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Words & Music

by monicadockery

Archive for the tag “Monica Dockery”

Wine on White

So, I released my album, SoulMade on October 15th.  After giving birth, I went through a mini-bout of postpartum depression.  You know, you pour your heart and soul into something, you nurture and care for it as it develops.  Then, you bring it into this world where you know no one will love and care for it like you did when it was in your womb.  It is no longer “safe” but open to criticism, to indifference, to abuse.  Then, there’s also the fact that you don’t feel it moving inside you anymore….an emptiness, separation.  But, after a few days (maybe weeks), you snap out of it and realize just what a feat and what a joy it was to bring this thing to life.  And, you begin to celebrate each accomplishment, each baby step taken, and the bonding takes place.  Soon, you realize you enjoy it so much that you want to have another.  That is where I am now…

I’m working on another :)….only it will be a short, (couple of songs) EP.  One of the songs I wrote recently is called “Wine on White” and has a jazzy vibe to it.  I don’t plan on rushing things this time as I will be continuing to promote SoulMade and do live gigs.  Speaking of which, I have my very FIRST EVER gig in LA this month.  November 19th @ TheWitZend.  I’m excited and looking forward to sharing the stage with about 6 other acts that night.  Should be a fun time.  If you’re in the area, you’re invited!!!  Here’s a link to the venue that has all the details.  Wish me luck!  Peace to you all 🙂

If blues, jazz, and soul music had a baby…..

HipHop and Soul fall in love :)…Featured guests on my album!

Three of my fellow artists/collaborators/friends have contributed their talents to my upcoming album….5 days left till it is released!  I thought I’d share these featured tracks with you today!  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.  Thanks so much to my dear friends:  Here are links to their pages in case you want to hear more from them:

Dash the Baptist: https://soundcloud.com/d-dash-flow

Ben Z: http://benz.bandcamp.com/album/my-new-mix-tape

TheNamesMillen: https://soundcloud.com/thenamesmillen

Album Update #5 ……the end is near!!! :)

photoHello!  Before I get into my post, please take a minute to watch my new music video!  It is for a contest.  Each view gives me a point and helps me rank higher in the contest.  So, you’re welcomed to watch as much as you’d like and do share!  The contest ends Nov.9th and finalist will then compete to win a chance to make a professionally produced EP w/Don Was (wha? 🙂 ).  Hope you like it, it is a very personal song for me.

Now, to the ALBUM UPDATE.  If you’ve been following me on here, you may have read about the album I’ve been working on for a few months now.  GREAT NEWS!!!!!  I’m nearly 100% finished!  Just tightening up the mix/master on each song.  It will be ready to launch October 15, 2013.  So excited to share these songs :)!  Finally.  Since the end is near, I thought I’d give a sneak peek at the song list for the album ( not necessarily in order).  Here it is:

Audiobiography (bullet)

Sweet Cali

The One

Two Shades

Anything But

Christine Alice

Dollar N a Dime

Sam I am

John Henry

In the Mood

Dreamin A Way

Moving away

One Inch

New Day

There is a Light

Two Moons

Dadi da da

Keep checking in!  And leave a comment to let me know what you thought about the video.  Would love to hear your thoughts! 🙂  Thanks.  Have a great weekend all!

Help me win the Guitar Center Contest!

I’ve been M.I.A. for a while on this blog, but for a good reason. I am nearly finished with my album!! It will be available October 15th! So excited. Now…..

I have also been busy trying to gain support for my entry into the Guitar Center Singer Songwriter Contest 3 w/ Don Was. The more online activity on our contest page, the better our chances. So, it would be WONDERFUL, FANTASTIC, AWESOME, if you took some time to watch my two videos that are up on my page. Note: the link only works from a desktop, no mobile devices. By you simply watching my videos on the contest page, you will be helping me come that much closer to a dream! Please show your support, watch and share with as many friends as you can. You can even view it multiple times for multiple votes. Thanks so much! Can’t wait to share more of my project with you soon! And btw, the contest ends Nov.9th, so please keep checking back on the site as I will be uploading at least one more music video there before the release of my album. Cheers everyone! And, thank you so much in advance.

Album Update #3 – 3 Reasons Why Recording Sucks….until

Photo on 8-7-13 at 9.31 AM #3

Hellooo!  A picture of me getting ready to do a full day of recording….I had just woken up (one perk of recording from home…you can do it in your pjs….or well…you know)

Time for a little update on the progress of my FIRST EVER, self-produced album :).  Ok, so I have officially gone into the phase that involves full-day recording sessions and the thing that I realized is…..recording sucks.  I have recorded before, many times – for other people’s projects and for singles of my own and that has always gone pretty well.  But, recording vocals, background vocals, guitar, AND percussion instruments for 21 songs (19, 2 bonus) is INSANE!!!!  I clearly had NO IDEA what I was getting into when I first started this project.  Holy crap.  So, here’s the top 3 gripes I have about recording:

1)  You can’t just wing it.  If you knew me, you would know how much I despise planning.  However, with recording, I have found you HAVE TO plan.  Sure, you can improvise and such while you experiment with the styling and embellishments here and there….but, you have to plot out your moments and nail them while keeping tempo, proper pitch, maintaining the ability to emote, making sure you’re not too far or too close to the mic, delivering the lyric flawlessly, and so on and so forth (phew!).  Easier said than done indeed.

2)  It is UNNATURAL.  In “real life”, when you sing or play the guitar, we don’t stand in an isolation tank with padded walls with headphones on our head.  Usually, you have somebody to look at and interact with while your singing or  it is you, sitting at the beach, with the wind in your face, strumming your guitar.  Not so in “the booth” (mine is a makeshift one that doubles as my closet).  So, yeah, feels weird.  But, eventually, you do get used to it and sometimes to the point where  it gets weird to sing in front of people again :).

3.) It stands between me and my FINISHED album!!!!  Yes, this one is the one.  This is the main reason why recording sucks.  It is the necessary evil.  You cannot have an album to share with folks unless you do it.  And, damn, don’t we love our immediate gratification?!  To have conceived a project, to have poured out your soul in the writing of lyrics, to have found the melody that you were looking for on your guitar, etc., but have to WAIT to share it until all the recording mumbo jumbo is done?!  That sucks.  I don’t like to wait.

BUT….this I know….

It will certainly be worth the wait.  When it is all packaged up and sent out and I can finally share it with you lovely peeps, I will have made my peace with recording and will have a huge smile on my face :).  Can’t WAIT to share these soul songs with you!  Let me end with a quick rundown on the stats for the overall recording progress.

  • All guitar tracking for the 21 songs is finished and most of the additional instrumentation/percussion is complete!! (well, I hope)
  • 5 songs are completely finished  and I love them!
  • Cover art has been chosen……to be revealed soon :0 …dun dun dun
  • Title?  TBD  (it’s between two finalists)
  • I have one of my special friends/guest artists that will be joining me –  Ben Z –  (there will be others as well), who just sent me his contribution to one of the songs on the album and I am so happy with it!!  It is the perfect finishing touch.  But – honestly, he never disappoints….don’t take my word for it, though, you can check out his talents here at his page
  • Date of Release?  To be announced soon (depending on a few things)

Ok, that is all for now.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for checking in with me as I continue on this new journey!

Album Song Preview – Youtube Video for “Birthday”

Helloooo!  So, I have been wanting to share a little more about the album I’m working on, so I decided to do a video preview of one of the last ones that I wrote.  I chose to share this one first because it is one of the more playful, lighter ones and I thought it would be fitting for a summer weekend release:).  Hope you like it!  If you do, leave a little comment to let me know….feedback is always much appreciated.  Thanks!  Have a wonderful weekend!! …and a few more videos to come in the future, so keep checking in!

Album Journey – Update #2

It’s time for another album update:). As mentioned in my last post, I’ll be doing a series of mini-updates on the process and progress of my first EVER full length, self-produced album. Here we go:

Title?: Nope, still don’t have it. I keep going back and forth between two basic ideas. I think I have to wait on this just a bit more.

Number of Songs: Still 21 songs, although I believe I’ll be cutting one or two of those if I can’t figure out the best way to present them. I wouldn’t be happy putting them out the way they are right now.

Phase: I’m happy to say that I am on Phase 2 now:). I have finished the experimentation and temp tracks on the last 7 of the 21 songs in regards to instrumentation and arrangement and such. Phew! Now, I begin the process of doing the REAL semi-final recordings and tracking of instruments for each song.

Challenges: The biggest challenge I see right now is getting the recordings down tight and mixing. I’m NOT a professional producer…so really, this is trial and error for me. I want the tracks to sound the best they possibly can, but I’m limited in my ability. However, I made a vow to myself. The vow was that this project was to reflect exactly where I am in terms of my level of ability and my style evolutionary phase and that is in all aspects (singing ability, guitar playing/musicianship, recording, production, etc.). So, although I may be limiting the quality of production, I am only doing so by the limits of my actual current level of skill.

