The Smart Phone Battle

The rumors are flying and the speculation is high over the unveiling of the next iPhone which should happen in August or September.  How will it stack up against the competition is the big question!

I have to give credit to Steve Jobs for the explosion of photography starting with the iPhone 4.  Pocket camera sales are at an all time low and personally I see them disappearing from the marketplace in the next couple of years, and that’s all because of smartphone camera technology.

It would have sounded far fetched if someone would have told you, not that long ago, you could access the Internet, send and receive email, send and receive texts, take great pictures and videos, pay your bills,  deposit checks, and even make telephone calls on a hand held device!  But we are doing just that and more today.

Smart phones just keep getting smarter so we’re constantly thinking what the next model will offer us.

Apple’s iPhone certainly had the market share until Samsung came along with the Galaxy S4.  In a lot of people’s opinion the new Galaxy S5 really out did the iPhone 5S on several accounts.

So the question is what will Apple bring to the table in a few short months?  If it’s the iPhone 6 or whatever they call it, will it take the lead again?  Here’s an in depth look at this whole discussion.

An Open Letter to Microsoft

Those of us who have been using computers for years have experienced the steady progression of technology.  I started in the days of DOS and probably the biggest thrill was when you released Windows 95.  Then there were all those operating systems between then and now, some bad and a few that were good.  Windows XP was with us the longest.  Windows 7 was a solid platform and then you decided to create a nightmare!

The world is literally hating Windows 8.  We understand that you needed an OS to support tablets but there are millions of us that still use desktop computers and throwing the Metro system in our face was a huge mistake.

Who was the genius that decided to drop the start button?  Who was the genius that made the original setup so complicated?  Who was the genius that decided to drop the games that we have loved over the years?  You promised a start button with Windows 8.1 update and it still put Metro in our face.

Unless you’re a techie and know the secret of configuring a new computer you have to sign up for a Microsoft account and give your name, email address, date of birth, telephone number, and the size of your socks!  We are mad and frustrated before it ever boots up and then we don’t see the desktop, we are faced with the confusing  Metro screen!

Without research and more frustration, we can’t even figure out how to shut down the computer.!  We can’t find anything that’s familiar.  How do we get to the control panel, task manager, power options, device manager?  Why would you want to alienate millions of computer users all over the world?

If we had some clue as to Microsoft’s future plans we might feel more comfortable but they are tight lipped, or maybe confused themselves. 

We are begging you Microsoft to shape up your act before we all abandon ship!  We already have an iPad and an iPhone which we dearly love.  Is the next step an iMac?

Technology

Technology is an industry on steroids and is moving so fast that it can’t keep up with itself!  We have made further strides in this arena in the past 25 years than we have in the history of mankind!

The mind of man has not conceived where we’ll be even five years from now because it hasn’t been thought of yet!

I have been fascinated and intrigued by technology all my life.  Early on I owned an electronics business, but gave that up for a career in aviation.  Back in the early eighties I got involved with computers and after retiring from flying started a computer business.

Today we are enjoying these tremendous strides in technology in all kinds of ways.  The Internet, digital photography, high definition television, tablets, drones, and smart phones, just to name a few.

Sitting in the drivers seat of some new automobiles resembles the cockpit of a jet.  All these new innovations at your finger tips like satellite radio, bluetooth, USB connections, and electronic navigation.

Maybe the biggest thing that has really changed our lives is the cell phone.  How did we ever live without them?  With a smart phone the possibilities are becoming endless.  Sophisticated cameras, keeping track of your appointments, navigation, online banking including check deposits, photo galleries, the Internet, and all the other things we can do with them.

Cell phone texting serves a valuable purpose in many ways but its negative side is causing our society to loose social graces.  A great many people are spending more time in cyber space than they are in reality.  Driving while intexticated is causing more deaths today than driving while intoxicated!

I’m sure you’ve seen Mom, Dad, Brother and Sister at a restaurant having dinner.  While eating their food, the entire time all four of them are texting!  When you text while being with other people you are non verbally saying that the person you’re texting is more important than the person or persons you’re with!

I’ve even seen people in church spend most of the service with their bright screen antagonizing the people around them while they continually surfed Facebook.  Facebook should be an occasional visit and not an addiction.

