SNOWSHOE GOLD PANNING
Mar 19, 2009 in
Film
A day out in the Cariboo doing some snowshoe prospecting and panning for gold with the world’s best gold panning equipment.
Archive for March, 2009
Singing Contests And How To Win Them
Mar 17, 2009 in
Uncategorized
Kevin Sinclair asked:
The cliche we have all heard so many times about singers being born but performers being made, may well be true working on the theory that people with good voices can be good singers, but let’s face it, not all singers are good performers. A singer, first and foremost has to have a good voice, but if he decides to pursue a career in singing, he also needs to be a great performer.
This is because there is an audience involved when someone wants to make it to the top in singing and, therefore, every singer has to have aims to become an entertainer as well.
The majority of singers make contests their springboard for success and every singer hopes to win every major contest they enter in order to be catapulted to the height of their profession.
When they win, this serves as a career boost mainly because there are likely to be recording studio scouts at the contests. If singers are good at what they do, it will not take long before their talents are noticed and they will soon be on the way to stardom.
So how does one go about winning these singing contests?
A singer needs to assess his singing quality. Better still, he could seek advice from an expert who will tell him in a frank manner what vocal quality he possesses. Being aware of his singing excellence will enable the singer to pick the right songs for his voice and this is the first step to being successful in the contests.
However great a voice a singer may have if the choice of song is inappropriate his chances of winning the contest will be greatly impaired. This is the reason why the choice of song has to be right for both his voice and his personality.
The singer needs to take time to create his own style once an appropriate song has been selected. Many singers do their best imitation of the original singer of the song they have chosen and this is not at all appreciated by the judges of the contests as the singer does not get the opportunity to put their own mark on the song. To be honest, you may as well just go along to the local karaoke bar if you intend to copy someone else’s style as well as their song.
Developing a style of your own would be admired by the judges who are more likely than not looking for new talent and the audience will also enjoy seeing a new performance. So stick to your own version and you will find you end up in first place, instead of being a runner up.
When your singing style has been developed, it is time to look at your performance as a whole. As mentioned earlier, it’s not just about singing, but about being a good all round performer. Do the song you are singing justice, not just in they way you sing it but in your body language when performing.
If you want to win singing contests, the way to do it is to develop your singing voice along with the power of your performance which will display your individual personality by way of your diction, your dress sense and your oozing self confidence.
The cliche we have all heard so many times about singers being born but performers being made, may well be true working on the theory that people with good voices can be good singers, but let’s face it, not all singers are good performers. A singer, first and foremost has to have a good voice, but if he decides to pursue a career in singing, he also needs to be a great performer.
This is because there is an audience involved when someone wants to make it to the top in singing and, therefore, every singer has to have aims to become an entertainer as well.
The majority of singers make contests their springboard for success and every singer hopes to win every major contest they enter in order to be catapulted to the height of their profession.
When they win, this serves as a career boost mainly because there are likely to be recording studio scouts at the contests. If singers are good at what they do, it will not take long before their talents are noticed and they will soon be on the way to stardom.
So how does one go about winning these singing contests?
A singer needs to assess his singing quality. Better still, he could seek advice from an expert who will tell him in a frank manner what vocal quality he possesses. Being aware of his singing excellence will enable the singer to pick the right songs for his voice and this is the first step to being successful in the contests.
However great a voice a singer may have if the choice of song is inappropriate his chances of winning the contest will be greatly impaired. This is the reason why the choice of song has to be right for both his voice and his personality.
The singer needs to take time to create his own style once an appropriate song has been selected. Many singers do their best imitation of the original singer of the song they have chosen and this is not at all appreciated by the judges of the contests as the singer does not get the opportunity to put their own mark on the song. To be honest, you may as well just go along to the local karaoke bar if you intend to copy someone else’s style as well as their song.
Developing a style of your own would be admired by the judges who are more likely than not looking for new talent and the audience will also enjoy seeing a new performance. So stick to your own version and you will find you end up in first place, instead of being a runner up.
When your singing style has been developed, it is time to look at your performance as a whole. As mentioned earlier, it’s not just about singing, but about being a good all round performer. Do the song you are singing justice, not just in they way you sing it but in your body language when performing.
If you want to win singing contests, the way to do it is to develop your singing voice along with the power of your performance which will display your individual personality by way of your diction, your dress sense and your oozing self confidence.
Speeches For Brothers And Sisters Of The Bride Or Groom
Mar 13, 2009 in
Automotive
James Nardel asked:
Attending the wedding of sister can be a lot of fun because you just get to sit back and let her soak up all the attention and love on her big day. Even if you have always been competitive, her wedding is one day where you want her to shine. Many sisters are so busy sitting back watching all of the planning for the big day that they forget that they also have something important to plan for: a sister of the bride speech. If you happen to be the maid or matron of honor you have probably thought about this, but it is also customary for the sister of the bride to give a speech and wish her sister and her new brother in law well in their new life together.
