Olosta

Some comparisons from when we first moved in

2010-12-28T16:42:00.011-05:00

The first area we started working on was the landscaping. Decided people might not notice the beast of a home if the outside was looking good.

The previous owner had some rather strange ideas when it came to gardening. They had planted blue spruces directly on the foundation and the greenhouse at the back of the property was apparently doubling as speak easy. No plants or seedlings to be found, just empty vodka bottles. Interesting.

Anyhoo, here are some before and after photos.

After some sprucing up

Before

After

Before

After

Seriously long time

2010-12-28T13:21:00.002-05:00

I actually forgot about this blog. Doing some cleaning up on my system and rediscovered it. I should probably update, cause stuff has been done to the house since my last post.

Our 5 year plan to renovate this beast of a home has now turned into a 5 month plan since we found out we are expecting a baby in May. I'm thinking the baby, along with us, would probably enjoy a functioning kitchen and bathroom. So its balls to wall for the next little while.

Claiming my blog

2009-07-11T21:33:00.001-04:00

3dmrhw9zx5

Renovating a 130 year home

2009-07-11T20:50:00.007-04:00

My fiance and I decided to purchase a home that, well, needs a little work. The previous owners had lived there along time and at one point decided to only live on the main floor, closing off the top level and letting the dust collect...literally. When we moved in there had to be at least 2 inches of dust everywhere, along with some over unidentifiable particulates. Even with the need for extensive renovation we both saw the potential.

I have always wanted a Victorian home. They don't build homes like the use to and the older homes have such character and personality. From its beautiful staircase to its pocket doors, this house spoke to us and we had to have it.

It is going to be an extremely long process in reviving it, but we are in the for the long haul.

This is what the landscaping looked like when we purchased it in October

This is what it looks after many blisters.

Now that the landscaping is in order we are moving on to the interior. We had a plan, but that went to hell when the upstairs bathroom began to leak into our downstairs kitchen. Yikes.
This is what the bathroom looks like now.

Under all that plaster was a beautiful claw foot tub. Why the previous owners chose to cover it up is anyone's guess. We are planning on restoring it (needs a little work done to the porcelain)and putting in a dry sink with a basin on top. The back wall will be opened up to accommodate a stained glass window. Will post more photos when we finish it. Warning....it may be a while, cause we are also working on completing the guest room in the basement. It appears that at one point the room doubled as a greenhouse....don't ask.

I am so keeping those curtains....NOT!

Technorati tags: victorian home, renovations, bathroom, guest room, landscaping

Ok, so he is a serial killer....no one is perfect.

2006-12-31T14:48:00.000-05:00

I have got it reeeeaaaallllly bad. I am crushin' again. I always seem to pick the wrong guys. Bad habit of mine, deadbeats, drunks and well this time I hit the motherload. My newest crush is a serial killer. Albeit a fictional one. No, I am not one of those crazies that writes to convicted killers in prison in the hopes of catching their eye, with the possibility of marriage. EWWWW. My crush is on my newest TV boyfriend Dexter. Smart, good looking, charming and yeah, just a little bit deadly. But I can over look that little fault. I mean no one is perfect and he only kills bad guys. If you haven't caught Showtimes latest adventure into gruesome humour check this link out.

Dexter on YourTVLinks

You can watch the entire first season. This is not for the faint of heart of weak stomached as some of the content is pretty out there. But if you are slightly twisted....in a good way...you might just like it. I truly believe it is the most daring show out there at this moment. Michael C. Hall, who previously starred in Six Feet Under stars in the leading role of Dexter and it is quite an outing for him. He perfectly portrays an emotionless deviant struggling to convince the rest of society that he is normal. All the while going about his bloody hobbies in his free time. He works for the Miami Police during the day as a blood spatter expert and well at night, well you know.

I would also recommend the books the show is based on. Darkly Dreaming Dexter and Dearly Devoted Dexter written by Jeff Lindsay. I did not read the books before beginning the show but have since picked them up and found them to be an easy and funny read. Yeah, I am in the category of slightly twisted cause I find myself giggling at the most inappropriate moments, but I really can't help myself and that is the genius behind it. You find yourself amused by what would generally be found offensive. For that I would call the books and the show brilliant. We have all seen the the serial killer theme done to death. I did not think it likely that someone could breathe life in the genre....I was wrong.

5 out of 5 bloody thumbs up for Dexter. My new TV boyfriend.

Technorati tags: Dexter, Showtime, Michael C. Hall, Jeff Lindsay

Dumb moment number.......

2006-10-03T19:25:00.000-04:00

Honestly, I've stopped counting.

It happened in slow motion and as it was happening a little voice inside my head said "STOP"! Did I listen....no. Anyhoo, came home from work a lunch to pick some stuff up for my next appointment. Walk in the door, get distracted by the cat and place my keys down. Feed the cat, grab my keys and head out the door. I am looking at my keys and just as the door is about to close I realize I have grabbed the wrong set. AARRRGH!! My mother has my spare, but is out of town. Figures. I have NEVER locked myself out of my house, the one time I do no one with a spare is in town.

I call my manager and explain what has happened and ask if she can get me a number of a locksmith. Within this time I see that I have left a window unlocked, but it is too high for me to get through. The ladder is in the house. I find a rather large but not too sturdy rubbermaid container and jump on......with heels on and it has just rained. I wasn't on the box too long. Now covered in mud I climb back up and find out the window is too small for me to get through, I have no other choice then to remove all 4 pains and the screen. YAY! Got the screen off. BOO! Now I have to buy a new screen. Pop out the 4 windows and take a good jump to try to launch myself through the opening. It was only half successful. Good news...I was in the house, bad news...my ass end was hanging out the window. With my make-shift ladder kicked on its side, my legs are flailing around. At the same time the local kids are just getting off the bus from school and are greeted with my ass end. I heard a few giggles.

I wiggle around a little more and work my way through the window landing without a bit of grace on the bed. And so it goes. Another dumb moment. If I had a dollar.....you know the rest. Somedays I feel like I need to be wrapped in bubblewrap.

Somewhere between my dumb moments I put together a new montage for Clay Aiken's A Thousand Days from his new CD A Thousand Different Ways. Enjoy!

