Tuesday, March 24, 2009

PotPieGirl And The Archive Of Squidoo Lenses


As in "Raiders Of The Lost Ark," There is buried treasure to be had--this one too, is not quite what you might think it is. And its value depends on the eye of the beholder. Is it the ornate, jeweled cup? or the plain and worn, wood cup of a working person?

The Squiddo Lens archive of the PotPieGirl tells a unique story. And if the die-hard explorer diggs deep and is thorough, he or she will find a brave heroine and a story both compelling and inspiring. But first one must locate the archive and exhume the entire historical treasure, examining the earliest artifact to the latest one. The treasure lies in their entirety.

There are labyrinths in the archive so don't get side-tracked, stick to the chronological order of things and deep secrets will be revealed to you. I preserved copies of each in RTF, carefully wrapping them so I could activate each of the tasty links later. There will be a sequel.

You will have to start at Squidoo. It is like the old busy streets of Cairo. You must ask around for information on the PotPieGirl. Once you find her temple you can dig about for her archive. Although a bit dusty, I am sure you can find it. Divided into months, it starts at August, 2007. Do not be deterred and do not dally about, I am also sure its value is soon to be realized, whereupon the now free tome will be whisked away to a university, or some such institution. Once you are in, be sure to examine it from front to back, make your rubbings and get out. Watch out for snakes, but for goodness sakes, get started!
travel via my squidoo

Monday, March 23, 2009

Pandora's Hot, Cool, Even Smooth Music


This morning started out with Hoagy Carmichael playing "Stardust Melody." Our black cat sat in the window next to my desk, lapping up the water I set before him on the window sill. We are both enjoying the open window out to the back porch that frames a cool, damp, rain washed woods.

Last night I bumped into Pandora, an internet radio project. I was captured at first look, she proved fun and soothing. She will just play, or be delightfully interactive. Pandora displays the album covers of each individual musical selection with thumbs up, thumbs down icons at the bottom right and left corners of the albums, I could figure that out. Of course she is continually adjusting to those inputs, crafting a unique playlist that I will enjoy.

She was initiated with one request: Hoagy Carmichael. Pandora created a radio station, not of one artist, but of a music genre. As the station plays, the album covers roll by from right to left, I can pass judgement (or not). Sometimes, as the music relates to what I am thinking, or writing, I can jot down the song's particulars; having very specific information right at hand.

When I realized the artist selection established the type of music and even the time period, I opted for Santana. Resulting in a big change from Hoagy Carmichael. I was then awash in a flow of Santana selections and music and artists contemporary to them. I had my second radio station completed and saved. Pandora is like having a personal assistant for my music.

Following Santana I experimented with Freddy Fender, The Beatles, Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys--and for the smoothness of it; Dave Koz. That was last night and reluctantly I had to shut down the broadcast center Pandora, and get some sleep.

This morning I went back to Pandora's box. And I noticed I have a long list of "radio stations," and now there is a vertical slide arrow to the right of them. I want to find out what it is for. But Frank Sinatra is crooning "Indian Summer" and I cannot bear to interrupt him. Then followed by "It might as well be spring" and John Pizzarelli picks up right where Frank left off. I will just have to find out later.
VISIT PANDORA