The holiday season is upon us. It's a time of giving, cheer and good will. It's also a time when men across the globe can be heard screaming in frustration as they try to install the ultimate holiday light display.
And remember to inspect those strands of lights before you plug them in.
Electrician Robert O'Keefe said, "We're checking them for frayed or damaged wires or broken bulbs and make sure they're in good operating condition."
Be safety conscious. It should go without saying, but O'Keefe reminds us that if you're going to be using a ladder, make sure someone is at the bottom. Make sure the lights are secured properly.
O'Keefe said the last thing you should be doing is this: "There's all sorts of plastic adapters that you can put in your house without having to put staples or nails through them. Stapling is not recommended because you can penetrate the Christmas light wiring," said O'Keefe.
You know those new LED lights you've heard about over the past few years? Sure the initial cost is more, but they last longer, they lower your electric bill, plus, they'll really bring out your inner Clarke Griswold by allowing you to string together enough of them to light up the whole neighborhood.
"Some of the manufacturers allow you to plug in up to 80 strings of LED lights into a standard outlet. The savings are huge. The bulbs also last, almost a lifetime. They don't need a replacement," said O'Keefe.
O'Keefe also reminds us to take down the displays when the holidays are over. While you should be using wires and lights rated for outdoor use, they are seasonal items and should not be left out in the elements all year long.
LED lights are among the stand-outs in holiday trends. Touted as substantially more energy efficient and more durable than traditional bulbs, LEDs also feature some fancy formats. Sets with animated effects, such as twinkling, chasing and alternating colors, are attracting plenty of interest and enable homeowners to incorporate some light-show theatrics into their decor, a representative for Ace Hardware said.
Some LED icicle lights and other sets feature remote control functions. Holiday revelers may switch back and forth among an assortment of hues at their whim — without stepping outside. The remote control LED icicle lights are available at various vendors, including A Christmas Palace in Fort Lauderdale and Hialeah Gardens, ranging in price from $19.99 to $149.99
For those who'd rather skip traditional electricity, GE solar lights are powered by the sun. The new solar-powered mini lights and icicles in warm white bulbs or multi-colored bulbs — and the solar panel — are available at Home Depot for $29.97
Another unplugged approach makes use of batteries. Home Depot sells battery-powered strands in white, multicolored and flashing white for $14.97.
Showing posts with label led tube. Show all posts
Showing posts with label led tube. Show all posts
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Thursday, 25 August 2011
Events from south of the border today
There were no deaths reported after tropical storm Harvey passed through Belize yesterday. Hundreds of people in that country died from storms last year.
Despite the poverty in that country and the incidence of violent crimes related to poverty, Belize is launching Nautilus IV next month to try and increase tourism in their country. Nautilus IV is a submarine that will tour the Belize Barrier Reef 6 feet below the surface of the ocean waters. The underwater observatory will take regular sunset cruises to elicit how light changes and filters through life in the ocean.
Other Belize tourists’ favorites include fishing, boating, scuba diving, snorkeling, rafting, kayaking, bird watching, jungle life flora and fauna, and many Maya ruins. Experts and travel guides warn that most of the crime in Belize occurs around Belize City. Americans are not targeted, and should stay with their own groups near the activities that they have visited Belize to enjoy.
Tropical storm Harvey caused no deaths as it passed through Guatemala yesterday; however, a different kind of storm is taking hold. The “iron fist” party is leading in the polls, and elections are less than one month away.
Most people perceive the “iron fist” leaders as assuming an authoritative posture. Therefore human rights violations and an end to justice may return to Guatemala as has been the case before.
The economy in Argentina is growing at a rate of 9%. Car sales to Brazil are up as are exports of grain and oilseed. Import growth has increased at a higher rate than exports. Inflation is eroding the competitive edge of their currency making imported goods less expensive. In other words, consumers are happy.
Despite the poverty in that country and the incidence of violent crimes related to poverty, Belize is launching Nautilus IV next month to try and increase tourism in their country. Nautilus IV is a submarine that will tour the Belize Barrier Reef 6 feet below the surface of the ocean waters. The underwater observatory will take regular sunset cruises to elicit how light changes and filters through life in the ocean.
Other Belize tourists’ favorites include fishing, boating, scuba diving, snorkeling, rafting, kayaking, bird watching, jungle life flora and fauna, and many Maya ruins. Experts and travel guides warn that most of the crime in Belize occurs around Belize City. Americans are not targeted, and should stay with their own groups near the activities that they have visited Belize to enjoy.
Tropical storm Harvey caused no deaths as it passed through Guatemala yesterday; however, a different kind of storm is taking hold. The “iron fist” party is leading in the polls, and elections are less than one month away.
Most people perceive the “iron fist” leaders as assuming an authoritative posture. Therefore human rights violations and an end to justice may return to Guatemala as has been the case before.
The economy in Argentina is growing at a rate of 9%. Car sales to Brazil are up as are exports of grain and oilseed. Import growth has increased at a higher rate than exports. Inflation is eroding the competitive edge of their currency making imported goods less expensive. In other words, consumers are happy.
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Fear of 'phase-out' for incandescent bulbs fuels hoarding
Fear of 'phase-out' for incandescent bulbs fuels hoarding
Bunny Williams, the no-nonsense decorator known for her lush English-style rooms, is laying in light bulbs like canned goods. Incandescent bulbs, that is — 60 and 75 watters — because she likes a double-cluster lamp with a high- and a low-watt bulb, one for reading, one for mood.
"Every time I go to Costco, I buy more wattage," Williams said the other day. She is as green as anybody, she added, but she can't abide the sickly hue of a twisty compact fluorescent bulb, though she's tried warming it up with shade liners in creams and pinks. Nor does she care for the cool blue of an LED.
It should be noted that, like most decorators, Williams is extremely precise about light. The other day, she reported, she spent six hours fine-tuning the lighting plan of a project, tweaking the mix of ambient, directional and overhead light she had designed, and returning to the house after dusk to add wattage and switch out lamps like a chef adjusting the flavors in a complicated bouillabaisse.
She is aware that there is legislation that is going to affect the manufacture of incandescent bulbs, but she's not clear on the details, and she wants to make sure she has what she needs when she needs it.
So does John Warner, a restaurateur in Washington, D.C., whose new bistro, Le Zinc, will open next month on Wisconsin Avenue. He has signed a 15-year lease on the place, which is layered in warm woods, with lots of art and photographs and 50 light fixtures, 16 of them designed to hold a 40-watt Soft White GE incandescent bulb. By estimating that his lights will be on for 15 hours a day, and factoring in the package's promise of a 2,000-hour life span per bulb, Warner has calculated that he will need 600 of these bulbs to last through his lease.
"I have a light-enough carbon footprint in the other aspects of the design," he said, "so I can allow myself a lighting splurge."
Darren Henault, a Manhattan decorator, has already splurged on light fixtures in his Millbrook, N.Y., farmhouse, which dates from the early 19th century, and he is fearful that the bulbs sold in the future won't be up to snuff.
"We went to great pains to keep it looking like an 1800s farmhouse," he said. "We used reclaimed woods, kept the old hardware and the old doors." He also added a dozen custom light fixtures, he said, including "one in particular that cost an arm and a leg, and only works with these particular incandescent bulbs."
He has filled the basement with antique-style Edison bulbs — the clear bulbs with the fuzzy filaments that restaurant designers are so fond of — as well as silver-bottomed incandescent bulbs, which throw light on the ceiling in an appealing way, both of which he buys in bulk at Gracious Home. (The former cost $19 each; Gracious Home is no Costco.)
"My electrician said they were being phased out," he said. "If he's wrong, I'm going to kill him."
As it happens, Henault's electrician is wrong.
Late in his second term, George W. Bush signed into law the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which requires light bulb makers to improve the efficiency of incandescent bulbs by 25 percent. The details of the law dictated a phase-out of the manufacture of certain bulbs in their current incarnation, starting with 100-watt bulbs next January.
The law does not ban the use or manufacture of all incandescent bulbs, nor does it mandate the use of compact fluorescent ones. It simply requires that companies make some of their incandescent bulbs work a bit better, meeting a series of rolling deadlines between 2012 and 2014.
Furthermore, all sorts of exemptions are written into the law, which means that all sorts of bulbs are getting a free pass and can keep their energy-guzzling ways indefinitely, including "specialty bulbs" like the Edison bulbs favored by Henault, as well as three-way bulbs, silver-bottomed bulbs, chandelier bulbs, refrigerator bulbs, plant lights and many, many others.
Nonetheless, as the deadline for the first phase of the legislation looms, light bulb confusion — even profound light bulb anxiety — is roiling the minds of many. The other day, Ken Henderlong, a sales associate at Oriental Lamp Shade Co. on Lexington Avenue, said that his customers "say they want to stockpile incandescent bulbs, but they are not sure when to start. No one knows when the rules go into effect or what the rules are."
Bunny Williams, the no-nonsense decorator known for her lush English-style rooms, is laying in light bulbs like canned goods. Incandescent bulbs, that is — 60 and 75 watters — because she likes a double-cluster lamp with a high- and a low-watt bulb, one for reading, one for mood.
"Every time I go to Costco, I buy more wattage," Williams said the other day. She is as green as anybody, she added, but she can't abide the sickly hue of a twisty compact fluorescent bulb, though she's tried warming it up with shade liners in creams and pinks. Nor does she care for the cool blue of an LED.
It should be noted that, like most decorators, Williams is extremely precise about light. The other day, she reported, she spent six hours fine-tuning the lighting plan of a project, tweaking the mix of ambient, directional and overhead light she had designed, and returning to the house after dusk to add wattage and switch out lamps like a chef adjusting the flavors in a complicated bouillabaisse.
She is aware that there is legislation that is going to affect the manufacture of incandescent bulbs, but she's not clear on the details, and she wants to make sure she has what she needs when she needs it.
