Banjo Christmas Sales Too Early

By Walker Hayes

Does it bug you when stores release Christmas stuff way before the Christmas season, even before Thanksgiving? If so, you're much like my wife Angie. If someone sends me an ad or a sales pitch for some special Christmas gift, I respect their need to do so, and, especially in a poor economy, their need to get a jump on Christmas sales when those sales may be the largest percent of their annual volume. That doesn't mean I like it, it just means that I understand it. Nevertheless when my wife Angie gets one of those ads, her usual response is to post it on the refrigerator door with one of those little rubberized magnets, as a reminder not to buy a Christmas gift from them. That may seem a little harsh, but here's what she said to me.

"Shopping is a big part of what Christmas is all about, or at least what it has become-nothing really wrong with that. It's a big part, but it shouldn't be the only part. And the biggest part of Christmas gift shopping should be motivated by the giving. When retailers pull out all the stops, displaying most of their Christmas goodies, playing all the hymns and songs in each and every store, all of them with a long line of children waiting to sit on Santa's lap (and tell him what they want for Christmas), and all of this long before the 'official' start of the holidays, it's nothing more than the start of the shopping season.

"Names are drawn and Christmas gifts are bought, not just for the kids, but for everyone, presents are wrapped, stockings are hung, all this hustle and bustle and commercialization of the season seem a far cry from the simple idea of being together as a family or with friends just to count our blessings. All this flim-flam about trees, and presents, and Santa Claus tends to obscure the marvelous truth about what each person has in his or her own heart and expresses as the gifts of spirit, sharing and warmth. Instead, it's nothing but beggars beg and spenders spend, drinkers drink and vendors vend, or something like that-however that ancient rhyme goes.

"Then as soon as the 26th rolls around the stores are open with slashed prices to attract more shopping they hope will last until the next season. Then those Christmas gifts are exchanged or returned, gift certificates are redeemed, yadda yadda yadda. The truth about Christmas would come out if you took away all the gifts," she says. "Stuff the stockings and that would be it. Then we could get a fresh start. Then we could add gifts as a way to show real feeling, or benevolence or as a symbol of God's gift." Then she concludes with the question, "Don't you agree with me, Walker?"

I didn't answer. I decided long ago not to argue with my wife Angie about anything she feels strongly, or anything else for that matter. I can see her point, but sometimes I let Christmas sneak up on me, and I don't mind a little reminder about the need to take care of Christmas gifts from time to time. I'm not really being sold anything, it's just a reminder. I do sometimes wish, though, that they would wait until Thanksgiving to remind me about Christmas. What I need before Thanksgiving is a reminder about Thanksgiving.

But consider this: Where would we be if stores that sell Christmas gifts had to wait until a specified time to advertise and display their merchandise? Most of this stuff is sold throughout the year, not just at Christmas time. People buy a lot of this stuff each and every day of the year. What's wrong with a little reminder now and then? I see their point, and I don't mind it. My wife Angie though, she's on the alert for these reminders and, like a fast forwarded video, it's posted on the frig. As for me I've come away from Angie's list with some pretty good gift ideas.

When I decided not to argue with my wife Angie's point of view, I also found it a good practice to apologize in advance if I don't agree with everything she says. And I know she is going to see this. So here I am, disagreeing and apologizing at the same time. My only hope is that I get forgiveness for one or the other, not to mention both. - 30404

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Some Quality Hollywood Movie Outlines To View

By Chester Moses

It wasn't that long ago that a trip to the corner video shop was the most convenient way to get a movie. The next generation it seems will be getting their movies from movie downloads, avoiding any trips to the store. You will find just about any movie you want with a good movie download site. Below is a small sample.

Natural Born Killers: Mary Mallory is a teenager with an abusive father. After falling in love with Mickey, they viscously murder Mary's parents. Now they are on the run along Rt. 666. As they run, they go on killing sprees, usually leaving one person alive that can recount the events. As time continues they become a media sensation, almost national heroes.