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Days, montage, A Thousand Different Ways

Right Here Waiting

2006-08-02T20:57:00.000-04:00

It appears I have been very neglectful of my little home in the blogosphere. Sorry bout that. Real life and a raging heat wave have worn me out. It is seriously hot. The kind of hot that just makes you miserable. I am getting a remote starter for my car. Screw getting into and cold or hot vehicle. The hot being the worse of the two. At several points in the last few days I have felt like I was going to combust.

And now things get a little hotter. I don't mind this kind of hot.

Clay on Entertainment Tonight. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! It is official, the drought is over. Bring on the clack.

And while I'm at it. A little offering. Got some new software and decided to try it out. Enjoy.
Consider This A Warning

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, Entertainment Tonight, montage

Another Desktop Theme

2006-06-18T20:26:00.000-04:00

Download Theme (Right click and save as)

Theme includes:
Wallpaper
Icons
Sounds:
Windows Startup: Tears of a Clown
Windows Shutdown: I Can't Make You Love Me
Empty Recycle bin: Oh, yes
Asterisk: Grunt
Default Beef: Grunt
Critical Stop: I doubt it
Exclamation: huh huh, what?
Mail Notification: Never a dull moment

After you download the theme. Double click to unpackage. To load theme up, right click on your desktop and choose properties. From the pop up choose the themes tab and browse to where you saved the file. Select apply.

More to come!

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol, wallpaper, montage, desktop themes

Clay Aiken Desktop Theme

2006-06-18T12:36:00.000-04:00

Download Theme (right click and save as)

The desktop theme includes:
Wallpaper
Desktop Icons
Sounds:
Windows Start Up: Tears Run Dry
Windows Shut Down: Alone
Empty trash: Ok, you're done
Critical Stop: Mm, no
Exclamation: I'm sorry what?
Default beep: grunt
Thank you to bestofclay.com for the wallpaper.

After you download the theme. Double click to unpackage. To load theme up, right click on your desktop and choose properties. From the pop up choose the themes tab and browse to where you saved the file. Select apply.

More to come!

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol, wallpaper, montage, desktop themes

A little correction

2006-06-17T11:46:00.000-04:00

DOH!!! I messed up the code on my website and the links were wrong for the montages. The links have been fixed. Sorry about that.

Shades of Clay

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol

You could say I am a procrastinator

2006-06-11T21:12:00.000-04:00

I have been meaning to update my website, but it just seems real life gets in the way. Anyway, hubby is busy watching World Cup, which means he has lost all knowledge of my existence until its over. Hey, I'm not complaining. Give him some beer and a little bratwurst and he's a happy man. Just wish he would stop yelling at the little men on the tv.

Shades of Clay

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol

Hobbies Part 2: The Diary of a Mad Montage Maker

2006-06-06T20:57:00.000-04:00

First off I apologize. I never thought this would be such a long ass post.

While editing a training video today I realized that I would have never known how to do this 3 years ago. Strange how an interest in a Pop Idol can effect other areas of your life. You see, a side product of the being a Clay Aiken fan was, I had the sudden urge to be creative. The community that has grown through this experiment in fandom has provided some very creative outlets. There are the writers, both serious and humorous, photographers, creative web designers, graphic designers, video gatherers and editors.

Let's just say I was extremely limited in computer creativity before Clay.

The urge to create something started quite casually. I opened up PhotoShop and started to mess around a little. A little became a few hours. Using a simple filter I made some photos look like watercolors. WooHoo! I learned something. Ok, maybe I can learn something else. As simple as that, it had begun.

Now I had some pretty photos but what to do with them? Lurking around the net I found a free photo montage program. Adding each pic and then some music I created something. WooHoo! Learned something new! At the same time a lot of other people had discovered how fun it was to make montages and some were using video taken by the fans at concerts. Decided I had to have a go at it.

I quickly realized it wasn't going to be as easy as I thought. I was confused and to make matters worse, all I had was WindowsMovie Maker. Ugh. The King of the Crash. Sneeze and kiss your work goodbye. At one point it just stopped working. Even after an uninstall and then reinstall.

The first video montage I ever made sucked......hard. Whew.....it was a stinker. The stinkiest of stank. Play if you dare. Hee.

What was I thinking with the star wars like intro?

But I learned something.

1.Never trust anything microsoft (you maybe forced to used to use it, but never trust it)
2.Caffeine is your friend
3.Organize yourself

Since WindowsMovie Baker was not about to step up to the challenge, I decided to try something else. I ended up settling on Vegas. It was fairly easy to learn. I also started learning how to convert formats and resize using a program called VirtualDub. This program is an absolute necessity to edit clips from lengthy video. And best of all.....IT'S FREE!

Editing raw footage is the first step. I discovered that I apparently have way to much time on my hands. Since 2003 I have built a little database with clips. The clips have fields attached to them so I can find them easily. It took being a Clay Aiken fan to get me organized. Now I'm a databasing fool. Just another side product. It really does help though if you are looking for a specific image for a certain part of a sequence or song. Speaking of which......

A word of advice when picking a song....always use something that speaks to you. Using a song suggested by someone else can be a tough chore and usually not a very satisfying outing. The only song that I have ever used that was suggested to me was Stroke. Not going there right now, but the montage made itself, I swear. I had nothing to do with it. Hee.

Other songs I have used:
Just Seen a Face – Holy Cole
Slow Like Honey – Fiona Apple
One Good Man – Janis Joplin
I'm on Fire – Bruce Springsteen
Beautiful Like Me – JoyDrop
Running Up That Hill – Placebo
Dare You To Move – Switchfoot
Dream On – Areosmith
I am the Man – Philosopher Kings
On a Day Like Today – Bryan Adams
Ordinary Day – Vanessa Carlton
Relax – Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Sweetest Perfection – Depeche Mode

The next step is putting it all together. This is where the coffee stops and the glass of wine begins. Editing video has put quite a strain on my computing resources and I have had some monumental crashes. Save and save often. If you lose your work.....blame the wine.

I have several programs to edit, but mainly stick to 3 because, well I am too lazy to learn the others that I have. Once you get use to a format, change is difficult. VirtualDub for clipping raw footage. Vegas to put it all together. And to make a small file I import the Vegas render into Window Movie Maker (the C Drive crash of 2004 solved the little reinstalling problem). When it doesn't crash on me, it puts the audio in quickly and makes a nice small file to load to my site. Probably an easier way to do it, but it works for me.

I don't know much, but heck if you're bored you can read the process of making a montage and how to perform the basics.