Technology will continue to change the world but we must continue to embrace the family unit!

Photos Create Joy!

Your Birth Certificate proves that you were born.  Your Death Certificate proves that you died and your photos prove that you lived! 

Some people have traveled from the womb to the tomb without ever taking a photograph, and to me that’s rather sad.  Photos tell stories,  create joy and bring back memories!

In this digital world 85% of people today are taking pictures with their cell phones.  Technology has brought smart phone cameras to the center stage and has meant a drastic decline in pocket camera sales.  Facebook alone uploads 350 million photos per day.  The world of photography has exploded!

Technology not only has improved cameras of all types but has provided editing capabilities to turn a person like me into a “Photo Artist.”

One company in particular, Topaz Labs have provided filters, to be used in conjunction with a photo editor, that can provide dazzling results.  Here’s their website:  www.topazlabs.com

Here’s an example:  I took this shot several years ago of “Park Avenue” in Arches National Park.  Click on it for a larger view to appreciate its beauty.  This is located in Moab, Utah and is worth a visit from  anywhere!

Now with some help from Topaz Filters let’s play with this photo and come up with something completely different.  Same photo but with a different twist.  The thing about altering a photo is the possibilities are virtually endless. 

This is the result of the editing and it has re-birthed into a piece of art.  The exciting thing about this is that someone like myself can do this in 15 minutes whereas an artist might take 15 hours to paint it.

I would encourage you to take lots of photos!  The more pictures you take the more you will enjoy the beauty that constantly surrounds you.  The more beauty that you enjoy, the richer your life will be.

Photos create Joy, tell a story, and bring back memories!  Long after you and I are gone our photos will be remembered…………………….

A Wonderful Photo is sometimes Pure Luck!

It was a bright sunny day with temps in the 70s a few days ago when visiting the Phoenix Zoo.  We did a lot of walking while photographing many of the birds and animals.

Later in the afternoon we climbed aboard the last train of the day.  The route would take us around the whole park, about a 30 minute experience.  Late in the ride we rode past the lions and tigers.  The warm afternoon sun was settling in the West and the opportunity for a “Big Cat” photo was perfect!  But, we couldn’t get off the train.  By the time we got back to the station it was almost closing time, and I asked the conductor if there was any way we could quickly get back to the lions and tigers.  He said “Well, I’m not supposed to do this, but I have to put the train away for the day and we drive right past that point, so get back on and I’ll take you there.”

As a photographer I’m excited now.  The subjects are there, the light is perfect, but can I get some great shots?

I ran between the lion cage and the tiger cage. They were pacing, in the light, and out of the light.  At one point the female lion sat down.  I stuck my camera through the fence, zoomed in and caught her in the sunshine!

Now, for his Majesty.  Would he stop pacing and pause in the light?  Yes, he did.  I made every sound in the world trying to get him to look my way, but he had a mind of his own, so this is him!


I ran back to the tiger area but she was wandering around with not a good chance to get a photo.  So it’s back to the lions and  got lucky enough to catch them relaxing in the sun! How romantic…..


Back to the tiger.  She is still pacing and I’m clicking away, but no photo that’s worth bragging about.  And then, she jumped up on a boulder about 4 feet off the ground.  She stood there looking around and seemed to be interested in a bird high above in the tree.  Again I’m making sounds trying to coax her to look my way. Obviously she’s  just not interested.  (Been there before!) 

At this point I put my  camera in high speed capture mode. It’s clicking like crazy trying to get the shot.  I must have taken at least 40 frames and in 1 frame, there she was, looking straight at me!

Sometimes you’ll get a great photograph when you least expect it.  It's talent mixed with a lot of luck and being at the right place at the right time. (Click on photos for a larger view.)

Pictures tell a story and create memories.  Photos are a universal language and create emotion and joy in your life. 

Take your camera or cell phone and take a photo today!

Skin Cancer Check-Up

This is my Dermatologist, Dr. James Pehoushek, part of the team at the “Allergy & Dermatology Specialists” in Phoenix.

I feel very fortunate to have been referred to him when I developed sun spots on my arms.  One out of every six spots can be cancerous so it’s critical to have these removed by an easy freeze procedure.

