web analytics

Stephen Pickering

Month: November 2009

  • Cotton Eye Joe Cover

     

    Cover of a Cover. Cover of Josh Rouse covering “Cotton Eye Joe.” Damn, I keep forgetting to turn the iPhone sideways for video. Will remember next time. Vocals not very clear because P.A. is way in the background and the iPhone mic is picking up mostly the guitar. Oh well just a test. Not bad.

    Damn, I also just realized I left out a whole verse!!! The one that goes, “I’ve been laughing in the sunshine. I’ve been lying in the rain. You know that living is easy, and I ain’t feelin’ no pain.”

    Oh well, do over. And next time I’ll have the camera sideways, and maybe try to play picking with my fingers, Brazilian style, like Josh plays it.

     

  • The Best Wine to Have with Turkey

    georgesbeaujolais2009

    “This would be an outstanding Turkey wine” – John C. Dvorak

    Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2009, according to John Dvorak, a noted wine expert. He also notes that 2009 is known to be the best year for Beaujolais since the 1940’s. So, if you are considering a wine for Thanksgiving, you might check it out.

    The snippet of video below is taken from This Week in Tech (TWiT) Episode #222 from Sunday, November 22, 2009, where he, Leo Laporte, and Becky Worley talk about the virtues of this wine and this year for wine.

  • You Go, Blanche Lincoln!

    3 Democrats Could Block Health Bill in Senate – NyTimes.com

    United States Senator Blanche Lincoln
    355 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg., Washington, D.C.  20515
    Office:  202-224-4843; Fax:  202-228-1371.

    Hi,

    I want to go on record as supporting Sen. Lincoln in being AGAINST the Health Care Bill. I believe real Health Care reform could be accomplished by simply removing the regulations that are in place that protects false monopolies in the industry. Blue Cross’s 70%+ market share in Arkansas, for instance, is not something they “earned.” They have that and their high prices simply because of regulations, perhaps at the state level, that crowds out honest competition. A real health care reform act would simply bring down the walls to honest competition and thereby lower prices for all. Another government bureaucracy, especially this one, would simply create another endless money pit that would perhaps bankrupt the Country (some analysts believe Medicare itself is capable of that) but for sure give no value back to the people, as taxes would rise and the money would flow to people who have not earned it, the various “hangers on” and other dishonest people close to the system, who, as is the case with all government programs, are simply there to scoop up the money without providing value.

    Thank you for your time,

    Stephen Pickering
    Little Rock, Arkansas.

  • Mount Lip Phalaenopsis Orchid Nursery, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China

    mount lip

    When this Orchid is in full bloom, it shall have 14 blooms. Have you ever seen an orchid with 14 blooms? Some of their orchids are capable of 20 blooms. Breathtaking.

  • Fall Red Leaves

    Fall

    I used Auto Stitch on the iPhone. Hate how blurry it turned out. The individual photos aren’t. I think its because I began in the center. I should have started from one side or the other, I think for it to turn out better. Any thoughts on how to use Autostitch better?

  • What is Proper Dog Walking Etiquette?

    So, I’m walking my dogs this afternoon around the neighborhood, listening to music on my iPhone, and they pull me up into someone’s yard. This house has a circular driveway, and I was pulled a few steps up into it.

    Then I hear a voice coming over my music, “Can I help you?” At first I listened closely wondering if the voice was coming from my song, then I looked up and saw a women in the doorway continuing to say “Can I help you?”

    So I take out my headphones. “What?,” I ask.

    “Can I help you?” she continued to ask. Then I realized by her tone she was in a huff.

    “No,” I said, taken a little aback, “I’m just walking my dogs.”

    She continued to look at my crossly, staring me down as if looks could kill.

    “C’mon,” I told my dogs, pulling them away towards the street.

    “Hmmmph,” she grunted.

    I walked away feeling a little angry. I was wishing at that moment I’d pulled a Larry David on her, but part of me was worried I’d get a typical Larry David result and out of her door would come her 6′ 8″ husband!

    Still it got under my skin as I was walking home. I was thinking, “Where are the dogs supposed to go to the restroom, in the street? What, am I hurting your driveway? Are the dogs feet disturbing your lawn?”

    I had a plastic bag to pick up any waste. So what is proper dog walking etiquette? Are you not supposed to ever let them walk into anyone’s lawn?

    Thanks for your response and help!