Teach Yourself to Build Your Own Website...

Ever wanted to teach yourself how to build your own website, here are some helpful links to free and for profit code, tutorials, software, images, and where to buy…

Good Source tutorials and Code Sites: (I Personally Use w3school.com when teaching)

http://www.w3schools.com

http://www.quackit.com/html/codes/

http://www.hypergurl.com/

http://www.siteground.com/tutorials/dreamweaver/index.htm

http://www.thesitewizard.com/gettingstarted/dreamweaver1.shtml

Free Cool Dynamic Effects Code Site: (I Personally Use this Site When Teaching)

http://www.dynamicdrive.com/

Clip Art and Image Sites Royalty free: (You might have to pay a small fee or give credit)

http://FreeDigitalPhotos.net

http://www.istockphoto.com/
http://www.stockvault.net/

http://freerangestock.com/

http://www.freefoto.com

http://www.dreamstime.com/

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

http://www.adimagephotos.biz/
http://www.flickr.com/

http://www.thefreesite.com/Free_Graphics/Free_photos/

Great Place for freeware and try-outs software: 
Find the software you're looking for at Download.com, the most comprehensive source for free-to-try software downloads on the Web. Find Software and games for anything. (Not just web design related find software for anything you can think of.) http://download.cnet.com/windows/

I Personally use this site when I need software to help or to easily do most of the work I need done for a project, when I don't know how. This site has been a lifesaver for cool flash effects help (discovered SWiSH here 9 years ago), designing drop-down menus (discovered Sothink DHTML Menu, 8 years ago), when I needed a free easy to use FTP program, cause though I love Dreamweaver connecting to ftp's using the uploading feature doesn't always work (I discovered CoreFTP) and when I needed a list of free or low costing HTML Editors to share with my students and you, I was able to download and test all the software links I listed below, right for download.com

Where to buy the Adobe Software Adobe Dreaweaver

Educational Use – for learning and non-profit project for students and teachers only, discounted pricing:

Adobe.com – store link – educational store: (I Personally Use Dreamweaver and Note Pad)

https://store1.adobe.com/cfusion/store/html/index.cfm?store=OLS-EDU&event=displayEduConditions 

http://www.journeyed.com/

http://www.academicsuperstore.com/category/Software/277591?sourcecode=lcg&promocode=0D1X00A1

Commercial Use and Free Try-out – for learning and for profit use, no discounts:

Adobe.com – store link:

https://store1.adobe.com/cfusion/store/index.cfm?store=OLSUS&view=ols_cat&catType=PRODUCTS&nr=0#loc=en_us&catID=PRODUCTS&view=ols_cat&store=OLS-US

Any store that sells software

Buying older versions, copies for less, resale sites: (Beware of scams and sellers, buy at your own risk!)

http://Ebay.com

http://craigslist.com

http://amazon.com

Other Html editors (non-adobe) freeware and commercial:

http://www.pagebreeze.com/

http://www.coffeecup.com/

http://www.webpage-maker.com/

http://www.namo.com/products/webeditor.php
http://bluefish.openoffice.nl/ 

http://www.microsoft.com/expression/products/Web_Overview.aspx

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepointdesigner/FX100487631033.aspx

Microsoft FrontPage 2003 or less - http://amazon.com

Great  Free FTP Programs for uploading your site to your domain: (I Personally Use Coreftp)

http://www.coreftp.com/

http://www.smartftp.com/download/

http://filezilla-project.org/

Places to upload your site for free:

Your Internet connection provider – always give you free space, so check with them first

http://www.tripod.lycos.com/

http://www.webs.com/

http://www.webstarts.com/

http://www.yola.com/

http://www.wikispaces.com/

Places to buy your own personal domain name and host your site: (I Personally Use MyHosting.com for all clients and my web hosting needs)

http://myhosting.com

http://www.domain.com/hosting/windows.php

http://geocities.yahoo.com/home/

Need forms for your site or a order form: (I love this site)

 http://www.jotform.com

What to be able to expect credit card payments:
http://www.paypal.com
http://checkout.google.com/seller/integrate.html

Need your site to have member login:
http://www.interlogy.com/products/pmb/

P.S. These sites will only help you build a website, you still have to design one and most of the above sites don't teach designing, slicing or image editing; you will need a image editor like Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator for that, here's of list of free and free-to-try editors.

Image Editors: (I Personally Use Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements)
Check out this older posting for more links and description.

https://store1.adobe.com/cfusion/store/html/index.cfm?store=OLS-EDU&event=displayEduConditions 

http://www.aviary.com/tools/image-editor - Free

http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Product/1191272117978#tabview=tab0 

     

Vector Editors: (I Personally Use Adobe Illustrator for all my website layouts)

https://store1.adobe.com/cfusion/store/html/index.cfm?store=OLS-EDU&event=displayEduConditions 

http://www.aviary.com/tools/vector-editor - Free

http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Product/1191272117978#tabview=tab0

   

Good luck to you...

Why More and More Network TV Shows Fail, Faster and Faster Each Year!

I keep seeing all these things about how suckie Fall TV has been, how there isn't a break out hit and how it looks like a lot more show are going to get canceled.