On my second visit I had a suspicious spot just below my left eye and a biopsy was performed that was diagnosed as Basal Cell Carcinoma.  This is a type of skin cancer which was removed by a simple surgery called the Mohs procedure.

I now return to see Dr. Pehoushek every six months which I did today and the visit prompted me to write about it in this Blog.  In all my years I have never met a doctor with such a pleasing personality.  He is all smiles and a real pleasure to be around! 

If you live in Phoenix this is your man to keep you healthy with any skin or allergy problems.

You can watch a short video of him working with a patient with sun spots and a biopsy procedure such as I experienced.

I now look forward to my semi-annual visits, just to be a part of his enthusiasm for life!

Computer Crash

It’s been a long time since I blogged, but my Microsoft Live Writer (Blog Editor) was broken and I couldn’t figure out how to fix it.  They say that for every adversity brings the seed of equivalent or greater benefit to those with a positive mental attitude. 

So what was the adversity?  My HP desktop computer of four years quit working and rather than spend money and time on it I sprung for a new Dell.  The process of getting it set up, transferring documents, photos, music, and installing all my programs was a very long process!

Since the new Dell came with Windows 8, it made things even more frustrating especially upgrading to Windows 8.1.  It took too long to accomplish and on starting up it made you set up a Microsoft account whether you wanted to or not.  Sorry, I may be old fashioned, but I just don’t like Windows 8.  Here are 8 reasons to hate Windows 8!  I hope after time it will change my mind.

On a positive note my Blog editor now works after installing it on the new system.  The biggest tip I can give you if upgrading to Windows 8 is to install a third party start button, then things won’t be quite so frustrating.  It’s called the “Classic Shell” and can be made to look like previous operating systems.  It’s free and you can Get it here.

Computer crashes happen to the best of us, it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.  The secret is to keep your data files backed up!

Memories……

Every wonder back to your younger years?  Would you have done some things differently?  Remember some of the things you had as a young person and kind of wish you could have those things today?

I think back when I was 12 and purchased a “Jerry Mahoney” ventriloquist doll with my paper route money.  Even though he was made of wood, over time, he became a friend. Wish I had him today.

I wish I had my “Red Rider BB Gun,” that I could give to my grandson.  Also my red wagon with the wooden sides.  Before my first car I had a motor bike then a motor scooter.  I’d be the talk of the neighborhood if I rode them around the block today.

My father was a policeman back in Iowa and I remember one of his friends gave me his traffic whistle when I was about 8 years old.  It was a treasure, but I lost it in the hay field where I grew up.  I’d love to have it today.

I remember my grandfather giving me my first pocket knife.  That’s also a treasure to a young boy, but it’s long gone and I wish I had it today.

Memories of things in the past.  There’s also memories of people in the past.  Close friends in grade school, junior high, high school and college.  Wouldn’t it be fun to have them all sitting in a room with you right now?

Music brings back memories.  Listen to a tune from yesteryear and you’ll remember exactly where you where and who you were with!

All those things and all those memories.  Good times and sad times and they all make up who we are today.

Today is an interesting word.  Today is the day we dreamt about yesterday.  It’s here and it’s now and that’s exciting!  If you think about it, it’s always today, so let’s make memories today!

Switching from iPhone to Android (Important Hint!)

I have had iPhones from day one and loved everyone of them.  Lately though, I feel that Apple is slipping and “standing still.”  At their annual conference in May they announced their new operating system IOS 7, but not a mention or even a hint as to the next iPhone.  Being eligible for a new phone and with the release of the very exciting Samsung Galaxy S4 I couldn’t resist the switch.

For the first couple of days I was overwhelmed with all the great features and as a photographer was very impressed with the 13MB camera!  In my opinion the Galaxy S4 runs away from the iPhone 5.

Soon though I realized that I could not receive text messages sent from any iPhone that was using Wi-Fi.  I called Verizon corporate and talked to a representative, who incidentally, bent over backwards trying to find an answer but to no avail.  I went to Best Buy, where I purchased the Galaxy, to discuss the problem.  No answers, so I drove to the Verizon store and after a long discussion was advised to go back to Best Buy and exchange the phone.  I did just that, but had the same problem.  My wife, at home, could not text my new Galaxy.  Everyone was stumped!

