VIRTUAL POONA

PBS Christmas with Nature

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:33:00 +0000

Warm feelings in Texas as I remember the first time I saw snow in America....

Watch Christmas in Yellowstone on PBS. See more from Nature.

9-11 Reflections

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 03:46:00 +0000

Fragments of a person's mind, ten years after the tragedy......Glenn Losack
was in NYC http://www.flickr.com/photos/glosackmd/6118661918/in/photostream
while I was in Houston, Texas.

The picture below is from 1996, the last time I saw the Twin Towers.

I cannot share anything new with you today about my reflections of that place on that day.
It was before cellphone cams became the norm, and so I have nothing to add in that
respect either. All I can say is that I can never watch any NYC scene ever again without
some discomfort, because I invariably experience pain deep inside. Even some of my favorite
old Hollywood NYC scenes have taken on a new, tainted dimension as I get flashbacks, in a
manner of speaking.

Luckily, Glenn has been biding his time and finally finished his dedication for all of us to see,
the two 9-11 videos below. All the photos, lyrics and music performances on all instruments
are Copyrighted and courtesy of Glenn Losack, MD

"Dedicated to the 10th year anniversary of 9-11-2001 and to the brave soldiers who
die/d for our liberty protecting our freedom of speech and right to protest among
other freedoms we enjoy."
~ Glenn Losack

Related link : http://virtualpoona.blogspot.com/2009/09/where-was-i-on-9-11.html

I Remember Mama Mia

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 17:32:00 +0000

This has some strange meaning to me in more ways than just the immediate desperate
message to humanity in the video. Angelina Jolie, Demi Moore, Salma Hayek, Jessica
Alba and countless other celebrities have all visited poverty-stricken countries and
been moved to join the crusade to bring attention to the dire conditions children face
in poorer nations.

Today's UNICEF post on Facebook featured Woody Allen's ex-wife Mia Farrow
who has been garnering attention for her untiring work in the Horn of Africa. Today
I am pleased beyond measure with her efforts, even as I remember with mixed emotions
the day I met her. What follows is a highly condensed version of that day.

Back in Sept.'94 as a Limousine Driver I found myself on the premises of Mia Farrow's
Connecticut farmhouse just after her divorce with Woody Allen came through. I was
responsible for transporting the Marquesa de Varela

(PIC COPYRIGHT Peter Dench http://www.peterdench.com/ )

the Editor and the crew of Hello magazine European edition to interview Ms. Farrow in
Connecticut. My mind was a mess. First day on the job with a new Limo company and I was
going to meet a legend !

A couple of hours after the drive from NYC I naturally got as curious as the average
star-struck person and decided to try and get a peek of Ms. Farrow. I walked to the
front door, knocked, and was greeted with curiosity by a little boy who was obviously
Woody's son. It was like someone had taken Woody's nose and glasses and stuck them
on the kid, like one of those Groucho Marx masks. He just stood and stared and I guess
he didn't speak much yet. Well, the babysitter directed me to an outhouse kind of
residence where I helped myself as I began to feel like a real servant in the 'Servants'
Quarters'.

As I kept out of listening distance, the interview continued outdoors on the banks
of Ms. Farrow's own private lake where they were barbecuing hamburgers and
hot dogs that survived the transition to a new humongous refrigerator that was hooked
up while I was there. The amount of wasted food that was being thrown out was amazing
but somewhat understandable given the presence of 12 kids. No, Soon-Yi was not there
anymore. She left with Woody when the farmhouse was awarded to Mia as part of the
divorce settlement. As I got hungrier by the minute at the aroma of all the grilling,
I also found myself taking a disdain towards my client who I later discovered was known
as the 'Nutty Marchesa' in Europe. She was a full-fledged Marquessa and her royal
blood and cash connections are what landed her this interview so soon after the divorce
(I believe). Almost the entire trip from NYC and back consisted of the Marchesa behaving like,
well, a European Marchesa with no time for small talk with small people. Fine, that was
acceptable in my situation. Limo drivers should be seen, and not heard, as I was to learn that
day.
But my roots of Indian hospitality towards all, regardless of one's station in life were shaken.
I bristled at the total disregard of my presence while they gorged themselves but was not
even offered a glass of water. While I was driving, the Marchesa demanded I first dial
Mary Pierce at the US Tennis Open, and then make contact with the late Natasha Richardson
(who had just married Liam Neeson), and while I was struggling with the international codes
with one hand on the wheel she very loudly remarked so I could hear, "Not very professional ! "

But I digress....

During the final minutes of this ongoing adventure the heat and humidity gave way to
a tempestuous thunderstorm akin to the best Monsoon I have ever seen as an Indian. We set
out back to NYC, but only after I spent 15 minutes holding an over-sized umbrella over Ms.
Farrow, who seemed immune to the downpour in her Mac and gumboots. She was completely
drenched as she chatted with the Marchesa, and I was soaked to the skin on the one side
that wasn't protected by the umbrella. It took 3 hours for me to dry out as we drove back to
the Intercontinental Hotel in NYC.

So the strange part I mentioned before is.... ? It just struck me as ironic that Mia should be
struggling to help feed children across the globe all these years after she threw away (in true
American style) humongous amounts of food along with her old fridge.

Please do watch the video and help if you can !

Unique Superman Parody

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 02:11:00 +0000

This was just too entertaining to remain unseen by fans of DC Comics' Superman
and those people worldwide who are fascinated by everything Bollywood. But this
is in no way reminiscent of the glamor and money associated with Bollywood. No, this
is an extremely low-budget creation that isn't missing any high ideals, where the creator
possesses an admirable freshness of vision and drive that cannot be ignored.