Network TV needs to wake up to 3 main facts, FACT 1: All people want are good shows and good storylines, but most of all we want to know that before we invest in a show, it's going to be around, shows that sound good and that seem like it going to be good a one, I'm always scared to get into, because they cancel things so fast now, I waited to watch all my current favorite show this season, to make sure that when I did start watching them, they would be around to the end of the season.

Fact 2: US Networks and TV writers must also get over this need to have a series go on forever, I watch a lot of TV shows that originally aired in England, Japan and South Korean, shows that only last 6-16 maybe 26 episodes, you get great writing, full story-lines and the promise that u will see a series to the end of its run, then if the series is really popular it gets pick up for another season or it just ends. Either way you rarely have to worry about a cliffhanger ending that you might never get to be resolved.  Why does a show have to end in cliffhanger, why does it have to stay on for more than one season, it's the unnecessary need to make a show last forever that contributes to the decline in good writing, the networks need to have something that can tot for years that keeps new show from having a chance and as time goes on people lose interest.

And FACT 3: When are the networks going to realize that people don't watch TV the same so you can't rate a show's viewership the same (sorry Nielsen, but you are way out dated). The Music World and Billboard Chart have caught up, why hasn't Nielsen Ratings? Music counts store sells, radio play and downloads. I don't even have cable or the digital box, I watch my shows either online on the networks, using Amazon or iTunes or Netflix, I also like to buy or rent them when they come on DVD (which is usually way after a shows season has ended). And I know tons of people that that DVR them and some that still records them on VHS. Do the network count all that, no? So how do they know how many people really watched a TV show? They need to hire more people to track all the forms of viewership. After all the networks aren't blind to the fact there are other forms of watching a show or that even a cancel show can still make them money, otherwise they wouldn't stream canceled shows online or put them on DVD for sell later.

When network stop worrying about making a show last forever, give new shows more time to established themselves and start counting all the easy other tractable ways to rate a show. Let’s face it, if they can track how much money they made off a show when they include online ads, rentals, DVD sales and downloads for their bottom-line they can easily count how many people probably watch them as well based on said info.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I've Read Another Article: Four in 10 say marriage is becoming obsolete

So, on my continuing quest to stay-up and current with stuff going on in the world, I have read an article about the decline in people getting married if you want to read the article click here Four in 10 say marriage is becoming obsolete.

Here is My 2 Cents on the Topic:

Marriage is just not right for everyone, plan and simple and just because you don't get married to someone doesn't me you care or love someone less, it just mean you don't need to show the world that you love someone and are committed. Having a wedding doesn't make you any more committed then just choosing to stay with someone and not get have one (it was, once the way, but it's lost it importance to people). My friends what to get married and I think it's a grand gesture of committed and a great party to have, but if I have to choose between getting married and just living happily with someone I'm committed to, i don't think I would feel the urge to get married. Besides, most people get married too soon in the relationship anyways and that's way divorce is so high, people need to get know each other and not just get married because, it the next step on the suppose it path to happiness or because they let their emotions in the now get ahead of the big picture and what it truly means to commit to someone or because everyone else at their age are and family members are asking.

As a single person in the dating world I find it appalling, how many married people (both men and women) who are looking for something on the side, they don't want to lose what they have, but they aren't getting what they want or need at home. Seriously, isn't that something that should have been figured, worked out or even talked about before you got married and if you are 20 something and have only been married for a year or two, if you are already looking for something on the side, then that's a clear sign you shouldn't have gotten married in first place, you didn't know your partner well enough and there is no way your marriage is going to last if you are already looking elsewhere.

As for being single, sometimes it can't be help and I think a single parent that really cares and is doing their best, it's just as good as having two parents around, but a two parent family is nice too. And note I said 2 parent family not household, just cause a kid's parents don't live in the same house everyday doesn't mean a kid can't get the same kind of love and attention as a kid that does. Having 2 loving parents doing their best to rise their child can work in any situation, no matter the relation, sex or or location of said parents.

Totally Random Thought: To 3D or Not to 3D?

I like 3-D and I'm willing to pay for it, if a movie was originally shot with 3-D in mind, but I hate when they take a 2-D movie and convert it into 3-D later, when it's a CGI movie to start, it's okay cause CGI were designed in 3-D in the first place.

And as you all know, I love me some movie trailers and I'm usually the first to see them online, but nothing pisses me off more than see the same trailer in the theaters but with the newly added, "In 3-D" phrase. To me, that just means, the studio is just try to make a few extra bucks, I don't hate the studios for trying, it is a business after all. But, I'm not paying to go see it. Cause it wasn't about what's best for the film and it adding 3-D to a film that wasn't meant to be 3-D usually comes out lame and not as sharp. When movies are shot with the intentions of 3-D, film-makers tend to shoot at different angles and try to do there best to make the scene or object stick out as much as possible, that part of 3-D movie-making doesn't converter and can't be added in the change over from 2-D to 3-D, it just makes the 3-D effects look half-hearted.

Ongoings at BGG: Brownsville Elementary Craft Bazaar

Hey everyone, just so you know, this weekend November 13th and 14th, Buddy-Girl Greetings with have booth at the Annual PTSA Holiday Craft Bazaar, this will be my 3rd year, I hope you all can make it down to see me.