So does John Warner, a restaurateur in Washington, D.C., whose new bistro, Le Zinc, will open next month on Wisconsin Avenue. He has signed a 15-year lease on the place, which is layered in warm woods, with lots of art and photographs and 50 light fixtures, 16 of them designed to hold a 40-watt Soft White GE incandescent bulb. By estimating that his lights will be on for 15 hours a day, and factoring in the package's promise of a 2,000-hour life span per bulb, Warner has calculated that he will need 600 of these bulbs to last through his lease.
"I have a light-enough carbon footprint in the other aspects of the design," he said, "so I can allow myself a lighting splurge."
Darren Henault, a Manhattan decorator, has already splurged on light fixtures in his Millbrook, N.Y., farmhouse, which dates from the early 19th century, and he is fearful that the bulbs sold in the future won't be up to snuff.
"We went to great pains to keep it looking like an 1800s farmhouse," he said. "We used reclaimed woods, kept the old hardware and the old doors." He also added a dozen custom light fixtures, he said, including "one in particular that cost an arm and a leg, and only works with these particular incandescent bulbs."
He has filled the basement with antique-style Edison bulbs — the clear bulbs with the fuzzy filaments that restaurant designers are so fond of — as well as silver-bottomed incandescent bulbs, which throw light on the ceiling in an appealing way, both of which he buys in bulk at Gracious Home. (The former cost $19 each; Gracious Home is no Costco.)
"My electrician said they were being phased out," he said. "If he's wrong, I'm going to kill him."
As it happens, Henault's electrician is wrong.
Late in his second term, George W. Bush signed into law the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which requires light bulb makers to improve the efficiency of incandescent bulbs by 25 percent. The details of the law dictated a phase-out of the manufacture of certain bulbs in their current incarnation, starting with 100-watt bulbs next January.
The law does not ban the use or manufacture of all incandescent bulbs, nor does it mandate the use of compact fluorescent ones. It simply requires that companies make some of their incandescent bulbs work a bit better, meeting a series of rolling deadlines between 2012 and 2014.
Furthermore, all sorts of exemptions are written into the law, which means that all sorts of bulbs are getting a free pass and can keep their energy-guzzling ways indefinitely, including "specialty bulbs" like the Edison bulbs favored by Henault, as well as three-way bulbs, silver-bottomed bulbs, chandelier bulbs, refrigerator bulbs, plant lights and many, many others.
Nonetheless, as the deadline for the first phase of the legislation looms, light bulb confusion — even profound light bulb anxiety — is roiling the minds of many. The other day, Ken Henderlong, a sales associate at Oriental Lamp Shade Co. on Lexington Avenue, said that his customers "say they want to stockpile incandescent bulbs, but they are not sure when to start. No one knows when the rules go into effect or what the rules are."
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Concert review: U2 moves Utah fans in ‘Mysterious Ways’
Concert review: U2 moves Utah fans in ‘Mysterious Ways’
Bono and Co. were back at it Tuesday night in Salt Lake City.
Back being the operative word – literally.
As Bono himself pointed out during Tuesday’s U2 spectacular at Rice-Eccles Stadium, it was a year ago this week that he underwent emergency back surgery in Germany, forcing the band to reschedule the North American leg of its 360° Tour, which was within a few days of launching with the Salt Lake City date.
“Let me tell you, we are so much better this year,” Bono told the screaming masses after thanking them for their patience. “In all modesty, I’ve got a brand new spine. I have been built with a brand new spine. ... Thank God, and thank the Germans. What do you think of Robo-Bono?”
Judging by their raucous reaction and a stadium-wide standing ovation for all but the most mellow moments, audience members had high praise for the worth-much-more-than-$6 million man and his not quite as bionic bandmates.
In fact, fans’ patience for the year delay paid off as the Irish popsters delivered as stunning a visual concert as has ever been seen along the Wasatch Front during a 2-hour, 20-minute performance. Much has been written about the band’s massive stage structure, dubbed “The Claw,” but, if anything, its utter uniqueness and ability to make a stadium show seem intimate was clearly not over-hyped.
The mammoth stage dwarfed the south end of the stadium, making the Olympic torch, visible in the background outside that end, appear like a mere flashlight. It may measure 150 feet from the bottom of the main stage to the tip of its disco ball-like spire, but it appeared as if nearly every inch of the staging served some functional purpose visually. The four legs of “The Claw” neatly housed all manner of lights and other effects. With most of the equipment suspended in air or perhaps contained underneath, the main stage itself was amazingly uncluttered, leaving pretty much just the musicians and their tools of the trade.
A pair of rotating walkways bridged an inner section of fans and connected the main stage to a circular ramp that brought band members closer to the primary sections of the audience. Bono, guitarist The Edge and bassist Adam Clayton all made judicious use of the bridges and walkway to maintain connected with the crowd. Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. even took a late-set spin around the ramp while playing a bongo drum during “I’ll Go Crazy if I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight.”
The undisputed king of special effects, however, was the out-of-this-world cylindrical video board. The display was so eye-catching that at times it was certainly a distraction to the proceedings on stage – but almost always a welcome one. The board mostly displayed live action from the stage, showing off facial expressions and actions that would otherwise be undetectable by a large portion of the crowd in a stadium setting.
The video device moved into uncharted territory, however, when it started morphing and changing shape late in the main set. The screen actually broke apart into hundreds of separate pieces and started funneling downward toward the band during “Miss Sarajevo.” Following up with “Zooropa,” the video tunnel lowered and actually encased the entire band – with the members intermittently visible behind the separated pieces of video screen behind eye-popping light effects. It was amazing to behold, leaving one to wonder where the next generation of video experimentation will go from here. The bar has been set extremely high.
None of the effects, however, would mean diddly without the music to back it up. U2 has little to worry about in that regard. The band mixed in big hits with more obscure material, but the fans – and are there any more devoted fans than U2 followers? – seemed familiar with everything, singing along at every prompt from Bono and offering cheers of recognition at the beginning strains of every song.
“Get on Your Boots,” “Mysterious Ways” and “Elevation” were early highlights and the tranquil “All I Want is You” was simply beautiful. An ongoing theme emerged at the end of the latter tune as Bono segued into “Love Rescue Me,” a tune co-written by Bob Dylan off the “Rattle and Hum” album. Tuesday marked Dylan’s 70th birthday and at the end of the song, Bono led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to the folk icon.
Bono would add a later Dylan tribute in the encores by playing the first verse and chorus to “Blowin’ in the Wind” while accompanying himself on guitar.
Bono and Co. were back at it Tuesday night in Salt Lake City.
Back being the operative word – literally.
As Bono himself pointed out during Tuesday’s U2 spectacular at Rice-Eccles Stadium, it was a year ago this week that he underwent emergency back surgery in Germany, forcing the band to reschedule the North American leg of its 360° Tour, which was within a few days of launching with the Salt Lake City date.
“Let me tell you, we are so much better this year,” Bono told the screaming masses after thanking them for their patience. “In all modesty, I’ve got a brand new spine. I have been built with a brand new spine. ... Thank God, and thank the Germans. What do you think of Robo-Bono?”
Judging by their raucous reaction and a stadium-wide standing ovation for all but the most mellow moments, audience members had high praise for the worth-much-more-than-$6 million man and his not quite as bionic bandmates.
In fact, fans’ patience for the year delay paid off as the Irish popsters delivered as stunning a visual concert as has ever been seen along the Wasatch Front during a 2-hour, 20-minute performance. Much has been written about the band’s massive stage structure, dubbed “The Claw,” but, if anything, its utter uniqueness and ability to make a stadium show seem intimate was clearly not over-hyped.
The mammoth stage dwarfed the south end of the stadium, making the Olympic torch, visible in the background outside that end, appear like a mere flashlight. It may measure 150 feet from the bottom of the main stage to the tip of its disco ball-like spire, but it appeared as if nearly every inch of the staging served some functional purpose visually. The four legs of “The Claw” neatly housed all manner of lights and other effects. With most of the equipment suspended in air or perhaps contained underneath, the main stage itself was amazingly uncluttered, leaving pretty much just the musicians and their tools of the trade.
A pair of rotating walkways bridged an inner section of fans and connected the main stage to a circular ramp that brought band members closer to the primary sections of the audience. Bono, guitarist The Edge and bassist Adam Clayton all made judicious use of the bridges and walkway to maintain connected with the crowd. Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. even took a late-set spin around the ramp while playing a bongo drum during “I’ll Go Crazy if I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight.”
The undisputed king of special effects, however, was the out-of-this-world cylindrical video board. The display was so eye-catching that at times it was certainly a distraction to the proceedings on stage – but almost always a welcome one. The board mostly displayed live action from the stage, showing off facial expressions and actions that would otherwise be undetectable by a large portion of the crowd in a stadium setting.
The video device moved into uncharted territory, however, when it started morphing and changing shape late in the main set. The screen actually broke apart into hundreds of separate pieces and started funneling downward toward the band during “Miss Sarajevo.” Following up with “Zooropa,” the video tunnel lowered and actually encased the entire band – with the members intermittently visible behind the separated pieces of video screen behind eye-popping light effects. It was amazing to behold, leaving one to wonder where the next generation of video experimentation will go from here. The bar has been set extremely high.
None of the effects, however, would mean diddly without the music to back it up. U2 has little to worry about in that regard. The band mixed in big hits with more obscure material, but the fans – and are there any more devoted fans than U2 followers? – seemed familiar with everything, singing along at every prompt from Bono and offering cheers of recognition at the beginning strains of every song.
“Get on Your Boots,” “Mysterious Ways” and “Elevation” were early highlights and the tranquil “All I Want is You” was simply beautiful. An ongoing theme emerged at the end of the latter tune as Bono segued into “Love Rescue Me,” a tune co-written by Bob Dylan off the “Rattle and Hum” album. Tuesday marked Dylan’s 70th birthday and at the end of the song, Bono led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to the folk icon.