The Best Buy cell phone rep went the extra mile. Instead of saying “that’s all I can do for you Mr. Stanley” he spent extra time discussing the situation with me.  It paid off that both of us were  “techies” as we entered into a conversation using common sense principles.

Background:  Apple uses two types of text messages.  One for the network and one for using Wi-Fi, called an imessage.  This is good as it gives you unlimited messaging between all Apple products and all other Apple customers.  But, anytime an iPhone user, including my wife, would text me under a Wi-Fi environment it wasn’t received on the new Galaxy. 

Hint: There is an iPad in my office.  So where did that message want to go?  To the iPad!  Once it got there it went no further. 

Solution:  If you have another Apple product in your Wi-Fi system, go to settings, messages, and turn off “iMessage.”  Problem solved!

I have disseminated this solution to Verizon and Best Buy employees in hopes that someone else doesn’t spend hours trying to solve this frustrating situation.

You and I Can Change the World!

Seems like every day we hear about senseless killings, not only in America, but all over the world.  Why is this happening?  Why has our society become so violent?  Why is there so much hatred?  We were stunned and shocked by the recent Boston fiasco. The word people used most is "why?"   Why do certain cultures hate America? 

Why is America so generous only to have this generosity thrown back in our face?  We must look for answers before the world destroys itself!  Personally I feel helpless in the big picture, but you and I can influence our family, friends, and neighbors in a positive way. If each person that reads this does that, we as a group can change the world.

Maybe just maybe part of the reason for chaos all around us, is that we have fallen away from God.  Ya, I know there are atheists who will throw darts at me and that's okay.  The majority of Americans are Christians and believe in God, but don't go to church.  Maybe the reason is church was boring.  If so look for a new one.  There are many wonderful churches in most cities today where it's exciting to attend; churches where the Pastor or Pastors talk today's language, and talk about today's problems.  Churches that not only offer weekend services but activities for all ages all week long. 

Our church here in Phoenix, Christ's Church of the Valley (CCV) sets a great example.  Five services every weekend, a food court, Starbucks, an outside grill serving hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and hotdogs, 80 beautiful acres, and three teaching Pastors that give phenomenal messages!  Some people are thinking "Starbucks at Church?"  Don't make fun, Starbucks is huge all over the world and it's just one thing that makes CCV so special.  Make it a point to attend church this weekend and I guarantee your life will change!

I don't know about you, but I can't stand to watch the news anymore!  Whether it be national news, or local news, it's one negative story after another.  The news media thrives on negativity because it sells.  Why does it sell?  Simply because we live in a negative society.  Sex, drugs, and violence are the headlines.  You don't realize this unless you are older and have seen days when we enjoyed clean wholesome movies, TV programs, and happy news. I see young kids today in the grocery store kicking their mothers and throwing tantrums.  You know how long that would have lasted in my day?  Not one second!  It wouldn't have happened in the first place in my day because there wasn't sex, drugs, and violence around every corner.

You and I can't change the big picture until we change the little picture and that means the immediate world around us.  Believe me, there are enough good people today that believe in working for a living, being honest and doing the right thing.  Surround yourself with these people because "You are who you hang around with!"  I'll say it again.  "I feel helpless in the big picture, but you and I can influence our family, friends, and neighbors in a positive way to make a better world!"

A Very Cool Gadget for iPhone Lovers

For people who love taking photos, the iPhone does a great job, especially the 4S and the iPhone 5.  With future models the camera will get better and better!

There are a lot of useful iPhone apps which let you edit your photos before sending them in an email, message, Facebook, or other Internet sites

Those software apps are used after taking the shot, but how about something that will improve that picture before clicking the shutter button? 

That’s where the olloclip comes into action. This gadget slides on to your iPhone, and features a fisheye, wide angle, and macro lens.  It works great for stills and video and is inexpensive.  It comes in black,  white, red, and is available in most stores and their Internet site. 

To give you an example of the fun you can have with this combo lens, here’s a shot of the inside of our camper using the fisheye.