There is talent, ingenuity, small-town charm and humor in this Documentary film
from the 'Witness' series by the Al-Jazeera network :

" Far away from the glamorous film world of Mumbai, there are many enthusiasts
making films on a fraction of Bollywood's budgets. A film enthusiast in India's Malegaon
decided that it was time for some Indian parody so he bought a video camera and set
out to make a film, Superman of Malegaon."

The rest is hysterical.......22 minutes of sheer enjoyment for all ages, everywhere !

Extraordinary Accordionistas

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Thu, 19 May 2011 17:57:00 +0000

Valledupar is famous as the birthplace of vallenato, an upbeat

accordion-driven folk music that plays constantly in streets, shops, buses and

restaurants across northern Colombia and has become popular across Latin America.

Music........

Magical, mysterious, mesmerizing, moving and more. From the first cry of the newborn
babe as heard by the mother to the ceremonial dirges for the departed, Music always
remains an unquestionable driving force in our lives. Some musicians make it their life's
chosen task and manage to make a living from it even as more people make a living selling
it nowadays than the musicians themselves.

Then there are some who play music solely for survival, like the raggedy urchins I watched
as a child in India. Playing for pennies, severely undernourished, publicly abused and
humiliated on a daily basis, their unfortunate situation broke my heart forever.

Many years later when I played in a Blues-Rock band, it was one of my secret desires to
get one of those waifs off the streets and train them to perform with me at all my high society
gigs. But I was just a struggling young adult myself at the time and my 'Pygmalion' dreams of
those days were never realized.....but neither have they faded. And so today, reading about
the Turco Gil Academy in Colombia immediately touched a nerve.

Thanks to the 20-plus years efforts of Accordion Maestro Turco Gil, the students at his
Academy have been able to turn away from a life of crime, drugs, homelessness and
exploitation and instead found themselves performing in talent contests where the
winners sometimes get to entertain world leaders like Bill Clinton and Hugo Chavez.

" Gil has about 1,000 students sharing 60 accordions, and he says that about 80
percent are refugees from violence or live in poverty. They attend the school for free,
supported by donations, earnings from concerts, and tuition from wealthier students who come
from as far away as Europe, Mexico and the United States to study with the accordion master. "
Read more at Smithsonian Mag

Many thanks to Gilbert Reyes Hohner US Accordion Product Manager for spreading

the word on Facebook and Youtube among other places.

The art of playing Hohner diatonic accordions

Easter Greetings

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 15:54:00 +0000

It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply

to be kind to others.

Open House Today for a House With a Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 05:52:00 +0000

Once in a while one comes across a truly noble person with a just Cause,
a person who belongs right up there on stage with all those CNN Heroes who are
annually honored with prizes and recognition for their efforts. Beverly Bronson of
Ghar Sita Mutu is one such person, with an underfunded organization that is barely
recognized, from what I gather when I check her updates on Facebook..

Firoze Shakir, a Mumbai-based photographer and blogger is a friend from Flickr
and Facebook who requested I add Beverly Bronson, founder of Ghar Sita Mutu,
as a friend. All it took was a few lines on the website to convince me that I was witnessing
the work of an individual with a heart of gold :

Photo copyrights by Ghar Sita Mutu on Flickr

" Ghar Sita Mutu was founded as a charity in 2001 by Beverly Bronson,

a volunteer social worker in Nepal, when she found two abandoned brothers

aged two and five huddled together outside their tin hut in the streets

of Kathmandu, Nepal. Unable to find anyone to care for the children, Beverly

became their guardian and admitted them into a bleak and overcrowded hostel

attached to a small school. The boys did not thrive, and she began to dream
about starting a charity to provide a home for them and other abandoned
children that would also help support and train destitute mothers."

Beverly is someone who gave up her life as a small antique shop owner in New York

to seek a more meaningful one as a volunteer social worker in far away Kathmandu, Nepal.

Photo copyrights by Ghar Sita Mutu on Flickr

The only ongoing support I could offer to Beverly in my current financial situation was the
comfort of friendship and encouragement via my words and network friends, and so I put

out an 'Add as a Friend' request on Facebook.....and Voila ! Hearts burst open with words
of love and support !

Thanks to all these wonderful friends on Facebook who responded to my
request to add Beverly Bronson my Hero, as a friend. There was little hesitation
on their part or in their hearts it seems. Apologies if I've omitted any new friends
who may have joined my network in the interim between publishing this post.
Contact info is listed below.....join on Facebook and leave your comments there,
or if you wish to donate, click here

Adrienne Gonsalves of Pune, India,
CEO of PACE Communications Mumbai

Akshay Mahajan of India,
roving Photojournalist

Alan William Roberts
Photographer from Wales UK

Andruta Bell
Teacher in Romania

Angel Danger
from Udine, Italy

Anthony Posey
New Orleans Photographer

Benn Bell,
Photographer in New Jersey

Blank Noise in India
Organization that fights against Sexual Harassment of Women

Bridget White Kumar
International Author, Blogger, Specialty Chef based in South India

Chris Mortensen
Entrepreneur in Asheville, North Carolina

Claudia Minnalouche
International Translator and student currently in Dublin

Dale Hyde
News Media blogger/publisher

Dan Carwyn
My schoolmate from Pune, India, now in Lesmurdie, Australia

Dev Pandey Mumbai India

Diana Manning
Artist/Owner Diana Manning Studio in Argenta, Illinois

Emilys Apartmentskasiopi A
in Kassiopi, Greece

Firoze Shakir
Barefoot blogger-street photographer from Mumbai India

Glenn Losack New York NY
Musician, Photographer, Psychiatrist and International Humanitarian