Bono would add a later Dylan tribute in the encores by playing the first verse and chorus to “Blowin’ in the Wind” while accompanying himself on guitar.
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
の強力な電流ACまたはDCと営業のSpotlight対応のLED
の強力な電流ACまたはDCと営業のSpotlight対応のLEDラーソンエレクトロニクスMagnalight.comは、新しいハイパワーの添加は、頑丈な、プロアプリケーション用に設計されたLEDが点灯しそのシリーズにスポットライトをLEDを発表した。 Magnalight PMLの- 90LED - DPの- 120 90ワットのLEDスポットライトは、光ビームの長さは2400フィートに達することができる8100ルーメンを生成し、120ボルトのAC電源または 12ボルトのDC電流を使用するために機能をユーザーに提供しています。 90 - 295VACから実行することができます耐候インライン変圧器が含まれ、このスポットライトに一般的な120ボルトのAC電源だけでなく9 50VDC、現在と同じように動作する能力を提供し、マウントして動作するこのLEDスポットライトをどこACまたはDCの演算子に多彩な機能を提供しま す電源は入手可能です。九十ワットソウルZ -パワーは、エミッタのLED搭載し、Magnalight PMLの- 90LED - DPの- 120 90ワットのLEDスポットライトは8100ルーメン、光ビーム約2,400フィートの長さと幅が140フィートを生成します。 LED のスポットライトのMagnalightの行にこの強力なほかは、IP68準拠防水定格され車両、建物やヒンジは、ユーザーは一度完全にマウントされてラ ンプを配置できるようにテンション含まれています4インチの正方形の取付板アセンブリを使用して任意の平らな面に取り付けるために設計されています。固体ポリカーボネートは削除したり、任意のピンを設定したり、任意のつまみネジをロックダウンすることなく、代わりにご利用いただけます光の調整が簡単、一度設定調節機能取り付けブラケットに組み込まアセンブリを処理します。必要に応じて、ユーザーは単にライトの方向を調整することができます部は、ユーザが変更するまで、その位置を保持します。 Magnalight は、本機ではIP67定格DCPの- 11 - DPの防水電源コンバータが含まれており、ハイパワーは、典型的な120VAC家庭の現在だけでなく、低電圧を実行することができますスポットライトを LEDの製造には、このLEDスポットライトの電源コードが付属してラインで実行するDC電源より車とボートと共通。このコンバータを含めることは、このスポットライトを完全にACまたはDC電流が可能となりますユーザーのみ電力が供給されているモバイルアプリケーションでは、この光を実行することになりますVDCは、このような車や船などの場所でと同じように12VDCが90から50利用できないか、不便なだけ電力が利用できる通常の120VACです。このLEDスポットライトは、DCだけコンバータからそれを抜いて、9電流50VDCのソースに接続することによって、現在使用して実行することができます。現在の12ボルトで実行して、この90ワットLEDスポットライトは7.5アンペアはまだ同等のハロゲンスポットライトよりもワット当たりのより多くの光を生成する描画します。アルミニウムと粉体塗装の建設は、このユニットのハウジングは、影響と腐食による損傷に抵抗する。固 体ポリカーボネート調整は、めっき鋼板のハードウェアに接続されているハンドルは、取付けベースは重いゲージ鋼で形成されているLEDはすべてが頑丈な使 用や乱用環境なしに立ち上がることができるLEDスポットライトを生成するのに役立ちますポリカーボネートレンズにより保護されていますビートをスキップします。このLEDスポットライトがよく安全保障、法の執行および軍事用だけでなく、任意のユーティリティワーカーまたは重大な機器のアウトドアの配列には理想的なほかにも適しています。
"90 ワットは、我々の最も人気のあるLEDライトは、範囲と消費電力に起因するLEDライトなので、このマウントされたサーチライトのアプリケーションに理想 的なコンポーネントを作り、"ラーソンエレクトロニクスmagnalight.comとロブブレスナハンは言った。 PMLの- LED90は、277V ACおよびそれは非常に多機能です42VのDCの9VのDCに至るまでの低電圧アプリケーション110V AC電源に至るまでの標準電圧に適用されます。 50000での生活時間は、前例のない耐振動性、高出力光出力、兵士たちは、ボート事業者やハイエンドのスポーツマンこのLEDライトのアプリケーションを見つけることになります。
ラーソンエレクトロニクスMagnalight製造し、40年以上にわたり、商業、工業産業への高電力スポットライトや照明器具を配布し、LEDライトバー、LEDのスポットライト、電源トランス、ボートが点灯し、携帯の電源をLEDの包括的な販売を行っています。 Magnalight.comはMagnalightスポットライトの行全体を表示するために、参照してください
"90 ワットは、我々の最も人気のあるLEDライトは、範囲と消費電力に起因するLEDライトなので、このマウントされたサーチライトのアプリケーションに理想 的なコンポーネントを作り、"ラーソンエレクトロニクスmagnalight.comとロブブレスナハンは言った。 PMLの- LED90は、277V ACおよびそれは非常に多機能です42VのDCの9VのDCに至るまでの低電圧アプリケーション110V AC電源に至るまでの標準電圧に適用されます。 50000での生活時間は、前例のない耐振動性、高出力光出力、兵士たちは、ボート事業者やハイエンドのスポーツマンこのLEDライトのアプリケーションを見つけることになります。
ラーソンエレクトロニクスMagnalight製造し、40年以上にわたり、商業、工業産業への高電力スポットライトや照明器具を配布し、LEDライトバー、LEDのスポットライト、電源トランス、ボートが点灯し、携帯の電源をLEDの包括的な販売を行っています。 Magnalight.comはMagnalightスポットライトの行全体を表示するために、参照してください
Monday, 9 May 2011
Lancers, Spartans Light Up Scoreboard Versus Lupus
Lancers, Spartans Light Up Scoreboard Versus Lupus
On an evening when battling a lesser known disease, lupus, was the theme, cross-town girls’ softball opponents West Springfield and Lee high schools brought their bats out and gave the large group of supportive fans a hitting showcase in an exciting, never dull, 13-12 contest that was won by the home team Lancers. The Patriot District game took place Tuesday evening, May 3 at Lee High School in the heart of Springfield.
“That was absolutely the cherry on top,” said Lancers’ head coach Suzy Willemssen, thrilled with her young team’s triumph that capped a special Lupus Awareness Night benefit in which those in attendance gave more than $400 to the Lupus Foundation of America, an organization that helps fight the disease that affects 80,000 individuals, mostly women, throughout the local metropolitan area.
The guest of honor during pre-game ceremonies which put the spotlight on fighting lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation which can damage major organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain and skin, into the forefront of spectators’ minds on the evening was former Lee High girls’ soccer coach Janice Wolfe-Easley, a Fairfax County teacher of 33 years who most recently, before going on medical disability in October 2009, served as an adaptive physical education teacher, for special need students. Wolfe-Easley, diagnosed in May 2009, was on hand to mingle, educate and enjoy the ball game, being played in her honor, along with everyone else in attendance. She even threw out the first pitch, an underhand, softball-style strike to Lancer catcher Manal Assad, much to the pleasure of the fans.
“Aside from tonight’s fundraiser, awareness is what’s so important,” said Wolfe-Easley, who later in the same day in which she was diagnosed with lupus gained permission from her doctor to participate in a benefit walk event for the fight against breast cancer.
But in recent years, Wolfe-Easley, the former Lancers’ head girls’ soccer coach, who led the Lee team to the state crown in 1985, has been unable to be nearly as physically active as she once was as a result of her illness.
“So many don’t know what lupus is. I didn’t until two years ago,” said Wolfe-Easley, who, during her 11-year head-coaching career, also coached and led the W.T. Woodson High girls’ soccer team to a state finals appearance.
Joan Tadlock, who coached Lee High softball the past few years and is currently an assistant coach for the Lancers, was thrilled to have Wolfe-Easley on-hand. The two originally got to know one another in their work as adaptive P.E. teachers. The popular and loved Tadlock, an advocate for both her special education students as well as for causes such as lupus and breast cancer, set up the benefit night in honor of Wolfe-Easley, her good friend. She was the emcee of the pre-game awareness night program and introduced Wolfe-Easley, along with the guest’s husband and sister, to the crowd.
Also introduced was Lori Barb, the Lee High director of student activities, and Lee junior softball player Alissa Fetterholf, who spear-headed the effort to design and wear special home style softball T-shirts, designed with a whirlwind color scheme of purple, the color that symbolizes the hope and determination to one day conquer the debilitating lupus disease, and white. Players themselves wrote their handwritten names and numbers on back of the special, one-day uniform tops.
THE LEE HIGH TEAM, throughout the high-scoring game, played with the enthusiasm and energy befitting of the night’s special meaning. The visiting Spartans did the same, creating a game, which, while far from being mistake-free, was entertaining and played with passion.
With the game tied at 10-10, Lee, which at one time had led West Springfield, 10-3, came up with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 13-10 lead. Jess Harmon led off the inning with an infield single and ultimately came around to score the go-ahead run. Later that inning, a key two-run single into center field off the bat of senior Sarah Wilber plated two more runs to give the Lancers a three-run advantage.
West Springfield, though, kept the game exciting by scoring two runs in the top of the sixth inning. Alissa Dwyer started the rally with an infield base hit and later scored on a groundout RBI by teammate Carisa Chaplin to make the score 13-11. Later in the inning, Hannah Tomey singled and ultimately scored from third on a wild pitch to get the Spartans within 13-12.
West Springfield pitcher Marissa Johnson, who pitched the entire game for the Spartans and got better and better as the contest went on, held Lee scoreless in the bottom of the sixth.