 

 

 

 

 

Does the macro lens work? To try it out I took my iPhone to the back yard and shot this within a half an inch of a bottle brush flower. Pretty nifty for the first try!

Check out their website and watch the video on how it works. If you love taking iPhone photos and videos, you’ll love the “olloclip!”

Another iPhone camera feature that people either don’t know about or forget to use is the panorama mode.  Turn on the camera and touch “Options” then touch “Panorama.”  Hold your iPhone in the vertical position and point it where you want to start. Push the camera icon and follow the arrow to the right.  Here’s an example of a shot I took in this mode while camping in the mountains.

(Click on photos for larger view.)  Remember your birth certificate proves that you were born, your death certificate proves that you died, and your photos prove that you lived!   

Carnival Cruise Lines

Have you ever taken a cruise?  My wife and I have been on many and all have been very enjoyable, except for the last one.

 
We booked a 6 day cruise that left Long Beach and traveled to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  A couple of days before our scheduled departure we received an email from Carnival notifying us that the ship "Splendor" would be a day late in arriving in Long Beach.

The problem was that it got stuck in fishing nets at their last port.  We were told, because of that, our trip would be cut to 5 days and only visit Cabo San Lucas.

After spending two nights in a California hotel instead of one, we arrived for early boarding on the newly scheduled departure date, only to stand in line for over 4 hours!

Questioning a Carnival staff member as to the situation we were told that all the people that check in passengers were part time and had other jobs during the week.  Since this was Monday there were only a hand full of people to process over 3,000 passengers.  It was a total fiasco to say the least!  There were no apologies and not even an offer for a bottle of water while standing in a two city block long line. 

Arriving back home I wrote an email to the President of Carnival and expressed our dismay but to this day have not heard a word. 

The fact that this ship, a couple of years ago, had a fire in the engine compartment, coupled with our recent experience, and the fact that the Carnival ship "Triumph" recently experienced a fire and spent days stranded in the Gulf of Mexico, we no longer wish to use this company for any kind of a "Cruise Vacation!"

Photo Editing

Photography is a passion of mine.  As a photographer you are more keenly aware of the beauty that surrounds you.  A photo captures a moment in time, can tell a story, and bring back a memory. 

Today, most of us have a smart phone and that means you always have a camera with you.  Even serious photographers are enjoying photographing the world with their phones.

The iPhone has become a staple in the world of pictures.  Snap a shot, send it in an instant message, in an email, post it to your favorite photo site, Facebook, Twitter, or Google+.

There are many apps that will let you edit, enhance, or add special effects to your picture before you send it off.  One of my favorites is PhotoForge2.

If I’m at home I like to plug my iPhone into my computer and enhance photos in my editing program.  I use Paint Shop Pro X5 to edit and Topaz Labs Filters to enhance.  This is where the fun comes in!

Here’s an example of a pretty generic iPhone photo taken of us by a friend on a recent photo excursion in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

The person who took this shot sent it to me in a message.

When we got home I imported it into PSP. 

First I increased the exposure to brighten the faces, then painted the background including the post behind my head.  I used the magic wand to isolate that area.  I opened another photo that was previously edited, copied it, and dropped it into the isolated area.

The last step for this shot was to add three borders and my logo at the bottom.   Bingo…And the end product looks pretty good!

This was our first visit to Cabo and this boat trip  to Los Arcos rock formations was a highlight for me.  If we go back again I’ll have them drop me off on the beach so I can walk around and photograph all afternoon!

Here’s the full version of the background.  It’s the shot of the arch that everyone wants to get.

Don’t let the camera in your cell phone go unused.
Take lots of photos and share them with the world!

You may click on the photos for a larger view.

Windows 8 – Follow UP

Here’s a follow up on my last post about Microsoft’s new operating system.  As stated, I installed Windows 8 on my laptop with the intention of learning it so as to help customers and give seminars to computer clubs.

After six weeks of using the system, I am not impressed to say the least.  It might be fine on a tablet, for which it was really designed, but for a non touch screen laptop or desktop it is very disappointing!

Windows 8 is actually built on top of Windows 7 and is really two separate entities.  You boot up to a bunch of tiles which represent applications but in order to take advantage of what these apps offer, you have to sign up for a Microsoft account.  One of these tiles is your desktop which you can click to get to what you were used to looking at in Windows 7.  To make things interesting they left out the start button which has become a huge controversy. What was your thinking MS?