Other challenges? Finding the time and quiet to record. I am using my own makeshift home studio and I have a young son who is always wanting to go on adventures. How can I say no to that face? So when I’m trying to record a background vocal and he says, “Mom, can we go to the park?” I have ask myself what matters most. For me, it will always be him over my music. Always. So, I have to get creative and find times and spaces to record around life – as all artists do.

What’s Next?: Apart from finishing the tracking and recording, I am hoping to invite a few of my friends and fellow artists to do a few features on some of the songs and as part of the interludes and such. I have met sooooo many wonderfullly talented folks and many of them I am happy to call my friends now. So, I am planning on inviting a few of them to do mini-cameos and show their special talents (e.g. a few bars of a rap, some spoken word, etc.). I want to give them an opportunity to share their talents, so I’m looking forward to that VERY much! They always surprise and delight, I promise!

Overall Progress: If I had to give a percentage, I’d say we are at the 40% mark. Not where I want to be, but moving forward and that is key. I would like to do a few, nicely done, videos for some of the songs as well , but that is much much later into the project.

That is all for now. Keep checkin in with me and thank you for taking this journey with me! I would love love love your support in sharing and listening to the album when all is said and done, so please keep checking in on the progress:).

Btw, tomorrow is the 4th of July! Happy 4th to all of you who will be celebrating. I’ll be with family and friends at my most favorite place to be…….THE BEACH:) Hope you enjoy as well!

Album Journey – Mini Update 1

Photo on 5-14-13 at 10.43 PM

You may or may not have read my post on starting my first – completely self-produced – album a while back. I’m so very very excited! I will be doing a series of mini-updates on here for the rest of the journey. Here’s a quick run down on the status of the album as of 2:20 AM on June 19, 2013:):

Title ? — Nope, not yet….but, I have a list of several potentials that all play around the same idea

Genre: who knows??? I guess when the album comes out, any bloggers that review it will be able to tell me.

Number of Songs: Well, as of today….21 songs!!! (19, 2 bonus). I am currently struggling to decide on whether to keep or cut. I probably won’t decide until much much later in the game. So, currently, I’m working on them as though I’ll be using them all.

Recording Phase: Right now, I’m laying down temporary tracks so that I can experiment with tempos, instrumentation, vocal arrangements and so on.

Overall Progress: Much to do, but I’m on my way. I have the temp tracks and basic arrangement down for 14 of the 21 songs already:).

What’s Next?: I want to finish up getting the basic ideas/sounds down for the remaining 7 tracks. Then, begin doing the actual tracking of instruments and REAL vocal recordings.

Wish me luck! I’ll be back with another update in the near future. Have a great week!

DaVinci was a “G”…

Wow, just spent the day at a DaVinci exhibit nearby.  Amaziiiiiiiing.  I have learned and read about DaVinci before but when you see all the models of the stuff he thought up in front of you, it is ridiculous.  They found 6, 000 plus pages of his notebooks FULL of creations, and those were just the ones that were found.  What is more remarkable than the number of ideas is the quality of them.  Every one came out of a desire to find a solution to a problem.  A contribution of something meaningful, that could add to the quality of life for ordinary folks and that could change the way the world works at large.  Pretty astonishing.  And…inspiring.  I think about how long he lived – 67 years – not long.  That means he used every minute of it usefully.  What might we accomplish if we all were to devote our energies to creating solutions to problems?  Could you imagine how the world would be different?  How much further along we would be?  For providing inspiration not only for myself but for millions throughout history since his time, I pronounce DaVinci a true “G”.  I leave you with two quotes from the man himself:

“While I thought I was learning how to live, I have been learning how to die”

“He who wishes to be rich in a day will be hanged in a year.”

Inspire? Create? Solve?  Let’s.

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Moraff MarbleJongg 2000 1.11

Moraff MarbleJongg 2000 1.11

Screenshots of Moraff MarbleJongg 2000

Moraff MarbleJongg 2000 Publisher's Description

So you thought playing jongg style solitaire was too easy, no action huh?... Moraff's MarbleJongg is cutting edge code that utilises OpenGL for fast animation and screen refresh. Terrfic colors, great backgrounds. This freeware version has no time limit and is fully functional. Match the marbles to remove them from the board. Full screen or resizable window. Make them spin, now make them go bonkers! You will not believe the graphics details and animation. Good 3D graphics card with acceleration and OpenGL driver is recomemnded for full effects but not required. Three levels of play. Three skill levels for each play level. Match marbles or rings Change background images. Comes with two tilesets and fourteen backgrounds - you can load your own backgrounds too. Stores top ten best times. Game will auto-update itself over the Internet. Optionally supports 3D hardware with two styles of animation. Background music (midi or CD audio). Sound effects.

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Wednesday, February 3, 2016

February TBR

It's February already? January passed by so quick! I predict that February will be a good month. Why? It's the beginning of new books! Sequels! Stand alones! Everything we can wish for!

(I usually suck at following these TBRs, but I'm proud to say that I completed my January TBR! Yay!)

So what is on my February TBR?

1. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey. Yes, I know. The movie has been out for a while now, but I have yet to watch it and I do want to reread it before doing so. I've read in in the past, but I don't remember 90% of what happened. Oops :)

2. My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga. Ever since I've read Made You Up, my interest for Contemporary have been opened up again.

3. Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone. More Contemporary, I know. This one seems equally interesting as My Heart and Other Black Holes. Ugh, I don't know what to read first!

What is coming out this February?

1. Stars Above by Marissa Meyer. OMG YES! It's been months since Winter, and I still haven't gotten over the Lunar Chronicles. It's such a well constructed world, with so many characters that you just don't want to leave behind.

2. Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard. Red Queen was really satisfying, as it's been a while since I've read a book with a revolution in it. The last book ended on such a cliffhanger, and now I'm dying to know what happens to all the characters!

3. A Gathering of Shadows by V. E. Schwab. A Darker Shade of Magic was great. My favourite part was the world building: all th
e Londons are so different! Kell and Lila's friendship is so amusing to read about. They're so funny together! Plus, isn't the cover beautiful?

What books are you looking forwards to? What is on your February TBR?

  1. The 5th Wave! I recently read it, and I hope to see the movie next week. Glass Sword is also on my TBR list, though realistically I won't get to it until March (I didn't complete my January TBR, so I need to finish that first hahaha). And, of course, there's the wonderful book called A Gathering of Shadows. I absolutely cannot wait for that book! It's definitely one of my most highly anticipated books this year!
    Great list, Cloe, and I'm looking forward to your reviews!

    1. Yeah, I can't wait for all these new releases! Especially A Gathering of Shadows!

  2. aHHHH I JUST GOT THE FIFTH WAVE FROM THE LIBRARY TOO!! I'm kind of ashamed I haven't read it till now?!? But better late then never, right?! hehe. And ooh, this reminds me I need to read ADSOM too. So many books. *flaps about trying to read everything*
    Thanks for stopping by @ Paper Fury!

    1. I know! I really should read The Fifth Wave soon since I really want to see the movie! Ooh yes you really should read ADSOM! It's amazing!!

  3. I am so looking forward to Stars Above but it's not out in the UK until March *shakes fist* but I just know it's going to be fantastic, I am so excited to visit all the characters again, especial Jacin <3
    I've got A Darker Shade of Magic on my TBR so hopefully I can understand what all this hype is about :P I hope you enjoy a Gathering of Shadows!
    Great TBR Cloe :D
    Cody @ Literary-ly Obsessed

    1. I can't wait to read about all characters again! I want more Jacin and Winter! :) Ooh, I hope you get round to reading A Darker Shade of Magic soon - it's amazing!

  4. I've heard so much about my heart and other blackholes! It's been on my TBR forever!

Hi there! I hope you liked my post! I'd love to hear your thoughts, so if you'd like to drop me a little message/comment, that would probably make my day! :) Thanks for visiting my blog!


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Racking up the miles: November 2014

When my buddy Dave and I were in college, we coined a phrase.  Well, to be honest, we coined many terms and phrases. This led to the us developing the infamous Strohs to English Dictionary, which we may discuss someday.

However, the phrase I am thinking of for this post was: “Never let going to class interfere with going to college!” There are so many fun things that occur daily at WSU, that classes could get in the way of enjoying them.

Nowadays, I wish I could rewrite that to say, “Never let going to work interfere with riding your bike!”  Why?  Because once again the miles this month were limited….

During most of November I was working in Spokane, molding the Mighty P’s youth in my image.  Yep, I was training two people who were promoted from Customer Service to claims.  This sent me to the arctic tundra that is Eastern Washington for most of the month.  The weather over here is NOT conducive to two wheels, way to much ice!

I have lamented about this enough over the month, so I won’t whine again.  However, thanks in big part to Michelle, I did get more miles in November than October.  Ok only about 13 more, but more is more!  I ended up with 146 miles total.

The majority of these miles came in two 40+ mile rides on the weekends.  The first was through driving rain and cold.  The second, had me fighting hellacious winds that kicked my ass.  But the important part is I did them, and better yet, I enjoyed both.  This time of year, my maximum training distance is 40, so it was nice to get two of these under my belt.