First get VirtualDub
Open the file you wish to clip
Since you are probably not going to use the audio from the clips, it is easier to remove it now, instead of when you are putting the video together. Go to the menu bar and select Audio. Click No Audio. This setting will hold for every file you import, until you close the program down.

Next choose your compression. Files produced with the native settings of VirtualDub can be huge, even for a 2 second clip. Go to the menu bar and select Video and click compression. A pop up will appear. Select the compression you want. Some may not be available if you do not have the codecs. Experiment to see which suits you best.

Time to take a clip from the raw footage. Using to MARKER tool, select the beginning and the end of the clip you want.

Go to the menu bar and select FILE, save as segmented .avi

OPTIONS: You can change the size of your video and other basic filters available here.
You have completed the clipping portion, now let's get down to business.

Open your editing program.

One of the greatest advantages of getting another editor beside MovieMaker is the ability to layer. With layering you can create some really interesting effects. I really like to create a gaussian effect to the clips I use. This really helps if the clip isn't of the best quality because you can somewhat blend the image to make it a little smoother. Lessons the pixelation. Even if the clip is of really good quality, using this effect can add nice glow to your subject. For example. Take a clip and duplicate it. Stack them on each other on the storyboard.

Change the Opacity level of the top clip by dragging the line on the top of the clip. Then apply effects to the bottom clip. This will allow you to maintain the image in a recognizable form, but have a few fx appear through the clip.

Both clips changed to black & white

This is the bottom clip with a gaussian blur, level change and medium white glow applied to it.

This is the top clip at 65% opacity with the bottom layer coming through.

The program makes it easy to apply fx and transition. Simply navigate the tabs at the button of the program and drag and drop the feature into the clip.
When it comes to transitions, I like to keep it simple. In my first video montage I think I used every transition available. Looking back on it, it feels jumbled. Using just one or two transition throughout reduces the jarring effect when changing scenes. Personally I am found of the fade transition or no effect at all.

After you have compiled all your clips, finished your FXs, transitions and added your choice of music it is time to complete the final render. Depending on the size of your video, a rendering attempt can take several hours. After you render, you will find all the mistakes that you've made. You will groan a little, bitch at your PC, curse yourself and then finally go back and make the changes and sit through another long ass render. This behaviour will repeat itself several times before you get it just right. Then, several months later you will again revisit the project and see what you could have done differently, because everytime you start a new project, you learn something new. I guess that is the beauty of it.

This is the my latest montage, it is the same one in the screenshot above.

3 years ago I would have never been working in a field where I was required to design websites, create training materials and edit video. But I am now and it all began with "Take".

Check out the rest of my montages at Shades of Clay

Other montage makers
A Life Uncommon
Clack Unlimited scroll down to Montages
Aflack Productions
It's All About Love
The Ideal Idol Spotlight Montages

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, VirtualDub, video editing, montage, Sony Vegas, Windows Movie Maker, American Idol

You can save a life

2006-06-02T17:50:00.000-04:00

From the Clayblog. Please help if you can.

"On another topic... I'm shamelessly asking for your help....

I have mentioned my husband's cousin Christine, who is battling cancer. I talked to her yesterday and there is still no match. She is having chemo again to try to buy some time.

If you are Filipino, or know anybody of Filipino descent, it has become even easier to be tested. No blood tests! You can go to Save Christine and order a home self-test kit, where you just swab your inner cheek! It's that easy, and you could save a life.

If you are not Filipino, but would like to help.... and seriously, the more of you who help may actually Clayvert my husband.... the website is doing a realllllly cool fundraiser, using Paypal. You can go to Save Christine, and click on "Light a Pixel". Basically you can buy pixels for $1 apiece. Your pixels can be associated with a link to any website that you want! Like clayaiken.com! Or your blog! Or anywhere! You can donate $1, $5, or any amount. They really need money to support testing Christine's bloodlines in the Philippines. Her insurance covers testing in the U.S., but not overseas.

Think of her parents... they had 4 kids. 3 of the 4 have had cancer. One already died from it, and without a successful transplant, Christine won't make it a year. We have the technology to save her - we just need to find a donor! Her one perfect match was her brother - she donated marrow to him 15 years ago, and it gave him 4 more years of life. But her other siblings are not matches at all. So the search for a needle in a haystack continues.

When I talked to her yesterday, and I told her how Clay fans had been supporting her. She didn't know that much about Clay, but she did say that he seemed like the kind of man who would attract such kind and generous fans. She thanks your for your thoughts and prayers. And to those of you who already donated, thank you so much."

SAVE CHRISTINE website

Technorati tags: non-hodgkin's lymphoma, National Marrow Donor Program bone marrow transplant, Clay Aiken

Can I have one of each?

2006-05-31T18:51:00.000-04:00

Clay Aiken In Touch Magazine
Originally uploaded by arquen_mahtala.

Which look is better? I can't pick. I love both looks.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol

This week on Zeitgeist

2006-05-31T17:50:00.000-04:00

This......is cool.

Zeitgeist This Week
Gaining Search Queries: Week Ending May 29, 2006
1. clay aiken
2. taylor hicks
3. danica patrick
4. famke janssen
5. indy 500
6. rebecca romijn
7. memorial day
8. juggernaut
9. ghost rider
10. dixie chicks
11. ellen page
12. kimberly dozier
13. hugh jackman
14. coco
15. katharine mcphee

That was quite the entrance Clay made during the AI5 Finale. Guess some people noticed.

More about the Google Zeitgeist

Pulling together interesting search trends and patterns requires Google's human and computing power together. Search statistics are automatically generated based on the millions of searches conducted on Google over a given period of time - weekly, monthly, and annually. With some help from humans, and a pigeon or two when they have time, these statistics and trends make their way from the depths of Google's hard drives to become the Google Zeitgeist report.

We should note that in compiling the Zeitgeist, no individual searcher's information is available or accessible to us. What you see here is a cumulative snapshot of interesting queries people are asking – some over time, some within country domains, and some on Google.com – that perhaps reveal a bit of the human condition. We appreciate the contribution all Google users make to these fascinating bits of information.