Gorgo Gorghi
Musicologist from Palermo, Italy

Geri Goldman Reichgut

New York, NY

Heather Rothey
Photographer/Horse Whisperer in Ogden, Utah

Heidi Anne Morris
Photographer and student in Bath UK

Isabel Quiñones Pentell

Isabelle Robbe-Dren

Jagannath Mistry
Indian artist now in Brazil

Jasmeen Patheja
Feminist, Activist, Photographer, Blogger, Founder of Blank Noise

Jeanne Lozier
Singer-Songwriter in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Jeet Thayil
Musician-Artist Mumbai India

Jennifer Naidu
Teacher-Writer Pune, India

Jitendra Hassija
Friend from Pune, India

Jocelyne Costa

Judi Just
Photographer-Artist from Miami, Florida

Kara Sachs
Santa Fe, New Mexico

Kaushik Dutta
West Bengal, India

Lievanta Evelyn Millar
Student ~ Mumbai, India

Linda Schaefer
Photographer, Author and Teacher in Ada, Oklahoma

Lisa DuBois
Photographer, Journalist, Digital Artist New York NY

Lydia Naidu
From Pune, India

Manav Sachdeva Maasoom
UNICEF, Consultant Services, Writer, Poet from New York, NY

Manoj Phulphagar

Marcel Duvoix
Author, Entrepreneur from Ypsilanti, Michigan

Mariami Nadareishvili
From Tbilisi, Georgia

Marla Miller
Registered Nurse from Hancock, Minnesota

Monica Martinelli
Linguistics Specialist from Jesi, Italy

Montana Newman

Oriah Miller
Author, Entrepreneur, Comsultant from Marina del Rey, California

Petra Cerjak from Ptuj

Prabhat Za
Photographer from Kathmandu, Nepal

Preet Soni

Régine Engel
Photographer-Artist from Strasbourg, France

Raisa Sheikh
Teacher from Pune, India

Rajesh Kumar
Consultant Cosmetic Dermatologist in Mumbai, India

Rajputravel India
Travel Agent in New Delhi, India

Rama Sethu Ranga Nathan
PSG College of Technology · University of Madras, Chennai

Ramona Borthwick
Musician, Photographer, Artist, Graphic Designer, Entrepreneur
from Boston, Mass.

Ray Framroze
From Goa, India

Romeo Fraioli
Photographer from Arce, Italy

Sandy Hawkins
From Niceville, Florida

Sean O'Sullivan
From Seattle, Washington

Sherrie Lovler
Calligraphy artist, Poet, Blogger

Simona Mortensen
Nursing professional from Asheville, North Carolina

Susan Marie
Nlogger, Radio Jock, Humanitarian, Talent Co-ordinator, etc. from Buffalo, New York

Tushar Naidu
Pro Club DJ in Dubai UAE

Uwe Paschen

Environmental Engineering · Narita-shi, Chiba, Japan

Environmental and Agricultural Consultant

Valentin Arfire
Photographer from Timisoara, Romania

Varsha Manik from India

Ghar Sita Mutu Photos on Flickr :

Beverly's Contact Info :

	+977 2392060116Mobile 1 212.529.0832Home

Email	bevbronson@yahoo.com

On Facebook	facebook.com/bevbronson

Interesting story of Kathmandu orphans in this video :

BBC Trailer : Human Planet

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 03:03:00 +0000

Some Links have a way of disappearing from Facebook within a day, and rather than
having to keep searching, I decided to use the embed code provided on Youtube
to share one of the greatest clips ever shared anywhere. I ask that you please
be patient and let the page load because it is totally worth the wait....and that's all I need to say,
in addition to a big 'Thank You' to Dan C. in Perth who knows what I like to share and post.

L O V E

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 06:13:00 +0000

LOVE is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps
no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil, but
rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

~ 1 Corinthians 13:4

The Polyanna-Facebook Complex

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 03:56:00 +0000

Many disgruntled users of the most successful social network in the world are now rapidly
maturing along with Facebook, and getting less out of the experience. The 'friend connection'
frenzy to find long-lost lovers, friends and classmates has given way to fewer friendly 'Likes'
and lesser polite 'Comments'. Facebookers with over 300 friends have nothing to say to even
a tenth of them in their spare time. Why ? Is it because they are running out of the Polyanna
mindset Facebook expects of them as users ? In the face of ongoing upgrades and tweaks,
it seems people are not getting that initial rush of using 'friends' to try out the latest Game/App
with. A combination of information overload and a sense of inadequacy to deal with all the '
tweaks and upgrades' contribute to frustration and borderline melancholia. The thrill is gone,
it would seem, if it weren't for the increasing numbers who await their next 'Friend Request'
from persons who can barely speak in their language.

Did Slate's Libby Copeland hit the nail on the head when she said. "Blandness will not do,
and with some exceptions, sad stuff doesn't make the cut, either." Or did she miss the nail
altogether ? I think she did. Here's my friend Sean's observation about the Slate article :

" Hmmm...I'd like your opinion of that. Perhaps it's just me and the 'friends' I've accumulated,

but my experience is opposite this. Every day I get messages of bad things and see little but

support and love towards those suffering even minor depressions or problems. "

And here's my interaction with Claudia, another friend :

Loading...
Fred M. Miller I am halfway through responding to a Slate.com article via my blog.

Slate asks if fb is making us all miserable with the whole experience.....I have to

squeeze this thread somewhere.
February 1 at 11:01pm · ·
Claudia
I think FB has brought us together.. interconnectivity. It's great. I adore many of the

people that I've met here, and I don't want to lose them. I love the connections that

can happen even in a small way day to day. That said.. that is the... ONLY feature

that FB has not destroyed. Given the new Feed 'features' I really can't SEE that

many of my 'friends', and it's actually harder to keep up / keep connected.