I can tell though that the combination of 2 months of low miles and lots of eating out has taken its toll though.  The Levi 501s are getting tight around the belly, and last week, a co worker said “WOW, you are heavier than I’ve ever seen you before!”  (Nope I didn’t punch him, mainly cuz he is correct!)

However, things are looking up!  Thursday is my last day in Spokane!  This means I will be back in Seattle, and back to my normal eating!  Starting a week from today, I will be back on my cycling home schedule, which will supplement my weekend rides!  I will need to get new batteries for the lights on the bike, as it will be getting dark even sooner, but I can handle that easily. (plus the days start getting longer soon!) This will require gortex and fleece, but hell, we Northwest cyclists are tough!

Given this, I have high hopes of a decent miles month in December, which will give me a good boost going into January and the new year.  Add to that I participate in Dry January, I won’t have to deal with wine calories (though it is yummy!) and the liver gets a break.

So I just want to say. Thank you Michelle!!  I appreciate you being willing to give up some of our limited time together this month to get me out and about.  You are a great coach and support crew, and I’d be in trouble with out you! (Not to mention a fantastic wife!)

Here’s hoping we will see a lot of this guy on the road VERY soon!  Like the wind folks!

This entry was posted in Cycling and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

3 Responses to Racking up the miles: November 2014

  1. sarburch says:

    Yeah for more cycle time!

    Looking forward to reading more about your Strohs to English dictionary — sounds like a very interesting topic! 🙂

    • Well we must remember it was developed by two 20 something guys, while drinking Strohs and had nothing but girls on their mind….

      Funny part is I stumbled over it about 5 years ago stuffed in a photo album all neatly typed up from my little blue typewriter I got through school on

      • sarburch says:

        You **typed** this dictionary?!?! Oh, yes — definitely worthy of a blog post! I hope you’ll include some photos of this dictionary! 🙂

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Friday, April 8, 2016

Spotlight Friday 4.08.16 Poetry Collection

Time to get ready for the weekend!
Kick up your feet and find a good place to read.
Sharing #booklove for your classroom or library.
Spotlighting a book or two because these books deserve the spotlight!

April is National Poetry Month.  Whether you celebrate poetry all year or just this time of year, here is a roundup of books you might try!  These books are all student tested and are standouts in their category.

Multiple Poetic Forms

Gone Fishing: A Novel in Verse
Gone Fishing
by Tamera Will Wissinger
illustrated by Matthew Cordell

Poem That Will Not End, The
The Poem That Will Not End
by Joan Bransfield Graham
illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker

Poetry Collections

When Green Becomes Tomatoes: Poems for All Seasons
When Green Becomes Tomatoes
by Julie Fogliano
illustrated by Julie Morstad

Changes: A Child's First Poetry Collection: A Child's First Poetry Collection
Changes: A Child's First Poetry Collection
by Charlotte Zolotow
illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke

Lyrical Poems

Raindrops Roll
Raindrops Roll
by April Pulley Sayre

Sweep Up the Sun
Sweep Up the Sun
by Helen Frost and Rick Lieder

Water Can Be...
Water Can Be
by Laura Purdie Salas
illustrated by Violeta Dabija

For Poem in Your Pocket Day (this year - April 21)

Pocket Poems
Pocket Poems
by Bobbi Katz
illustrated by Marilyn Hafner

A Poem in Your Pocket (Mr. Tiffin's Classroom Series)
A Poem in Your Pocket
by Margaret McNamara
illustrated by G. Brian Karas

And please don't leave out this gem.  A beautiful book to use to show that poetry is all around you when you look and listen.
The word choice and phrasing is gorgeous.
And the illustrations are poetry in their own right.
Did I convince you yet?
Daniel Finds a Poem
Daniel Finds a Poem
by Micha Archer

Happy April!

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Blog Archives

Ethics in Using Technology for Research and Education

I read an article for my Computers and Composition class this week entitled, “The Ethics of Digital Writing Research: A Rhetorical Approach” by Heidi McKee and James E. Porter. The article opens with three possible ethically debatable situations. I am including two below to give you an idea of what was discussed:

“A teacher-researcher conducts a case study of several students’ remediation of genres in
the multimedia compositions they created for class. When presenting his research at a
conference, he shows, with his students’ permission, the complete video files for
students’ digital autobiographies. In these digital autobiographies, students incorporated
photographs, videos, and sound clips of friends and family members — and, in some
cases, the family members are providing sensitive personal information about their lives.
While the researcher has the permission of the students who created the multimedia
compositions, does the researcher have any ethical responsibilities to the “third parties,”
the family members represented aurally and visually in these digital works?

A researcher studying young adults’ Web blogs notices that several blog writers have
expressed suicidal feelings. Because she does not know the names or emails for many of
the authors, she decides not to try to direct people toward resources for help as she would
had students written such disclosures in, say, a live, face-to-face forum such as her
classroom. When encountering distressing information like suicidal tendencies in texts on
the Internet, what ethical actions, if any, should a researcher pursue?” (McKee and Porter 1).

As soon as I read these situations on the opening page, I was hooked. As I read these, I thought, “I see both sides of these issues.” It awakened me to the idea that like most things in life–using technology for research and educational purposes–is not so black and white. Often, there are no easy answers as to what is acceptable. Throughout the article, they referenced these two situations again in more detail. In the latter one, the researcher did not attempt to gain the name of suicidal blogger until much later in her study, but it was too late. The researcher received an email back that informed her the blogger had committed suicide (McKee and Porter 8). When I read that, my heart sank. I am sure it devastated the researcher. This was not someone she knew personally, but still, she saw the signs and reacted too late. That is a complex situation that occurs regularly on the internet, perhaps even in every day life. What if we see troublesome posts, but we do not really know the people? Are we obligated to get involved and try to help?

The first situation mentioned above was addressed later in the article. They discussed how this researcher was working with multimedia projects that students created. These projects contained pictures and videos not only of the students themselves but also of their family and friends. The researcher had obtained the necessary signed consent of the students, but she did not have the signed consent of these third party people. Unfortunately, when she realized this in the almost-publishing stage, it was two years later (McKee and Porter 22). What should she do? That is situation I am sure that happens a lot, especially in multimedia. She decided to blur the images of the images of the third party people. Sounds like an easy decision, but how many people would have even thought about that or considered it?

These are only two situations; however, they make me aware that anytime technology is involved–whether with students in a class or “subjects” for research–much thought is needed about your personal responsibility with interactions between people and technology. It is not cut-and-dry or black-and-white. Failure to consider the many sides of potentially complex situations can leave one with regret. On the other hand, to just say, “Well, I just won’t use technology then.” is not really an option either in this digital age. That is just a stick-your-head-in-the-sand approach.

So before you begin your next research study or technology project with your class, pause for a little bit and ask yourself, “What are my ethical obligations to these people? What permission should I obtain? What should I inform them about ahead of time?” To some extent, as is true in most of life, I think the Golden Rule can help guide you–Treat others how you would wish to be treated yourself.


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Loss of “Ady Gil” a heartbreaker

I’ve been following with interest the fate of the Sea Shepherd Peter Bethune, now facing 15 years in a Japanese jail for having an environmental conscience – albeit one that was, shall we say,  highly flamboyant. He had a lovely high tech trimaran, the “Ady Gil,” that looked like it had zoomed out of a Batman movie. It was  fast, invisible to radar ,and had lots of cool toys to frustrate illegal whalers. Said whalers clearly didn’t like it, because they cut the vessel in two – watch here.


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Implementing Wireless Intrusion Detection System

Posted in Networking, Security with tags , on September 28, 2014 by muhrizky

NTP on Linux

Posted in Networking, Security with tags , on September 28, 2014 by muhrizky

A couple of months ago I have some task to create an environment of all network devices in order to be synchronize with differentiation of maximum 2 seconds. Which is impossible to set manually beside of using a Network Time Protocol (NTP) synchronization. This protocol works on Stratum number hierarchy where the lowest number should be the most reliable. NTP need TCP port 123 in order to communicate, do a further check on an exclusion inside the iptables script.

For those who wants a straight-forward setup, NTP can also run on Windows environment which is out-of-scope discussion within this blog. It was easy task anyway by using a left click of a mouse within a Windows interface.

Packages that we need to get from the repository are ntp and ntpdate.
Within Debian derivative run the command #apt-get install ntp ntpdatentp_install

In Slackware there is no automation for each installation, so that we exactly need to know those packages dependencies.

Next step is the most interesting computing experience for anyone who loves Linux environment, which is script editing in order to configure the synchronizing server. The script was located on /etc/ntp.conf then find a line that starts with:

# maps to about 1000 low-stratum NTP servers.
# Your server will pick a different set every time
# it starts up.  Please consider joining the
# pool
server iburst
server iburst
server iburst
server iburst

The security part was to restrict synchronization locally for a loopback adapter and for the primary host do a broadcasting.