The Ploughman's Lunch: Difficult, skeptical condemnation of British behaviors, ethics and affairs of state, focusing on the exercises of completely selfish journalist (Pryce) and others throughout the Falklands battle. The film is relatively perceptive, within the restraints of its outlook. Cast includes Jonathan Pryce, Tim Curry, Rosemary Harris, Blunt Finlay, and Charlie Dore. (100 minutes, 1983)

The Night of the Following Day: Excellent cast makes this sordid story of a young gal's abduction somehow more fascinating than it should be; pretty coarse in spots. Cast includes Marlon Brando, Richard Boone, Rita Moreno, Pamela Franklin, Jess Hahn, and Gerard Buhr. (93 minutes, 1969)

Life With Father: Powerful adaptation of a long running Broadway play by Howard Lindsay and Russell Crusoe based on Clarence Night's tale of growing up in turn-of-the-century NYC with his admiring although offbeat dad. This is utterly admirable, and a handsome production also. The Screen-play is by Donald Ogden Stewart. Cast includes William Powell, Irene Dunne, Elizabeth Taylor, Edmund Gwenn, ZaSu Pitts, Jimmy Lydon, and Matlin Milner. (118 minutes, 1947)

It Takes All Kinds: Fair triple-cross drama in reference to Miles' guarding of Lansing after the man inadvertently kills a sailor in a fight in Australia. Cast includes Vera Miles, Barry Sullivan, Sid Melton, and Dime Sugg. (98 minutes, 1969)

Eddie: Basketball nut Edwina 'Eddie' Franklin is a die hard New York Knick fan. She knows everything about the team; players, coaches, statistics, and how they play. In last place, the Knick seem to be a hopeless team. One night at a game Eddie is picked from the crowd to shoot a free throw. If she makes it she can coach the team for one game. She makes the shot, and is living a dream come true. What happens next is even more incredible. The owner offers her the job for the rest of the season.

Stage Fright: Theater student Wyman turns covert sleuth because an actress' spouse is killed. There are some stimulating scenes however the Mr. Hitchcock misses on this one. Cast includes Marlene Dietrich, Jane Wyman, Richard Todd, Kay Walsh, Aastair Sim, Joyce Grenfell, Sybil Thorndike, and Patricia Hitchcock. (110 minutes, 1950)

The Lost Continent: The steamer drifts into the seaweed suffocated Sargasso Ocean and finds a lost continent with a secluded ancient culture acquired from Spanish monarchy. Excellent cast handles uneven script straight-faced. Cast includes Eric Porter, Hildegard Knef, Suzanna Leigh, Tony Beckley, Nigel Stock, and Neil McCallu. (89 minutes, 1968)

Bram Stoker's Dracula: Count Dracula is on a mission to find the one woman he truly ever loved. HE wants to be eternally reunited with her. He leaves Transylvania and goes to London to see if a woman who looks exactly like his love of centuries ago is in fact the woman he searches for.

If you're looking for downloads, type in "Film Rental" to a search engine, see if you find something good. If that phrase gets you nowhere, try another phrase. Try "Downloading Movies" next. - 30404

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Quality Reports On A Cross Section Of Big Screen Pictures

By Adrian Erickson

If you arrived to see film reviews skip down to read them. If you are looking for a movie download site here are some phrases to search. A good starting point might be "Download Internet Videos", after that try "Downloadable Movie Clips" or "Online Video Rental".

Borderline: An abnormal thriller comedy in which L.A. cop Trevor tries to assemble proof contrary to cunning drug smuggler Burr when mixing with hard gentleman MacMurray in Mexico. Starts out promisingly, although eventually slows down in silliness. Burr makes a lucid scoundrel. Cast includes Fred MacMurray, Claire Trevor, Raymond Burr, Jose Torvay, Morris Ankrum, and Roy Roberts. (88 minutes, 1950)

The Shadow: Lamont Cranston, having lived a life of ethical degradation, is "reborn" as a single minded crime fighter with the talent to haze gentlemen's minds. This adaptation of the venerable mush novels and cherished radio shows (carried to the theaters before in the late 1930s and in a 1940 series) comes frustratingly close to succeeding, although flounders. Cranston is both inscrutable and boring. Incredible production layout and wonderful outcomes get lost in a film that keeps the viewer at Ann's magnitude all the way through. What a waste of an awesome supporting cast! Cast includes Alec Baldwin, John Lone, Penelope Ann Miller, Peter Boyle, Ian McKellen, Tim Curry, Jonathan Winters, and Sab Shimono. (105 minutes, 1994)