The sister of the bride speech process isn’t all that difficult really; you just need to break it down. If you aren’t the maid of honor you may just need to make a quick sister speech at the wedding and then you can pass on the microphone to the next family member to let them sweat a bit! Still, you should have something planned so that your nerves don’t get the best of you. Your speech needn’t be overly polished or cheesy if that is not your style, then again if you want to get sentimental you can!
It’s a good idea to start out with formal congratulations. You can tell the bride and the groom that you were just as nervous as they were, and that you are glad that all of their hard work and planning has turned out so beautifully. Your sister may like hearing from you that things look great, and are exactly as she planned. Then, you’ll want to make the speech more personal, since this is your sister that you are speaking to. If you have a story about weddings from when you were young, like how you used to share your fantasy wedding ideas with one another or something like that it will spark fond memories for your sister and share a little something with the rest of the family and friends and the reception. Personalizing the speech is important, because you aren’t just that fifth cousin who was invited; you are the sister of the bride!
To close the speech you can tell your sister that you can only hope to look as beautiful as she does when you get married, if you aren’t already. Also, welcome your new brother in law to the family. If you share a common sense of humor don’t hesitate to make a few clean jokes and then congratulate the couple and pass the torch to the next family member so that they can express their congratulations as well.
Many sisters feel as though they need to write some prose or something to that effect for a sister of the bride speech, but that is not necessary. Of course, if you want to write a poem for the new couple, that would be great and very sincere. But, you can go casual and simply tell your sister and brother in law that you are happy for them! Since you are the sister, toast wedding congratulations and a bit more and you are off the hook. Just make it sincere and let both your sister and your brother in law know that you are happy for them, in whatever style most suits both you and them.
Swine Flu Song
Mar 07, 2009 in
People
PutnamPig asked:
I felt it was only appropriate to put something up in response to all the coverage of the recent Swine Flu outbreak. Pigs are getting a bad rap on this one. The government is supposedly renaming the virus to H1-N1, but it doesn’t seem to be catching on. SONG LYRICS Miss Piggy, Arnold Ziffle, neither has a little sniffle Porky Pig and Pooh’s Piglet No fever yet Putnam, Gordy, Toot and Puddle Not contagious safe to snuggle Ask Petunia Babe, Noelle All of them feel well Wilbur, Hamm Hogzilla …
Home Sweepstakes: How to Decorate for Free
Mar 07, 2009 in
Uncategorized
mandy asked:
When budgets are getting tighter, decorating or updating your home may get put on the back burner. Luckily, there are lots of contests, sweepstakes, and giveaways out there that feature fabulous items to keep your home looking fresh and running strong. Though our tastes tend to be a bit too discerning for most of the décor items available in giveaways, there are plenty of gadgets that we’d welcome in our home (and some chic items if you look hard enough). And with entry forms now conveniently on the internet, a click of the mouse gives you a chance to win, making it easy to enter multiple contests without spending much time or money. But just because a product is free doesn’t mean it’s right for your home. Read on and see how to find the items you can really use.
GO FOR NO-FAIL PRIZES
Home Appliances
While you might have to be a little picky about décor, newer technology is always welcome—especially when it’s free of cost. Unlike a particular accent rug that might not be right for every house and every person, appliances, which are chosen for function rather than form, are a great option. Floor care items such as vacuum cleaners and carpet steamers, outdoor goods like lawn mowers and grills, and bigger items like washers and dryers are all spectacular wins. When looking for prizes, try to enter sweepstakes for the items that you actually need. Many of these products cost hundreds of dollars if not more—not having to buy them may free up some cash for you to splurge a little on décor that might not have been in your budget before.
Kitchen Goods
Keep an eye out for any items for the kitchen. Smaller items like cutting boards, pots and pans, and handheld utensils may have fewer sweepstakes entries because they have a lower total value, which could increase your chances of winning. Or, look out for fun items you might not buy for yourself, like a margarita mixer, a cappuccino machine, or an ice cream maker. While they aren’t necessities, goods like these can be a great addition to the kitchen and make entertaining more fun—just make sure you have ample counter or cabinet space.
Electronics
A flat-screen TV, DVD player, high-quality sound system, or a new computer will fit right in, no matter what your style. Again, snagging these big-ticket items for free may allow you to spend more money elsewhere, maybe even on a beautiful armoire!
THE TIME TO BE PICKY
Consider your existing décor
When moving onto more stylized items like furnishings, pillows, rugs, draperies, or home accents, do a little editing. If your dining room is modern and contemporary, a sweepstakes for a chintzy floral tablecloth might not be your best bet. If you have a bedroom dominated in soft neutrals and warm earth tones, consider that color scheme when entering sweepstakes. An exception? Linens. Items like towels and sheets are going to come in handy when hosting guests even if they don’t match perfectly.