I have used every Microsoft operating system since DOS days in the late seventies and have never encountered anything so frustrating.  At first I thought it might be my age but after extensive research and talking with so called experts all agree that Windows 8 is a flop.

My advice?  Do NOT upgrade your present computer and only if absolutely necessary purchase a new machine with Windows 8.  Be satisfied if you’re using Windows XP as Microsoft will furnish support until April of 2014.  If you have Windows 7 don’t move a muscle as it is an excellent OS. 

Microsoft is already talking about “Windows Blue” their next OS to be released next year, so it won’t be that long to let them get their act together!

Windows 8

October 26th, the magic date for Microsoft’s newest operating system.  Windows 8 promises to completely change the way we interact with our computers. 

Techies will make the change immediately but most will probably hold off until the jury is in.  The new system promises to be much faster, more intuitive and more secure, but it’s a drastic change from what we have been used to since Windows 95.

The change is understandably ready for the market place so as to be compatible with Windows smartphones and tablets.  The desktop will act like a tablet which is the wave of the future and the only drawback will be the time it takes to be become proficient.

I will load Windows 8 on my laptop immediately, learn it thoroughly,  present seminars to computer clubs, and keep you updated.

Here’s a look Microsoft’s new operating system provided by CNET.

Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS)

You may not have heard about CMAS yet.  I didn’t know about it until my wife’s new Verizon phone started giving us very loud weather alerts.  They even happened in the middle of the night and were very annoying.

Your cell phone may be a little different but this is how I turned off the alarms.  Navigate to: Messages - More - Settings - Emergency Alerts.  If you can’t find the proper menu you can call 611 on your cell phone which will connect you to your carrier.

Upon further research on the Internet and found an explanation of CMAS. Congress has passed a law that allows the President to issue alerts and other alerts can be issued regarding imminent threats to safety or life, and Amber alerts.

You can turn off the last two but not messages from the President.  As of this writing these alerts do not apply to the iPhone.

You can read all about this on the Government Web Site.

“They Come to America”

“They Come to America” is an independent film produced by Dennis Michael Lynch about the problem of illegal immigration. I purchased a copy of the film and have shown it many times to many different groups, and will continue to do so in the coming months.

Dennis has been an entrepreneur from an early age. In the last few years he became interested in becoming a film producer and made his first film with many well known Hollywood stars. While making this movie he accidentally became aware of the magnitude  of illegal immigration. The first movie has been shelved and he put his whole heart into “They Come to America.”

A quote from his web site: “Truth is, before making this film I never gave a single thought to illegal immigration. And yet, for some crazy reason, I went as far as risking my life to produce a non-partisan documentary about the hottest political topic in America.  What's even crazier is why so many people don't want you to see my film.” 

Please take the time to visit his website view the trailer of the film, click on other videos, read his bio and maybe you’ll want to purchase a copy to show your friends.

America has always welcomed people of all Countries and will continue to do so, but our Nation cannot sustain the millions who are crossing our borders illegally!

My Health

After sitting on my you know what for years with a flying career, and the last few years sitting on my you know what in my studio, I thought I’d better get off my you know what and get back in shape like I was in Office Candidate School in the sixties.  I’ll probably never be that tough again, but the move is on for better health!

Recently I joined a Fitness Center.  I was embarrassed when my personal trainer took my measurements.  I was even more embarrassed when asked how much I exercised!  Exercise?  If it wasn’t for the auto spell checker, I wouldn’t even know how to spell that word!   

Like everything in life, you must start somewhere.  I remember a saying I learned years ago; “Inch by inch, anything's a cinch!” 

I remember when I quit smoking 22 years ago.  It was a challenge both mentally and physically.  It wasn’t easy, but it had to be done to keep living a healthy life.

So, here I go taking another path in life.  Not the one I’ve been on, but a new one and that’s exciting!  A path of exercise and eating properly.

There are so many reasons to do this.  I don’t want my wife to live alone.  I want to witness my grandchildren get married.  I want to witness the advancement and the excitement of technology, and I want to witness more of the beauty that surrounds me.

