My 7 year-old son bought a decent acoustic guitar the other day at a yard sale. When he isn't playing with it, I have been picking it up. I have tried to pick up the guitar a few times before, but what always got in the way is getting it in tune, which I had no clue how to do.
I found this amazing web site: http://www.howtotuneaguitar.org/. Not only do they have a simple online tuner right there on the homepage, but they have a ton of other great visual helps for learning how to play the guitar. I started playing only Sunday, and I can already (sort of) play 4 songs, including the chord accompaniment to Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (not the guitar picking solos, mind you!)
It has been a lot of fun to finally learn how to play my favorite instrument a little bit. (My fingers hurt though!)
24 July 2008
23 July 2008
Lulu.com - Self Publishing
I recently discovered Lulu.com and I love it. In just a few minutes, you can create book and start ordering copies for yourself or to distribute, or you can sell them right from Lulu.com. Lulu.com manufactures each book on demand, so you don't have to worry about inventory sitting around, and you don't have to invest a bunch of money up front to print a minimum number of copies.
So far, I have created two books for my own personal use. Off and on, I have written my journal using the computer, rather than a handwritten journal. I did that in 2002 and again in 2005-2007. I enjoyed writing on the computer, because I could write faster, and edit as I go, so I was able to express myself better and say more. The only problem was that I missed being able to just pull the journal off the shelf and read it. I also began to worry about losing the data. So I have been looking for a long time for a way to print and professionally bind these computer journals. Lulu.com to the rescue.
For only 20 dollars plus shipping, I was able to print a copy of my 2002 journal (64 pages). It is a sturdy 8 1/2" x 11" volume with a glossy hardcover binding that will last forever. I loved it so much, I have created a book for my 2005-2007 journal and, get this, it is more than twice as large, but the cost was almost the same! I guess the binding makes up the bulk of the prices, and the number of pages is not so important.
By the way, private projects such as these journals are secure on Lulu.com. No one else can view them or order them unless I make them public. I have a few other things I would like to put into book form for personal use, and then maybe I will take a look at actually publishing and trying to sell some other writings. We'll see. For now, I'm just thrilled that I have found a cost-effective way to produce hardbound copies of my journals. After 2008, I will be going back to the computer for journaling, since I know I have a great way to preserve it when I'm through.
So far, I have created two books for my own personal use. Off and on, I have written my journal using the computer, rather than a handwritten journal. I did that in 2002 and again in 2005-2007. I enjoyed writing on the computer, because I could write faster, and edit as I go, so I was able to express myself better and say more. The only problem was that I missed being able to just pull the journal off the shelf and read it. I also began to worry about losing the data. So I have been looking for a long time for a way to print and professionally bind these computer journals. Lulu.com to the rescue.
For only 20 dollars plus shipping, I was able to print a copy of my 2002 journal (64 pages). It is a sturdy 8 1/2" x 11" volume with a glossy hardcover binding that will last forever. I loved it so much, I have created a book for my 2005-2007 journal and, get this, it is more than twice as large, but the cost was almost the same! I guess the binding makes up the bulk of the prices, and the number of pages is not so important.
By the way, private projects such as these journals are secure on Lulu.com. No one else can view them or order them unless I make them public. I have a few other things I would like to put into book form for personal use, and then maybe I will take a look at actually publishing and trying to sell some other writings. We'll see. For now, I'm just thrilled that I have found a cost-effective way to produce hardbound copies of my journals. After 2008, I will be going back to the computer for journaling, since I know I have a great way to preserve it when I'm through.
08 July 2008
Glenn Beck: We The people
I had the privelege of attending this speech live. These are just some of the highlights. Fabulous speech. (Glenn got a standing ovation as he entered the arena. He got pretty choked up about it, too.)
Shaun Barrowes
Check out Shaun Barrowes. He is one of my younger brother's best friends from back in the day, and also a friend of mine. He is now an up-and-coming professional singer, looking set to make the big time. One of these days, I will have to reveal a funny story about a camping trip Shaun enjoyed with my Dad and me and a couple of other friends...
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