# Local users may interrogate the ntp
# server more closely.
restrict ::1

# If you want to provide time to your
# local subnet, change the next line.
# (Again, the address is an example only.)

Restart the service where currently this is pre-configured as an Init script, including for the setup of IP config (static IP, gateway, DNS) by run command #service ntp restartntp_services

The last one is to monitor the synchronization between the public Stratum which is only possible to be done after all the configuration script and command was good. Run the command #ntpq -pntp_query

The local Clients synchronization can be determine by run command #ntpdc -c monlist

Update!!! This command was vulnerable of DoS attack as it was mention by this CVE-2013-5211

Below is the propose script modification to be applied and very recommended to create the egress filtering on each data packet flow on your firewall in order to prevent any further DoS attack inside of the network.

# By default, exchange time with everybody, but don't allow configuration.
restrict default kod notrap nomodify nopeer noquery
restrict -6 default kod notrap nomodify nopeer noquery

# Local users may interrogate the ntp server more closely.
restrict ::1

# Clients from this (example!) subnet have unlimited access, but only if
# cryptographically authenticated.
restrict mask notrust

Report: Statistics on 2012

Posted in Database with tags on December 31, 2012 by muhrizky

The stats helper prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The new Boeing 787 Dreamliner can carry about 250 passengers. This blog was viewed about 1,500 times in 2012. If it were a Dreamliner, it would take about 6 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Cisco NAT Overload with CBAC

Posted in Operating System, Security with tags , , on June 4, 2012 by muhrizky

The reason behind this note that there is not many resource someone’s able to find by navigating Google, on how-to configure Network Address Translation (NAT) using Cisco routers. I do reread Todd Lammle book that i used to get my CCNA certification a couple of years ago, digging through Google tying to find a simple NAT configuration with dynamic IP address allocation from the ISP, and found several site (including which was wrote in the CCNA book) have configured it on the Cisco PIX firewall. I have that firewall in my personal lab so maybe i will write on that later.

Topology shown above is a simple diagram i draw it on Gliffy since they have sleek cloud-based drawing tools. The cable modem is getting a digital signal from the ISP, carried by a single coaxial cable which also have configured to be the DHCP relay in order to push IP address to consumer premises device. Cisco 2621XM modular access router came with 2 FastEthernet interface, 2 WIC, and 1 NM supporting up to 256 MB of RAM, mine is upgraded from 64 MB to 128 MB for CCNA Security certification requirements (Cisco SDM). I installed IOS version 12.2 with Advanced Security into this router so that it can be deploy as a router-based firewall supporting AAA, Radius, TACACS, SSH, Audit, CBAC, ZBF, IPS, IDS, and so on. Finally for daily internet usage, i used Linksys WAP610N dual-band access point. Actually we can expand this topology to create VLAN, Voice over IP (VoIP), secure them with PIX/ASA firewall for greater security for instance.

I mention a lot of terms above that i cannot explain this time, so everyone needs to find by ownself about what exactly is NAT and how it works, what is triple A, IPS, IDS, ZBF, and so on. So i assume that you are already know the basic if you want to continue reading. But here i will explain a brief on what is Cisco CBAC. Context-Based Access Control (CBAC) is Cisco stateful inspection firewall technology based on its Access List (ACL) configuration which will inspect TCP, UDP, and ICMP protocol up to OSI layer 7 and can prevent DDoS attacks. But since CBAC rely on the ACL, it can creates human error if we do not planning it well. Currently CBAC is been improved by Cisco Zone Based Firewall (ZBF).

Now for the configuration, first we need to configure the basic of Cisco router, i assume you are configuring from the scratch. We can start it by doing cables, set the router hostname, and IP addressing for each interfaces. For security, apply the console password, do password encryption, set username and privilege level for SSH or AAA or Radius, turn off HTTP/HTTPS service if you don’t do SDM or Cisco Network Assistant (CNA), and so forth. My suggestion: do this config accordingly to avoid your headache in further steps!

This following section is the main purpose for this article; to configure NAT and CBAC. Below is the NAT configuration, untrusted interface as the DHCP client and trusted interface resides as the DHCP server:

R18(config)#ip dhcp pool dhcp18
R18(dhcp-config)#default router
set this to exclude router and wireless AP address.
R18(config)#ip dhcp excluded-address
R18(config)#ip dhcp excluded-address
must be match on IP we get from the ISP
R18(config)#ip nat pool nat18 netmask
R18(config)#ip access-list extended nat18-ol
R18(config)#permit ip any
R18(config)#ip nat inside source list nat18-ol pool nat18 overload
R18(config)#interface fastethernet0/0
R18(config-if)#ip nat outside
R18(config-if)#interface fastethernet0/1
R18(config-if)#ip nat inside
R18(config-if)#do write memory

For CBAC auto secure firewall:

R18#auto secure firewall
--- AutoSecure Configuration ---
*** AutoSecure configuration enhances the security of the router but it will not make router absolutely secure from all security attacks ***
All the configuration done as part of AutoSecure will be shown here. For more details of why and how this configuration is useful, and any possible side effects, please refer to Cisco documentation of AutoSecure.
At any prompt you may enter '?' for help.
Use ctrl-c to abort this session at any prompt.
Gathering information about the router for AutoSecure
Is this router connected to internet? [no]:yes
Enter the number of interfaces facing internet [1]:1
Interface IP-Address OK? Method Status
FastEthernet0/0 YES DHCP up down
FastEthernet0/1 YES NVRAM up down
Enter the interface name that is facing internet:FastEthernet0/0
Configure CBAC Firewall feature? [yes/no]:yes
This is configuration generated:
ip inspect audit-trail
ip inspect dns-timeout 7
ip inspect tcp idle-time 14400
ip inspect udp idle-time 1800
ip inspect name autosec_inspect cuseeme timeout 3600
ip inspect name autosec_inspect ftp timeout 3600
ip inspect name autosec_inspect http timeout 3600
ip inspect name autosec_inspect rcmd timeout 3600
ip inspect name autosec_inspect realaudio timeout 3600
ip inspect name autosec_inspect smtp timeout 3600
ip inspect name autosec_inspect tftp timeout 30
ip inspect name autosec_inspect udp timeout 15
ip inspect name autosec_inspect tcp timeout 3600
ip access-list extended autosec_firewall_acl
permit udp any any eq bootpc
deny ip any any
interface FastEthernet0/0
ip inspect autosec_inspect out
ip access-group autosec_firewall_acl in
Apply this configuration to running-config? [yes]:yes
Applying the config generated to running-config

I will not guarantee that the auto secure firewall will be running smoothly and trouble free since it depends on Cisco IOS and our exact configuration, this is why i mentioned before that you must configure it appropriately. AutoSecure can be a doom by locking all of your access to the router, including console access. Then of course we can configure CBAC manually but hence i do not want to explain it here, at least not for this part of note.

New Release!!! [ROM][WWE]O2 Xda Zinc

Posted in Mobile with tags , , on September 11, 2009 by muhrizky

This is the newest build Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional for O2 Xda Zinc device that i ported by myself. This release is flat version of ROM without any 3rd party application. Why put something on the device that we can install or choose which and what is the best for individual?

System Information:
Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional, Windows CE 5.2 Kernel
Build 21054 A.K.U. 1.6.7
RAM: 51.08 MB, Free 29.35 MB
ROM: 47.42 MB, Free 43.84 MB

News and Guides: Slackware-stable Kernel Upgrade

Posted in Operating System with tags , , on August 20, 2009 by muhrizky

Yesterday, i read an email from [Slackware-security] which said that they found a serious bug inside Slackware-stable release. The team informed by Google® security team on this security bug. I use Slackware Linux since 2003 where in that year is quite hard to find community, especially from where i lived, can give an information when I encountered problems in Linux. In that year, I was using Slackware 9 with kernel 2.4 and I have succeed to upgrade the kernel (not officially) into 2.6 version. Kernel 2.6 was a brand-new interesting things back in the early year of 2K.

Then yesterday after I read the email, I even think about not to respond for the patches. Because I completely forgot about how to upgrade the kernel. But now in 2K9 it is quite easy to find guide about kernel upgrading. Actually I only need two pages from Google® search. Ok now here’s the guide:

1. Download all the kernel packages you need and put them inside one directory, I recommend you to put them inside /usr/src/linux- directory. The packages itself including: kernel-generic-smp, kernel-headers, kernel-modules-smp, and kernel-source in order to compile your 3D graphic drivers. Also don’t forget to grab the kernel-mmap_min_addr_4096 package from the FTP site. FYI, this is the one that has been reported as the bug because of the kernel map addressing size.

2. Deploy all of the kernel packages by using command:
#installpkg kernel*
Be careful when you execute command with star (*) wildcard and be sure that all of the packages is served.

3. Install the kernel patch in terms of the map addressing size:
#installpkg kernel_mmap-min-addr-4096.tgz

4. Reconfigure mkinitrd, read about another articles that explains about Linux system init at my blog:
#cd /boot
#mkinitrd -k -m ext3 -f ext3 -r /dev/sda2

Wait, what is -m, -f, -r functions for? Refer to the mkinitrd man pages.