What we need [I'm using we as I can think of a list of at least 100 people off hand]...

what we need is a place with the commenting options of FB, user controlled 'feeds',

and user modded pages. Then we need to migrate this lovely bunch of people

OVER THERE. And then.. live happily ever after. ;]See More

February 1 at 11:18pm · · 2 people

Maybe my single friends do have a nice set of friends who try to uplift their spirits whenever
they sense that they are feeling down. I know that I myself have often unconsciously tried the
very same Pollyanna approach I mentioned in regard to Facebook. Some say I pass over
everything that others find disturbing with my ongoing philosophical, zany quips. I owe it
all to my childhood growing up with my foster aunts and to my first teen idol, Hayley Mills,
star of Disney's 'Polyanna' and 'The Parent Trap'.....I always found moments of gladness
to overcome the many moments of sadness whenever I escaped to that place where the
mindsets of Hayley, Pollyanna and myself merged into one.

'Everybody's searching for a hero, we all need someone to look up to'
Dorothy Hamill and Muhammad Ali, film stars like Paul Newman and Audrey Hepburn,
musicians like Ravi Shankar and John Lennon all have an ongoing impact on people's lives.
These 'heroes' often provide the impetus to many desperate souls looking to interact and
positively reinforce their lives. And Facebook helps them by providing a world of fine-tuned
interaction.

Many a Facebook friendship is based on a user's Likes and Comments, and that is what
makes the Facebook experience different. The heroic interactions between a passionate
social worker in an Orphanage in Nepal and her network of friends from the Philippines,
Pakistan, the UK and the USA are shining examples of what is possible in a global social
environment. As are all the immediate responses to cries for help from owners of Animal
Shelters, and shows of worldwide solidarity with victims living under oppressive rule in
places like Iran and Egypt. The possibility to see good is there if we but open our eyes.

And so, Claudia...and Sean in Seattle......you are both right. There are many uplifting
instances occurring around the clock, whether they be in the form of a favorite Rumi quote
or the sharing of an artistic masterpiece, a humorous quip, a simple virtual nod in the
form of a 'Like' and of course those hearts and XXXs and OOOs. All reinforce a sense of
well-being, even if for a fleeting moment. Facebookers are involuntarily playing the
'Glad Game' Polyanna played that changed her new hometown into one big happy place.

Oh, and Libby at Slate.com, thanks for raising the question for us to ponder.....
we'll be fine updating our Profile pics and pages and posting and 'Liking' and 'Commenting'
....at least until the next Update, or the finalization of the impending sale of Facebook.

Pollyanna (Vault Disney Collection)

The Parent Trap (1961) and The Parent Trap II (1986):
2-Movie Collection (2-Disc Set)

Sharing Email Stories

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 05:36:00 +0000

The following stories are so deeply entwined that

you must read them fully, and only then must you

click on the link at the page bottom for the third and final story.

Story Number One

Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago . Capone wasn't famous for
anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from

bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.

Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie."
He was Capone's lawyer for a good reason.....
he was very good ! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal
maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.

To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well.
Not only was the money big, but Eddie got special
dividends, as well. For instance, he and his family
occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and
all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was
so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block.

Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave
little consideration to the atrocity that went on around
him. But he did have one soft spot, however....
he had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that
his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education.
Nothing was withheld. Price was no object. And, despite his involvement with organized crime,
Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than
he was.

Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son :
he couldn't pass on a good name or a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision; he wanted to rectify wrongs he had
done. He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al "Scarface"
Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity.
To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would
be great. So, he testified.

Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street .
But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest
price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious
medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine.

The poem read:

"The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power
to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour.
Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will.
Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still."

And now, on to STORY NUMBER TWO :

World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lt. Commander Butch O'Hare.
He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.
One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked
at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank.
He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship.

His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of
formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mother ship,
he saw something that turned his blood cold; a squadron of Japanese aircraft was
speeding its way toward the American fleet.

The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenceless.
He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet.
Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do.
He must somehow divert them from the fleet.

Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dived into the formation of Japanese
planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised
enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation
and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent.

Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or
tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, rendering them unfit to fly.
Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction.

Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier.
Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from
the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's
daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft.

This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy's
first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Medal of Honor.

A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His home town
would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport
in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.

So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to
visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located
between Terminals 1 and 2.

Okay....so what do these two stories have to do with each other ?

Butch O'Hare was "Easy Eddie's" son.......
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_J._O'Hare

and now, here's the link to the final story.....
enjoy !

Amazon links

Fateful Rendezvous: The Life of Butch O'Hare (Bluejacket Books)

Legends of Airpower: Edward "Butch" O'Hare

Expedition Blue Planet- Dehli, India

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 21:28:00 +0000

Life in the Slums

Watch more free documentaries Small teaser with Alexandra Cousteau (grandchild of the legendary Jacques)
as she walks the slums of New Delhi and is determined to bring change to
living conditions for the slum dwellers whose basic needs for access to water
are virtually non-existent.

The Hole in the Wall (Institutional Use)

Alexandra Cousteau's Blue Legacy Series

A Night in Monte Carlo : Marcus Miller

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 18:17:00 +0000

A New Year gift from Mr. Miller (no relation, unfortunately)

This is a great FREE MP3 download track with a heavy Eastern fusion-funk feel !

My Response to Desi Living.com

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 20:55:00 +0000

My comments to I am Better Than You....are you REALLY ? at Desiliving.com

became too long and so I decided to respond via this Blog. Desi Living is a vibrant, thoughtfully-conceived, hip and sophisticated website by some energetic Houston ladies of Indian origin. I came across them when they requested I add a Flickr picture from my family album to their Flickr Group pool.