That set up West Springfield’s final at-bats. With one out, Calli Douglas, the potential tying run, earned a walk and stole both second and third base. But Lee pitcher Ashley Robinson, who entered the game in the fourth inning after Lancer starting pitcher Amanda Layton had gone the first three innings, buckled down, coaxing an infield pop-up for the second out and a groundball out to end the ball game. Lancer second baseman Beth Clay made all three put-outs — two groundball outs, one pop-up catch — in that final inning, including a scorching groundball pick-up and throw-out on a ball hit off the bat of Lindsey Kellogg to begin the inning.
Following the final out, the Lee players celebrated on the field, hugging one another and jumping up and down excitedly. It was the Lancers’ sixth win of the season to 10 losses.
“They never quit, and they fought back,” said Willemssen, the Lee coach, of her team’s mindset during both the game and season. “They know they have to play as a team. On this team everyone has an impact, instead of having that one stud pitcher with everyone standing back. Everyone on this team counts.”
Robinson, who pitched the final four innings for Lee, earned the win on the mound.
Lee, defensively, came up with some sparkling plays throughout the game. Robinson, who played center field over the first three innings, made a stellar first inning catch, swiftly moving to her left, on a ball hit by Johnson. In the third inning, the Lancers’ cut down a run at the plate when third baseman Natalie Heinitz, with Spartan runners on second and third, fielded a groundball and quickly threw home to catcher Assad, who applied the tag of a sliding runner. Then, on a ball hit into left field by the next batter, Lancer outfielder Fetterholf came up with a difficult, reaching catch. Late in the game, Harmon, who had been inserted in left field, caught a sizzling liner off the bat of Chandler Cole.
On an evening when battling a lesser known disease, lupus, was the theme, cross-town girls’ softball opponents West Springfield and Lee high schools brought their bats out and gave the large group of supportive fans a hitting showcase in an exciting, never dull, 13-12 contest that was won by the home team Lancers. The Patriot District game took place Tuesday evening, May 3 at Lee High School in the heart of Springfield.
“That was absolutely the cherry on top,” said Lancers’ head coach Suzy Willemssen, thrilled with her young team’s triumph that capped a special Lupus Awareness Night benefit in which those in attendance gave more than $400 to the Lupus Foundation of America, an organization that helps fight the disease that affects 80,000 individuals, mostly women, throughout the local metropolitan area.
The guest of honor during pre-game ceremonies which put the spotlight on fighting lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation which can damage major organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain and skin, into the forefront of spectators’ minds on the evening was former Lee High girls’ soccer coach Janice Wolfe-Easley, a Fairfax County teacher of 33 years who most recently, before going on medical disability in October 2009, served as an adaptive physical education teacher, for special need students. Wolfe-Easley, diagnosed in May 2009, was on hand to mingle, educate and enjoy the ball game, being played in her honor, along with everyone else in attendance. She even threw out the first pitch, an underhand, softball-style strike to Lancer catcher Manal Assad, much to the pleasure of the fans.
“Aside from tonight’s fundraiser, awareness is what’s so important,” said Wolfe-Easley, who later in the same day in which she was diagnosed with lupus gained permission from her doctor to participate in a benefit walk event for the fight against breast cancer.
But in recent years, Wolfe-Easley, the former Lancers’ head girls’ soccer coach, who led the Lee team to the state crown in 1985, has been unable to be nearly as physically active as she once was as a result of her illness.
“So many don’t know what lupus is. I didn’t until two years ago,” said Wolfe-Easley, who, during her 11-year head-coaching career, also coached and led the W.T. Woodson High girls’ soccer team to a state finals appearance.
Joan Tadlock, who coached Lee High softball the past few years and is currently an assistant coach for the Lancers, was thrilled to have Wolfe-Easley on-hand. The two originally got to know one another in their work as adaptive P.E. teachers. The popular and loved Tadlock, an advocate for both her special education students as well as for causes such as lupus and breast cancer, set up the benefit night in honor of Wolfe-Easley, her good friend. She was the emcee of the pre-game awareness night program and introduced Wolfe-Easley, along with the guest’s husband and sister, to the crowd.
Also introduced was Lori Barb, the Lee High director of student activities, and Lee junior softball player Alissa Fetterholf, who spear-headed the effort to design and wear special home style softball T-shirts, designed with a whirlwind color scheme of purple, the color that symbolizes the hope and determination to one day conquer the debilitating lupus disease, and white. Players themselves wrote their handwritten names and numbers on back of the special, one-day uniform tops.
THE LEE HIGH TEAM, throughout the high-scoring game, played with the enthusiasm and energy befitting of the night’s special meaning. The visiting Spartans did the same, creating a game, which, while far from being mistake-free, was entertaining and played with passion.
With the game tied at 10-10, Lee, which at one time had led West Springfield, 10-3, came up with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 13-10 lead. Jess Harmon led off the inning with an infield single and ultimately came around to score the go-ahead run. Later that inning, a key two-run single into center field off the bat of senior Sarah Wilber plated two more runs to give the Lancers a three-run advantage.
West Springfield, though, kept the game exciting by scoring two runs in the top of the sixth inning. Alissa Dwyer started the rally with an infield base hit and later scored on a groundout RBI by teammate Carisa Chaplin to make the score 13-11. Later in the inning, Hannah Tomey singled and ultimately scored from third on a wild pitch to get the Spartans within 13-12.
West Springfield pitcher Marissa Johnson, who pitched the entire game for the Spartans and got better and better as the contest went on, held Lee scoreless in the bottom of the sixth.
That set up West Springfield’s final at-bats. With one out, Calli Douglas, the potential tying run, earned a walk and stole both second and third base. But Lee pitcher Ashley Robinson, who entered the game in the fourth inning after Lancer starting pitcher Amanda Layton had gone the first three innings, buckled down, coaxing an infield pop-up for the second out and a groundball out to end the ball game. Lancer second baseman Beth Clay made all three put-outs — two groundball outs, one pop-up catch — in that final inning, including a scorching groundball pick-up and throw-out on a ball hit off the bat of Lindsey Kellogg to begin the inning.
Following the final out, the Lee players celebrated on the field, hugging one another and jumping up and down excitedly. It was the Lancers’ sixth win of the season to 10 losses.
“They never quit, and they fought back,” said Willemssen, the Lee coach, of her team’s mindset during both the game and season. “They know they have to play as a team. On this team everyone has an impact, instead of having that one stud pitcher with everyone standing back. Everyone on this team counts.”
Robinson, who pitched the final four innings for Lee, earned the win on the mound.
Lee, defensively, came up with some sparkling plays throughout the game. Robinson, who played center field over the first three innings, made a stellar first inning catch, swiftly moving to her left, on a ball hit by Johnson. In the third inning, the Lancers’ cut down a run at the plate when third baseman Natalie Heinitz, with Spartan runners on second and third, fielded a groundball and quickly threw home to catcher Assad, who applied the tag of a sliding runner. Then, on a ball hit into left field by the next batter, Lancer outfielder Fetterholf came up with a difficult, reaching catch. Late in the game, Harmon, who had been inserted in left field, caught a sizzling liner off the bat of Chandler Cole.
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
LED Flashlights and 4 Fun Nighttime Games
LED Flashlights and 4 Fun Nighttime Games
Most people realize that you need to bring a good flashlight or headlamp when going camping. However, many are unaware of all the fun camping games that can be played with them. On your next camping trip, bring a few LED flashlights or headlamps so you can try some of these games.
Flashlight Tag
Flashlight tag is similar to regular tag, except that instead of tagging the other players with your hand, you tag them with the beam of light. All you need to get started is at least one LED flashlight or headlamp and two or more players. One person is selected to start as "IT". The "IT" person closes their eyes and waits while the other players hide. After waiting a few minutes, the "IT" player announces that the game has started and begins to look for the hiding players. When another player is tagged with the flashlight, they become IT. By the end of the game, the player who was tagged the least is declared winner. Make sure to set the boundaries of the hiding area and the game time limit before starting!
Spotlight
Spotlight is similar to Flashlight Tag, except that the goal is to tag ALL the players in order to win. The game works best when using a headlamp; with your hands free, you can spot people much easier and faster than with a handheld flashlight.
To start, choose one player to be the "warden". He or she is in charge of the spotlight; everyone else is trying to avoid getting caught by the light. Next, choose an area that will be the jail. Make sure the jail is not too close to the warden but also not too far away. Each time a player is tagged by the warden's spotlight, he or she must remain in the designated jail area near the warden.
If the warden tags all the players before time is up, the warden wins. To make things more difficult, players who are captured can assist the warden with additional LED headlamps or flashlights, making it easier to tag the remaining players. To make things less difficult, allow for jailbreaks - if someone can sneak into the jail and rescue another player, that player can rejoin the game. This game is best played in large numbers, the more the merrier!
Flashlight Limbo
Next up is flashlight limbo, a camping version of the famous dancing game. In order to form a strong beam of light that will act as the limbo pole, you will need at least two LED flashlights and four or more people. Two people will hold one flashlight each and form a concentrated beam across from one another. The other players form a line and try to limbo under the beam of light without touching the brightest part. The person who can go the lowest without falling down or touching the beam wins. Try setting up the flashlights with tables or chairs, then everyone can join the limbo line. It never hurts to have some of your favorite dance music playing in the background!
Shadow Charades
Charades can turn any party into an uproar of laughter. The same goes for shadow charades, a laugh out loud camping game. The setup is simple; all you need is one LED flashlight or headlamp, a handful of players, a few pieces of paper, a pen or pencil, and a wall to project the shadow images onto. Tear the sheets of paper into a number of small pieces; write on them a number of animals or objects that can be formed with shadow images. Then, form two teams of two or more players each. Mix the pieces of paper up in a hat or bowl. As the game commences each team will take turns drawing from that hat. Each team has one player who forms the shadow images, while the other players try to guess them. For each correct guess, the guessing team scores one point. The team with the most points wins!