5. Modify lilo bootloader configuration by using vi editor:
#vi /etc/lilo.conf
Find the line that starts with:

#Linux bootable partition config begins
image = /boot/vmlinuz-generic-smp-
initrd = /boot/initrd.gz
root = /dev/sda2
label = Slackware
#Linux bootable partition config ends

6. Reinstall lilo by running command:
#lilo -v

7. Restart your machine. Wait and see if all of our system init is working normally and not shows you Kernel panic!!! message.

8. Download the new svgalib_helper package, recompile it for this new kernel subversion, then do install.
#installpkg svgalib_helper-1.9.2_2.6.27.31.tgz

9. Reinstall your 3D graphic drivers. It will be better if you have the latest version.

NB. If you find an error related to alsa sound, so it’s need to be reconfigure. Run this command:
#alsactl store

How 802.1x Authentication Works

Posted in Security with tags , on May 8, 2009 by muhrizky

If anyone ever visit HowStuffWorks there we can find a lot of information about how objects work. Furthermore, in relation to understanding, the site gave me a good example to inform or explain something technical. In this massive information era, definition of terms is often too simple. But in my view, a simple explanation is not enough to make someone understood. In my opinion, human can be truely understand about technical terms and not to be abandon the words from brain memory, can be happen only if we are not just know what is this or what is that but we also need to know how this or that works accordingly.

802.1x in term of computer technique is a method for authenticate client, whether the network transmission come from a valid sender. 802.1x authentication can be implement to secure wireless networking. Derived from several resources, sometimes this method is also known as RADIUS authentication. But actually RADIUS is a server that provide the authentication services. 802.1x is also can be merge with Active Directory or Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) to increase the security. Explanation below will describes how 802.1x authentication works in procedural process:

  1. Wireless client sends a request to wireless access point,
  2. Access point requests wireless client for its identity information,
  3. Wireless client sends the identity information to wireless access point,
  4. Wireless access point sends wireless client identity information to the RADIUS server,
  5. The RADIUS server verifies its connection request policies to check whether the wireless access point is valid,
  6. If the access point is valid, the RADIUS server checks its remote access policies to verify whether the wireless client is authorized,
  7. The client identity forward to the domain controller for authentication,
  8. The domain controller returns the result to the RADIUS server,
  9. RADIUS server analyzes its policies to specify constraint in case the wireless client is authenticated by the domain controller,
  10. If the client still valid, then the RADIUS server sends an acknowledgement message to access point, indicating the acceptance of the request,
  11. Once the access point receives the message, it generates WEP keys and forward the keys to the wireless client,
  12. Client uses the WEP keys to access the network.

Types of authentication method for the RADIUS itself can be:

  • Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol (PEAP-EAP): Client authenticate by validating certificate supplied from the server and acquire the master key.
  • PEAP-EAP-Microsoft Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (MSCHAPv2): Same as PEAP-EAP but the authentication process must also passed the Active Directory validation from domain controller.
  • Secure Socket Layer/Secure Shell (SSL/SSH): Creates a tunnel in a separate network layer for authentication.


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Check-in services that can help seniors stay put

Sep 15, 2017

Savvy Senior

Dear Savvy Senior,

Are there any services you know of that check in on elderly seniors who live alone? I worry about my 84-year-old father falling or having a medical emergency, and not being able to get to the phone to call for help. And he won’t wear a lifeline help-button.

Desperate Daughter

Dear Desperate,

Depending on where your dad lives, there are check-in call services, volunteer visiting programs, and a variety of technology options you can turn to that can help you keep tabs on him. Here are several to check into.

Daily Check-in Calls

To make sure your dad is OK every day, consider signing him up with a daily check-in call service program. These are telephone reassurance programs run by police or sheriff’s departments in hundreds of counties across the country and are usually provided free of charge.

Here’s how they work. A computer automated phone system would call your dad at a designated time each day to check-in. If he answers, the system would assume everything is OK. But if he didn’t pick up or if the call goes to voicemail after repeated tries, you (or whoever his designee is) would get a notification call. If you are not reachable, calls are then made to backup people who’ve also agreed to check on your dad if necessary.

The fallback is if no one can be reached, the police or other emergency services personnel will be dispatched to his home.

To find out if this service is available in your dad’s community, call his local police department’s nonemergency number.

If, however, the police or sheriff’s department in your dad’s community doesn’t provide a daily check-in call program, there are a number of companies you can turn to that offer similar services offered directly to consumers for under $15 per month. Some to check into include the CARE senior calling program (, CareCheckers ( and IAmFine (

Volunteer Visiting Programs

Another option you may also want to investigate is volunteer visiting programs, which are usually run by churches, community groups, or social service agencies.

These programs provide volunteers who will visit an older adult in their home usually for an hour or two once a week, providing companionship as well as the reassurance that someone is checking in on a regular basis. They can also alert you if they notice your dad’s health or living conditions start to decline.

To find out if these services are available, check with local churches or the area agency on aging near your dad – call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 for contact information.

Technology Solutions

Technology also offers a number of ways to help keep your dad safe at home, and help you keep an eye on him from afar. For example, for safety and peace of mind there are medical alert systems, which provide a wearable “help button” that would allow him to call for help anytime he needed it.

Some of these systems (like Bay Alarm Medical, also offer wall-mounted buttons that can be placed near the floor in high fall risk areas like the bathroom or kitchen, if he didn’t wear a help button.

And to help you keep daily tabs on your dad, there are wireless sensor-monitoring systems (like Silver Mother, you could put in his home that will notify you if something out of the ordinary is happening; and video monitoring cameras (like the Nest Cam, that have built-in motion and sound detection that will let you know when something is detected, and two-way audio that will let you talk and listen to him.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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Music of Nature Soundmap

View in Fullscreen Mode by Clicking the Blue Box

Note: Map is optimized for horizontal viewing on a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet.

loading map - please wait...

Dawn Chorus at Lacassine Pool: 29.650465, -92.672424
Pauraques and Screech-Owls at Dusk: 26.178702, -98.385744
Barking Frogs of Lost Maples: 29.817152, -99.570744
Chachalaca Cacophonaca: 26.510826, -99.112730
Lost Maples Morning Soundscape: 29.822886, -99.569778
Canyon Wren and Bee Buzz: 29.279381, -103.325429
Western Screech-Owl and Landslide: 29.165803, -103.608992
Elf Owl Chatterings: 29.133945, -103.522153
Please Feed Me!: 29.815681, -99.572209
Portal Arizona: 31.913890, -109.140884
Las Cienegas National Conservation Area: 31.786955, -110.639080
Pena Blanca Lake: 31.404149, -111.086258
Rucker Canyon: 31.775663, -109.312827
Taylor Lake: 33.031990, -114.636474
Cochise Stronghold: 31.922014, -109.967080

During the winter of 2017/2018, I will tap my archive and being posting recordings from throughout North America, with emphasis on the “Lower 48” and adjacent Canada. By spring of 2018, my map will feature several hundred recordings, providing users with a great way to enjoy high-quality, immersive nature soundscapes from a huge variety of regions and habitats.

If the map proves to be a success, I will make it a non-profit effort and bring other soundscape recordists on board in order to expand coverage.

  1. Jennifer Lin

    This is so cool! Thanks for doing this.

  2. Taylor

    Do you teach your technique? I would love to do this.

  3. MJean Brown

    This is awesome. I’ve done something similar, but for bird sightings on my organization’s website. It is a LOT of work. Hats off to you Lang. I do love this map idea.

  4. Kenny Frisch

    I have enjoyed your work for a long time. I hope that you will be able to pass through Utah on your Western US trip and enjoy some of the amazing soundscapes we have out here. Best of luck on the trip.

  5. Suzanne

    I think the map is a great idea. I had no problems with it. How fun to be able to see where you made these recordings on a map. I’m always very busy, but I’m going to schedule myself out routinely for a little digital vacation to track your travels.

    • Lang Elliott

      Glad you like it Suzanne. I am very excited about kicking it into action in late Feb or early March as I create a “path of discovery” for all to see and hear. I just hope I can find enough high speed wireless internet to do regular posting.

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Got clothes?

Your clothing is your first shelter against the elements and since shelter is one of the main items you need to survive it makes sense to have a good supply of clothing that is good for months or even years!  I don’t know about your skill level when it comes to cloth goods but I’m not sure I could make a pair of socks or even panties even if I was handed a few yards of cotton. But I can buy up extras as clothing goes on sale.

I have been getting extra socks and T-shirts, shorts and sweats when they go on sale. I prefer cotton when I buy most of these items as it breathes and is good for the summer time heat that can get over 100 degrees regularly. I like wool for cold weather but some folks skin is irritated by wool but if you wear the cotton against your skin and the wool on top you can get the benefits of both fabrics as well as layering to conserve heat.  Sweat is a killer in the cold and having extra clean t-shirts and socks to replace a sweat soaked item will keep you much warmer as well as cleaner.