9:00 am - 4:00 both days,  8795 Illahee Road - Bremerton, WA  98311, visit it for more info: http://brownsville.cksd.wednet.edu/

Laters

How to make Line Art - lines thicker in Photoshop:

Once you have cleaned up the drawing and made everything as black as possible. You can even convert the file to bitmap and back to grayscale at this point. The key here is to have the file as clean as you can get, no little dots or spots of black in places you don’t need them. (Because when you expand the lines you will see all the marks you missed and will have to clean it up then.)

1. Select then Color Range use the eyedropper to click on the blackest part of the drawing, and then set the Fuzziness to 200 then click Okay.
2. Next go to Select then Modify-Expand depending on the dpi of file you need to expand the selection if the file is 800 dpi I would do expanding of 4 if higher than 800 dpi you will have to do high but you shouldn’t go higher than 6 or 7, remember you can always go back and tweak things later.
3. Now you need to zoom into your image you should see that the selection of your drawing has expanded into the white, that’s good that’s what we want. Now go to Image-Adjustments-Replace Color, click the on the white part of your selection (the white part closest to the black of the drawing) then at the bottom of the Replace Color window I want you to adjust the Lightness marker all the way to the left making the white part closest to the black, black as well, make sure the Fuzziness is set at 200 click okay.
4. Now Zoom out and if looks thick enough then your done, if it doesn’t then repeat the process until it does. If it looks too thick undo and repeat the process again making sure you don’t expand the selection as much.
5. Save file as Bitmap 800 dpi tiff or whatever you file can handle.

So there you go, to can now use this trick on anything from deleting a little bit more to adding just hair line of color around any object.

I Got a Bone with MTV: Why Ya, Being UnFair?

MTV Apologizes to GLAAD for Jersey Shore Segment  
By Natalie Abrams Tue Nov 2, 4:17 PM PDT - TVGuide.com

MTV has apologized for pairing footage of Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino flirting with someone whom his cast mates called "a tranny" with shots of Ronnie Ortiz-Magro in a dress.
Jersey Shore to return for Season 3 in January During the Jersey Shore reunion special last week, the images of Ronnie in a dress also were accompanied by those of another man wearing a bikini and Halloween mask.
Julissa Bermudez, the reunion special's host, made jokes about Ronnie's outfit and asked The Situation: "Who was that tranny? What was up with that?"

"We appreciate GLAAD voicing concern about the Jersey Shore reunion special," MTV said in a statement. "The segment in question was certainly not meant to be insensitive, but in retrospect we realize that it was offensive to some viewers. We sincerely apologize."
MTV plans to edit the footage out of future airings.
"We appreciate the network taking responsibility for the offensive segment," responded Aaron McQuade, a GLAAD official.

MTV pulls punch clip from next episode of Jersey Shore
This isn't the first time the series has been edited for content. After a preview clip of Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi being punched in the face went viral, MTV decided to pull the attack from the next episode because it failed to offer the full context to how severe the assault was.

My Comments:

Let me get this straight, MTV will apologize to GLADD for a remark directed at making fun of someone whose Halloween Costume had him dressed in drag and someone jokingly calling someone a “Tranny”, which obvious wasn't meant to be offenses just a bad pun. It's not, that I can't see how  GLADD was offended by the comment, as he could have said, “Who’s the guy in drag” or just asked "What's going on there"). But, that’s besides the point, my mine problem is with the fact that MTV is saying “sorry” and censoring the scene, for GLADD, but totally disregard the fact the Jersey Shores as a whole is one the most offense shows on TV (And I don’t mean cause it’s racist or sexist, I mean “offense” because they cast a generation and America as a whole in a bad light, people all over the world thinks that’s how everyone in Jersey acts and the fact that what's popular on TV can say a lot about the people living in a country) and when the New Jersey community protested and said the show makes fun of them and they found it to be offense as a whole, MTV did nothing to censor the show, for them.  How is that fair or right, if MTV is going to recognize one’s groups grievous about a show, MTV should, for all groups. MTV is playing favorites and that’s wrong.

Now, I'm not saying the show should be canceled or heavily edited the show, but if MTV is going to respect one group's feelings they should respect every group’s feeling equally. I don't watch the show because I find it and show like it negate stupidity and that it's okay to act ignorant, selfish, and do outlandish things just because you can. Jersey Shores and shows like it don't do anything but suck people in and make them dumber. Again, I don't care for the show, but I'm not going to say it should be taken off the air. I'm just saying that MTV is wrong in censoring the show for one set of people and not for the other sets that also complain about the show.

BGDS Design Project: I Need Your Help!

This is a Snap Shot of Their Future Site!

Hey everyone, I'm currently working hard on getting the Official Bingo Salsa Website up and running. The hope is to have it up and running by mid-November 2010, but until then my clients need to build up their recipe's page and I would love it if you could submit your favorite recipes featuring salsa for their recipes' page on their website. You will get fully credit and bragging right, if you can submit a photo of your finish creation that would be even better. To submit your recipe just email them at bingosalsa67@yahoo.com or mail it to Bingo Salsa Recipe, P.O. Box 60, Keyport, WA 98370 and remember B.I.N.G.O! Salsa -Because It's Naturally Good On...You Decide!