It takes time and exposure to the world outside of the commercial hubs that we find ourselves in.....for some Indian immigrants it takes a little longer, because they are in a state of culture shock without acknowledging or recognizing it for what it is. Busy with being assimilated and accepted by the new society, elated with the escape to a 'better' socio-economic lifestyle, they rush headlong into pursuance of the dream they envisioned for so long back in India. A few sparks of success in the business world and a burgeoning sense of worth in the local community/network followed by the leveling out of the sensitivities as the Immigrant now becomes one of the masses and the daily grind.....and then come the moments when the 'keeping up with the Joneses' mentality creeps in and colors every social invitation.

To get beyond that stage means to get out of that box for a while.....to look for the simple pleasures where the oneness with the masses can be achieved only through intense self-introspection and a re-evaluation of one's aspirations in conjunction with a sense of looking at how the have-nots deal with their challenges. This means opening one's eyes to the lowliest of the low, the sick, the elderly and the forgotten who live a day-to-day existence at the mercy of others. Trying to make someone else's life better by using what resources we possess will make our lives more rewarding and meaningful. And one overlooked resource is the wealth of first-hand experience we have from being raised in India, where the needy and 'have-nots' outnumber the Joneses. Where the well-off new elite look down from their skyscrapers onto a mass of humanity who are permanently disabled by Poverty and lack of simple care and love, just enough to let them lead a meaningful existence instead of a life as worthless as the stray dogs they share their last morsels with. When we REALLY take the substance of their lives to heart, we have truly freed ourselves to become better.....better than the confused persons we look at in our mirrors.

A Complete Guide For The NRI/Seventh Edition

Just for fun.......

Outsourced

For Facebookers and Others

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:19:00 +0000

Testing a DivX player here...
&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp;divx&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;
The Social Network (2010) DVD Screener from KabaalQSS on Veehd.

The Facebook Effect: The Inside Story of the Company That Is Connecting the World

My Favorite Things, Updated

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 14:30:00 +0000

From my email Inbox today, one that has been making the rounds for years,

now edited for relevancy. Read the update after the pics !

Julie Andrews turned 75 on Oct 1, 2010

Six years ago she was honored by the AARP at NYC's Radio City Music Hall

where she performed one of her signature classics - with updated lyrics for her

elderly audience and herself, a Stage Classic featured in 'The Sound of Music' :

My Favorite Things

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favourite things....

Cadillacs and cataracts, and hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favourite things....

When the pipes leak, when the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favourite things,
And then I don't feel so bad !

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favourite things.

Back pains, confused brains, and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short, shrunken frames,
When we remember our favourite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad !

Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the

crowd that lasted over four minutes, plus

thunderous multiple Encores.

My Favorite Things on MP3

The Sound of Music
(Two-Disc 40th Anniversary Special Edition)

Dustedoff Has Published my Pardesi Story

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 15:33:00 +0000

Saturating the Blogosphere and beyond......here is a link for all my non-Facebook

friends. I recently provided the Dustedoff Blog owner with the true story of

the scenes behind the making of 'Pardesi' an Indo-Soviet film from the '50s,

a film that I had a tiny part in....tiny in terms of the total time that I appear

on-screen, but not that tiny when you consider that I spent those few on-

screen moments with Russian actor Oleg Strizhenov the lead person in the
film. Here Oleg portrays the legendary Afanasy Nikitin, Russia's greatest
Merchant-Explorer, whose travelogue 'Journey Beyond Three Seas'

served as material for the film's screenplay.

Unfortunately there is no decent copy of the film available for purchase.

That is indeed a pity, because not archiving or re-releasing this Filmfare

Award Winner and Nominee for the Golden Palm Award at Cannes reflects

very poorly on India's present-day values. Old is not always gold, and thanks to

the Dustedoff blog, attempts to examine and evaluate cinematic hits and misses

are a consolation.

Fri, October 22, 2010 11:57:55 AM

[New post] The Pardesi Extra's Story

From : WordPress

re: Dustedoff

The Pardesi Extra's Story

dustedoff | October 22, 2010 at 4:57 pm | Tags: Bollywood, Fred Miller, guest post, Hindi cinema history, Indo-Soviet, memoirs, Oleg Strizhenov, Pardesi, Sam Millar | Categories: Bollywood, Guest post, Pages from cinema's past | URL: http://wp.me/pmCsO-1jQ

Earlier this month, this blog hosted a guest post by Fred Miller, son of the talented (but alas, largely uncredited) Sam Millar. Fred had promised us another post, of his reminiscences from his days with his father in the big, bad world of Hindi cinema in the 50's, and here it is: a delightful, very [...]
Read more of this post

Add a comment to this post

Available at Amazon.com
Travel beyond the three seas / Khozhdenie za tri morya

...and Mosfilm has the film listed as 'Travel Beyond the Three Seas'
for Download
http://bit.ly/gD8WNc

Read my untold story

My Guest Post Published on Dusted Off Blog !

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:33:00 +0000

Dusted Off is the creation of a lady who is fascinated by 'Cinema, the way it used to be'
and is a widely read blog that I stumbled upon, while doing a Search for my Dad's work in the
Indian Film Industry during the early days of Bollywood.

I was thrilled to find mention of a few movies that he had worked on but somewhat saddened
that the Blogger was so unaware of the details of the man who went to great lengths to try
and raise the standards of Indian Film-making. And so I left a comment in which I cited my
Dad's listing at IMDB.com and mentioned that her observations about the Costume Design
for the film 'Aurat'
Films Directed by Mehboob Khan: Mother India, Andaz, Aan, Amar, Aurat
were a bit disconcerting to me. The outcome of my Comment was that
I was immediately contacted by the lady Blogger, who pleaded with me
to do a Guest Post that would right the wrong she felt she had inadvertently
directed at my Father. I agreed to do so, and in the process found myself
confronting many details of my past that had been forgotten or kept private
for personal reasons.....till now. And so, if you too want to know the untold
story of the early days of Bollywood, My Dad and myself, here is the Blogger's
intro to my story that she has titled 'The Talent of Sam Millar' :

' Dilip Kumar. Mughal-e-Azam. K Asif. A very familiar poster.