This information is free for your use, with the appropriate attribution to Google Inc. We welcome your feedback, suggestions, and questions. Please contact +1.650.930.3555 or send email to press@google.com

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, Zeitgeist, American Idol

Black and White with a Twist

2006-05-30T22:09:00.000-04:00

Although I love the bright colors nature provides, I also enjoy black and white photography and take advantage of software like PhotoShop to give a black and white image a little umph with its duotone function. Creating a specific tone can change the feeling of a photo. Here is a quick example of creating a duotone or tritone image within PS.

First you need to change your image to grayscale. Select IMAGE from the tool bar and choose >MODE>GRAYSCALE. To view the instructions click on the images to enlarge them.

After changing your image to grayscale you are ready to either choose DUOTONE or TRITONE. Select IMAGE on the tool bar, choose MODE>DUOTONE.

From the pop up menu choose with type of tone you would like. I prefer tritone.

Next choose the colors and select ok.

The end result.

Some other photos of Fuji Mums using the same technique.

Technorati tags: photography, flowers, hobbies,

Hobbies Part 1

2006-05-29T22:07:00.000-04:00

I like Clay Aiken. As if you couldn't tell from the content of this blog. At first I considered it a hobby but looking back on the last three years of participation in this thing we call a fandom, I realize it is so much more than that.

Since getting on line and connected I have learned so much that most likely would have never crossed my mind. Like photography. I went to my first Clay Aiken concert with a dinky little disposable camera. It didn't do much. I have the pictures to prove it. The next concert I went to I dug out an old manual Canon my dad bought me. I did better with that camera, but not much. When Clay made the decision to allow cameras and video recording at his concerts I decided to get a digital.

What I didn't realize at the time was how much I would enjoy photography. Initially I was just trying to snag a decent photo of Clay in concert. I now find myself squirreling away banked hours at work to plan little photography excursions. Nothing fancy just an afternoon here and there at a National Park or even a local greenhouse. What started off as continuation of being a fan has turned into somewhat of a passion.

Some flower photos taken a couple of weeks ago.

These were taken at Colasanti's Tropical Gardens. Fantastic assortment of flowers and they have the best damn doughnuts you can find in Southern Ontario.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, photography, flowers, Colasanti's, hobbies,

Trying out some new blog software

2006-05-28T22:30:00.000-04:00

Well I downloaded some new blog software and wanted to see what it could do. So this is basically just a test.

But since I'm already here, why not see how it handles an embeded object.

Clay Aiken 1000 Days

I taped this at the Juke Box Tour stop in Rochester Hills, Michigan.

Powered By Qumana

YAY! It worked.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, 1000 Days, Juke Box Tour

More Wallpapers

2006-05-28T20:46:00.000-04:00

From Betty897X:

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, wallpaper, American Idol,

Fantastic New Wallpapers

2006-05-28T14:59:00.000-04:00

From the site Best of Clay.

Clay Aiken on the American Idol Finale

Lots of other eye candy there as well.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol

Hair, There and Everywhere

2006-05-27T13:34:00.000-04:00

Big Nate

And just because its out there, because it really was one of those moments and because I apparently CANNOT.STOP watching it. Clay Aiken on the American Idol 5 Finale. The hair is hot and so is the voice. I thought Clay was good looking before, but this, well he just got really hot. Can't wait for the new CD this Fall.

Seriously, I'm a big puddle of goo right now.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol

This is too perfect. Hee.

2006-05-25T21:01:00.000-04:00

Found this on the blog There Was A Man.

Love it!

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol

So what are people saying

2006-05-25T20:51:00.000-04:00

This wonderful blogger put together a great collection of what is being said about Clay Aiken's participation in the American Idol 5 Finale.
Idle-wandering

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol

Welcome back Clay

2006-05-25T19:59:00.000-04:00

Wow what a night. First off, congratulations to both Taylor and Katherine. I have to admit for someone who likes the talent on AI, but not AI in particular, I thought last nights show was pretty darn entertaining. It was fun seeing all the finalist again (especially Bucky squish). Although I could have done without the tribute to Simon's moobs. I had to bleach my eyeballs.

I think the biggest surprise of the evening was Clay Aiken. Yeah, the fans knew he was going to be there but we had NO idea what was going to happen. There were so many rumors flying around. The anticipation and extrapolation was hilarious.

Was he singing? Was he presenting an award? Was it to be a duet with Carrie Underwood? Would he sing something from his upcoming album? Would we get a drop date?

When I saw Michael Sandecki hit the stage, I knew Clay was coming up. Not knowing what to expect (this is AI, after all), I braced myself. Sandecki, while being presented with an award for an impersonation of a former idol, began to sing Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me. Badly. Then it happens. The backdrop opens and out walks.......Wait, who is that? Zoom in DAMMIT!! What? OMG! Oh My Freakin' God. That's Clay Aiken! I think when the initial shock wore off, I was smitten. Oh, yes, very smitten. The boy can really morph. I thought he was hawt before but last night he turned into one big bucket of YUM! And that voice. Beautiful. Soaring. I am so hungry for his sophomore effort. I think we are in for a surprise. I am beginning to really like surprises.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, Taylor Hicks, Katherine McPhee, Michael Sandecki, American Idol

By way of the ConCLAYve

2006-05-24T18:13:00.000-04:00

Wonderful article by Berkley.
Three Years Later, Clay Aiken Is Too Popular to Be Idle

Clay Aiken remains the Anomaly.

He is The One Who Didn’t Win, But Enjoys Record-Breaking Success.

The finals of American Idol, Season Two, seem so long ago, and three years is a long time in terms of pop culture. I’ve long since stopped watching the show, but I’m forever a fan of one remarkable singer.

Clay endures, creating music industry-stirring buzz with the mere possibility of an appearance on the AI5 finale

Read complete article at The ConCLAYve

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, ConCLAYve, American Idol

Medialink Captures Top Honor For Video Excellence At SABRE Awards

2006-05-24T17:54:00.000-04:00

BroadcastBuyer.TV

The prestigious SABRE Award for best video production has been presented to Medialink for its work promoting Amazon.com's "Special Deliveries" as part of the company's 10th anniversary celebration for customers.

The SABRE Awards recognize superior achievement in branding and reputation for the public relations industry. Along with capturing the award in the competition's category that recognizes outstanding communications techniques, the Amazon.com project was a finalist for best public relations program.