Thanks so much you can check their splash page now, BingoSalsas.com

Totally Random Thought: Willow Smith

So, who or what is the cutest thing in music right now, that’s easy Willow Smith and her single “Whip My Hair”. I don’t care what anyone says about her and that it’s all puppet work or she's not that talented, she is so cute and really refreshing to watch and read about, that it’s just awesome. And if this is what she can do at 9, if she keeps it up and stays on the right track, can you imagine what she will be years for now.  As starting point it doesn't get better than this. I for one am ready for the Smith kids to take over the world, I luv Jaden too, Karate Kid, anyone.

Check out the “Whip My Hair” video

Just Updated Buddy-Girl Greetings.com

Hey everyone, just to let you know I just updated my Buddy-Girl Greetings website, it's not a complete update as I still have tons of greeting cards, bookmarks and postcards to add, but the art print and calendar sections are updated now, so check it out, any feed back you might have would be awesome and feel free to order whatever you like, laters.

I'm Soooo, Busy, I'm Going Crazy!!!

So here's the deal, you should always be careful of what you wish for, right? Right, I was being lazy as usual like a few months ago, not really working but totally trying to get work done, but not really getting anything done. I really need to get a handle on my body's temperament as it's really knocking me off my game. Or, I just really need get more social interaction so I don't go so stir crazy, I can't focus (I'm seriously working on it and I just hope you guys understand, that I'm not trying to be lazy or quit, I just can't get my head in the game or at least keep it there, from all I talk to about my problems it seem it all very natural and that a lot people have trouble work and staying on task and such when the work alone and don't have much social or outside contact).

Anyways, with all the work with staying on task, I still was wishing for more work, so I can pay my bills and be able to afford my spot at the Bremerton Blackberry Festival, lucky things worked out and the festival has come and gone, bringing with it a wind storm of work, just getting ready for the festival was almost more work than I could handle, but with all the networking and people really liking my "Places in Washington" series of art print, I've sold 3 large "framed" prints in last month, with the possibility of selling 3 more in the next month. For a little prospective on that, I have only sold matted prints or framed small ones and in my 5 years of business I have only sold 6 large framed prints and that includes the 3 from last month.

So yeah, things are going better and I'm finding with all this work, it's a lot easier to stay on task, but also with a lot work, it very easy to get disorganized. But in all honesty I'm just happy to be working having more reasons to get out the house. And I'm happy that you all are still sticking with me. Again, I have loads still to post and I will do my best to stay on task, if there is every anything you want to know or want me to write about just let me know. The more interaction from you as in comments and emails I get for you, the more I want to tend to write on this blog, so I'm asking for you help you want me to keep up better with this blogging thing, then you guys need to asked me some questions or show me that you are reading and what to hear more, I need the "social interaction" remember. Thanks and laters...

"The Dilemma" What's the Big Deal? Here's what Vince said and after that is my thoughts.

Actor Vince Vaughn defends "gay" joke in movie (Reuters)

Source: Reuters

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actor Vince Vaughn has defended the use of the word "gay" in his upcoming comedy "The Dilemma" after a week of controversy about whether it is a slur against gays and lesbians.
Universal Pictures last week pulled a promotional movie trailer for "The Dilemma", in which Vaughn's character tells a joke calling electric cars "gay", after complaints that the use of the word sent a message of intolerance at a time when gay teen suicides and bullying are in the media spotlight.

Some gay rights advocates have now called for the entire scene to be cut from the movie, which is due for release in January.

Vaughn said in a statement late Thursday that he supported "the people outraged by the bullying and persecution of people for their differences, whatever those differences may be."
But he added; "Comedy and joking about our differences breaks tension and brings us together. Drawing divided lines over what we can and cannot joke about does exactly that; it divides us. Most importantly, where does it stop."

The gay community has recently stepped up campaigns against discrimination and bullying following a rash of gay teen suicides, including a 19 year-old college student in New Jersey who jumped off a bridge after his encounter with a gay man was secretly filmed by a roommate and put on the Internet.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

My Take on Things:

I just had to give my 2 cent, we all do it, we all say things that could be offense to some people when said in a meaner context, but we say it to ourselves, family or friends and figure it's okay e.g. You bitch, I'm a cow, I'm such a dumb ass, white people can't talk, all men are stupid, Get your black ass from in front of the TV, etc. We don't mean anything by it and maybe some of the stuff we say shouldn't be said at all because it's even bad to say it to yourself, but hey it's your right (if you don't like me because I'm black or a women, I really don't care, as long as you still treat me with respect and don't call me names to my face, just to express your dislike of my kind), And to censor movies and TV and music because we don't agree with something is wrong. If I don't agree with something in a movie or whatever I just won't watch it. I get it movies shape us and yes, most of use take movies too seriously, "Avatar Syndrome" anyone (I still don't understand that), but no one protested the movie because of that, they did because it was too much like Cowboys and Indians, but that another story. Unless it's a serious movie, we shouldn't take things serious.

I'm tried of hearing about this, the term "That's gay" isn't and shouldn't be offense to Gay people, I'm all for "Gay Rights" and I think it horrible that Gay people don't have the same rights as every other people in this country, I always vote yes and I hate bullying, it breaks my heart every time I hear or read a news story. And I'm so against the use of the "F" word or "S" word or even the use of the phrase "Homo". But I'm sorry the word gay just doesn't have the same liberties, for the simple fact that it has more than one meaning, it's not a word that was always use to describe a people, it originally meant to mean happy or glad. Honestly when I hear the word gay, that stupid song comes to my head that so cheesy and lame and just silly, "I feel pretty, I feel witty and gay", so when I hear someone say something is gay, I think just think is means lame or cheesy. The term "That's gay" is no different than saying, something is "getto". Or how we made the words cool and bad or even phat, mean something good or back in the 90's people were saying "that's so shawshank".