Blaze of Noon: A hokey tale of Holden torn between his spouse (Baxter) and his real love, flying. Cast includes Anne Baxter, William Holden, Sonny Tufts, William Bendix, and Sterling Hayden. (91 minutes, 1987)

Cry Terror: This quick moving film hides the implausibility of the caper of psychopath Steiger pushing Mason to help him in master extortion plot that was filmed on N.Y.C. locations. Cast includes James Mason, Rod Steiger, Inger Stevens, Neville Label, Angie Dickinson, and Jack Klugman. (96 minutes, 1958)

Sudden Death: The sarcastic master mind Boothe keeps the Vice President captive in a secluded box throughout Stanley Cup hockey playoffs in Pittsburgh, requesting a few billion dollars, or he'll blow up the entire stadium. However fire inspector Van Damme is on the job and Boothe has foolishly seized our idol's baby girl. Cast includes Jean-Claude Van Damme, Powers Boothe, Raymond J. Barry, Whittni Wright, Ross Malinger, Dorian Harewood, and Paul Mochnick. (110 minutes, 1995)

For Me and My Gal: Music maintains the style of vaudeville couple decided to play Palace, circa WWI. Kelly's film debut, and he and Garland harmonize title tune and other old top choices. Cast includes Judy Garland, George Murphy, Gene Kelly, Marta Eggerth, Ben Blue, Horace McNally, Keenan Wynn, Sandra Goldbacher, and Richard Quine. (104 minutes, 1942)

A Scandal in Paris: A fashionable 8th century tale based on the recollections of the infamous Frenchman Eugene Vidocq, whose life of crime comes to a crossroads while he confronts a youthful lady who cherishes him. The clever script was tailor-made for Sanders. Cast includes George Sanders, Carole Landis, Akim Tarniroff, Signe Hasso, Gene Lockhart, Alan Napier, and Alma Kruger. (106 minutes, 1946)

The Pajama Game: This is an adaptation of the Broadway musical hit with much of its cast intact essentially interprets the word "exuberance." Day is a pleasure as the head of a plant complaint agency that impulsively falls in love with the new foreman (Raitt, in his only featuring film). Richard Adler and Jerry Ross' melodies contain "Hey, There." Dancer Haney stands out in her "Mist Heat" characteristic and in the lively "Once a Year Night" barbeque number. Cast includes Doris Day, John Raitt, Carol Haney, Eddie Foy, Jr., Barbara Nichols, and Reta Shaw. (101 minutes, 1957)

Hot enough for June: Made at the peak of the James Bond fad, this spoof characteristics Bogarde as a bumbling spy in Czechoslovakia. This film is an occasionally clever, gleaming comedy. Cast includes Dirk Bogarde, Sylva Koscina, Leo McKern, Robert Morley, Roger Delgado, and John LeMesurier. (98 minutes, 1964)

Was this list of films helpful? As we said before, search with "Streaming Online Movies", or "Unlimited Music" to find good information on downloading. If neither of those work use "Online Movies Rental". - 30404

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Check Out These Celebrated Movie Story Lines Then Initiate Your Lawful Downloads

By Amanda L Carter

You no longer need to hang around in line at a video store just to discover that the movie that you desire is not in stock. You no longer need to be bothered about returning the motion picture in time to duck late fees. At this time you can get complete, first-class films at a lower outlay than you used to pay at a video store and you can do it in the confidentiality and coziness of your own abode.

Look at the list of honorable story lines below then download your favorite one.