Now is a great time to look for sale on winter gear on sale. Coats, hats, boots and gloves are things you will need next winter or perhaps to replace items that will wear out in a couple of years.  Get the basics that are good quality and a good price that will last for years working around the house. Yeah they are kind of the work wear basics that you see people that work outside year round wear and then you can add a few items for your inner Fashionista. Kind of like when I was a kid and you had your “school clothes” and your play clothes!

If you find a boot, shoe or sneaker you like and fits you get 2-3 pairs and rotate the days you wear them. They will last much longer than if you simply bought another pair after wearing the first pair out. Buy good quality boots that can be re-soled and repaired. You might be surprised how many folks do that kind of work especially around a military base. Good combat boots can cost a bit of money but they can be re-soled and repaired a lot cheaper than a new pair and you don’t have to break in a new pair of boots.  If you live next to a military base many of the “dry cleaners”  do alterations or repairs on clothing so they are a great place for extending the lifetime of clothing if you are still learning to sew.

Repair work on clothing is not hard to learn or practice. Get a book or Google it on the internet and you can find some very simple instructions. If you have a needle, thread and a willingness to learn you might surprise yourself on what you can do as simple repairs and patching.  One thing I have learned is sew up any holes before washing. Nothing like a good spin cycle and dryer to test your stitches.  Many sewing repairs occur at the seam, so you already have a guide to assist you in your repairs. Last but not least remember you will be learning as well as practicing so if you screw up it’s no big deal.  Little projects that don’t work can always go in the “rag bag” .

Supplies to store are things like buttons, zippers, Velcro, buckles and all kinds of fasteners. Get a good supply of thread at least in basic colors of white, black, red, blue and whatever colors you prefer to wear. Get good quality scissors, like a good knife this is not a tool to get cheap. I have bought good quality scissors for $10.00 but that was more luck than knowledge. Ask around and take your time on this purchase, heck if you go to craft or fabric store you could probably ask 3-5 different customers what scissor they would recommend and get a set of good ones.  Don’t be afraid to ask customers (browsing mode) in those craft and fabric stores if you are in the sewing section.  Most people love to be seen as an expert or at least knowledgeable and love to help a person out.  Also many of these stores of free or cheap classes for projects or know of classes so don’t be afraid to ask for info!

For myself  I have been adding a bit clothing on sale for myself and now I’m adding stuff in other sizes that can either be used by friends & family or as barter. These items can also make great presents and be part of getting all you holiday items done early instead of panic buying at the last moment. I walk in a little Mall five days a week and they have a Macy outlet and a Burlington coat factory and you would be amazed at what I have bought for $5.00-$10.00 or less.  I’m not saying you can’t shop for bargains but good quality clothing and shoes are not just something you wear but should be seen as an investment in the future!

6 Responses to Got clothes?

  1. Workerbeesc says:

    I have been sewing for 20+ years. My favorite scissors are by Kai. They are around $20. They stay sharp. No affiliation, just a happy customer. 🙂

  2. Matt says:

    Good post. I’ve been slowly stocking up on the things I wear as well, especially underwear and socks. I can envision where in a collapse being able to change both of the above items regularly even if you can’t bathe everyday might be very beneficial.

  3. dee says:

    Workerbeesc: Funny that, I bought my Kai scissors in 1984 at a sewing seminar I attended, and have never bought another pair. As the instructor told us, NEVER use these scissors for any other function other than fabric use, they stay in pristine condition. I taught my hubby and kids that, to never borrow them unless they had permission, I testify to your happiness!

  4. Jamie says:

    Workerbee and dee I have never heard of Kai scissors but I will be on the look out for some now. I got a couple of scissors just for all around chores and an Olfa Rotary cutting tool for fabrics but I haven’t used the Olfa yet.

    Matt I like the Jerzee Tshirts I get at Joann’s Fabrics. They cost $2.00-$3.00 each but they are a heavy duty cotton to take decorations. Many t-shirts have gotten so thin they don’t last long.

    I like the Stanley brand cotton sock as they are thick cotton unlike many of the Hanes socks. I get the socks at Big Lots.

  5. Talking about boots, I just picked up a pair for many of the reasons you listed: Resolable, leather for longgevity, heavy duty for wear reasons. I would like to pick up a couple more pair for those inevitable ‘soakings’ that take place during the colder months. Dry feet are happy feet. Happy feet carry you much further in your day, whether its humping a ruck or cutting firewood, etc.
    And that cheap crap that is sold in the big box stores now is not worth looking at, no matter how tempting that price. Pay the extra, your feet will thank you for many years, and the price in the long run is much less than several purchases of those cheapies.

    • Jamie says:

      dio, If you can get those boots and rotate daily. In the Army we got issued 2 pairs of boots and if you rotate them the will last many years. I don’t think I destoyed a pair of my combat boots. Gouged the heck out of the leather and had them resaoled a couple of times but never worn out.

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Backyard Buck

I saw this buck near our back yard on August 18, 2012.

©Bryant Altizer Photography

Deer Stare

This “stare” happened on my way home on March 27, 2012 as I entered our subdivision.  I stopped in the road, and was able to get my camera up and get this shot before the deer ran away a few feet.  It was quite overcast so the colors don’t “pop”.  This stare-down occurs quite often in our subdivision.

©Bryant Altizer Photography
I have an eye-deer for you…get some new portraits.

Oh Deer, Look at that Sunset

This was the sunset view on the first day of December, 2011 in Fairlawn, Virginia.  I actually took  a better photo with my cell phone, but somehow the image didn’t save.  By the time I got home and came back with my Canon 7D, the sky was too dark to capture this beautiful sunset.  The images below, however, are still pretty good.  And the deer cooperated too.

©Bryant Altizer Photography
Oh deer, I love sunsets.  Contact me.

Oh Deer, Don’t Make Faces

This young buck caught me trying to sneak out onto the patio to make his “portrait” back on 5/10/2011.  I’m not so sure that he was in the mood to have his photograph taken.  First, he stuck his tongue out at me, and then it looked as if he was trying to tell me something, but I just couldn’t read his lips.  The last photo shows a doe that posed for the portrait quite nicely.  It does seem that girls don’t mind having their photos taken as much as guys do.

©Bryant Altizer Photography

Oh deer, it’s time for some portraits.  Do you? Contact me.

Snowy Deer

Deer are everywhere around our house, and with all the snow on the ground, they’re even easier to see.  This was taken on 2/3/2010.

©Bryant Altizer Photography
Need a family portrait?  A Senior Portrait?  A special series of photos of that newborn?  Call me and let me help you preserve a memory of this time.  You’ll look back and be so glad you took the time to schedule a session.  Serving Radford, Christiansburg, Blacksburg, Virginia Tech and the New River Valley. Contact me.

It’s Foggy, Oh deer!

As I was leaving my house last Thursday, 10/22, I saw these two deer near the apple trees that they love to “hang out” at almost every day.  I could barely see them through the thick fog that morning.

©Bryant Altizer Photography
Creating portraits & providing wedding photography for Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, Virginia Tech and the New River Valley.  Portrait photography for families, children, and seniors. Contact me.

Big Buck – Low Light

Here are 5 photos of a large buck that I saw on Saturday in Giles County, Virginia.  The first photos shows just how far away it was, but doesn’t really show how dark it was.  The time was about 8:20, and it was very dark in the shadows.  At least since the deer stood out against the sky, you can see just how big the rack was.  The other 4 photos show different angles, and I’ve cropped them to make it easier to see the size.

©Bryant Altizer Photography


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Bald Knob Hike

Hogan and I went geocaching on Saturday, which led us to a small hike at Mountain Lake in Giles County, Virginia.  We hiked up to Bald Knob and were treated with some of the most wonderful views.  Here are a few of the trail up the mountain and then some from the top.

©Bryant Altizer Photography

Creating portraits & providing wedding photography for Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, Virginia Tech and the New River Valley.  Portrait photography for families, children, and seniors. Contact me.

Scenic Silo

This silo is located in the Snowville area of Pulaski County, Virginia.  I was geocaching a few days ago just after a rain shower, and when the rain stopped, the sun came out and the blue sky just made my jaw drop at the beauty of the moment.  I took several photos from different angles, and here’s one for starters.  I’ll post a few more later.

BHA58395Web-2©Bryant Altizer Photography

Blacksburg Photographer, Christiansburg Photographer, Radford Photographer, Virginia Tech Photographer, New River Valley, Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photography, Virginia Wedding Photographer, Christian Photographer, Destination Weddings, Wedding Photographer Blacksburg Virginia, Senior Portrait Photographer, Family Portrait Photographer

Hogan’s Bridge

You might have been thinking about Augusta National Golf Club when you saw this title.  When I hear “Hogan’s Bridge”, I automatically think about the walk across Rae’s Creek to the twelfth green at Augusta National.  I love watching the Masters on TV each year, and watching the puzzled looks on the guys’ faces when they try to figure out what the wind is doing at that moment for that tricky, short Par 3 hole. I also love hearing “Hogan’s Bridge” mentioned so many times on the broadcast.  I always make Hogan pay attention when they might get ready to say it.  He gets a kick out of it too.  I hope to go with Hogan and watch a practice round some day, and thus be able to get a photo of the bridge, with Hogan in the photo too.  I guess I’ll finally end up buying a couple of tickets since I gave up years ago trying to get any by the lottery system.