But how many people know the name of the man who created this poster? The man who, in fact, created also the almost iconic Mother India poster? I didn’t, till a couple of weeks back.
Then, one day, someone named Fred Miller left a comment on my review of the Premnath-Bina Rai starrer, Aurat. Fred told me that his father Sam Millar was the Art Director and Costume Designer for Aurat, and also the man (though uncredited) behind the Mother India poster—and more. Fred not only very graciously forgave me for lambasting the costume design of Aurat, but also agreed to do a couple of guest posts.
Here is the first one.'

Read the first of my Guest Posts at Dusted Off, Comment and Share.
In the meantime, I'm busy working on a post about 'Pardesi' the Indo-Soviet
collaboration that won a prize at the Cannes Film Festival. The one I had a tiny part in....
real tiny !

Mother Teresa : The Little Nun Who Could

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:47:00 +0000

About ten years ago I was seated at a refresher course for Hilton Hotel employees in Webster, Texas. There were lightning-round questions thrown at us, and one question was, "if you had a chance to meet a deceased person, who would it be ?"

One fresh young thing said, "Elvis !" while another one said, "Abraham Lincoln". Two names came to my mind, but I

immediately blurted out the name of the person I felt was most relevant to the meeting : "Dr. Martin Luther King".

The other person on my mind that day was Mother Teresa,

also a Nobel Prize winner, and today, ten years down the road,

I would have gladly and unhesitatingly have said her name.

Oh well, there's always a next time to say the name of the little nun who could - and did !

There will be none like Mother Teresa again, say commoners

Tuesday - Aug 24, 2010, 04:00pm (GMT+5.5)

Kolkata (IANS)- As Mother Teresa's birth centenary
Thursday draws near, commoners here still get tears in
their eyes recalling the deeds and words of the Albania-
born nun who took Indian citizenship and became one of
the world's greatest symbols of love and compassion.

Read more:
http://tinyurl.com/2acc5dg

Photojournalist and Author Linda Schaefer is a special friend of mine on Flickr and Facebook.
She was fortunate to be with Mother Teresa in Kolkata and was granted the rare permission to take
what were to be the last documented photos before the great lady passed away in 1997. Hers is a
fascinating and inspiring life in itself. She now resides in Ada, Oklahoma with her son Paul.
Today, on what would have been the 100th Birthday of Mother Teresa, Linda continues to honor
the work of the Nobel Laureate by speaking to groups and organizations all over the U.S.
As Mother Teresa often commented, “Each person can make a difference.”
That is what Linda seeks to accomplish through her work.

Come and See:
A Photojournalist's Journey into the World of Mother Teresa

Preview : Linda Schaefer's
Mother Teresa 2010 Calendar

Wikipedia Page for Mother Teresa

Happy Independence Day to my fellow Indians

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 01:45:00 +0000

Happy Independence Day to my fellow Indians,
pic from unknown source, uploaded to Flickr by FredMikeRudy
We Had No Beggars in India. Right.

Today on August 15, India's Day of Independence from British Rule, I received this frequently forwarded pic in my email....yet again. Apparently a spoof, as it turned out, two years ago. But this time around the words seemed even more jarring to my soul.

When I consider that they 'broke' the country after all, and then after the damage had been permanently put in place they 'fixed' it (to their advantage, or so they thought) it sounds a little like BP now fixing the problem after making sure they got as much as they could out of it all first. Placing a cap on the spill while making sure they did an advance recap of their expected losses due to the lawsuits of the century that are impending.....

The difference now is that though the wealth has skyrocketed and brought India to the forefront of the world's economies, the Poverty and misery is not disappearing, just being relegated to the back burner.

from wikipedia : In 1982 Gertrude Himmelfarb wrote that "most professional historians have long since given up reading Macaulay, as they have given up writing the kind of history he wrote and thinking about history as he did. Yet there was a time when anyone with any pretension to cultivation read Macaulay". Himmelfarb also laments that "the history of the History is a sad testimonial to the cultural regression of our times".

God Save all the Kings, Queens, Jacks and Jokers of this world. God help us all.

The controversy, blogged elsewhere :

http://sundayposts.blogspot.com/2008/01/lord-macaulays-quote-on-india.html

Life and Letters of Lord Macaulay

Sound Advice for Your Business

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:51:00 +0000

'There is only one boss, and whether a person shines shoes for a living or heads
up the biggest corporation in the world, the boss remains the same.
It's the customer!"
~ Sam Walton, Walmart

It's the 'Gap Generation'......no, it's the Generation Gap.......no, it's just me.

Working in Customer Service/Retail outlets like Hilton, Holiday Inn, Walgreens, etc.,
for over 15 years, I've seen all kinds of 'Gaps' : gaps in Communication, gaps in
Understanding, gaps in Attention Spans and gaps in relations between Customers and
those who serve them.

The excerpt below is from an email I received today and might interest you if you
are planning to get a raise or a promotion, start a business or just trying to stay cool
and be cool when working with persons who are younger, and quite possibly more
hip....and smarter. Because frankly, the future of your business rests in the hands of
Generation Y a.k.a. 'Echo Boomers'. For real ??