As a black female, I get that offense terms shouldn't be overly used and that, you can never really erase the true meaning of a word, like the "N" word, I don't care how many times people use it as just another word, or if it's okay for black people to use it, same, goes for Gay people who also use some of your more offense terms for a laugh or as a term of endearment, but because you are Gay, it somehow makes it okay or because you are black it somehow makes it okay, cause words like that, if they are ever said in their original context, no matter how many times you've heard or even said them to mean something good or something non-offense, when you hear with those words in the original context you know, what they meant and it hurts. That's why I never us the N word myself and I stop using other words.

Vince is right, it's comedy racial, sexist, political, or gay humor, you are suppose to look at the intent and realize they are just making light or trying to ease a topic, if we got offended at everything someone says in the name of comedy or a joke, we wouldn't have comedy and it's not like "that's gay" really makes fun of a people like black face, making you eyes go slanty, or even using the phrase "that's retarded", now that's offense, that phrase directly makes from of a group of people, so much so,  that they had to stop using the word all together.

The the word gay, again, doesn't have that history, because it was original something good, it just meant to be happy and not to describe a people, like so many other words, that now have more than one meaning and can be use good or bad. There is a clear difference between "That's gay" and "I'm Gay" and people know that. We are so wrapped up not offending a people that we have become weak as an nation, I'm not saying name calling is good, I'm just say that, not everything said or remarked is a slur and doesn't need protesting against, this not the reason kids are killing themselves, the reason kids are killing themselves is because we as a nation have stop teaching and believing in the "Golden Rule, Do unto others, as you would have done unto you." We are too busy saying, "that's offense" and defending our right be whatever we want, that we have become selfish and easily provoked to fight over any little thing just to prove we exist or that we are better than someone else, It's because we know no other way to feel better about ourselves, that we don't care who we hurt or how they hurt we just want ourselves to feel better. We no longer respect and treat people as we want to be treated, especially when we don't agree with them and their views, that's why we have bullying. That's why kids are seeing death as their only option out of this hell, because we are just plan selfish and lack the social skills to realize when we take a practical joke, our jealousy, our views on a people or our lack of understanding something too far and it get's mean and hurtful. Not because we took a word and reverse the meaning

Besides, I've seen the original trailer for "The Dilemma" he explains the use the word in the movie and that he means no offense.  Actually, I was more surprise that they were able to say, "Serious, Lady Wood", I'm not offended by it, but not sure it needed to be in a trailer that little kids can see.

The film makers have already re-edited the trailer without the "offense" scene, but you can still check it out, it looks like a good movie and I hope they don't cut the original scene from the movie. http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/universal/thedilemma/

The Shinning Brite Star: Bright Star the Movie

I watched the sweetest movie the other day and it totally rocked! It was well acted, well directed and just such a good story. For all the action films and anime I watch sometimes a movie comes along and reminds me, that I’m a girl and Bright Star is just one of those movies.

For those of you who never heard of it, Bright Star (directed and written by Jane Campion) is the story of the last few years of Poet John Keats (played by Ben Whishaw) life and his bitter sweet romance with Fanny Brawne (played by Abbie Cornish). Neither main actor are well known Ben was in the visually stunning, yet still horrible Perfume: A Tell of Murder (it has all the elements of a good movie great cast, good acting, really well crafted scenery, but it falls apart at the end, in fact the ending is so out there and unbelievable and unfitting that it makes the whole movie horrible) I should just give the movie ending away, it’s just that bad and no one should ever have to suffer through it, but if someone reading this is stupid enough to actual watch this movie even after I warned them not to, then that’s their fault, and I won’t ruin it for you.

Anyways, back to Bright Star, Ben’s performance in Bright Star is so good that I can over look the other film (and let me just say I found no fault with his acting in Perfume, just how it ends, which has nothing to do with how well Ben acted in the film; he did his job and was good, I blame the director and writers behind Perfume). Did I, mention that Bright Star is also the name of a poem that was supposedly inspired by Keat’s relationship with Fanny.

The movie itself is so sweet and touching, kind like many Jane Austin or Master Piece Theatre films, so if you like them you will like this one. I don’t want to give too much away, it’s a sad ending as we all know John Keat’s died penniless, alone and thinking that no one liked his work at 25. But the movies is just very well paced, there is a great scene with butterflies and if you stick around for the credits you get to listen to a reading of the poem Bright Star read by Ben Whishaw.

So, yeah, totally check it out you won’t be disappointed. Laters

Sorry for the Delay: But as Always, I'm Back!

I know, I know, I have gotten behind on my blogging again, but in all honesty, I have like six waiting postings, that have been writing, I just need to proof them. See, although my grammar and spelling seem really bad to you guys, it’ actually would be a lot worst, if I didn’t proof them. And again, I just be lazy and not feeling up to it after I put in long day of working. I’m going to keep trying so, don’t give up on me.