But this photo doesn’t have anything to do with any of that.  Hogan (full name Benjamin Hogan Altizer) and I were geocaching near the former/old Whitewood High School in Buchanan County on April 10th.  We found the cache, and then took a couple of photos on the bridge next to the parking lot.  The first photo has a little different look with an angled camera position.

©Bryant Altizer Photography

Photography in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, New River Valley, Christiansburg Wedding Photographer, Blacksburg Wedding Photographer, Radford Wedding Photographer, Virginia Wedding Photographer, Christian Photographer, Destination Weddings, Wedding Photographer Blacksburg Virginia, Senior Portrait Photographer, Sports Photographer, Family Portrait Photographer

Hogan atop Buffalo Mountain

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!!  Here’s a photo of Hogan at the top of Buffalo Mountain in Floyd County.  We hiked to the top to find a new geocache on Saturday, December 21.  The weather was so much nicer this time than it was the last time we were here.  What a view!  You can see mountains after mountains in the distance.  And there’s a full 360 degree view too.  If you haven’t been here, and you live within an hour of Floyd County, you need to make sure you visit this.  The parking lot is only about 1 mile (along a nice gentle trail) from the top.  It’s a wonderful walk you won’t soon forget, and never regret.

Geocaching in Floyd and on Buffalo Mountain

Hogan and I went Geocaching on Saturday (11/15).  Our first stop was in downtown Floyd, and it was called Friday Night Jamboree.

We then went on to Buffalo Mountain to find a couple of caches.  One of those was a brand new one, and we snagged the FTF (first to find).  This photo was taken at the top of the mountain..

This is one of the vistas from the top of Buffalo Mountain.  What an awesome view!

New River Sunset

This photo was taken at about 5:15 last Saturday.  We were placing a Geocache here, and I had to stop and take a couple of photos while the colors were still there.  I’ll talk more about Geocaching sometime in another post.  In the meantime, you can check out for more information.  Just type in your zip code, and you’ll probably be amazed at how many there are around your area.  Let me know what you think.  Oh yeah, and you can check out this specific Geocache by typing in GC1HZG4 as the Geocache Code.

 The second and third photos were taken 30 minutes later, at 5:45.  The colors of the sunset had already changed from a yellowish color to to a reddish-purple color.  Wow.


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Spellbound Series Winter Book Tour ~ Beautifully Broken by Sherry Soule

Excerpt from the epic Spellbound series

By author, Sherry Soule

Okay, today’s entertaining guest post has been provided by bestselling author, Sherry Soule! She is sharing the first chapter from part one of the gripping Spellbound series, which has been recently revamped with more epic romance and suspenseful thrills. To help promote the new editions, she is doing this fun book tour to share the news with fellow book lovers. The new versions also include exclusive bonus material and brand new scenes. Even additional scenes from the charming bad-boy, Trent Donovan!

Enjoy this excerpt from part one, BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN!

For as long as I could remember, I’d heard whispers in the shadows. Black, twisting shapes that chilled my blood. Slithering through the night, the images flickered, greenish skin, crimson eyes, sharp claws illuminated even in the dark.

Sunlight now meant the difference between life and death.

I normally felt safe during the day with the heat of the sun brushing my skin, so that morning—when the shadows showed up in my bedroom—I barely recognized the eerie whispering. The desk lamp flickered, startling me. I stared at the last line I’d typed on my essay for English class, one hand hovering over the keyboard.

Homework could wait.

I raised my head and closed the laptop. My heart hammered. A hint of chilling menace climbed up my spine. Finishing my homework was the last thing on my mind.

The spooky whispering, inhuman and ominous, grew more intense.

Setting the laptop aside, I uncrossed my legs and jumped off the bed, nearly tripping over my long nightgown. I scanned the dark bends and edges of the room. The swirling azure colors of the witch ball suspended over the bed rotated in a slow circle. I got down on my hands and knees to check under the bed. Nothing.

The closet door stood open a crack. I stood up and wavered, shoulders hitching.

I dragged my feet over to the closet and pushed the door open wider with my foot. My gut clenched. My skin prickled. On tiptoes, I leaned over the threshold, stretching to grasp the brass chain, then gave it a yank. Light bled across dirty laundry, illuminating metal hangers scattered on the floor. Dusty board games littered the shelf, and haphazardly hanging clothes swayed on the bar. Fuzzy, pink bunny slippers stared upward with glassy button eyes. Nothing unusual.

So why was I feeling so freaked?

The feeling, indistinct, but ominous, lingered like the remnants of a bad dream. I couldn’t isolate the source. But something felt wrong.

The closet light and lamp suddenly blew out. As I turned around, my peripheral vision caught a maelstrom of shadows. Things moved within it. Something snaked past my leg. Writhed.

Stupid, stupid, stupid! Forgot to keep my telepathic shield up. Again.

Shadows murmured in an ancient language, covering the round pink rug like an opaque stain. The creatures fed off my fear, which was doled out like too much bitter candy. Within the inky blobs were gleaming eyes.

Red orbs, open and staring. Spiny reptilian fingers reached to grab my ankles. Instinct alone jerked me from their grasp. Anthracite things with darkling eyes glared back at me.

Trembles traveled from my legs and vibrated up my neck. Dread choked me like a noose, strangling me from the inside. Bile rose in my throat. I struggled to calm myself; all I had to do was run from the room.

Instead I froze with my back flat against the wobbling closet door. My eyes caught something else. An entity too dense and vertical to be serpentine detached itself from the other shadows. Bigger. Darker. Malevolent.

The amorphous blackness was deep and vast. From within the shadow—a mass of darkness, like a terrible yawning hunger rose in front of my wide eyes. The shadow hung heavily, like a spatter of crude oil, pulsating and swirling until it nearly touched the ceiling. It morphed, muscles expanding over bones, skin convulsing, a resurrection of shiny obsidian, smooth and razor-sharp, created from darkness and shadow. It throbbed, altered, trickled into limbs and flesh and—

Oh, God, it’s almost touching me!

I flinched and stumbled backward, bumping into a chair. My knees buckled. I swayed, leaning hard on the door frame. Blood roared in my ears.

The nest of smaller shadows shimmered and crouched in terror. They whispered in tangled voices, circling my legs like frightened children. Their panic increased, seeping into my gut. My palms went damp.

When scary things get scared—so not good.

Breathing out desperate little choking noises, I shook my head, hoping the image would fade. The head shake didn’t make a difference. Only reinforced my worst nightmare.

Shadows had come alive and coalesced, taking on form. A human form.

A cold tremor shot down my back. I was in real danger.

Power surged through the demon as he swelled into a seething black mass of energy, bent on blocking my escape. His rough skin, the color of soot, held a sturdy flexibility, more sinuous than flesh, like a venomous viper. His strange features—part phantom, part skeleton—fought to become corporeal. Naked. Partially humanoid. No genitals. No hair. He flexed his hands, revealing long fingernails. Talons on his feet. Knife sharp teeth. The reptile-looking creature did not move. He watched me. His ocher eyes blazed, searing through my nightgown and scorching my skin.

The smaller shadows—demonic shapeshifters—slunk away, blending into the dim corners. Beady red eyes blinked. However, the seven-foot-tall creature remained. The hellish warmth radiating from his body entered mine like the breath of a dragon.

I swallowed. Hard. My scalp prickled with sweat. It wasn’t as if I were some girly-girl afraid of her own shadow, but when they had glowing eyes and sharp teeth…well, I tended to freak out.

Okay, focus, Shiloh.

My gaze darted to the window. Sunlight was my only ally. If I lifted the blinds, the sun’s rays would swallow the darkness. At least that was the idea. A crack of light ebbed into the room, soaking the crevasses.

Inching forward, I kept an eye on the junior shadows with their onyx hands, arms…flashes of carved faces. They continually moved, sliding under the bed in a twisted game of peek-a-boo. The shadow man stood very still. Intent, watchful, calm. Dangerous.

The disgusting odor of sulfur, musty and acrid, wrinkled my nose. I wanted to say something tough and snarky, but I could only gape stupidly at Shadow Man. Big bad evil. Whatever.

I pinched my nose and focused on not throwing up.

Shadow Man raised one hand and pointed at my arm. “Debts must be paid.” His inhuman intonation slid across the space between us, resonant and sinister, like the threat of a snake before it strikes. “You bear the Devil’s Mark.”

Say what? Then the ugly scar on my forearm—the one I’d lived with for years—burned at his words, as if I’d plunged it into scalding water. It totally caught me off guard. It had never hurt like this before.