The Amazon.com project involved a series of more than 20 video shoots produced over a 10-day period when celebrities, including Harrison Ford, Anna Kournikova and Clay Aiken, personally delivered orders to unsuspecting customers across the United States. The video segments were distributed to television stations nationwide and archived on the Amazon.com website. The anniversary celebration culminated with a concert headlined by Bob Dylan and Norah Jones, which was made available as a live webcast that opened with an exciting montage of the award-winning video.

Video of Clay Aiken delivering his book "Learning to Sing" to an unsuspecting fan.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, Amazon.com, marketing, advertising, public relations, Medialink, SABRE Award, special deliveries, Learning to Sing, American Idol

Clay Aiken to Appear at American Idol Finale

2006-05-22T17:28:00.000-04:00

Katharine and Taylor Battle for the 'Idol' Title

May 22, 2006

The moment of truth is almost at hand. On Tuesday night, KATHARINE McPHEE and TAYLOR HICKS will compete -- each singing three songs -- in the last round of performances to determine who will be the next "American Idol" -- and CLAY AIKEN and CARRIE UNDERWOOD will be on hand for the crowning moment!

A lot of celebrities will also be in the audience, including TERI HATCHER, DAVID BOREANAZ, JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT, EMILY DESCHANEL, MIMI ROGERS, CAMRYN MANHEIM, BRIAN WILSON, ADRIAN GRENIER and SHANNON ELIZABETH.

But first, PEISHA and DAN McPHEE and BRAD and LINDA HICKS, Katharine's mother and father and Taylor's dad and stepmom, will visit the ET set to give our viewers the inside scoop on how their kids are faring, how their lives have changed since the competition began and what they were like growing up.

"I got a quick call from Katharine," Dan tells ET's JANN CARL. "She said Taylor and she have been spending a lot more time together, obviously, this last week since they are the Final 2 and they are becoming so much closer. They have come to be the best of friends, and they are looking out for each other. It is a great thing."

Dan also shared when he was asked to reveal something about his daughter that only her family knows: "Katharine makes funny voices. She does three or four cartoon voices that are just brilliant. I can't even tell you what they are. She has these funny, quirky little things she really hasn't had an opportunity to reveal to the world, that she is more zany than she may appear."

"Someone asked me about Taylor's dance moves," Ben volunteers. "I said, 'Actually he looked like he did when he was eight years old and doing his movements.' He was always playing sports, catching and running, so he was always in constant movement. You still see that on stage."

In addition, ET also spoke with both of the Top 2 to get their reactions to their competitor!

"Katharine has amazing vocal runs," Taylor admits. "She has had some great moments on the show. She is a very talented girl. I wish the best for her and I can't wait to hear her album."

Katharine also has kind words for her competition. "I think Taylor is just free on stage," she says. "I get nervous a lot of times. I clench up. I can't be as spontaneous. We are both so different. It is just going to depend on what America wants."

Win or lose, both "Idol" hopefuls already are safe in the knowledge that they have a record deal.

"Of course, you want to win," Katharine admits. "I would love to win. Still, look at Clay Aiken. He has done well for himself and he didn't win. I don't know if it really matters when you are in the Top 2. [Taylor and I] looked at each other and said, 'It doesn't matter.' We are going to be able to do things we couldn't do otherwise."

As for Taylor, one of the things he is most looking forward to is riding the "American Idol" bus during the tour.

"As a struggling musician before 'American Idol,' I would always be on the road traveling at night from place to place," he explains. "I would always see buses on the road in Alabama going to their next destination. I would always dream about being on one, and now I have the opportunity."

Also as part of the finals, the other 10 members of the Final 12 will join Katharine and Taylor onstage.

For all your "Idol" updates, tune in to ET!

I noticed one my fellow bloggers has a great video of Clay during a Jaded Journalist interview. Very funny stuff.
TechnoGeekGirl's site
Great video of Clay singing Solitaire on American Idol 3
Something That Really Happened

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Katharine McPhee

Has it been 3 years already?

2006-05-21T14:27:00.000-04:00

I was reading The Clayblog this morning and was surprised that I had forgotten the date. It is this anniversary of the ANOMALY. It was 3 years ago today.

I remember watching the finale for AI2 and getting a feeling at one point, that it wasn't in the cards. I braced myself and heard Ryan say Ruben Studdard. I felt pretty deflated and even worse after a co-worker called to rub it in. Mature....only not. My husband, a very understanding man, didn't laugh at me for being a little emotionally invested. He wouldn't dare. I sat through several soccer events, with him dressed in full color, shouting in german at the TV screen. This could be at any hour of the night depending on where in the world the event was being held.

It looks kind of like this, but in my living room.
He understood how it felt to root for someone and not have the end result you were hoping for. As it turned out Clay, along with Ruben were both given contracts by RCA and their debut albums would be released later in the fall.

On June 10, 2003, RCA released The single "Bridge Over Troubled Water"/This Is the Night". It was RIAA certified platinum July 15, 2003. Debuting at #1 on both the "Billboard Hot 100" and the Hot 100 Single Sales Chart, it was the fastest-selling single since Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997" and the best-selling single of 2003. It was the first CD single to go platinum since 2002, when Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance" sold a million copies after being out for over a year.

When the album Measure of a Man hit shelves in October of 2003, it debuted at #1, selling 613,000 copies it's first week and was certified double platinum soon after.

He didn't need the title afterall.

This is a video of Clay performing This Is The Night on Good Morning America, the day after the finale. It is my favorite vocal performance of the song.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, This is the Night, American Idol, Measure of a Man

You mean you're not an expert....

2006-05-21T11:06:00.000-04:00

So you show up at the BBC to apply for a job as an IT Specialist. The next thing you know you are on air answering questions. Dream or Nightmare? Well probably a bit of both. This is absolutely hilarious and just reinforces my opinion of the current state of broadcasting. Check your facts people. Try a little due diligence. Sheesh.

I especially love the the look on the guys face when he realizes he is on air and he hasn't a clue as to what he should be talking about, although for being put on the spot, he handled himself fairly well.

BBC apologizes for on-air interview mix-up

The BBC has apologized to viewers after conducting a live interview with the wrong man last week.

"We interviewed the wrong person," a British Broadcasting Corp. spokeswoman said Monday. "We apologize to viewers for any confusion."

The man was mistakenly ushered into a BBC television studio on May 8 for a reaction interview about the verdict in the legal dispute between Apple Corps Ltd. and Apple Computers Inc.

The man, who appeared startled at first, said: "I'm very surprised to see this verdict to come on me because I was not expecting that. When I came, they told me something else."