Aways you friend, Helena, Laters…And enjoy my latest post, I got a laptop!

Ongoings at BGG and with Helena: I got a laptop!

So after months of being, sick and tired of working in my office space, I finally invested in a laptop, though it’s not my dream MacBook Pro, it was what I could afford (thanks to my mom’s help). Honestly, my work at Buddy-Girl Greetings was suffering, owning your own business is tough and not, just with the making the money part. As a person who works for themselves and can’t afford assistants or renting an outside office space, you get tired of working alone (well at least I do), you are the only one or things or even reason you get up in the morning, everyday there is this constant, why am I doing this? Who cares if I do this? I don’t have to do this now, can do it later? Which is no way to run a business, I get tired and bored of the same ole same ole, not to say, I don’t like my work, I do, love art and adore making people happy. But there is so much more to running a business, sometimes clients are a pain (lucky for me most of mine aren’t) and most of the work I do has nothing to do with designing stuff; invoices, emailing, returning calls, changes, marketing, production work, running errands, paying bills. Who really feels like doing any of that stuff…

Plus, having only yourself around and feeling trapped behind the walls of your messy dark office don’t exactly make you feel like working. I found myself, just lying in bed, not wanting to get out, I mean, really I was just going to the other room, do, I really need to rush to go ten feet.

Gone are the days, were I have to get dress, find my keys and run like the wind to catch a bus. Gone are the days of chatting with co-workers about nothing and everything. Gone are the thoughts of my boss not happy with my work driving me to get more done. And, bye-bye to those steady pay checks. I actually missed that sometimes and it’s fun and good to have outside people motivating you to do your best. But, it’s also very cool to be able to actually work on my blog and write off as work (marketing), it’s even cooler to be able to do it while I’m still laying in my bed at 12:30 in the afternoon. And I can do that now with my new laptop. With my new laptop, I can work from any room of my apartment; I can hook it up to my 32 inch TV and leave the house to do work elsewhere. Sure it cost me almost a $Grand$ for all the software and equipment; but on the bright side I have been more productive since getting it (it did take me forever to program it and get use to it and the settings just the way I want them) and I’m so much happier now. All I need now is for the sun to stay out (got love this Washington Weather) and I will over the moon.

I’m hoping that with a laptop, I will not only be able to increase my production of design, but also be able to add more services like workshops and tutoring sections. I have already done one workshop with it (that blog one I had in April) and it went really well and I was ready to do my next one, but now I have to find a new hosting site for my workshop, if anyone out there that knows of a conference like area with free wireless access in the Silverdale, Poulsbo or Bremerton, let me know, I would love to get a spot for free, but would be willing to rent a room for up to $25 for few hours on a Saturday, if you have anything for me design@buddygirlgreetings.com.

So, yeah, my new laptop is great, it’s a 14 inch HP, it’s super and I’m just really happy to have it. Anyways, laters and until next time.

It's National Lord of the Rings Day, at my house! Yay, me! Over 13 hours of fun, how exciting! I'm cleaning, Now.

I Saw Kick-Ass: You should Too!

I just have to say that though Kick-Ass wasn't as funny as I thought it would be, but it was still off the chain and Hit-Girl is my new hero, that little girl is awesome, go Chloe!

It is violent, there is a lot of swearing and the guy who plays Kick-Ass is a cutie, so you know I liked it. But if you liked Sin City, The Watchmen, Wanted and that show the Big Bang Theory, then you have to go see Kick-Ass you will love it!

Laters...

Heartbreak: No LOTR!

Color me disappointed, as you know, I was super excited about getting Lord of Rings on Blu-Ray, but then I realized it was only the theatrical releases and not the extended versions of the movies (What the heck!). I swear I almost cried (okay, I did shed one or two tears); but can you blame me, I mean who in their right mind would by the theatrical version when you can get the extended, that tell a more complete story closer to what goes on to in the actual books! Not me, I’m all about the extended versions and I refuse to by the new blu-ray set!

I’m waiting for the extended release, which doesn’t even have a release date yet, and the rumor is that they might not be released, them until next year, how lame is that? I swear they better have even more extra footage or it won’t be worth the wait (what I am I saying, it will so, be worth it, it’s freaking HD Lord of the Rings action I can’t wait) I just hate getting my hopes up only to get disappointed.

Anyways, as for National Lord of the Rings day, it got postpone, for obvious reasons. But just a few weeks, it’s been moved to the 24th of April, and my friends are bring their 55 inch HD TV to my place for the event, how cool is that? We are just going to make do with my 4 Disc sets being enhanced on my Blu-Ray Player. So Yay, me!

My Blog Workshop: How it went...

So, a few weeks ago, I had my blog workshop, it went really well and it was lots of fun, I’m even going to have some one on one, sections now.

Here are 2 blogs that were created during the workshop using blogger:

http://www.ohwellactually.blogspot.com/
http://www.lovefoundation777.blogspot.com/
http://missmarysanders.blogspot.com/
http://www.bcetraining.com/

I will be adding more to the list when I get the addresses of the other people.
Laters…

I Got an Interesting Comment: Here's My Reply...