Sucking in a breath, I held my arm against me. Tears filled my eyes. I gritted my teeth, twitching, unsure what to do next.

Move. Now. My legs refused to budge. Terror clutched my throat. Please, oh, please, go away.

Too bad I lacked the courage to scream or fight rather than stiffen like a statue, immobile and breathless.

Shadow Man glowered. The miniature shadows swarmed around me. Were they his little minions? Or were they still as freaked as me? Didn’t matter because now they had me cornered.

I backed against the closet door and stared, waiting for them to attack. Shadow Man stepped closer. The freaky hellspawn crouched behind him. The circle tightened, then he stopped. He cocked his head to the side.

Someone knocked on the door. “Shiloh?” My mother’s voice, loud and anxious, penetrated the wood. Huh. Her frantic tone was almost as odd as the demonic-thingy standing in the room. “What’s going on in there? I heard a noise.”

Why wasn’t Dad the one pounding on my door? He’d want to protect me.

Wait—what was I thinking?

He would think I was hallucinating. Only I saw paranormals in this dysfunctional family. No way was I letting the big bad evil leave this room to hurt my dad. Who knew what Shadow Man would do?

“Uh, sorry,” I croaked. “Can’t decide what to wear.”

“Be quieter then.” She twisted the knob. Thankfully, the door was locked.

Now I had no choice, but to do something about this…this thing. Before it went after my parents. I glanced from the door to the demonic shadow. I recognized danger. I recognized warnings. I bit my lip, tasting blood.

“Okay.” My fists clenched at my sides. Fingernails cut deep into my palm.

“We’re gonna be late…and do something with your hair.” The soft tread of my mother’s feet padding down the hall rattled me enough to do what I’d first intended—run like hell. I took a step, then stopped. I surprised myself with a sudden burst of anger. I didn’t know where it came from, but I was glad for it. More than glad.

The eruption of hostility flushed my cheeks. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror above the dresser—eyes wild and mad and cheeks stained with the blood of roses. My lips tightened. Fresh tears stung my eyes, and that pissed me off even more.

Come on, Shiloh—think.

I rubbed my hurting arm over the cotton nightgown. Door or window?

Shadow Man stood between the door and me. His black and muscular physique looked invulnerable. The heat of his stare slammed into my scar. Yellow eyes expressed lust, thirst, hunger, and death.

He crooked a finger like a hook. “Come here.” The demon’s gaze flicked sideways, settling on me with such heaviness and animosity my skin recoiled. “Now, or pay the consequences.”

Rage uncoiled in my heart. A dark force unfurled within me, as black as the demon before me. I jerked forward, my cheeks flaming. My short fingernails dug into my palms. But I felt no pain. Only the slow graze of terrible rage. I bared my teeth in a snarl as the obscure dark power stirred within my heart: precarious, unwinding.

“Is that a threat?” I asked, but the tone was not mine. This time power and courage flooded my voice.

No one moved. Even the nasty little shadows became rigid. Shadow Man hesitated. Our gazes met in silent combat. I held my breath, watching him. My heart was beating at a dizzying pace.

The demon flung back his head. A thin stream of smoke spewed from his parted lips. The predatory cloud-snake pulsed with electricity. His smoky vomit was viscous and black, generating an electromagnetic vibration and a sulfurous residue.

So not good.

At that moment, the only things real to me were the rage coursing through my veins and the heat scorching the scar that traced a jagged line from my elbow to my wrist. A constant reminder, ensuring I’d never forget my freakishness.

Well, hell.

Instead of screaming like a smart girl, I decided to be brave and sprint for the one thing that might save me. The window.

As I raced past Shadow Man, a blistering heat slashed into my chest. Stumbling, I tripped over a book, and fell to my knees. I gripped the ledge of the windowsill.

Panic and fury radiated my limbs. Blazing strong, a surge of mystical energy encompassed my body, crackling with power. Static electricity lifted my long hair. I squeezed my eyes shut.

Oh, god. Please—OPEN!

Deadly Witchcraft. Ghostly Threats. Doomed Romance.

They say every town has its secrets, but that doesn’t even begin to describe Fallen Oaks. The townsfolk are a superstitious lot and the mystical disappearance of a local teen has everyone murmuring about a centuries old witch’s curse.

When sixteen-year-old Shiloh Trudell takes a summer job at Craven Manor, she discovers a ghost with an agenda. That’s where she meets the new town hottie, Trent Donovan, and immediately becomes enchanted by his charms.

Finally, Shiloh’s met someone who is supercute and totally into her, but Trent is immersed in the cunning deception that surrounds the mysterious Craven Manor. So much so that he may lose sight of what is truly important to him. And she can’t decide whether she wants to shake him or kiss him. Yet neither one of them can deny the immediate, passionate connection growing between them.

But underlying everything is the fear that Trent may be the next victim on a supernatural hit list, and Shiloh is the only person with the power to save him…

With cryptic messages from a pesky wraith, Shiloh will finally begin to understand the mysterious significance of the strange mark branded on her wrist and decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to protect the other teenagers in town.

Unfortunately, for Shiloh, not all ghosts want help crossing over. Some want vengeance.

ISBN: 978-0976180425

Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/18NB8CG

Kindle: http://amzn.to/OnCDca

NOOK: http://bit.ly/Q6mGqx

Kobo: http://bit.ly/18C4KQK

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/14edSHU

Posted on November 9, 2013, in Book Tour. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.

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Buffalo Ugly Christmas Classic Football Leggings

Buffalo Football lovers have been going CRAZY over these Buffalo Ugly Christmas Classic Football Leggings! These are Custom designed and only a Limited Time Offer! They are selling out fast and you are running out of time! Order now! You will get lots of compliments on these super chill, LIMITED EDITION, Buffalo Ugly Christmas Classic Football Leggings.

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October 14, 2014 @ 6:48 pm
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Baby Steps

I recently attended a technology workshop for teachers where a number of online tools were introduced. The teachers left inspired and definitely overwhelmed.

My role at the workshop was to help out where needed – help teachers get places, troubleshoot, etc. I was surprised that I spent the first hour or so of the workshop helping with really basic things: how to send a text message, the concept of different browsers (IE, Chrome, Firefox,) and how to get on the wireless connection.

It does highlight – loudly – the real need for professional development time for teachers. They have too much on their plates to spend time getting comfortable with technology. And yes, it is essential that teachers become more comfortable with technology. It just isn’t an option for them to ignore technology.

Perhaps baby steps are one way to get started. A recent posting in Edutopia by Heather Wolpert-Gawron, Twenty Everyday Ways to Model Technology Use for Students, offers some great ways to take those first baby steps. Read the whole post, but here are some of the easiest ways any teacher, regardless of comfort level, could get started:

  • Post a list of norms for online and offline behavior
    There are great resources for this type of list, or talk to the school media specialist. They should have access to good lists. Common sense is a great resource. Include things like never give a real name, never give your phone number or address, and never put anything online that you wouldn’t want the whole world to see.
  • Create a “tech crew” of students
    We all know that some students are far more comfortable with technology than teachers. Take advantage of this, and give those students a chance to get you set up for the day with whatever technology you’re going to use. Or, take it a step further and ask students for ideas of what to do!
  • Be transparent with your Google searches
    Research is showing that students are not able to perform good searches or make decisions about valid sources. Model this for them. If you’ll be using some sources in your teaching, show the students how you found it. Do the whole search in front of the class. Talk about how you phrased the search terms and why you didn’t always just pick the first thing that came up.

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First 2014 Earthquake Strikes Southern California Today

earthquake southern california today

March 17, 2014 – First 2014 Earthquake Hits Southern California Today

A fan and a popular commentator on (red) just told us now that a moderate earthquake rattled people of Southern California out of bed on Monday morning.

The magnitude 4.4 earthquake had initially been rated at 4.7, but was downgraded about 20 minutes after the jolt, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

No damage was immediately reported from the quake that struck at 6:25 a.m. PT. The quake’s epicenter was about 6 miles from Westwood, an enclave in West Los Angeles,, the survey said.

California Highway Patrol Officer Monica Posada said there were no reports of any immediate problems on the freeways because of the earthquake. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and County Fire Department also said there were no reports of immediate damage.

“We did our initial survey and it was felt only. No reports of any damage,” said County Fire Supervisor Michael Pittman.

Stacey Dirks, the 25-year-old assistant manager at Noah’s New York Bagels in Westwood, was at work at the time and said “it just felt like a sudden shake, it was just like rapid and quick.”

No bagels fell off the shelves and “everything stayed in place” Dirks said.

Joe Ramallo of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power said that as of 6:45 a.m. there were no reports of water main breaks or power outages immediately following the earthquake. But he said crews are conducting routine safety checks after the quake to ensure their durability.

According to the USGS, the epicenter was six miles from Beverly Hills, seven miles from Universal City and seven miles from Santa Monica.

In the past 10 days, there have been no earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby.

This information comes from the USGS Earthquake Notification Service and this post was created by an algorithm written by the author.

Remember Red and others in your prayers guys.