However, he soon warmed up to the interview and answered several more questions about the state of music downloading on the internet.

The real guest, technology expert Guy Kewney, watched the mix-up unfold as he sat watching a monitor at reception. On his website, Kewney wrote that the man "seemed as baffled as I felt" when asked about the consequences of the lawsuit.

What made the mix-up more unlikely is that the show producers had previously seen a photo of Kewney: a fair-haired, bearded, Caucasian man. The mystery guest the BBC host interviewed is a clean-shaven black man.

The short TV segment is now being circulated on the internet, including on the website of the Daily Mail newspaper.

Kewney added on his website Monday that the mystery guest has been discovered to be a Congo-born IT specialist named Guy Goma, who was at the BBC that day waiting to apply for a job and thought the on-air bit was an initiation gag.

The Interview.

Technorati tags: BBC, journalism, Apple Corps, Apple Computers, Guy Kewney, Guy Goma

Bubel Aiken Foundation to Publish ''Our Friend, Mikayla''

2006-05-20T21:54:00.000-04:00

From the Morning Call
Writing for Mikayla

Foundation to publish work that showcases disabled Lower Nazareth classmate.
By Arlene Martínez
Of The Morning Call

''Our Friend, Mikayla'' tells the story of a girl with disabilities. She's just like you and me, the students wanted to show in words and in drawings of a girl in a wheelchair at the playground, licking lollipops and playing.

The authors modestly accepted the praise bestowed upon them by school officials, guests including Nazareth Area School District Superintendent Victor Lesky and state Rep. Craig Dally, R-Northampton, and most of all, their cheering, shouting classmates.

Author and artist Melissa Mastro, 10, learned her drawing was the cover after she saw an image of it on the large celebration cake. She explained what inspired the drawing, two girls playing with Mikayla near a swing set. ''I felt when someone could see it people could see that you could have friends like this,'' she said.

In helping put together the book, Mastro ''learned you could be friends with someone who has a disability.''

The book is being published by the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, a nonprofit started by ''American Idol'' runner-up Clay Aiken. Its mission is to include people with disabilities in everyday activities. The book, said foundation Chief Executive Officer Kristy Barnes, tells the foundation's ''exact story and the mission for us.''

The driving force behind the book is Mikayla's mother, Kimberly Resh. In the spring of 2005, she met with the then third-graders several times, asking them to honestly talk about her daughter, what they thought when they saw her and what they thought of people with disabilities.

By November, she had received the support of Aiken's foundation but was sworn to secrecy.

Emotional and ecstatic, a tearful Resh addressed the fourth-graders. ''I need to thank you for being honest,'' she said. ''I have to thank Mikayla for being her sweet little self.''

The foundation gave $12,500 toward the initial book run of 3,000 books. The Nazareth Blue Eagle Education Foundation contributed $2,000, which will be used for the book's dust jackets.

It's the first book for the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, which works to create summer camps and other youth programs.

Eventually, Resh would like a copy of ''Our Friend, Mikayla,'' in every elementary school in the country. She's run price estimates for the approximately 50,000 schools and doesn't see the goal as too lofty.

The book will be available for sale online at the Bubel Aiken Foundation website.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, Bubel Aiken Foundation, American Idol, Our Friend Mikayla

That isn't gas pain, just my inner child trying to get out...

2006-05-20T12:14:00.000-04:00

Woke up this morning with a stitch in my side. Thought it might be gas pains from the anchovy laden pizza last night but quickly realized it just my inner child trying to get out. Yes, it is Saturday. Time for Saturday morning cartoons.

Saturday morning cartoons on the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) has become a ritual of sorts for me. I get up, grab a cup of english breakfast tea with enough sugar to make the spoon stand up, get my sugar and caffeine buzz on and giggle with Mr. Meaty and Yam Roll. <- a cartoon solely dedicated the very good adventures of, you guessed it...... a yam roll. The CBC's Saturday morning line up reminds of the days of The Muppet Show. It's edgy, interesting an accessible by both kids and adults. Well at least adults who check in every once in awhile with that wee little voice inside them. Laughing and being silly keeps you young.

An episode of Mr. Meaty.

Welcome to fast-food hell, right across from the Salad N’ Dressin in the second-floor food court. Josh and Parker are in charge around here, and what they lack in customer service they more than make up for in imagination.

Article:
Lenz unleashes more puppets
More after-school kids fare coming from Decode, March and Nerd Corps for CBC
Official Site
Help Josh and Parker in the Mr. Meaty Game

There is another cartoon that I love but it is definitely not for the kiddies. Post about that later.

Technorati tags: Mr. Meaty, Cartoons, Humor, CBC, Puppets

Slow like honey, heavy with mood

2006-05-19T23:36:00.000-04:00

I love to play around with a video editor. It's one of my hobbies. Another hobby of mine is Clay Aiken. With Clay allowing video recording at his concerts, I get to enjoy both hobbies.

Clay fans are generous with their media and cameras. Often lending their cameras to other fans to participate in the recording of concerts. I was lucky enough to have a very kind Clay fan lend me their camera for the Rochester Hills stop during the Juke Box Tour last summer. I will post a montage of that footage in a later post. Haven't loaded it up yet.

In the meantime, this is a montage with the majority of the clips coming from the Independent Tour. It was one of the first montages that I made. Like the others it is black and white. I prefer working in that medium. It is set to one of my favorite songs - Slow Like Honey by Fiona Apple. Hope you like it.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, Independent Tour, American Idol, video editing

When Weather Ads Attack

2006-05-19T22:25:00.000-04:00

Since getting rid of my cable I rely on the internet to get my fix of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. I hope I am not the only one who thinks John Stewart is hot. I like a guy with a big......brain. His wit just cracks my shi..stuff up.

This video made me giggle

Part One of the Video.

Part Two

Technorati tags: Jon Stewart, The Daily Show, Humor

Went to the Jason Mraz Concert Last Night....

2006-05-19T14:48:00.000-04:00

Jason Mraz
Originally uploaded by arquen_mahtala.