“I saw some of your work online and I really like your use of colors. I'm a watercolor man myself so I'm intrigued that you referenced getting back to your roots on the use of watercolor. Painting in general really. Are you going to be putting out some new work using that - soon. I can relate to the difficulty of outside pressures affecting your work when you are struggling as it is. I'm presently painting something new weekly that depicts my past week. It's a summary in a single reference or a menagerie if various things to depict what took place in my life that week. I find it soulful and therapeutic. So young lady what would your painting from this past week of your life convey to the world out there” Anonymous said...

Hey all, so recently, I got a really nice comment, to my “It’s been a long time” posting on Feb, 15, 2010 and I wanted to respond to it, unfortunately, I don’t have clue who you are, so I’m just going to call you Watercolor Guy (I hope you like your, nickname). I’m glad you like my work, yeah, I’m pretty big on color, I’m also really good at matching color by sight, it’s like my thing. And it’s ready cool that you do weekly paintings that depict or capture the essence of your week, I’ve never thought about doing that. Usually, when I paint, I kinda either stare at my paper until I get a flash of an image in my head or I have this vague idea of what I want to do. Very few pieces of my work actually reflect moments from my life or things I do. They usually reflects my personality and style and things I like. But, it might be interesting for me to try to sum up my week in a work of art, though it’ll probably be difficult for me. But, I like the challenge and I’m going to try it (when I get the time).

You will be happy to know, Watercolor Guy that I finally did my first watercolor in years, recently. It was fun, interesting and a challenge all at the same time. It was fun to be painting again, interesting to see that after all this time of not painting, my actually painting technique seems to flow better than it did before (it was easy to do things that were hard for me before), and a challenge because by the end of it, I wasn’t that happy with the overall painting I did, parts I like, but not as a whole.

Still, I’m glad, I started it again, and I have ideas for future projects, and yes if I paint something I really like, I will sure it with the world. Anyways, thanks for your comment, I would love to see you work sometime, and if you ever have (or anyone else ever have) more comments for me just, let me know, I love getting them and if you actually have request or questions for me, I will always get back to you as soon as I can.

Thanks again, Watercolor Guy and I will let you know when; I do a painting on summing up my week. Laters

Totally Random: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy is Coming on Blu-Ray!

How exciting! As all my friends and family know, I’m a huge Lord of the Rings fan (yeah, that’s right I’m a geek and pride of it). Annually I actually hold what I call National Lord of the Rings Day, which usually falls on the third Saturday in December. Why that day? Because when they originally released the 4 disc of each film it was usually on the third Tuesday of December and I would always watch them back to back on that Saturday). But, I didn’t do it this pass December (2009). Why you ask (okay, I know you aren't actually asking, but it's more fun this way, I'm trying to be clever here) because when I started to plan it, I learned the very exciting news that the Trilogy will be release on Blu-Ray on April 6th 2010. As some of you might also know, I’m not much for watching things over and over again, I tend to remember movies, books, and such really well so I like to space at least 6 months to a year between viewings and December to April is less than that. So I decide to move National Lord of Rings Day (if you haven’t figure it out, I totally made that up), 13 hours or so, of back to back Lord of Rings (I heart Peter Jackson) to the weekend of April 10th, I’m so, excited!

About Helena: Current Events in My Life

In the words of Timberland with the help of the late great Aaliyah, “It’s been a long time, I shouldn’t have left you, left you, without a dope beat to step to” I’m sorry all, it’s been a crazy year and I just haven’t been myself, but I’m hoping to change that, I’m hoping to make amends and catch you all up on what’s been going on with me.

Let’s take it back to May 2009, I was officially laid off from my job at Agent Support, and I started doing the Buddy-Girl Greetings full-time (I even extended the name Buddy-Girl Greetings and Design Services) and it’s been freakin’ hard with all the stuff I have to do, plus, pay all my bills. And on top of that I’m freakin’ lonely and tired of being in my apartment (working from home all day everyday sucks). Anyways, it’s gotten a lot harder to get everything I need get done either because I was too busy or I just didn’t feel like it.

Figuring out how to pay for all the things I usually have to do for the business is the hardest (I miss having a part-time job), I almost didn’t have a Kitsap Calendar for 2009-2010, I almost didn’t do the North Kitsap Holiday Festival and I didn’t make as nearly as much money I did the year before with any of my shows. But the good news is that my design and printing services has pulled in a lot of money, plus I have my teaching at OC. Still it’s all been a shock to my system and I’m still just trying to figure out what I need to do in this recession to make the most money.

Now, it’s winter and you guys know how I get during the winter time, I get in my winter funk and can’t get out of it until like spring. I’m trying to get out of it quicker, but man it’s kicking my butt. Luckily, it’s looks like there might be a break in the fog, as me actually writing a new posting for my blog has to be good sign, right.

I know I’m not going into great detail on everything that has happen in the last almost year, but that’s lot and I’m really just trying to get something down for you and posted. So, I’m going to break it down for you the fastest and simplest I can.

