.

Awesome - Chuck P and his infinite wisdom

Today, kids, we will be discussing a man by the name of Chuck palahniuk (pal-a-nik). Sort of.

He is a writer. He is a good writer. He is over-rated and under-rated, depending on who you're speaking to. He is a cult writer. Well, what does he write? He wrote 'Fight Club'. Are we on the same page now?

Okay. He wrote the novel 'Fight Club' and 'Choke' (also a movie). He took a try at writing the script for 'Fight Club' but they went with someone else'. Like the movie? Holy snaps, try the book. You'll still be surprised in the end.

He has written a lot of great things. My favorite is 'Diary'. The only way to really describe how that book made me feel is this; I loved the book the entire way through, even though I was lost. I kept going, knowing that Chucky P wouldn't let me down. I finished the book and was awstruck. I thought it was a phenominal read. There is a blank page, then another page and I was floored. Never saw it coming. Fantastic.

Read it. Don't cheat. Read it. You will feel this way.

He also wrote a book called 'Survivor'. I loved this too. They attempted to make it into a movie but it had some themes about hijacking and it was right around 9-11. So it was nixed.

He is a fantastical writer who will put you in a world that didn't exist before you started reading. He will give you crazy twists that you will never see coming. He will throw a lot of sexual themes at you. But they often show characters perpetual flaws.

My favorite part about his writing is the way he sells it. For example, the main character in 'Survivor' is very knowledgeable in cleaning stains. He just is. But palahniuk will describe how to get this stain out of this fabric and that stain out of that fabric. He sells every little word and all the while, I search wikipedia for the truth on how much he actually knows. I am always fooled. You just believe that it is truth, whether it is or not.

He is a great author and I hope to turn a few of you on to him. If you've already read him, try some more. Some of my favorites are Diary, Survivor, Lullaby, Invisible Monsters, and check out Stranger than Fiction, Haunted and Rant. He's got a few more too. He's just plain good.

Here are his books.

The downside is that, lately, he can come off as overdone. This is just a personal feeling in some of his recent books. It sometimes seems like he is throwing a different character in the same worlds and twisting up the end to keep the readers on their toes. I am going to bypass this as just me not completely enjoying his recent books and give the next one a fresh try.

He just released 'Pygmy' which has some pretty good reviews. I will be reading that soon. That has a much more 'Fight Club' feel as it touches a lot of terrorism.

Yes! Check it out. Let me know what you have read and how you feel about him!

Awesome - baked goods and how awesome they are

oh ya, and....how I know a girl who bakes them the awesome-est!

So, this is a tribute post. A tribute to my oldest reader. The only reader who stayed with me through the many different blogs, even though they each only lasted a few posts. I know nothing about this topic but I took it upon myself to do a little research. Here you are Kelly.

I shoot weddings for a living. Sorta not awesome. But, I will use something that I see much of to help me with this topic; Wedding Cakes!

Who doesn't like a bagel. With some schmear (for my Jewish readers (I don't know what this means but I read it on a site)). Who doesn't indulge in the occasion donut or 8? Who doesn't love cake and well, sugar?

I do! Sorta. I can't eat a whole bunch of it. I do love the tastes though. "Why not?" ask the concerned readers. Not diabetic, just got achy, child-like teeth. Ask Nick Marfart.

Moving on.

Seeing all these cakes at weddings really get you thinking about the time and energy that goes into making one of these mammoth sugar stacks. I wonder why they don't just lay actual flowers on it? Why do they construct them? Why do they build these statues and creations when they could just buy a figurine at the store?

Well, I have seen these enormous cakes up close. They really are a thing to stare at. It all breaks down to this science of baked goods turned into a very delicate art. It really is. It is someones blood sweat and tears poured into that cakes (Um, I really hope not literally). But it is a crafted piece of art.

Don't believe me? Take a peak at this

Unbelievable. Its something often left unappreciated. You see it on TV now and maybe at the occasional wedding. But beyond that it is happening more and more. I am seeing bigger, better cakes at weddings. They are not necessarily taller but more detailed. Beautiful creatures that I dream of swimming through...at least until I inhale some cake and drown.

Cakes can be hilarious too. Feast your peepers on this!

So, go to the mom and pop place in your neighborhood and buy the bagels. Buy the pastries and cakes they are selling. Quit with the Giant Eagle quick cakes. I will say no bad about DQ ice cream cakes. I mean come on. Satan invented that, right? If someone can make me that I will marry you. Or at least befriend you for several months. (I have commitment issues).

Okay. wrap up. Cakes are awesome. Baked goods in general, straight up art. Enjoy them. Appreciate them. Quit eating so fast. I mean, would it really hurt for you to put the fork down for a second and appreciate your purchase. Hang it on the wall and don't mind the flies.

What's your favorite baked good?
Make something and send me a picture.

Baked goods. They really are flippin' awesome. Enjoy!

Here is Kelly's site, again. Check it out!

Here is the cake blog, again.