Here’s how to kick up your expectations of Gen Y and look at them as

an important part of your business instead of a hindrance............

from The Monthly Magazine of the Customer Service Institute of Australia :

1. Recognize their intelligence.

This is a group of young people that have been eager to learn. They grew up with

technology and it is an important part of them. While the boomers are still trying

to program their VCR, the “Y” generation is watching videos on their ipods that
they have 5,000 songs downloaded to. Harness their creativity and their knowledge
of technology to make needed changes to your business. Request their feedback when

trying to solve business problems as they may come to the table with unconventional

yet very smart solutions. Make sure that you acknowledge their accomplishments

publicly since this is a group that has grown up with trophies and certificates and

awards as feedback for a job well done.

2. Recognize their impatience.

Chester calls this group, “stimulus junkies” and that title makes sense. This is a group

of multi-taskers that can have an IM conversation with 8 people on their computer,

text message someone else on their cell-phone, while listening to their i-pod and

downing a burger and a Red Bull ! Lists don’t intimidate them so provide them with

enough work to keep them busy and don’t waste time in the explanation. Be direct and

to the point because that is how they have learned to communicate. When you hold
a meeting, stay to the point and use visuals if you can as they have been used to

stimulation during their learning processes.

3. Recognize what customer service means to them.

This is the area I believe businesses will struggle with the most. The Gen Y group

has been able to get whatever they want, whenever they want at lightning speed

and they don’t really see a need to be loyal to anyone. They have been used to

employees at Old Navy with headsets and roller skates to bring them whatever

they wanted while they were in the dressing room. They don’t think twice about

Googling a business and purchasing on the internet. To them, speed is a way of

life. My son has worked for McDonalds for a number of years and his experience

with giving good customer service is getting the correct order into the hands of the

customer as quickly as possible.

If you want them to build a relationship with a customer, you are going to have

to explain “why” first, and then deal with the how. The Gen Y’s don’t make eye

contact very well because they tend to be focused on screens of all sizes and not

a human face. Maybe that is why only 55 % of that age group actually likes interacting

with the customer. When you are training, try using video or web training

or even role playing to explain exactly what your customer service should look like

to your customers.

But what about Gen Y customers and what they want as far as customer service?

It’s no different from your Gen Y employees. These “customers” will probably make

very little eye contact, probably engage in very little chit chat and want to get what they

want and get out of the store in a short period of time. They won’t really care if you ask

them about their day or what they are wearing or if they have been in the store before.

They will get frustrated very quickly if you don’t know the answer to their question

immediately and they can smell BS a mile away and they don’t need it or want it.

As you can see, it will be even more important to educate your Gen X and Baby Boomer

employees on how they should be greeting and treating this new customer instead of

making the assumption that they are cold, uncommunicative, young punks.

On the contrary, they are our future. This group of fresh faced young people will embrace

change, they will find the answers to curing AIDS and breast cancer, they will teach

society how to reject prejudices and they will demand ethical behavior in business and

those they choose to do business with.

It’s not your father’s customer service strategies anymore. Frankly, it’s not your father’s

business anymore. How will you change what you are doing to embrace the Gen Y’s in

your business as employees and as customers? The future of all of our businesses

rests on that answer.

Click : Anne Obarski
~ an outstanding speaker, author and Executive Director of Merchandise Concepts,
located in St. Louis, Missouri.

Surprising Secrets of Mystery Shoppers

The Wal-Mart Effect:
How the World's Most Powerful Company Really Works--
and How It's Transforming the American Economy

If Customer Satisfaction Is Important to You...

Gap Curvy denim trouser

fredmikerudy

Contact Me

--- @ WiseStamp Signature. Get it now

Living the Serenity Prayer, Disclaimer Included

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:15:00 +0000

From my Inbox today :

The Wisdom to Know the Difference
by Eileen Flanagan

Image above at

http://inkmonkey.com/artgallery/serenity_prayer/serenity_prayer.html
graciously donated by Sherrie Lovler

To see her newest art and poetry please visit her blog:

http://natureartandpoetry.blogspot.com/

Many of us know and love the Serenity Prayer : '
God, grant us serenity to accept the things we cannot change,
Courage to change the things we can,
And wisdom to know the difference. '

Many of us spend too much time anxious about things we cannot change:
the economy, the weather, traffic on the freeway, or people who annoy us.
As a result, we don’t have the energy to make the most of the opportunities
we do have. Recognizing the difference between what we can and cannot
change can help us live more peaceful and productive lives.

Acknowledge Your Conditioning
Some people have a harder time with the first line of the Serenity Prayer,
accepting the things they cannot change, while others have a harder time
mustering the courage to change what they can. Often these patterns can
be traced to family or cultural conditioning. Reflect on the messages you
received growing up. Were you expected to be passive and submit to what
others wanted? Were you trained to be in control, so that letting go is more
difficult for you today? Sometimes just acknowledging your family or social
conditioning can help you to let go of old patterns that are no longer serving you.

Know Yourself
Many spiritual traditions teach that knowing yourself is a lifelong pursuit,
but one that can help you feel more at peace with yourself and other people.
Spending time alone—walking in the woods, meditating, or journaling—can put
you in touch with what's really going on inside you. When you acknowledge
these feelings, you can make a conscious choice about what to accept and what
to change, rather than letting yourself be ruled by unconscious feelings.

Pay Attention to Your Inner Voice
When you get a feeling that something isn't right, pay attention. That may be
a sign of something you need to change. We human beings have a tremendous
ability to deny our inner truths or talk ourselves out of making changes that
might seem scary or difficult at first, but usually we know what is right deep down.
Pay special attention to intuitions that persist over time or that come with
a sense of peace and clarity. The more you pay attention to your Inner Voice,
the more clearly it will guide you.