This is just a small sample of the more popular and interesting camping games that people have come up with since the invention of the flashlight. Enhance your next camping party with some of these variations on traditional outdoor games. Just remember to have fun and bring extra batteries!
Most people realize that you need to bring a good flashlight or headlamp when going camping. However, many are unaware of all the fun camping games that can be played with them. On your next camping trip, bring a few LED flashlights or headlamps so you can try some of these games.
Flashlight Tag
Flashlight tag is similar to regular tag, except that instead of tagging the other players with your hand, you tag them with the beam of light. All you need to get started is at least one LED flashlight or headlamp and two or more players. One person is selected to start as "IT". The "IT" person closes their eyes and waits while the other players hide. After waiting a few minutes, the "IT" player announces that the game has started and begins to look for the hiding players. When another player is tagged with the flashlight, they become IT. By the end of the game, the player who was tagged the least is declared winner. Make sure to set the boundaries of the hiding area and the game time limit before starting!
Spotlight
Spotlight is similar to Flashlight Tag, except that the goal is to tag ALL the players in order to win. The game works best when using a headlamp; with your hands free, you can spot people much easier and faster than with a handheld flashlight.
To start, choose one player to be the "warden". He or she is in charge of the spotlight; everyone else is trying to avoid getting caught by the light. Next, choose an area that will be the jail. Make sure the jail is not too close to the warden but also not too far away. Each time a player is tagged by the warden's spotlight, he or she must remain in the designated jail area near the warden.
If the warden tags all the players before time is up, the warden wins. To make things more difficult, players who are captured can assist the warden with additional LED headlamps or flashlights, making it easier to tag the remaining players. To make things less difficult, allow for jailbreaks - if someone can sneak into the jail and rescue another player, that player can rejoin the game. This game is best played in large numbers, the more the merrier!
Flashlight Limbo
Next up is flashlight limbo, a camping version of the famous dancing game. In order to form a strong beam of light that will act as the limbo pole, you will need at least two LED flashlights and four or more people. Two people will hold one flashlight each and form a concentrated beam across from one another. The other players form a line and try to limbo under the beam of light without touching the brightest part. The person who can go the lowest without falling down or touching the beam wins. Try setting up the flashlights with tables or chairs, then everyone can join the limbo line. It never hurts to have some of your favorite dance music playing in the background!
Shadow Charades
Charades can turn any party into an uproar of laughter. The same goes for shadow charades, a laugh out loud camping game. The setup is simple; all you need is one LED flashlight or headlamp, a handful of players, a few pieces of paper, a pen or pencil, and a wall to project the shadow images onto. Tear the sheets of paper into a number of small pieces; write on them a number of animals or objects that can be formed with shadow images. Then, form two teams of two or more players each. Mix the pieces of paper up in a hat or bowl. As the game commences each team will take turns drawing from that hat. Each team has one player who forms the shadow images, while the other players try to guess them. For each correct guess, the guessing team scores one point. The team with the most points wins!
This is just a small sample of the more popular and interesting camping games that people have come up with since the invention of the flashlight. Enhance your next camping party with some of these variations on traditional outdoor games. Just remember to have fun and bring extra batteries!
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Add Ground Effects To Your Bed For Gentle Night Lighting
It’s the middle of the night, and you have to go to the bathroom. Sure, you can stumble to the bathroom in the dark, possibly hitting your shins or toes on anything on the floor or in the path between you and the sky lanterns bathroom door, but you don’t want to blind yourself by turning on the light. The solution? Ground effect lighting for your bed!
Over at IKEA Hackers, they use a bed model commonly purchased at IKEA, but the trick can be applied to pretty much any bed with a flat underside that’s lifted up from the ground a bit. Bonus: it looks really cool.
Pedro Farinha decided that he was tired of blinding and being blinded by his wife when one of them would get up in the middle sky lanterns of the night to feed their newborn baby.
With a little elbow grease, a kitchen-style fluorescent light, and some screws, he mounted the light on the wood bar on the underside of the bed and connected a switch to the light with enough wire that he could put the switch at the top of the bed. Now he or his wife could get up to change or feed the baby and go to the bathroom, with enough light to see but not so much that they’d wake the other person still asleep.
One of the best things about this tip is that it doesn’t require anything IKEA really; a flexible strip-light or even a set of LED Christmas lights would work just as well as the fluorescent. Any bed sky lanterns that’s up off the floor high enough for the light to spread out from around the underside and that has a place you could mount or tie in the lights would work as well. Just make sure to clean the dust bunnies out from under the bed first and make sure the light you use doesn’t generate any heat (like incandescent Christmas lights or bulbs) – you don’t want to inadvertently create a fire hazard.
Over at IKEA Hackers, they use a bed model commonly purchased at IKEA, but the trick can be applied to pretty much any bed with a flat underside that’s lifted up from the ground a bit. Bonus: it looks really cool.
Pedro Farinha decided that he was tired of blinding and being blinded by his wife when one of them would get up in the middle sky lanterns of the night to feed their newborn baby.
With a little elbow grease, a kitchen-style fluorescent light, and some screws, he mounted the light on the wood bar on the underside of the bed and connected a switch to the light with enough wire that he could put the switch at the top of the bed. Now he or his wife could get up to change or feed the baby and go to the bathroom, with enough light to see but not so much that they’d wake the other person still asleep.
One of the best things about this tip is that it doesn’t require anything IKEA really; a flexible strip-light or even a set of LED Christmas lights would work just as well as the fluorescent. Any bed sky lanterns that’s up off the floor high enough for the light to spread out from around the underside and that has a place you could mount or tie in the lights would work as well. Just make sure to clean the dust bunnies out from under the bed first and make sure the light you use doesn’t generate any heat (like incandescent Christmas lights or bulbs) – you don’t want to inadvertently create a fire hazard.
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Lantern vigils fuel farming concern
Concern is mounting over the dangers posed to livestock and property from Chinese lanterns lit in memory of missing people.
A growing trend has seen hundreds of lanterns released into the night sky over England during the past fortnight.
Some 40 lanterns were released to sky lanterns highlight the plight of missing cruise ship worker Rebecca Coriam, who has not been seen for almost two weeks.
More than 150 relatives and friends released 40 lanterns into the sky "to guide Rebecca home" at a vigil on Sunday (3 April).
The lantern release followed a similar vigil at Swindon's Polo Ground in memory of 22-year-old Sian O'Callaghan on 26 March.
Some 10,000 people attended the Swindon vigil. Many released Chinese lanterns and balloons with messages of condolence.
While the vigils have drawn attention to tragic events, farmers have long warned of the dangers posed by Chinese lanterns to livestock, standing crops and thatched properties.
The lanterns are generally made from paper supported by a wire frame that incorporates a holder at the bottom for a solid fuel cell.
Wiltshire & Swindon Fire Authority said the risk of fire caused by Chinese lanterns should be fully considered prior to use.
While lighting and launch were largely in the control of the user, the actual flight path and ultimate destination were generally not.
There was also no guarantee that the fuel cell would be fully extinguished and cooled when the lantern eventually descends.
"Any subsequent contact with a combustible sky lanterns surface could result in a fire developing," said the authority.
The Women's Food & Farming Union has called for the lanterns to be banned.
"The lightweight metal structures are hazardous to cattle, sheep and horses, should they eat them," it said.
"Not only that, the metal may lie dormant on the land and then gets into silage or hay at harvest time.
"This has its own added problems when it is fed sky lanterns as winter feed and cattle eat it as part of their forage."
A growing trend has seen hundreds of lanterns released into the night sky over England during the past fortnight.
Some 40 lanterns were released to sky lanterns highlight the plight of missing cruise ship worker Rebecca Coriam, who has not been seen for almost two weeks.
More than 150 relatives and friends released 40 lanterns into the sky "to guide Rebecca home" at a vigil on Sunday (3 April).
The lantern release followed a similar vigil at Swindon's Polo Ground in memory of 22-year-old Sian O'Callaghan on 26 March.
Some 10,000 people attended the Swindon vigil. Many released Chinese lanterns and balloons with messages of condolence.
While the vigils have drawn attention to tragic events, farmers have long warned of the dangers posed by Chinese lanterns to livestock, standing crops and thatched properties.
The lanterns are generally made from paper supported by a wire frame that incorporates a holder at the bottom for a solid fuel cell.
Wiltshire & Swindon Fire Authority said the risk of fire caused by Chinese lanterns should be fully considered prior to use.
While lighting and launch were largely in the control of the user, the actual flight path and ultimate destination were generally not.
There was also no guarantee that the fuel cell would be fully extinguished and cooled when the lantern eventually descends.
"Any subsequent contact with a combustible sky lanterns surface could result in a fire developing," said the authority.
The Women's Food & Farming Union has called for the lanterns to be banned.
"The lightweight metal structures are hazardous to cattle, sheep and horses, should they eat them," it said.
"Not only that, the metal may lie dormant on the land and then gets into silage or hay at harvest time.
"This has its own added problems when it is fed sky lanterns as winter feed and cattle eat it as part of their forage."
We are alone after all
We are alone after all: 'UFOs' spotted in sky above Chicago turn out to be memorial lanterns from a charity vigil
As residents left their homes to gaze up at the mysterious lights in the sky, it seemed it was finally true: they were not alone.
But UFO spotters had their hopes dashed when it turned out the slow-moving orange lights above Chicago - which made it on to local news - had a more earthly origin.
They were in fact 'sky lanterns', released as a memorial to victims of child abuse at a rally organised by a city charity.
The lanterns turned into an unintentional publicity-grabber after one woman filmed the strange formation and sent it into a local television station.
UFO bloggers picked up on the sighting, and linked it to strange lights spotted over Miami the day before.
Nicole Dragozetich was driving through Chicago's southside on Saturday night when she saw about a dozen people standing on the sidewalk staring up at the sky.
She got out of her car and began filming the strange formation of blinking orange lights on her cellphone.
