Touched Music

The sounds of your own ball whirring down the lane will be music to your ears

Are you still using a house bowlingball? Do you have to use a stranger’s ball, every time you decide to enjoy the sport? That’s like wearing someone else’s shoes. It just doesn’t feel right.

The truth is, you’ll probably enjoying bowling a whole lot more if you had a bowlingball to call your own. When you have your own ball, the game becomes special as you find a source of pride in the sport you love. There’s an identity, a connection between you, the ball and the thrill of the sport. There’s nothing like that powerful, satisfying feel of knowing a ball is yours, completely part of you and your passion for the sport.

Bowling is a satisfying sport. It’s an affordable form of recreation that’s great to share with friends, family and co-workers. What could be more enjoyable than the smooth polish of the lanes, the soft rumble as the ball returns, that satisfying clatter as all the pins go flying? Bowling is a great way to spend an evening, relax and compete against the best of yourself?

It’s a sport that’s even more satisfying the more you can call it your own. People tend to form close relationships to their bowling balls, similar to the love of a motorcycle, guitar or favorite sports jacket. It’s more than an object. It’s an affirming expression of your own identity.

Aside from the satisfaction, owning your own ball might actually improve your game. When you own your own ball, you can customize the finger holes to suit the exact dimensions of your hand, giving you a more satisfying grip that will improve your delivery and performance.

And you can choose your own preference for the ball’s core. The core of the ball is its soul, the point of its weight performance that determines the action of the ball. The core is what makes every ball different. Cores are dynamically balanced to cause the ball to try to stabilize as it rolls down the lane. Heavy centered balls provide for a more solid spin, while other weights will ease its spin.

Make bowling your sport. Get your own ball, one that’s right for you. It will make bowling a more satisfying pastime, a sport you can call your own.

Tags: bowlingball

How to Run Guitar Effects Gear Through an Amplifier

This is a great question and one most guitarists ask themselves. Why do we ask ourselves instead of someone who knows? I’ll start with there is no etched in granite answer. Ultimately it comes down to what sounds the best to you. Simply put, there is no right or wrong way. A gray area so to speak that nobody talks about.
That being said, lets put together a basic strategy that is sold and popular and easy to do.

The effect loop in your amp is an other place to route the signal. It offers another way of adding external effects gear and components such as a stomp box/s into the signal trail.
Putting effects onto the effects loop sounds different than if you plug it into the front, or input of the amp. In other words, the front of the amp or input is the same plug your guitar plugs into. Plugging an effect into the front of your amp tends to mask or color the sound because going through the front or input of your amplifier allows the signal to be processed by the gain and equalizer. This is perhaps the most preferred method because the effect is introduced and passes through the EQ and gain circuits.

The guitar effects loop on your amp eliminates the effects gear from Gain or EQ influence. A better statement might be that the sound is pure and untainted when it goes through the effects loop. That is a desirable quality for certain types of effects.
Most people run effects such as delay units and other effects similar to delay like a chorus pedal through the effects loop.

A favorite vibe can be created by putting the other effects such as my Wah, Compressor, Maxon Overdrive, Sustainer, Soul Vibe and the rest of my effects in the front or input of my amps. There are no cemented rules on what order to put them in. Have some fun and experiment on the order of effects coming out of the amp and going to the guitar. You can examine and listen to most effects gear online at one of these guitar stores.
Note:You will need a pedal board. Ther are plenty of excellent pedal board options.
Do you have another strategy? This strategy works great for most of the guitar players, what works for you?
One last thought, use a really good quality cable to connect any effects you choose for your system. The smallest items can make the biggest difference. A good habit to get into is making sure you buy quality components by well know manufacturers.

Using these strategies developed by Guitar Players Center will provide a solid platform to work with. Perhaps you will experiment with your setup once you become more familiar with it. You make the rules ultimately, so go for it. Enjoy.

Tags: guitar effects, guitar effects pedals, guitar gear, guitar players, Guitar Tabs

Focus Mortgage Advertising for More Business

The majority of lender web site traffic comes from in market consumers who are shopping online for the lowest mortgage rates in their local area. If you type in phrases such as: lowest mortgage rates , best mortgage rates, best heloc rates or compare mortgage rates into a major search engines like Google, Yahoo or MSN, you will see many lenders come up on the first page of the organic search results with prominent positions. These search engine rankings will help drive thousands of unique visitors every day to high ranked sites. It will also drive traffic to lenders from the hundreds of affiliate real estate and mortgage websites. By advertising your interest rates daily online you will be in front of all those visitors looking for the best rates in your lending states.

This will probably be the most powerful way to market your competitive interest rates on the internet. Below I have listed some benefits:

• Qualified Traffic - the best quality traffic to your site will be borrowers who are in the process of comparing rates.
• Geo-targeted - Reach the right consumers only in your specific lending states
• Fresh, Daily Traffic - By updating your interest rate tables daily, the consumers feel that they are accessing fresh and up-to-date data and therefore are more likely to click on your website or contact you on the phone.