Dracula Has Risen From The Grave - Dracula runs afoul of small-town monsignor while he chases the churchman's beautiful blonde niece. Cast includes Christopher Lee, Rupert Davies, Veronica Carlson, Barbara Ewing, Barry Andrews, and Michael Ripper. (92 minutes, 1968)

Soylent Green - Well-intentioned but cardboard edition of Harry Harrison's chemistry-fiction classic Make Room! Make Room! In the year 2022, Manhattan has gotten to be an congested hellhole. Charlton Heston plays a copy who while investigating the homicide of a bigwig, trips onto volatile government secret which you will figure out long before he does. Players includes Charlton Heston, Edward G. Robinson, Leigh Taylor-Young, Chuck Connors, Mike Henry, and Dick Van Patten. (100 minutes, 1973)

Ace Ventura, Pet Detective - This movie is directed by Tom Shadyac. This is a naturally crazy Jim Carey comedy. He is cast as Ace Ventura, a pet detective. The mascot of the Miami Dolphins has been kidnapped, and it is up to Ace Ventura to crack the case. Jim Carrey, Courtney Cox. And Sean Young star. (1994 Comedy)

Sing, You Sinners - Wagering Crosby couldn't face responsibility, regardless of jabbing his brother MacMurray. Three brothers with diverse interests have a singing act. Can the other two brothers save the day when the gambling sibling bets on a "sure thing"? Includes Wesley Ruggles, Bing Crosby, Fred MacMurray, Donald O'Connor, Elizabeth Patterson, Ellen Drew, and John Gallaudet. (88 minutes, 1938)

The Leading Man - British backstage show romance in regards to an American film superstar who seduces a playwright's depressed wife and his leading-woman mistress. When it might not make up its mind whether it's a comedy tirade or a light thriller, it's still exceedingly entertaining stuff. Bon Jovi is excellent as the brash, unethical Yankee, and Galiena and Newton are fetching as the females trapped in his web. Cast includes Jon Bon Jovi, Anna Galiena, Lambert Wilson, Thandie Newton, Barry Humphries, and David Warner. (100 minutes, 1997)

The greatest services also have a considerable list that has millions of excellent movies, comparable to a well-stocked video store but really even better. Any motion picture that has been released to video is available for download. Plus the libraries have all of the older films that you may have forgotten the first time around. - 30404

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Guitar Lessons - How To Master Harmonics

By Mike Jones

Hi welcome again to your FREE tips from myself Mike at KillerGuitarTips.com

We are going to look at a series of three tips on harmonics.

Harmonics on the guitar are a natural phenomenon. They occur over the 5th, 7th and 12th fret.

To play a harmonic all you have to do is gently touch the string over the fret - we'll use the 12th fret for this example - you DO NOT fret the string just touch it directly over the fret and pluck the string.

Once plucked you should hear the harmonic note. If you find you get a dull muted sound simply move your finger towards the fret. Keep plucking the string as you move your finger until it becomes clear.

Play the harmonic over the strings at the 12th, 7th and 5th frets.

This killer technique is a 'must know' in your armoury of tricks. Harmonics should be practiced and mastered by all guitarists.

If you would like to look at a good example of harmonics, take a look at the middle section of U2's Sunday Bloody Sunday.

Practice it until you have mastered it.

Now that you have had chance to practice harmonics I would like to show you how to tune your guitar using this technique.

Using harmonics is the most accurate way to manually tune up your guitar. Let's have a look...

The harmonic over the 5th fret on the 6th string is the same pitch as the harmonic over the 7th fret on the 5th string.

When you play the two harmonics together you will hear a wavering sound if the strings aren't in tune with each other. Tune one of the strings - lets say the 5th if the wavering 'speeds up' the string is going further out of tune!! If it 'slows down' its coming into tune - keep tuning until the wavering has stopped. The two strings are then in tune with each other. If you tune too far the wavering will start to speed up again!!

Repeat this with strings 5 & 4 and 4 & 3.

To tune the 2nd string we have to be a little innovative as this string is tuned 4 frets higher than the 3rd whereas the others are tuned 5 frets higher so this technique has to be adapted here. Play the harmonic on the 3rd string at the 12th fret (the note is G) then FRET the 8th fret on the 2nd string (the note is G of course!) now use your strumming hand to turn the tuning peg and tune the string!

We're now back to normal by tuning the 1st string 7th fret harmonic to the 2nd string 5th fret harmonic.

It is best to try this tuning technique with your distortion turned on as this makes the wavering sound really stand out.

As stated earlier this is a great way to tune your guitar and much more accurate than the normal and tuning method.