Last night I attended the Jason Mraz concert. I am by no means "old", but I did feel like one of the oldest people in the joint. The audience really skewed young which I thought was odd. I really thought that were be more late 20s and early 30s people in the audience. I really like Jason's music, especially his extraordinary quick wit with his lyrics. Unlike so many artists today played on the radio, Jason can actually sing and sing well. I hate buying a CD and then seeing a person live only to realize their voice was CREATED in the studio with programs such as Pro-tools (I'm thinking of you Miss Ashley Simpson-she who wouldn't know a note if it smacked her upside her head.) Not that I have actually seen her sing in person, that sporting event she sang at was enough to convince me that hearing her sing live would be some form of punishment I was not yet ready to experience.

I made an attempt at getting some video last night but my camera distorted the sound beyond all recognition, along with the sound already being a little off. Maybe it was the venue. I also had a hard time focusing in low light, even though there is a setting for night movie. My next camera will not be a Konica Minolta. If you have any suggestions on a reasonably priced camera that will shoot video in low light with a good zoom let me know. I like my camera for what I generally use it for which is mainly taking pictures of pretty flowers and bugs (love bugs), but I want another one for concerts.

Overall I really liked the concert and would probably go see him again. Hopefully at a venue that isn't general admission and has better sound.

Related Tags: Jason Mraz

Clay Aiken Juke Box Tour Black and White Photos

2006-05-19T14:31:00.000-04:00

Clay Aiken Juke Box Tour
Originally uploaded by arquen_mahtala.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, Photography, Juke Box Tour

Clay Aiken Juke Box Tour Black and White Photos

2006-05-19T14:29:00.000-04:00

Clay Aiken Juke Box Tour
Originally uploaded by arquen_mahtala.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, Photography, Juke Box Tour

Clay Aiken Juke Box Tour Black and White Photos

2006-05-19T14:18:00.000-04:00

Clay Aiken Juke Box Tour
Originally uploaded by arquen_mahtala.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, Photography, Juke Box Tour

Clay Aiken Juke Box Tour Black and White Photos

2006-05-19T14:13:00.000-04:00

Clay Aiken Juke Box Tour
Originally uploaded by arquen_mahtala.

Well I haven't posted in a couple of days. RL caught up with me. Here are a few more of the black and white phots I took at the Toronto Juke Box Tour Stop. I apologize as I have yet to figure out how to link more than when one photo at a time from flickr using the blog this button. So I will do this in a couple of posts.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, Photography, Juke Box Tour

Clay Aiken Photo of the Day, May 17, 2006

2006-05-17T07:33:00.000-04:00

Clay Aiken Juke Box Tour
Originally uploaded by arquen_mahtala.

Don't have much time this morning, so I'll just post this. More to come later.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, Joyful Noise Tour

Random Clay Aiken Photo

2006-05-16T16:46:00.000-04:00

Clay Aiken Copyright suz4omc
Originally uploaded by arquen_mahtala.

I am home sick today and completely bored. Tried to watch a DVD but the noise was giving me a headache so I thought I would organize some of the photos I have on computer. I came across this photo shot by suz4omc. I have to say at this moment it is my favorite pic of Clay. He looks absolutely ethereal. GAH!

I really am bored, so watch out I may post more.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, Joyful Noise Tour

OpenOffice an Excellent FREE Alternative to Microsoft Office

2006-05-16T13:48:00.000-04:00

You might have noticed the link I have to OpenOffice.org under my links section. I love this software bundle. In the past I used Microsoft Office but I truly hate Microsoft with the heat of a thousand EasyBake ovens. OpenOffice is an excellent alternative. And here is the best part......IT'S FREE!!! and does everything Microsoft Office does. It is completely compatible with Microsoft and other platforms so there are no worries there. My workplace still uses Microsoft Office but I work from home a lot and have never had a problem with conversion. So if you want to save yourself a couple hundred dollars click the link, download and discover the beauty of open source.

Great blog on tips and training for OpenOffice
OpenOffice Blog

Technorati tags: OpenOffice, Open Source, Microsoft Office, MS Office

UNICEF ambassador Clay Aiken visits school

2006-05-13T15:14:00.000-04:00

Clay Aiken UNICEF
Originally uploaded by arquen_mahtala.

Associated Press - The U.S. Fund for UNICEF today, May 10, 2006, announced that Middlesex Middle School in Darien, CT. won the first ever UNICEF Kids Helping Kids Challenge, which raised $14,209.34. In support of the challenge, Procter & Gamble donated $150,000 to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. UNICEF ambassador Clay Aiken surprised the students to thank them for their tremendous fund-raising efforts. On behalf of the whole student body, Clay Aiken, second from right, accepts the check from Danny Kirkland of Procter & Gamble, left, along with eighth grader Findlay Bowditch, second from left, seventh grader Michael Ying, center second row, sixth grader Patrick McDonald, and principal Debi Boccanfuso.(Jeff Connel Camera 1 via newscast)

Little montage with Clay displaying some of his works with UNICEF as well as on stage. I apologize for the glowing yellow ball in the center of the video. It was an experiment to merge several layers of video and combining black & white and colour. The glowing yellow ball is the sun setting.

A Day Like Today

Clay Aiken: Celebrity Ambassador

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, UNICEF, American Idol

Looking forward to Mraz's Wordplay.

2006-05-13T13:28:00.000-04:00

I am so excited. I am picking my Mom up from the airport next week and we are heading straight for the Jason Mraz concert.

I am a more recent fan of Mr. Mraz. I heard Remedy on the radio and liked it. Took notice and would turn my radio up when ever I heard it but didn't know much else about his music. That was a couple of years ago.

This year someone on a message board I visit mentioned his name. My interest was sparked again. I did what everyone else does. I googled. Low and behold there is a lot of stuff out there including video and such. I listened to one live performance after another. Soon I noticed I was humming a whole bunch of his tunes. That did it, I was a fan. When I heard he was coming to town I snapped up tickets as quick as I could. Really looking forward to hearing him live. Only thing, the concert is general admission I hate general admission but it can't be any worse than battling with ticketbastard for good seats. I HATE TICKETBASTARD!!!! From what I have seen and heard on line, the concert will be a lot of fun. EEEEEEEEE!! Hope the venue allows cameras.

This was one of the first songs after Remedy that I heard and I love it to bits. The video may take some time to load but it is really worth it.

Jason Mraz, Plane:2004 Live At Lestats. Video credit: Uncle Crispy Productions I love this song. It has been on repeat for awhile.