Select brands you know
With home décor, always consider quality. If it seems like there’s a lot to navigate, look for names you know and retailers you trust. It’s hard to learn much from a small picture online or a short description, but if you’ve always been happy with Lenox tableware or Ralph Lauren bedding, it’s likely that you will continue to be impressed. Similarly, look for smaller items from trustworthy brands rather than large pieces from ones you don’t know. These are the things that will last and continue to make you happy for years, instead of ending up shoved in the back of a closet or taking up space in the attic.
Look where you read
Many home design magazines and web sites sponsor their own giveaways and sweepstakes. These items are often from the same brands that are featured on the pages of these magazines or on their web sites, and reflect the design sensibility of the publication. So if you don’t know where to start, think of the decorating sites you love the best, and go there. It’s likely that their sweepstakes will be right on target with your personal style. Click on the link below for a list of our editorial giveaways.
DARE TO DREAM
There are dream house makeovers that offer winners the funds to redo their entire home or create their ideal haven. Sure it’s a long shot, but in this economy, it can’t hurt to try. And even if you don’t win, just thinking about your perfect house could inspire a few ideas, and a lot of creativity, so when you do have the funds to do a little decorating, you’ll know exactly where to start.
When budgets are getting tighter, decorating or updating your home may get put on the back burner. Luckily, there are lots of contests, sweepstakes, and giveaways out there that feature fabulous items to keep your home looking fresh and running strong. Though our tastes tend to be a bit too discerning for most of the décor items available in giveaways, there are plenty of gadgets that we’d welcome in our home (and some chic items if you look hard enough). And with entry forms now conveniently on the internet, a click of the mouse gives you a chance to win, making it easy to enter multiple contests without spending much time or money. But just because a product is free doesn’t mean it’s right for your home. Read on and see how to find the items you can really use.
GO FOR NO-FAIL PRIZES
Home Appliances
While you might have to be a little picky about décor, newer technology is always welcome—especially when it’s free of cost. Unlike a particular accent rug that might not be right for every house and every person, appliances, which are chosen for function rather than form, are a great option. Floor care items such as vacuum cleaners and carpet steamers, outdoor goods like lawn mowers and grills, and bigger items like washers and dryers are all spectacular wins. When looking for prizes, try to enter sweepstakes for the items that you actually need. Many of these products cost hundreds of dollars if not more—not having to buy them may free up some cash for you to splurge a little on décor that might not have been in your budget before.
Kitchen Goods
Keep an eye out for any items for the kitchen. Smaller items like cutting boards, pots and pans, and handheld utensils may have fewer sweepstakes entries because they have a lower total value, which could increase your chances of winning. Or, look out for fun items you might not buy for yourself, like a margarita mixer, a cappuccino machine, or an ice cream maker. While they aren’t necessities, goods like these can be a great addition to the kitchen and make entertaining more fun—just make sure you have ample counter or cabinet space.
Electronics
A flat-screen TV, DVD player, high-quality sound system, or a new computer will fit right in, no matter what your style. Again, snagging these big-ticket items for free may allow you to spend more money elsewhere, maybe even on a beautiful armoire!
THE TIME TO BE PICKY
Consider your existing décor
When moving onto more stylized items like furnishings, pillows, rugs, draperies, or home accents, do a little editing. If your dining room is modern and contemporary, a sweepstakes for a chintzy floral tablecloth might not be your best bet. If you have a bedroom dominated in soft neutrals and warm earth tones, consider that color scheme when entering sweepstakes. An exception? Linens. Items like towels and sheets are going to come in handy when hosting guests even if they don’t match perfectly.
Select brands you know
With home décor, always consider quality. If it seems like there’s a lot to navigate, look for names you know and retailers you trust. It’s hard to learn much from a small picture online or a short description, but if you’ve always been happy with Lenox tableware or Ralph Lauren bedding, it’s likely that you will continue to be impressed. Similarly, look for smaller items from trustworthy brands rather than large pieces from ones you don’t know. These are the things that will last and continue to make you happy for years, instead of ending up shoved in the back of a closet or taking up space in the attic.
Look where you read
Many home design magazines and web sites sponsor their own giveaways and sweepstakes. These items are often from the same brands that are featured on the pages of these magazines or on their web sites, and reflect the design sensibility of the publication. So if you don’t know where to start, think of the decorating sites you love the best, and go there. It’s likely that their sweepstakes will be right on target with your personal style. Click on the link below for a list of our editorial giveaways.
DARE TO DREAM
There are dream house makeovers that offer winners the funds to redo their entire home or create their ideal haven. Sure it’s a long shot, but in this economy, it can’t hurt to try. And even if you don’t win, just thinking about your perfect house could inspire a few ideas, and a lot of creativity, so when you do have the funds to do a little decorating, you’ll know exactly where to start.