Life is good!

Meet Dennis Prager

Until just recently I had never heard of Dennis Prager. I found this gentleman totally by accident on YouTube. I watched some of his videos and was intrigued by his personality and intelligence.

After some research I learned that according to Toastmasters, he is one of America’s five best speakers.

The Los Angeles Times is quoted as saying “An amazingly gifted man and moralist whose mission in life has been crystallized to get people obsessed with what is right and wrong.”

Dennis Prager is also one of America’s most respected radio talk show hosts and has been broadcasting from Los Angeles since 1982.

I have studied motivation, success, goal setting, public speaking, and similar subjects since the seventies, but possibly never moved as much as I was when watching a speech that Dennis gave to the students of a Florida College.

His subject; “Happiness is Not a Feeling: It’s a Moral Obligation.”  If you watch this video it will completely change the way you think about being happy.  In fact, it will change your way of life and the influence you have on every person that you meet!

This presentation is an hour and fifteen minutes, so set aside this much time to enjoy and learn from what he has to say.

In my humble opinion, each of us should always be taking steps to improve our lives and this is one of those steps!

Now, sit back relax and enjoy this time with Dennis Prager!

(Click on the lower right icon of the video to watch in full screen.)

Today’s America

It is my opinion that America is in deep trouble and those indicators are totally surrounding us today.

I’m stating this, not as a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or any other political affiliation, but as a person who loves his Country and wants America to be what is has always been, a strong free Nation, based on the laws of our founding fathers.

You don’t have to look far and wide for the indicators that we are falling apart. Our Constitution is being ignored and abused, we are in debt as never before, our borders are not secured, and we are passing laws that no one has read or understands. Common sense, logic, and ethics have gone down the drain.

Our Congress and the President are fighting tooth and nail over regulating debt and our leader wants to spend even more. This is insanity!  All you Washington fat cats in your ivory tower with your big salaries and all your benefits should adhere to the same laws that the rest of us do. That’s change we want to see!

I, for one, am sick and tired of hearing some people still blaming George W. Bush for all of our problems. Sure we had debt during his administration, but our current leader has added more debt than all of our Presidents combined! This wild spending has to stop. Bush blamers forget that in 2007, two years before for current President was elected, we had a majority democratic congress.

I have worked every day of my life since the age of 12 when I had a paper route. I worked during high school and college and every day henceforth. At the age of 73 I’m still working to pay our bills because social security isn’t enough. It’s not only enough, but SS is bankrupt. You took my money all those years under the guise of taking care of me. You spent my money and are now crying that the system is broke! That is fraud and if I practiced this I’d be in prison.

I would also be in prison by entering any other country illegally! Just see how far you would get sneaking into another country, demanding your so called rights, demanding they speak your language and flying your flag over theirs. Go ahead, just try it!  If you want to live in America then do it legally. Obey our laws and speak our language. I fully support Sheriff Joe who has been elected by the people of Arizona for five terms and is just trying to uphold state and federal laws!

Why are we relying on enemy countries to supply us with oil? Why are we paying $4 a gallon for gasoline?  When our current leader was elected the price was $1.82. Why are we not drilling in America where there is almost an unlimited supply? Please tell us why!

Why do we have to talk to a person in a foreign country for technical support on almost all consumer products?  Why aren’t these jobs in America?

Why can’t we use the powerful media called Television to entertain and educate our people? 95% of TV programs are trash and are contributing to the moral decay of our society. It’s all about sex, drugs, and violence including most of today’s video games.

The kids of today see all this as common place; they don’t know any different. Gone are the days of good clean, fun, programs and movies.

I am not a purist and am certainly not perfect, but I do believe in free enterprise, my freedom to believe in God and believe that it’s time for America to get back on her feet. There is no free lunch!  My motto is “You don’t work, you don’t eat.”

America is headed more toward socialism everyday and it must stop!  Socialism does not work and that has been proven in many European countries!

We must take our Country back to where it was, a strong free Nation, based on the laws of our founding fathers.

Everyone that believes this must get involved to take back America, and discard the philosophy of “let the other guy do it.”  Time is running out………….

If I wanted America to fail, I would do this.