Banner Advertising on the web is another way to offer mortgage brokers and lenders ways to:

• Increase Brand Recognition - Expose your company to thousands of potential borrowers visiting the web every day and generate your own exclusive mortgage leads
• Effectively Communicate Campaign Message - Using creative and eye catching images and carefully crafted slogans, communicate your company’s unique value propositions and selling points through your banner ad
• Reach Your Target Market - Gain placement by state and use up your advertisement impressions only for borrowers in your specific lending state(s).

An effective banner ad campaign will consist of two components:

   1. Great looking banner - to entice, click-thru, and drive traffic

   2. Effective landing page (home page) - to ensure high conversion rate
Many lenders on the web are uniquely positioned to help you put together a superb banner ad campaign. Through partnership with such companies you are capable of providing the best banner designs as well as effective landing pages.

Tags: Mortgage Advertising

Making music more easily

Setting up and disassembling gear for gigs at bars, clubs and other venues is a much-dreaded ritual for all professional musicians. Any drummer’s dream, of course, is to play at a venue that has the equipment he or she already schleps, set up to his or her specification. But dreams rarely come true. The next best thing for any professional musician or group is to have a drum riser that is easy to transport and setup for those venues that lack risers, which are a drummer’s best friend because they allow him to easily hit all drums, allow sound to more easily travel beyond the stage, and give him some much-needed attention since he sits in the back.

Affordable drum risers that fit the bill are available online and are a must-have for any band that values its time. Being able to set up and breakdown quickly means less time on-site and more money for your time. While not every band can make it big, almost all can make it worthwhile by making the dreaded rituals a little easier with stage equipment designed for ease of use and transportation.

Tags: drum riser

Longboat Key’s Barrier Island

Do you know what a “barrier island” is?  Let me try to paint you a colorful picture of one.  Sarasota is home to one of the most popular barrier island, Longboat Key.  On one side of the Bay you see nothing but beautify city lights while looking to the other side you see crystal clear waters and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.  Longboat Key is connected to Sarasota at both ends by bridges allowing access to all the city amenities and attractions day or night.  You will find the charm of the island scenery and shopping a most delightful and unique experience.

Longboat Key real estate has many beautiful neighborhoods with a huge selection of oceanfront homes and condominiums. The construction on the island has maintained carefully spaced Residents that allow privacy for all. With only one main road being the Gulf of Mexico Drive, you are sure not to miss any of the splendors and beauty of the island. There are parks, golf courses, as well as undeveloped spaces along the island coast to help preserve Longboat Key’s island splendor.  This also serves as a way to maintain the population and not have over crowding as so many small islands or “Barrier Islands” will have.

With tropical breezes and sunshine year round, one could find themselves in a lifestyle of pure pleasure every day.  Homes ranging from old Florida cottages to picturesque estates, from scenic rivers to bay waters you will soon see how the waterfront living can become a dream for the normal and a reality for you.

Natural Energy Boosters

Today’s world seems to live on coffee and energy drinks to stay alive. However, all that caffeine and sugar is terrible for your health. Here are some nice, easy, healthy natural energy boosters to keep yourself energized throughout the day:

• Potatoes, beans, carrots and fruits all contain energy-producing qualities. These foods are high in vitamins and fiber, adding even more healthiness. Many fruits, such as bananas, contain just as much sugar as table sugar. However, you are not susceptible to the inevitable “sugar crash” that comes from energy drinks.
• Water. Hydration is the key to energy. If you are dehydrated, your energy will drop dramatically.
• Exercise. Working up a sweat releases endorphins that combat fatigue and keep you running throughout your day.
• Sleep. Chronic fatigue is a big symptom of not getting enough sleep. Your body needs to recharge after a long day, so make sure that you are getting enough sleep to allow it to do so.
• Eat breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day for a reason. It sets the tone for your body and gives you the energy levels to draw off of when you start picking up the pace.

There are no big secrets to any of these natural energy boosters. They simply focus on the body’s energy reserves and help give you the balance you need without the crash at the end.

Legal Separation Papers

When considering a legal separation, there are a few steps you should take before filing your legal separation papers and moving out: 

1. Take your name off the lease. If your landlord is unaware of your separation and your spouse falls behind on rent or mortgage payments, you will be held liable for that money. Remove your name and keep away from that responsibility.
2. For the same reasons as above, take your name off the utilities bills as well: gas, electric, water, phone, cable, etc.
3. Have your mail forwarded to either a post office box or the mailbox of a close friend or relative.
4. Make note of all account information. This can include pensions, insurance policies, credit cards, bank accounts, mortgages, and anything else.
5. Make copies of all your past tax records. Back taxes are still owed even if you are separated.
6. Freeze any credit accounts the two of you have joint ownership of. Your spouse could go on a spending spree and leave you with the debt. Avoid that altogether.
7. List any items in your joint safety deposit box(es) and remove personal items.
8. Pack up everything that you need now or may need later. Anything that is important to you could be removed by the time you return there. Take it with you if you ever want to see it again.