Moving along to the last in ghis series of three on harmonics. We will have a look at what's known as pinched harmonics or also known as false or artificial harmonics.

To create this type of harmonic we need to touch the string very slightly with the side of the thumb immediately after you have plucked it. To get the best effect you need to have your distortion/overdrive turned on and sounds like a screech. Here is how we do it: Move your picking hand up and down the string whilst picking constantly to find where the different harmonic notes are found.

If you would like to see an absolute master of this technique, you need to listen to Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top'

Remember practice equals progress!! - 30404

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Some Helpful Film Outlines To Check Out

By Mitzi Carpenter

It used to be that you had to go to the video store to get a movie. Instead of buying or renting the dvd, people now can choose a movie download instead. Just about any movie every made can be attained through a movie download site now. Check out these samples.

The Music of Chance: A thriller in regards to telepathic, suicidal Ivanek, powerless to command his powers, who moves his bad dreams to psychiatrist Harrold and causes chaos in a clinic. Cast includes James Spader, Mandy Roger Orristian, Kathryn Harrold, Zeljko I vanek, Shirley Horseman, and Harry Ditson. (98 minutes, 1993)

Stallion Road: Devoted veterinarian Reagan and novelist buddy Scott vie for the benevolence of horse rancher Smith; low-key drama written by Stephen Longstreet. Cast includes Ronald Reagan, Alexis Smith, Zachary Scott, Peggy Knudsen, Patti Brady, and Harry Davenport. (91 minutes, 1947)

Red Skies of Montana: Corny account of woodland-firemen, rescued by amazing fire patterns. Cast includes Richard Widmark, Jeffrey Hunter, Constance Smith, Richard Boone, Richard Crenna, and Charles Bronson. (99 minutes, 1952)

Say It Isn't So: Pleasantly un-ambitious Klein falls for the new hairdresser in town Graham only to find out (after having sex with her) that she's his sister! Cast includes Heather Graham, Chris Klein, Orlando Jones, Sally Field, Richard Jenkins, John Rothman, Brent Briscoe, and Sarah Silverman. (96 minutes, 1988)

The Jackie Robinson Story: Simple bio of Robinson, the first black man to play Major League Baseball. Captivating as a historical story; pointed in its presentation of the racial issues engaged. Interestingly, Robinson's Negro League ball club is named the Black Panthers! Dee plays Robinson's spouse. The movie is depicted by Brock Peters. Cast includes Jackie Robinson, Red Dee, Little Watson, Louise Beavers, Richard Aisle, Harry Shannon, Ben Lessy, and Joel Fuellen. (76 minutes, 1950)

Mysterious Lady: An Austrian armed forces officer (Nagel) falls in love with Garbo, clueless that she's a Russian agent. Another contrived plot made serviceable by Garbo herself. Cast includes Greta Garbo, Conrad Nagel, Gustav von Seyffertitz, Albert Pollet, and Edward Connelly. (96 minutes, 1928)

Faraway So Close: The exact Wenders cast if not the exact Wenders film takes up where the more victorious Wings of Desire left off. This time it is life saver Sander who becomes mortal, joining his old celestial buddy who's now wedded to a carnival entertainer. Lighter going than its predecessor, although additionally more lightweight; it's still a good film to watch. Cast includes Otto Sander, Bruno Ganz, Solveig Dommartin, Peter Falk, Willem Dafoe, Lou Reed, and Mikhail Gorbachev. (140 minutes, 1993)

Accattone: Accattone is an unforgiving expose of the lives of the crooks and pimps in the ghettos of Rome. In particular we follow the life of Vittorio Accattone, a pimp whose life is coming unraveled. He becomes a pitiful figure trying to find his way. Franco Citti, Franca Pasut, Roberto Scaringella, and Adele Cambria are the stars. (1961 Foreign-Italian)

The Saint: Master thief Simon Templar is close to retirement. He decides to take one last job, to properly fill his bank account. A Russian billionaire hires him to steal a formula for cold fusion from scientist Emma Russell. Two things change his plans. He falls in love with the beautiful scientist, and learns the potential disaster if this formula was in the wrong hands.