Technorati tags: Jason Mraz, Mr. A-Z, Waiting for my Rocket to Come

Different Shade of Clay

2006-05-11T18:38:00.000-04:00

You might have noticed I am kind of a fan of Clay Aiken. I am also a big fan of the fans themselves and their ability to aquire some of the greatest concert footage and generously share it with other fans. Cool thing about Clay Aiken....during his last tour (Juke Box Tour) he allowed cameras, even video.

This is some of the footage taken during his concerts put into a montage format. Thank you to all the fans who do such a great job gathering it all. I taped a concert once and have to say, it wasn't easy. You become very conscious of the fact that you are holding a camera. You don't want to move to much and heaven forbid you say something stupid or get all fangirly. The fangirly part is really hard to hold back. The concerts are just so much fun.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, Juke Box Tour, American Idol

...pray for daylight.

2006-05-10T19:42:00.000-04:00

Movie night continues and apparently I am still in the mood for a violent, bloody film. Weird, scary movies freak me out but somehow I am drawn to them. But as always watching through my fingers. EEP! I plan on watching Pride & Prejudice afterwards to try to reclaim a balance, since I managed to squeeze Reservoir Dogs in last night. Poor Marvin. I have probably watched the movie 10 times and still refuse to look during the ear scene. Shiver. Great soundtrack.

Back to the scary movie at hand. I picked up the DVD Near Dark. Really cool vampire film. I watched it years ago and had kind of forgot about. I have to say, it never did get the exposure it deserved.

It was the last movie produced and released by DEG (DeLaurentiis Entertainment Group) while the studio was going bankrupt. It didn't get much publicity and was a disappointment at the box office. The film also ran into competition with the Lost Boys which was also released in 1987. If you were a teen in 1987 you probably loved this movie. You remember.......

It had this hot guy....

and this other hot guy

and these two...well...guys.

Come on, admit it you had your Tigerbeat with the fold out posters of these guys and sadly probably not the first two.

Well going to grab a bowl of popcorn and enjoy the show. It should be a bloody good romp.

Quick synopsis: Innocent country boy Caleb Colton (Adrian Pasdar) is seduced by a beautiful girl (Jenny Wright) into joining a group of drifters lead by Jesse (Lance Henriksen) which turn out to be a gang of vampires. The violence can be over the top but plays well.

Near Dark Trailer

Starring:
Adrian Pasdar
Jenny Wright
Lance Henriksen
Bill Paxton
Jenette Goldstien
Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow

More of the same this summer.....please

2006-05-09T21:53:00.000-04:00

Hubby and I where just discussing our plans for the summer. Haven't quite decided where to camp this year. He prefers to rough it in a tent. I prefer a cottage. Guess he could always pitch a tent infront of the cottage. We will probably settle on something near the French River in Northern Ontario. Beautiful area.

Last year I spent some time camping in Michigan. Had a very soggy stay in Interlochen. Was able to take in a concert or two, or three, or four. Ok I give up. I saw a lot of concerts last summer and I am hoping to do so again this summer.

Anyhoo, here is a little video I took at a concert in Rochester Hills. It was shot during Clay Aiken's Juke Box Tour and he was playing a little game called stump the band.

Clay Aiken - Stump The Band - Oh Girl.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken

Movie Night - A History of Violence

2006-05-07T22:22:00.000-04:00

I have been stuck in the house for awhile, dog sitting. Anyhoo, it has provided some time to watch a lot of movies. I try to pick up four dvds a week. I usually scour the previously viewed bin at BlockBuster. Its almost as cheap to buy as it is to rent. Especially with the late fines I rack up. So no more renting.

This weekend I purchased:
The American President
History of Violence
Braveheart
Good Night & Good Luck
Capote
Wedding Crashers
The Matrix

I try to purchase movies that I will either want to watch again for different reasons (editing, story line, costume design, set design) or movies that changed the way I look at film. Others I simply purchase for the great featurettes. Small confession. I have some movies that I watch the special features more than the film itself. I love LOTR and rank it with my favourites but the special features are amazing. I spent a short time completely fascinated with the program Massive. Cool stuff.

Right now I am sitting through A History of Violence.

Admittedly I am a wimp when it comes to any level of violence. I usually spend the 90 minutes looking through intertwined fingers or clutching my hubby's shoulder, with him whispering "not yet, don't look yet". I find realistic violence the hardest to watch. Black Hawk Down, had me freaking out. Felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest each time I saw it. Considering it is my hubby's favourite movie (he enjoys the video game as well) I get to see it.....A LOT. There is one scene involving a severed thumb. OMG! I know when it is going to happen, I turn my head, but it never fails. I always glance back at the wrong moment and then it's done. I'm not going to sleep. That's how much it freaks me out. *weird I know*

I knew A History of Violence would be violent (um, the title kind of gave it away) so I cheated a little. I watched the featurette first. I like to have some idea of when I should turn away. Still managed to see a jaw being shot off and a violently rearranged nose. Ick. Even with a gratuitous level of violence I enjoyed the film. I like a movie that provokes a response even if that response is to be repulsed. Cause I was. The movie required you examine the idea of our nature and can we change from what we've grown to be to what we aspire to be. It also asks can we truly ever know another person.

The main character Tom Stall, by all appearances is a mild mannered family man running a quaint dinner in Millbrook, Indiana. His seemingly peaceful life is thrown into turmoil after he foils two criminals on a random murder spree. As Tom's heroic actions are covered in the news, the attention attracts the interests of some really seedy characters. Both Tom and his family struggle with the realization that he is not what he appears to be and that his history of violence has caught up with him.

I would definitely recommend. But be warned, some scenes are extremely graphic and not for anyone with a weak stomach. The acting and direction are top notch, with a well rounded cast including Viggo Mortenson, Maria Bello, Ed Harris and William Hurt. Directed by David Cronenberg

A History of Violence Trailor

Production Notes

Technorati tags: History of Violence, David Cronenberg, Viggo Mortensen

Here's a SmartCar Review....I Think

2006-05-07T17:12:00.000-04:00

I don't have a clue as to what these guys are saying, but I believe they like the SmartCar.

I haven't taken mine through a cornfield yet. Maybe next weekend.

Technorati tags: Smart Car

Welcome to my thoughts

2006-05-07T09:28:00.000-04:00

Ok, that's a little scary. This is my first blog so be patient. <-like anyone will read this anyway. Nothing to see right now, hopefully I will be inspired soon so I am not the most boring address on the web.

~Arquen~