The lights were too close together to be aeroplanes, and too slow-moving to be a meteor shower.
She told CBS: 'I was just going to a local restaurant to pick up food, and as I was driving I saw residents out in front of their house, staring up in the sky.'
She said: 'You could see them – just moving down the street. And they took form. At one point, it looked like an arrow.'
But as television presenters mused on the possible cause and UFO spotters chalked up another sighting, a Chicago charity came forward with a more straightforward reason.
As residents left their homes to gaze up at the mysterious lights in the sky, it seemed it was finally true: they were not alone.
But UFO spotters had their hopes dashed when it turned out the slow-moving orange lights above Chicago - which made it on to local news - had a more earthly origin.
They were in fact 'sky lanterns', released as a memorial to victims of child abuse at a rally organised by a city charity.
The lanterns turned into an unintentional publicity-grabber after one woman filmed the strange formation and sent it into a local television station.
UFO bloggers picked up on the sighting, and linked it to strange lights spotted over Miami the day before.
Nicole Dragozetich was driving through Chicago's southside on Saturday night when she saw about a dozen people standing on the sidewalk staring up at the sky.
She got out of her car and began filming the strange formation of blinking orange lights on her cellphone.
The lights were too close together to be aeroplanes, and too slow-moving to be a meteor shower.
She told CBS: 'I was just going to a local restaurant to pick up food, and as I was driving I saw residents out in front of their house, staring up in the sky.'
She said: 'You could see them – just moving down the street. And they took form. At one point, it looked like an arrow.'
But as television presenters mused on the possible cause and UFO spotters chalked up another sighting, a Chicago charity came forward with a more straightforward reason.
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Vigils Held For Missing Cruise Ship Worker
Vigils Held For Missing Cruise Ship Worker
Candlelit vigils have taken place around the world for the missing cruise ship worker Rebecca Coriam, who has not been seen for almost two weeks.
The 24-year-old's parents and sister joined more than 150 relatives and friends in her home city of Chester at 8pm on Sunday, lighting candles and releasing 40 lanterns into the sky "to guide Rebecca home."
People from as far afield as Australia, Canada and the US pledged to do the same at 8pm in their respective time zones after a huge response to the idea on an internet forum.
Rebecca's uncle, John Jennings, told Sky News the family had been amazed by the reaction. "So many people have written kind messages about Rebecca and it's given the family real comfort," he said.
"We just feel so helpless at the moment, so when someone on the forum suggested this we were very touched."
Mr Jennings described the vigil at Chester Racecourse as "beautiful"and "incredibly emotional".
Five thousand miles away some passengers and crew on the Disney Wonder cruise ship were planning to light safe battery-operated candles to show their support for Rebecca's family.
Miss Coriam had been working as part of the youth programme on the vessel, which left Los Angeles on March 22nd for a week-long cruise along the Mexican Riviera.
The alarm was raised three days into the trip when Rebecca failed to turn up for her shift.
Despite onboard inspections and alerts to the 3,000 passengers the ship returned to LA without her.
Candlelit vigils have taken place around the world for the missing cruise ship worker Rebecca Coriam, who has not been seen for almost two weeks.
The 24-year-old's parents and sister joined more than 150 relatives and friends in her home city of Chester at 8pm on Sunday, lighting candles and releasing 40 lanterns into the sky "to guide Rebecca home."
People from as far afield as Australia, Canada and the US pledged to do the same at 8pm in their respective time zones after a huge response to the idea on an internet forum.
Rebecca's uncle, John Jennings, told Sky News the family had been amazed by the reaction. "So many people have written kind messages about Rebecca and it's given the family real comfort," he said.
"We just feel so helpless at the moment, so when someone on the forum suggested this we were very touched."
Mr Jennings described the vigil at Chester Racecourse as "beautiful"and "incredibly emotional".
Five thousand miles away some passengers and crew on the Disney Wonder cruise ship were planning to light safe battery-operated candles to show their support for Rebecca's family.
Miss Coriam had been working as part of the youth programme on the vessel, which left Los Angeles on March 22nd for a week-long cruise along the Mexican Riviera.
The alarm was raised three days into the trip when Rebecca failed to turn up for her shift.
Despite onboard inspections and alerts to the 3,000 passengers the ship returned to LA without her.
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Light up parties and gatherings with customized helium balloons and decorated sky lanterns
There is something about the simple balloon that attracts both adults and children to it. No birthday could ever be complete without the presence of the balloon. The joys of watching a kid hold his balloon is often inexpressible for many parents. Today, these decorative items have become better and bigger. Anshi.in offers customers a chance to purchase some of the best looking customized helium balloons and other decorative items for parties and special events. The simple use of these balloons can add to the quality of the event and catch the attention of guests.
Anshi.in has a large collection of helium balloons, which can be customized according to the interests of the host. These balloons are safe for use and are known to be lighter than other materials. This allows them to float for a longer duration of time than the ordinary balloons. This remains a source of joy and makes them an attractive piece of decoration for any party or event. The online website of anshi.in remains a party shop with a range of decorative items which add the fun and flavor back into the event.
Other than helium balloons, there are also items like the sky lanterns which have become popular among many people today. An oriental practice, these sky lanterns symbolize wishes made by people and sent into the sky to be fulfilled. Many people choose these for their housewarming parties or get together as an innovative and catchy way of spreading the good will. These have become very popular choices for people, looking to make an impression on their guests and visitors.
Anshi.in offers customers a chance to purchase personalized and customized balloons and lanterns which give a distinct and creative touch to their party atmosphere. Other than balloons and sky lanterns, there is an array of decorative items available on their online party shop. These can be chosen according to the event and the attraction required for it. There are also personalized photos which can be impressed on the balloons which have become a rage among kids. These are certain to light up children on the day of the event. From kids events to housewarming parties, there are a number of party decorations available on the http://www.anshi.in/ and can be booked online by customers. The website is easy to access and can be used by customers to make the right choice to light up their events and surprise their guests with.
Anshi.in has a large collection of helium balloons, which can be customized according to the interests of the host. These balloons are safe for use and are known to be lighter than other materials. This allows them to float for a longer duration of time than the ordinary balloons. This remains a source of joy and makes them an attractive piece of decoration for any party or event. The online website of anshi.in remains a party shop with a range of decorative items which add the fun and flavor back into the event.
Other than helium balloons, there are also items like the sky lanterns which have become popular among many people today. An oriental practice, these sky lanterns symbolize wishes made by people and sent into the sky to be fulfilled. Many people choose these for their housewarming parties or get together as an innovative and catchy way of spreading the good will. These have become very popular choices for people, looking to make an impression on their guests and visitors.
Anshi.in offers customers a chance to purchase personalized and customized balloons and lanterns which give a distinct and creative touch to their party atmosphere. Other than balloons and sky lanterns, there is an array of decorative items available on their online party shop. These can be chosen according to the event and the attraction required for it. There are also personalized photos which can be impressed on the balloons which have become a rage among kids. These are certain to light up children on the day of the event. From kids events to housewarming parties, there are a number of party decorations available on the http://www.anshi.in/ and can be booked online by customers. The website is easy to access and can be used by customers to make the right choice to light up their events and surprise their guests with.
Wish lamps in Mahi hometown
Wish lamps in Mahi hometown
As Captain Cool and his men in blue pad up for the April 2 Wankhede blockbuster, fan frenzy is hotting up at his Cup-crazy hometown.
The happy flutter of 200 silken flags and 25 sky lanterns cheering Chak De Dhoni are setting the perfect pitch for the Saturday final between the Dream Team and Sri Lanka while cricket enthusiasts keep fingers crossed for a 1983 rerun.
If the lamps, to be released into the sky tomorrow evening, symbolise the victory designs of budding fashionistas of Ranchi Women’s College, the morale of Team India is being hoisted by Assocham’s Jharkhand chapter.
“We have lined up 200 flags in front of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s house at Birsa Munda Raj Marg in Harmu. He has done Jharkhand proud by ensuring India’s win over Pakistan in yesterday’s semi-final. The colourful paraphernalia is our way of saying thank you,” said R.K. Choudhary, the secretary-general of Assocham, Jharkhand.
Armed with drums and crackers, scores of cricket-lovers had trooped to Harmu last night after India’s scintillating 29-run win over Pakistan. Today, it was the turn of trumpet players who belted out patriotic numbers to wish the Team India skipper the very best for the final battle.
A contented spectator of the festivities, a neighbour told The Telegraph that Dhoni’s family members would not go to Mumbai to watch the final because that might distract him. “They want him to concentrate hundred per cent on the match,” he said, requesting anonymity.
Everyone seemed anxiously waiting for the big win. At Ranchi Women’s College, students laboriously sketched Dhoni on sky lanterns and etched messages like “Jharkhand ka hero barhayega Bharat ki shaan” to wish him luck.
“We want him to do what Kapil Dev did in 1983,” said Ratna Singh, a teacher of fashion designing.
“We are sanguine that our boy will win the Cup for India,” beamed Anshika Kumari, a student, giving finishing touches to her wish lamp.
“We will float the maps near Dhoni’s house on the eve of the big match,” another student added.
Last night, celebrations had reached a crescendo around midnight and continued till 2am. The thumping beat of drums had reverberated through Dhoni’s hometown while crackers lighted up the night sky. Bikers had zoomed with Tricolours in hand at Albert Ekka Chowk, Birsa Chowk, Sujata Chowk and Main Road among other places.
As Captain Cool and his men in blue pad up for the April 2 Wankhede blockbuster, fan frenzy is hotting up at his Cup-crazy hometown.
The happy flutter of 200 silken flags and 25 sky lanterns cheering Chak De Dhoni are setting the perfect pitch for the Saturday final between the Dream Team and Sri Lanka while cricket enthusiasts keep fingers crossed for a 1983 rerun.