Learn from Your Mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes, but many of us waste too much energy beating
ourselves up over them. While psychologists have not agreed on one
standard definition of wisdom, they do agree that one of the qualities
wise people share is the ability to learn from their mistakes. When things
don't go the way you hoped, instead of focusing on what you did wrong or
what someone else did to mess things up, think about what you might
do differently next time.

Cultivate Optimism
Monitor your pessimistic thoughts and try to find evidence to refute them.
Psychologists have found it is particularly helpful to censor categorical
words like "never" from your thinking. Just because something didn't work
out last time, that doesn't mean it won't work next time. Instead of simply
repeating positive affirmations, point out to yourself the things that you can
do to bring a more positive result in the future. Cultivating optimism has
been shown to make it much more likely you'll be able to change the things
you can, as well as accept the things you can't.

Practice Letting Go
Life is full of opportunities to let go and trust. Practice with the little things:
a lost earring, a flat tire, or an uncooperative toddler. In such situations,
take a deep breath and monitor your thoughts. If you are angry or frustrated,
don't pretend you are not. Just observe your own emotion, and then see if
you can release it with a deep breath. For many people, Prayer helps.
Turning a problem over to a Higher Power can bring tremendous relief.

Cultivate Community
Whether it's a religious congregation, a Twelve-Step group, or just a gang of
really good friends, community can help us develop wisdom. We need people
who will tell us when we're acting wimpy or pigheaded, as well as point out our
strengths and encourage them. We also need people who will support us when
we hit tough times and cheer for us when we succeed. If you don't have such
support in your life, think about where you might be able to find it. If you do
have people like that, count them among your blessings.

" Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place. "
~Zora Neale Hurston

Serenity Prayer Ocean Beach Sunset Art Print

Framed Poster - 16" x 20"

Decorative Framed Mirror Wall Decor With Serenity Prayer

Etched Mirror - Serenity Prayer Decor - Unique Serenity

Prayer Gift Ideas - Ready To Hang - 12'' w x 10'' h

Sherrie Lovler's awesome Calligraphy is available in many different

forms. I view them as Art and as gifts of lasting value :

http://www.inkmonkey.com/index.html

Disclaimer : I am not a preacher or a teacher -
just an ordinary creature
wanting to share
with someone out there
the good and the bad
the happy, the sad ;

the dirty, the clean
sometimes the in-between ;
the things that impress me
from time to time
the inspiring, the funny,
the ridiculous, the sublime.
So read and enjoy
and share if you can
if you don't, it won't matter
~ to me, I'm The Man !

At least that's what they keep saying to me.....

Glenn Losack the Photographer-Musician-Humanitarian-Philanthropist-Physician Sings a Song of Love

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 03:45:00 +0000

This is for the rest of the world who aren't my friends on
Facebook, where I already shared it.......

Glenn Losack of NYC is not just an MD, but a man of many talents
and raw unbridled emotions ~ someone who has conquered many
challenges in the world ~as the Furious Physician, the Photographer,
the Traveler-Adventurer, the Philanthrophist, the Human Rights
Advocate, the Benefactor and more. In this instance he is finally
revealing himself in his latest avatar ~ as a multi-instrumental
Musician and Vocalist. He is the best friend I never met, next to
his closest friend Firoze Shakir of Mumbai, who introduced Glenn
to me online via Flickr.

If you like what you hear and see below, then read my earlier post
on Glenn entitled 'The Furious Physician' - or visit his website, leave
a comment. and then check out his Flickr collection here.

Paper Jamz Amaze Me

noreply@blogger.com (Virtual Poona Blogger) — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 16:22:00 +0000

" Growing old and growing up are two different things.

I still haven't figured out if I want to grow up !"

~ from my Facebook Profile

The boundaries of Technological achievement have once again been redefined.

When I first tried out Karaoke I marveled at the thrill for those who might have barely
an inkling of musical talent but an undying lust for the world that Rock stars inhabit.

Then along came Guitar Hero and broadened the Wannabe arena. Hordes of children
- and adults - of all ages blasted their electronic gadgets all the way to the Regional and
Internationals, with huge Prizes at stake. It was possible to behave, look and have money
and fans with simple technological assistance. Of course physical body movements were
essential to create the total Rockstar package.

But not everyone has the resources to indulge oneself on expensive toys like Rock Band,
which has the blessings of surviving Beatles Ringo and Paul. So I was really fascinated

in my own childish way when I came upon the most unlikely Guitar I had ever imagined.
Part of a new array of musical instruments called 'Paper Jamz' this guitar is as slim as
a DVD case and almost as lightweight. But it certainly packs a world of goodness for kids
and adults alike. I immediately went hunting for details on the internet, and found some
impressive links and videos which contained really useful info for aspiring Guitarists and
curious nerds (present company included). This is no toy of the moment I think, since it
presents a certain small challenge to even an experienced player like myself. At $24.99
it is the cheapest functioning guitar while also offering a decent if not downright attractive
range of instruments styled along the legendary classics like the Fender Strat, Gibson
Les Paul and SG and a Flying V among others.

Yes, I just found joy - I'm as happy as a little boy with another brand-new choo-choo toy......
but seriously, its greatest drawback is that it runs on 3 AAA Batteries that will die pretty
soon and constantly replacing them will soon cost more than this initial $24.99 guitar/toy.
Not very eco-conscious, although I must commend the creators on their choice of Paper
for the body construction. Watch the Video and see how easy it is
for me to salivate like a teenager in love with his first ITunes player.
See some related pics on my Flickr set

Check out the really neat Paper Jamz website filled with videos, tutorials, ordering info
and more

WowWee Paper Jamz Instant Rock Star Guitar - Guitars Devil Swirl