May 2009 – Got laid off
June 2009 – Started Buddy-Girl Greetings and Design Services full time and went on unemployment
July and Aug 2009 – Summer Camp teaching for Olympic College
Sept 2009 – Blackberry Festival (went really bad and I’m not just talking about the weather and I could only afford to print 20 Kitsap Calendars)
Oct 2009 – Nothing much happened mostly in my apartment all day (boring)
Nov 2009 – Holiday Festival and Bazaar (Went okay but not as good as the year before). Met a boy that I really liked but it didn’t work out; saw “New Moon” (will blog all about that later), my friends gave me an early birthday present an all day trip to Seattle and to see The Nutcracker Ballet (so, much fun). My niece Louvenia was born on the 10th (she’s really adorable). I did Thanksgiving at my place for the first time ever. My sister-in-law Crystal passed away and my niece Deja moved to Washington all-the--way from Jacksonville, FL (she’s  7)
Dec 2009 – I started to get depressed, Christmas came and went I spent time with Deja.
Jan 2010 – The New Years came had a great New Year’s Eve got a little more depressed, started to plan my 30th Birthday Party, got into the CVG art show, started to feel a little better, my baby brother Alex turned 17 (still a little shock with that one, I use to change his diapers)
Feb 2010 – Did the Wedding Expo (may have found new niche for BGG), had my 30th birthday it was a lot of fun, decided that I would get back to my roots and start water coloring and get back to blogging and all my other writing.

So yeah, that’s basically everything, again I’m sorry for not being around and I’m going to try my best to get back to what I love doing, I’m hoping it will help me be more productive.

What do you have to look forward to from me, well I’m going to actually write those posting on “Dyslexia”, “Computer Shortcuts 101”, plus look for “Twilight: New Moon”, “TV Show’s I’m Loving Right Now”, “Care Bears and Why I Adore Them”, “Other Stuff I Collect” and of course current events and ongoings with BGG and me, plus, whatever totally random stuff I can think of.

Bye for now, laters…

Oh, if you’re trying to guess where the begining quote comes from,  it’s from “Try Again” by Aaliyah featuring Timberland on the “Romeo Must Die” Soundtrack.

Thank You and I'm Sorry...

Thank you to everyone who has ever read my blog and especially to those of you that have left me feedback and comments on my posting. I'm just sorry I've been too lazy, too wrapped up in other parts of my life and not blogging like I should, I really miss doing it, I've just been lazy and out of sorts for the last almost year. But I'm here to let you know that I just officially, wrote my first real posting in like 9 months (which is like forever in real time or Helena time which ever you want to call it). I just need to tweak and go over grammar stuff, not that I'm any good at that stuff, but just that I want to at least try to make it not suck so much grammatically. Anyways, I'm writing this quick posting just because I hadn't logged into blogger in so long that when I did I had all these actually comments to my postings (okay there were like only 3 comments and the rest was spam) still considering I think in 3 years I've only ever had like 3 comments, that getting 3 in the last month is a lot to me and I just wanted to say, it really feels awesome to see that people actually read my blog and it makes me really, really want to get back to blogging again. So look for my next, first real posting in like forever sometime later this week. Laters and thank you, Helena

Social Networking and Why it’s good for business

First off, it needs to be clear, that networking online using social networking sites can and have been proven to increase knowledge and sells of a business. But, and this is a big “But”, that is only if you are committed to properly using networking sites. Social Networking is a job in itself and must be maintained and updated on a daily, if not hourly bases. Some companies and businesses have gone as far as hiring someone whose sole job purpose is to setup and maintain the company’s presents online.

Second, social networking and business, why is so important, how can it better your business? Networking and business have always gone hand and hand, everyone knows that refers are the biggest and best form of advertising, it’s fast, reliable and free, plus it feels good to know that someone like your stuff so much they recommended you to someone they know. Social networking works the same way; it’s fast and free, but only as reliable as you are (if you don’t keep up with it, they won’t keep up with you). Once you get people knowing who you are and trusting you they will want to use you, the added bonus of networking online, is that, your circle of friends online can grow to reach people all over the world, people you could never reach by just talking to people at the local store or business group.

Top Social Networking Sites:

Facebook.com – General networking, more personal, but also great for fan pages
LinkedIn.com – Business networking, business to business, professional to professional.
Twitter.com – Micro blogging, quick updating, of what you are doing now or about to do.
Windows Live - General networking, for both personal and business.
MySpace.com – Fan pages.
Flickr.com – Photo sharing and comments, spreading your pictures to other site quickly.

Other Top Networking Sites:

Blogger.com – Posting or sharing, forum with personal written articles, tips, how to, opinions.
(Easy and great for beginner  bloggers that don’t want to worry about designing their blog sit, more about learning about blogging)
Workpress.com – Posting or sharing, forum with personal written articles, tips, how to, opinions.
(Great for bloggers that got blogging down or are ready to brand there blog to them or their business)
Yahoo.com – Posting forum, good for sharing your opinion on what’s going on around the world.
YouTube.com – Posting videos to share, great for how to.

Sync Your Updates Apps:

ping.fm
www.tweetdeck.com
addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1833/

Lastyly, the main goal with social networks is to keep up with people’s desire to know and get whatever information they can as soon as they can.  Feed that need, the more you give them the more likely they are to buy or use your services, when people feel more connected to you, they are more incline to work with you. Even though company branding is important in today’s world if you want to succeed it’s just important to sell yourself to. 

Examples of Social Networking and Branding themselves Successes:

Justin Bieber – Discovered on Youtube
LinkToCharlotte’s LinkedIn group -
http://mashable.com/2010/06/02/small-business-social-media-success-stories/