If the lamps, to be released into the sky tomorrow evening, symbolise the victory designs of budding fashionistas of Ranchi Women’s College, the morale of Team India is being hoisted by Assocham’s Jharkhand chapter.
“We have lined up 200 flags in front of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s house at Birsa Munda Raj Marg in Harmu. He has done Jharkhand proud by ensuring India’s win over Pakistan in yesterday’s semi-final. The colourful paraphernalia is our way of saying thank you,” said R.K. Choudhary, the secretary-general of Assocham, Jharkhand.
Armed with drums and crackers, scores of cricket-lovers had trooped to Harmu last night after India’s scintillating 29-run win over Pakistan. Today, it was the turn of trumpet players who belted out patriotic numbers to wish the Team India skipper the very best for the final battle.
A contented spectator of the festivities, a neighbour told The Telegraph that Dhoni’s family members would not go to Mumbai to watch the final because that might distract him. “They want him to concentrate hundred per cent on the match,” he said, requesting anonymity.
Everyone seemed anxiously waiting for the big win. At Ranchi Women’s College, students laboriously sketched Dhoni on sky lanterns and etched messages like “Jharkhand ka hero barhayega Bharat ki shaan” to wish him luck.
“We want him to do what Kapil Dev did in 1983,” said Ratna Singh, a teacher of fashion designing.
“We are sanguine that our boy will win the Cup for India,” beamed Anshika Kumari, a student, giving finishing touches to her wish lamp.
“We will float the maps near Dhoni’s house on the eve of the big match,” another student added.
Last night, celebrations had reached a crescendo around midnight and continued till 2am. The thumping beat of drums had reverberated through Dhoni’s hometown while crackers lighted up the night sky. Bikers had zoomed with Tricolours in hand at Albert Ekka Chowk, Birsa Chowk, Sujata Chowk and Main Road among other places.
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Sky lanterns to be lit in memory of Malvern woman
A FAMILY will be releasing 51 sky lanterns into the air on Saturday (March 5) in memory of a former Malvern woman who died of lung cancer six months ago, aged just 50.
Elizabeth Hambrey, who lived in Malvern for 10 years while working as an Ministry Of Defence police officer, would have turned 51 tomorrow, and her family wanted to do something in memory of her.
They will be gathering at her daughter Samantha’s home in Clerkenwell Crescent, and releasing the lanterns between 7-9pm.
Mrs Hambrey’s husband Peter explained: “Elizabeth died on August 18, and my sons have been letting a lantern off on the 18th of each month ever since.
“She was quite well known in Malvern and, as we had moved to Portsmouth, there may well be a lot of people who she was very friendly with in Malvern who do not even know she has passed away.”
Each of the lanterns being released will contain a message from Mrs Hambrey’s friends and relatives.
“She was a wonderful lady and I have had so many nice messages from people that she knew or worked with over the years to go in the lanterns,” said Mr Hambrey.
Elizabeth Hambrey, who lived in Malvern for 10 years while working as an Ministry Of Defence police officer, would have turned 51 tomorrow, and her family wanted to do something in memory of her.
They will be gathering at her daughter Samantha’s home in Clerkenwell Crescent, and releasing the lanterns between 7-9pm.
Mrs Hambrey’s husband Peter explained: “Elizabeth died on August 18, and my sons have been letting a lantern off on the 18th of each month ever since.
“She was quite well known in Malvern and, as we had moved to Portsmouth, there may well be a lot of people who she was very friendly with in Malvern who do not even know she has passed away.”
Each of the lanterns being released will contain a message from Mrs Hambrey’s friends and relatives.
“She was a wonderful lady and I have had so many nice messages from people that she knew or worked with over the years to go in the lanterns,” said Mr Hambrey.
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Good intentions not enough during emergencies
The Gulf, Atlantic and all Southern states recently paid homage to Severe Weather Awareness Week. That's excellent. We listen with good intentions.
more Colmans columns...While local and state governments, along with Federal Emergency Management Agency and state National Guard units, work hard to get their plans updated, there are a few million people involved in these states that often miss the point of why these drills take place and what it means to prepare.
Let's look at what happened starting from the recent past with hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Ike, and devastating floods that affected several states more than once. Look at the sky the next time a severe thunderstorm approaches and watch the cloud to ground strikes that invariably result in house, apartment and business fires that destroy not just things but often kill people.
How many people will continue to lose their lives because they refuse to evacuate when a major hurricane is headed their way? How many people continue to get trapped in quickly rising water because they ignore weather warnings, don't pay attention to local news or have a weather alert radio?
How many homes and apartments catch fire from lightening or other causes, and the occupants have no evacuation plan, no idea of how they can get out of their dwelling if the main exits are blocked, or don't even have working smoke alarms at home?
more Colmans columns...While local and state governments, along with Federal Emergency Management Agency and state National Guard units, work hard to get their plans updated, there are a few million people involved in these states that often miss the point of why these drills take place and what it means to prepare.
Let's look at what happened starting from the recent past with hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Ike, and devastating floods that affected several states more than once. Look at the sky the next time a severe thunderstorm approaches and watch the cloud to ground strikes that invariably result in house, apartment and business fires that destroy not just things but often kill people.
How many people will continue to lose their lives because they refuse to evacuate when a major hurricane is headed their way? How many people continue to get trapped in quickly rising water because they ignore weather warnings, don't pay attention to local news or have a weather alert radio?
How many homes and apartments catch fire from lightening or other causes, and the occupants have no evacuation plan, no idea of how they can get out of their dwelling if the main exits are blocked, or don't even have working smoke alarms at home?
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Tangled Blu-Ray & DVD
Disney’s 3D animated feature film Tangled, on Blu-Ray and DVD March 29, tells the story of Rapunzel – with a twist. The movie stars the voices of Mandy Moore and Zach Levi.
Courtesy of Disney The Magical Flower
Long ago, an evil old woman concealed a magical flower that possessed the power to make her young again. But when the pregnant Queen became sick, the kingdom’s men retrieved the flower and used its powers to heal the dying Queen. Their baby girl was born with beautiful blond hair that possessed the same powers as the magical flower, but only when she sang. Enraged, the evil old woman stole the baby girl from her bedroom one night...and the princess was never seen again.
The Tower
Rapunzel was raised by the evil woman. She remained locked in a tall tower for nearly 18 years, watching the flying lanterns soar through the sky every year on her birthday. She wanted to see those lanterns up close more than anything in the world. But she couldn’t leave the tower. As her “mother” always said, the world was too dangerous a place for a young woman like her.
The Thief
Flinn Ryder was a thief with big dreams—he wanted to own his own kingdom and surround himself with lots of money. After stealing the royal princess’s crown, the kingdom’s men were after him, particularly a feisty horse named Maximus. He escaped and hid in a tall tower, where he came face to face with Rapunzel. After knocking him out with a frying pan a few times, Rapunzel convinced Flinn to take her to see the lanterns. Only then would she give him back the royal crown.
The Message
While held captive in the tower, Rapunzel dreams of adventure, and paints imagined scenes of the outside world on the walls. Her world opens up with opportunities and explorations upon leaving the tower and becoming part of the outside world she had previously seen only from a distance. In addition, the thugs and ruffians in the Snuggly Duckling Tavern befriend Rapunzel and her traveling companions upon realizing that they all have dreams of things to do and achieve in their lives. This movie is a great reminder to follow your dreams of adventure and achievement!
The Bottom Line
Tangled is one of the best animated films of 2010. The animation is colourful and realistic. The story line is simple but perfectly executed. And the humor never stops, from the flirty and dirty old cupid, to the spunky horse whose personality seems more human than animal. Tangled is a must see for kids and adults alike!
Courtesy of Disney The Magical Flower
Long ago, an evil old woman concealed a magical flower that possessed the power to make her young again. But when the pregnant Queen became sick, the kingdom’s men retrieved the flower and used its powers to heal the dying Queen. Their baby girl was born with beautiful blond hair that possessed the same powers as the magical flower, but only when she sang. Enraged, the evil old woman stole the baby girl from her bedroom one night...and the princess was never seen again.
The Tower
Rapunzel was raised by the evil woman. She remained locked in a tall tower for nearly 18 years, watching the flying lanterns soar through the sky every year on her birthday. She wanted to see those lanterns up close more than anything in the world. But she couldn’t leave the tower. As her “mother” always said, the world was too dangerous a place for a young woman like her.
The Thief
Flinn Ryder was a thief with big dreams—he wanted to own his own kingdom and surround himself with lots of money. After stealing the royal princess’s crown, the kingdom’s men were after him, particularly a feisty horse named Maximus. He escaped and hid in a tall tower, where he came face to face with Rapunzel. After knocking him out with a frying pan a few times, Rapunzel convinced Flinn to take her to see the lanterns. Only then would she give him back the royal crown.
The Message
While held captive in the tower, Rapunzel dreams of adventure, and paints imagined scenes of the outside world on the walls. Her world opens up with opportunities and explorations upon leaving the tower and becoming part of the outside world she had previously seen only from a distance. In addition, the thugs and ruffians in the Snuggly Duckling Tavern befriend Rapunzel and her traveling companions upon realizing that they all have dreams of things to do and achieve in their lives. This movie is a great reminder to follow your dreams of adventure and achievement!
The Bottom Line
Tangled is one of the best animated films of 2010. The animation is colourful and realistic. The story line is simple but perfectly executed. And the humor never stops, from the flirty and dirty old cupid, to the spunky horse whose personality seems more human than animal. Tangled is a must see for kids and adults alike!
Monday, 14 March 2011
Lanterns were in memory of Elizabeth
Lanterns were in memory of Elizabeth
SKY lanterns were released into the night air in memory of a former Malvern woman who died six months ago at the age of just 50.
Family and friends of Elizabeth Hambrey gathered together on Saturday (March 5) and released 51 lanterns, each containing a personal message, to mark what would have been her 51st birthday.