Just like any other legal situation, it is crucial to do your due diligence before filing legal separation papers. It is only necessary to protect yourself.

Who Needs Art Supplies?

The art supplies store is not dead. Not by a long shot. Today, big chains and office supply stores are stocking their shelves to try and become “one-stop shops” for today’s consumer. But, the aspiring artist is a different breed of consumer, and they have a discerning eye to see why they should be at an art supply store rather than shopping at a big chain:

• Quality. You know what they say: “jack of all trades, master of none”, right? This can certainly apply to the big chain office stores. They can stock their shelves with pencils, paper, and paints, but they will not be able to match the quality of a dedicated art store. The art store will be trying to carry the best tools and products for the artist. An office supply store will be trying to carry the most cost-effective products on the market: big brands, low quality.
• Variety. This is a similar situation as the first bullet point. A true artist enjoys making a selection and having choices. A big store may have one or two items, but a store dedicated to the artist is going to make sure there are different varieties of tools and supplies to allow the artist to choose what he or she would use best.
• Support. An art store will have artist-minded employees. Period. Anyone who works at an art supplies store has an interest. Most big chain office supply stores are just people who are trying to get a paycheck. If you are a beginner with questions, chances are you will not find an employee with extensive experience in any of the art materials.

So you see, some may look down on the art supply store, but they are horribly mistaken. A true artist knows that their tools are only as good as the store they get them from. Skip the big chains and find a store truly dedicated to the artist in you.

Business made easy

Small businesses often make the costly mistake of doing all of their marketing, advertising, and PR in-house. While this is a great strategy to save money, it’s one that should only be undertaken by those competent in all aspects of advertising and PR. Consider how many horrible ‘budget’ commercials you’ve seen for local companies on TV; companies like those are companies that decide to save the money. In the end, it’s pretty obvious that they would have been better off had they just saved the money, rather than embark on producing a commercial themselves.

The fact is that video production is a complex undertaking – one so complex, in fact, that there are entire corporations who specialize in doing nothing but producing video: commercials, infomercials, corporate videos, etc. The expense of equipment, expert cameramen and editors, not to mention sound engineers, lighting specialists, and music editors all need to be tabulated when considering the expense of producing a legitimate piece of video. Once you’ve tabulated those costs, you’ll quickly realize that hiring a video production company to produce your video is not only easier, but cheaper. In the end, you’ll end up with a higher-quality video that will actually help your business, rather than some eyesore on TV that inadvertently makes your business look sleazy.

As I said, there are some places in business where it makes sense to do it yourself. In fact, I myself still fix the plumbing around here when it breaks, and I have never paid anyone for stationary, which I’m able to print on a printer that I bought used and fixed up. But when it comes to your business’s reputation, I can conceive of no good reason why you wouldn’t want to leave it in the hands of experts. Video production companies hire the best personnel from technical and art schools who excel at creating the kind of image on-screen about your business that will be so powerful it will even impress you. And for any of your other video production needs: if it matters, hire a professional; you’ll be glad you did.

Tags: video production company

Learn Self Defense

Do you ever feel like you’re physically vulnerable, but have no way to strengthen yourself? Lots of people are in a situation just like yours, especially if you’re a woman; no matter how strong you get, you’re seemingly defenseless against someone who might want to rob you or worse. Many people who feel defenseless turn to pepper spray, knives, or guns to give themselves a feeling of security. But the truth is, weapons are often impractical for use (are you going to reach for a gun when you’re being held up at gunpoint?) and are otherwise extremely dangerous. There are countless accidents involving non-lethal defenses like pepper spray each and every year, not to mention thousands of accidental gun deaths. Wouldn’t it be great if you could defend yourself without the use of the weapon?

With a commitment to martial arts training you can and will become your own best weapon, capable of stopping someone - no matter their size. You’ll be able to disarm an attacker, neutralize a thief, and hold your own in hand to hand combat if need be. All it takes is a little bit of commitment, a willingness to sweat, and the desire to feel more confident and more fit for you to lose your worries about your physical vulnerability.

Fortunately, there is a Dallas tae kwon do school for every schedule, every age, and every budget; schools where you’ll learn how to defend yourself, improve your physical fitness, and improve your overall sense of well-being as your confidence soars.

But Tae Kwon Do instruction isn’t just for adults: a good martial arts academy will be able to motivate children to take part in a commitment to learning a martial art like karate or tae kwon do that will only enrich their lives. A commitment to attend to class and practice tae kwon do skills will naturally transform into a strong sense of self-discipline and responsibility. What’s more, the actual skills learned are sure to make your child – male or female – more confident both physically and mentally as their physical and mental toughness improve along with their fitness. And fitness they will acquire, as tae kwon do classes are arduous, testing strength, endurance, and mental toughness, as instructors demand that students give their all in pursuit of their goals – all while they have a good time learning a new sport, a new skill, and a new way of life.