Remember, be creative and use phrases like "Legal Music Downloads". Not all searches get the right result. If the first one fails to work out try another one. See if "Movie Downloads Sites" gets a better result. - 30404

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Quality Outlines Of A Wide Variety Of Silver Screen Movies

By Seth Dennis

Movie reviews follow this paragraph. You can find a lot of information on movie downloads sites if you do a good search. There are a lot of different phrases you can use, try "DVD Movies Downloads", "Illegal Movie Downloads", or "Film Online".

The Reckless Moment: Mason blackmails protective mom Bennett, whose young daughter has been involved in a killing. Noirish melodrama is additionally a slyly subversive peek at a "common" American family. Cast includes James Mason, Joan Bennett, Geraldine Brooks, Henry O'Neill, and Shepperd Strudwick. (82 minutes, 1949)

The Singing: Nun: This is sappy comic book stuff based on an actual Belgian nun whose dedication is split between her religious efforts and making hit records. Cast includes Debbie Reynolds, Ricardo Montalban, Greer Garson, Agnes Moorehead, Chad Everett, Katharine Ross, Ed Sullivan, Juanita Moore, and Tom Drake. (98 minutes, 1966)

Bullet for a Badman: Another revenge story about an outlaw, his ex-spouse, and the man who married her. Cast includes Audie Murphy, Darren McGavin, Ruta Lee, Bypass Homeier, George Tobias, and Bob Steele. (80 minutes, 1964)

Sudden Fear: A new twist about a boy who cried wolf too often. A prankish kid witnesses the murder of a visiting dignitary. The problem is that no one will believe him. Cast includes Lionel Jeffues, Susan George, Tony Bonner, and Jeremy Kemp. (95 minutes, 1970)

Heartburn: Nora Ephron adjusted her own most popular (and autobiographical) novel in regards to an elderly couple whose matrimony appears just fine till she sees he's been cheating when she's pregnant! Lightweight, shallow tale is supercharged by 2 charismatic megastars, which make it a must see. Cast includes Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson: Jeff Daniels, Maureen Stapleton, Stockard Channing, Richard Masur, Catherine O'Hara, Steven Hill, Milos Forman, Karen Akers, Anna Maria Horsford, Mercedes Ruehl, Joanna Gleason, Yakov Smimoff, Kevin Spacey, and Natasha Lyonne. (108 minutes, 1986)

Blind Faith: 2 brothers, one a patrol man and the other a defense attorney, find their relation and their own sense of self esteem as black gentlemen in 1950s. America is turned upside down when the patrol man's child is implicated in a murder. A tough and striking drama, which opens in the late '80s, concentrates on the racial problems and an unfair system of justice. Cast includes Courtney B. Vanee, Charles S. Dutton, Kadeem Hardison, Lonette McKee, and Garland Whitt. (107 minutes, 1998)

The Pleasure Garden: Hitchcock's first work, shot in Munich, is a choppy account of a pair of chorus gals, one sugary and knowing, the other a waif. They eventually both become involved with the same man. Cast includes Virginia Valli, Carmelita Geraghty, Miles Mander, Jolm Stuart, and George Snell. (68 minutes, 1935)

Solarkids: Futuristic adolescent rubbish has Gertz and a bunch of her friends are trapped by a Nazi-like group inside a fortress. The group plans to get out with the help of "Bohdi", an old mystical force. Cast includes Richard Jordan, Jami Gertz, Jason Patric, Lukas Haas, Charles Durning, Peter DeLuise, Adrian Pasdar, Sarah Douglas, Frank Talk, Terrence Mann, and Kelly Bishop. (194 minutes, 1986)

A Southern Yankee: A Red Skelton comedy set in Civil War with Cherry a bumbling Yankee agent down South. Comparable to silent film comedies as Buster Keaton concocted numerous of the film's gags. Cast includes Red Skelton, Brian Donlevy, Arlene Dahl, George Coulouris, Lloyd Gough, John Ireland, Charles Dingle, and Joyce Compton. (90 minutes, 1948)

Movie downloads can be found for nearly any movie made. To find online download sites, try "Free Online Movie Streaming" or "Download Movies Legal" in the search engines. Add "Download DVDs" to the list if the other searches don't work for you. - 30404

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