Mrs Hambrey, who died of lung cancer, lived in Malvern for 10 years while working as a Ministry of Defence police officer. The tribute was held at her daughter Samantha’s home in Clerkenwell Crescent.
Mrs Hambrey’s husband Peter, who travelled up from Portsmouth where he now lives, said about 20 people joined in the occasion.
“Family members and friends from around the country turned up, and it was a very fitting tribute,” he said.
SKY lanterns were released into the night air in memory of a former Malvern woman who died six months ago at the age of just 50.
Family and friends of Elizabeth Hambrey gathered together on Saturday (March 5) and released 51 lanterns, each containing a personal message, to mark what would have been her 51st birthday.
Mrs Hambrey, who died of lung cancer, lived in Malvern for 10 years while working as a Ministry of Defence police officer. The tribute was held at her daughter Samantha’s home in Clerkenwell Crescent.
Mrs Hambrey’s husband Peter, who travelled up from Portsmouth where he now lives, said about 20 people joined in the occasion.
“Family members and friends from around the country turned up, and it was a very fitting tribute,” he said.
Sky lanterns to fly for White Valentine's Day
Sky lanterns to fly for White Valentine's Day
The New Taipei City Government recently announced the first-ever Sky Lantern Festival in
the Jingtong area of the city's Pingxi District to take place on March 13, a day before
the so-called White Valentine's Day with lovebirds expected to launch hundreds of sky
lanterns in search of good luck in the coming year.
The announcement of the unprecedented event was widely welcomed, with people logging on to
the event's official website afterwards to file for online registration in the festival.
A total of 48 sky lanterns with the motif of Cupid and hearts have already been secured by
couples, according to the organizer.
The city government said that they will be opening online registrations again next Monday,
March 7.
On-site registration will be available as well, starting from 11 a.m. on March 13, when
the festival officially kicks off. Another 200-plus lanterns will be available for lovers.
Among these 200 sky lanterns, 30 will be pure white and available to be drawn or written
on by couples, the organizer said. For more information, please log on to the event's
official site at: http://www.sky-lanterns-cn.com/
The New Taipei City Government recently announced the first-ever Sky Lantern Festival in
the Jingtong area of the city's Pingxi District to take place on March 13, a day before
the so-called White Valentine's Day with lovebirds expected to launch hundreds of sky
lanterns in search of good luck in the coming year.
The announcement of the unprecedented event was widely welcomed, with people logging on to
the event's official website afterwards to file for online registration in the festival.
A total of 48 sky lanterns with the motif of Cupid and hearts have already been secured by
couples, according to the organizer.
The city government said that they will be opening online registrations again next Monday,
March 7.
On-site registration will be available as well, starting from 11 a.m. on March 13, when
the festival officially kicks off. Another 200-plus lanterns will be available for lovers.
Among these 200 sky lanterns, 30 will be pure white and available to be drawn or written
on by couples, the organizer said. For more information, please log on to the event's
official site at: http://www.sky-lanterns-cn.com/
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
A Few Things You Must Know
The Yamaha DTxpress comes in three different series of electronic drum kits. This series came out nearly 5 years ago and the most recent model is the DTxpress III and the DTxpress III Special Edition.
The III has over 1000 sounds, 128 voices, 80 different styles of music or drum kits, and it also contains 127 songs. You can plug in some ear phones when practicing so no one will be bothered with your drumming and the set can be connected to your computer with a midi connection. The Special Edition has all the same features but has a few extras. The rack is curved for ergonomic convenience. There is also a throne and bass drum pedal that not too many electronic sets come with.
The DTxpress IV sports over 420 percussion sounds and 22 keyboard type voices. You can record single track songs with this set or use the preset kits. No regular drum set can do that. It seems the IV model has even better sound than its predecessor.
The DTxpress IV has 3 single zone pads, a three zone snare pad, 3 zone cymbal pad, 3 zone ride cymbal pad, hi-hat with stand, rack, and more. There are 50 presets for different styles from Jazz to Rock or Rhythm and Blues. There is also a sequencer so that the switch between songs is smooth and quick. It comes with a metronome for practicing with a predisposed beat.
It feels like the pads are regular acoustic drums and they respond no matter where you hit them. Electronic drums are a bit smaller than having an acoustic set. This helps those that may not have the room for a large set up. The electronic drums give you more sounds than a large acoustic set. The sound is identical to a regular drum set so there is no reason to pay more money for one.
All DTxpress sets come pre-assembled. The wires are bundled and labeled so all you have to do is plug them in and go. With an acoustic set you have to take everything apart piece by piece and put it back together once you get where you are going. With the electronic sets you just unfold them and plug it in. There is no need to tune cymbals or drum heads so set up is a snap.
There are so many benefits to an electronic drum set it is worth the money. In a recording situation it is hard to tell the DTxpress drum set from an acoustic set.
Another advantage of any electronic drum set including the models by Yamaha is that one drummer can sound like an entire band. This gives unlimited opportunity for drummer/songwriters to record without anyone else around.
The III has over 1000 sounds, 128 voices, 80 different styles of music or drum kits, and it also contains 127 songs. You can plug in some ear phones when practicing so no one will be bothered with your drumming and the set can be connected to your computer with a midi connection. The Special Edition has all the same features but has a few extras. The rack is curved for ergonomic convenience. There is also a throne and bass drum pedal that not too many electronic sets come with.
The DTxpress IV sports over 420 percussion sounds and 22 keyboard type voices. You can record single track songs with this set or use the preset kits. No regular drum set can do that. It seems the IV model has even better sound than its predecessor.
The DTxpress IV has 3 single zone pads, a three zone snare pad, 3 zone cymbal pad, 3 zone ride cymbal pad, hi-hat with stand, rack, and more. There are 50 presets for different styles from Jazz to Rock or Rhythm and Blues. There is also a sequencer so that the switch between songs is smooth and quick. It comes with a metronome for practicing with a predisposed beat.
It feels like the pads are regular acoustic drums and they respond no matter where you hit them. Electronic drums are a bit smaller than having an acoustic set. This helps those that may not have the room for a large set up. The electronic drums give you more sounds than a large acoustic set. The sound is identical to a regular drum set so there is no reason to pay more money for one.
All DTxpress sets come pre-assembled. The wires are bundled and labeled so all you have to do is plug them in and go. With an acoustic set you have to take everything apart piece by piece and put it back together once you get where you are going. With the electronic sets you just unfold them and plug it in. There is no need to tune cymbals or drum heads so set up is a snap.
There are so many benefits to an electronic drum set it is worth the money. In a recording situation it is hard to tell the DTxpress drum set from an acoustic set.
Another advantage of any electronic drum set including the models by Yamaha is that one drummer can sound like an entire band. This gives unlimited opportunity for drummer/songwriters to record without anyone else around.
Monday, 7 March 2011
Taiwanese sky lanterns carry wishes to the heavens
Hundreds of lanterns lit up the night sky in Taiwan at the weekend as people gathered to write their prayers on paper lanterns and deliver their wishes to the heavens.
With the annual Lantern Festival happening soon after Valentine's Day this year, many wrote down wishes to find their true love.
More than 2,000 lanterns were released on Saturday night at Pingxi, near Taipei, the biggest lantern release this year.
"I wish that by releasing the sky lanterns, my wishes can be granted," said 30-year-old Wang Wan-wen, an engineer.
"I wish to find my Mr. Right, and be promoted and get a salary increase at work."
Others, such as 25-year-old civil servant Lin Chia-jou, came just for a good time with friends.
"It's fun for everyone to join, and it's beautiful when they're all released at the same time," she said.
"I wish for dreams come true, and good health for everyone in the family."
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou wished for peace and stability in the country, and blessings to all the people, on a giant sky lantern.
The lanterns, also called "Kongming Lanterns," are believed to be the creation of Zhuge Kongming, a military mastermind in the Three Kingdoms (220-280 AD), as a communication tool for the army.
In Pingxi, the lantern tradition got started centuries ago. When bandits appeared in the mountains, the locals would hide in their houses but release lanterns to signify safety after the bandits had gone away.
The wide-topped hot air balloons are made of cotton paper and bamboo. The bamboo ring at the bottom holds 12 sheets of paper money at the centre as a wick.
Once the paper money is lit, the lantern is held on the ground for a minute and then released up to the sky.
"Sky lanterns make us feel a sense of happiness," said 30-year-old Cherry Yeh.
"I wish everybody could be surrounded by joy."
With the annual Lantern Festival happening soon after Valentine's Day this year, many wrote down wishes to find their true love.
More than 2,000 lanterns were released on Saturday night at Pingxi, near Taipei, the biggest lantern release this year.
"I wish that by releasing the sky lanterns, my wishes can be granted," said 30-year-old Wang Wan-wen, an engineer.
"I wish to find my Mr. Right, and be promoted and get a salary increase at work."
Others, such as 25-year-old civil servant Lin Chia-jou, came just for a good time with friends.
"It's fun for everyone to join, and it's beautiful when they're all released at the same time," she said.
"I wish for dreams come true, and good health for everyone in the family."
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou wished for peace and stability in the country, and blessings to all the people, on a giant sky lantern.
The lanterns, also called "Kongming Lanterns," are believed to be the creation of Zhuge Kongming, a military mastermind in the Three Kingdoms (220-280 AD), as a communication tool for the army.
In Pingxi, the lantern tradition got started centuries ago. When bandits appeared in the mountains, the locals would hide in their houses but release lanterns to signify safety after the bandits had gone away.
The wide-topped hot air balloons are made of cotton paper and bamboo. The bamboo ring at the bottom holds 12 sheets of paper money at the centre as a wick.
Once the paper money is lit, the lantern is held on the ground for a minute and then released up to the sky.
"Sky lanterns make us feel a sense of happiness," said 30-year-old Cherry Yeh.
"I wish everybody could be surrounded by joy."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)