Connecticut State Scottish Festival in Goshen

Connecticut doesnt have an annual State Fair as it participates yearly in the Eastern States Exposition which is made up of the six New England States, but that is another article. This article focuses on the Connecticut Scottish Festival held in the town of Goshen every October. Are you ready for some Scottish Games?

Visitors should be, since the festival organized each year by the St. Andrews Society is focused on the celebration of Scottish culture and heritage. The Society uses money from the festival and other events to donate to charities here and in Scotland and provide scholarships to students looking to study Scottish Heritage. Come up to Goshen Fairgrounds and if you find youre lost listen for the sounds of the bagpipes perpetually playing during the Fair. Learn about the heritage of Scottish Clans by visiting their tents at the Fair. If you think you might have some Scottish ancestry head over the to the tent of the Connecticut Society of Genealogists to learn how you can trace your family roots.

Bagpipe playing is a competition here, deciding who can play the best pipes and probably play the longest without passing out! Celtic Music is the theme at this festival. Visitors can find the stage packed with folksy singers and fast-paced drumming bands, both. Dont forget about the Dance Exhibition where visitors can get an up close look at the fancy footed dance that is unique to the Celtic culture.

On sale at the festival will be a range of Scottish foods, you just might find Haggish, though you may prefer the Bannocks (Scottish biscuits) or the Scotch Meat Pies if you happen to find a vender selling them at the years Fair you are attending. You can also find a range of items imported from Scotland. This may include cloth, clothing, ales, beers and cheeses.

Gail Leino is known throughout the internet world as Mrs. Party. She has become the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible par ty supplies with clever themes. Her simple party planning approach demostrates how to use proper manners while teaching etiquette with organizational skills. She shares lots of interesting Fun facts. See travel vacations for more tips and holiday spot destinations.

Author:: Gail Leino
Keywords:: State,Fair,Connecticut,Midway,Fun,Exposition,Carnival,Rides,Attractions,Exhibits,Music,Entertainment
Post by History of the Computer | Computer safety tips

Harry Potter Rave

It is amazing to think about how the Harry Potter craze has captured the imagination of people all over the world. It doesnt matter if youre struggling with the business of living in some Third World country or happily ensconced in your glitzy Park Avenue penthouse in the Upper East Side of New York, chances are the Harry Potter craze has captured you and your ilk.

Harry Potters appeal transcends race or income bracket, culture and religion, sex and sexual orientation. The great majority of people simply love it. The appeal of powerful wizards and supernatural evils is certainly heady stuff. Its like one big rollercoaster ride where no one knows whats going to happen next. Perhaps the one sure this about this whole Harry Potter craze is that there will be a next installment of the series coming soon to a theater near you. And probably another one after that, and another, and another

For the more perceptive ones around us, the Harry Potter craze is no surprise. The books were great fiction (J.K. Rowling must be laughing himself silly now, all the way to the bank). Admittedly, the first of the series of books did not make a huge impact right away, but children across the world quickly caught on. Soon enough, kids couldnt stop talking about Harry Potter and were constantly in a frantic search for all the Harry Potter material that they could get their hands on. And, expectedly, parents soon got into the act and started looking into the newest buzz among their kids. They began reading the books and may of them hooked into Harry Potter craze. That the book series was transformed into a series of films was only inevitable. But one still has to take their hats off to the films producers and creators, because they have been able to translate the magic of the book into the big screen, making Harry Potter and his dazzling adventures even more larger than life.

Admittedly, some adults dont fancy the Movies as exactly their cup of tea. But others did fall in love with the series much like they fell in love with the Star Wars epic before that. Theres nothing like breath-taking sorcery and the battle of good versus evil on a grand scale to make us forget the price of theater admission. Among kids, however, one would be hard pressed to find a single one who wasnt crazy about the whole thing from the very beginning.

It doesnt matter if youve read the books or not. In fact, it hardly matters if youve seen any of the previous Harry Potter films. All you have to do is catch one of them (or the very next one) and you will be thrilled to the core. The worldwide web and your favorite DVD store (or Amazon.com) are other good places where you can pick up on the Harry Potter magic.

Philip Culver is the owner of My Entertainment Web, a we bsite dedicated to providing arts and Entertainment information.

Author:: Philip Culver
Keywords:: Harry Potter, Entertainment, Movies
Post by History of the Computer | Computer safety tips

Magic The Cardinal Sin

The one thing you always hear from a professional Magician is you never tell your audience, or anyone for that matter, how a trick works. Once they know the secret, the mystery and fun is gone. It's kind of like finding out that there is no Santa Claus or Easter Bunny. But does the rule of never telling how a trick is done still hold water like it used to?

It kind of depends who you ask. Many of the old time Magicians will cling to that belief no matter what the argument is against it. They've been doing Magic for a long time and as far as they are concerned, to tell how a trick is done is nothing short of treason and anyone doing such should be shot at dawn.

But then there are those who belong to the new school. These are people who feel that it's not only okay to tell another person how a trick is done by to actually charge them for the honor. If you go online you'll find a number of sites that do exactly that. They reveal tricks, usually on a rotating basis and even have what they call a Magic exchange. This is where people are allowed access to the site if and only if, they submit a certain number of tricks to the site's collection. The tricks have to be certified to work. In other words, they will take your tricks, try them out and then, if they work, they are added to the site and you are granted membership. Some sites have additional restrictions that the tricks you submit must not already be in the database. This can be quite a hard restriction to get by as there are only so many tricks in the Magic world.

Then there are some sites that you pay a membership fee to become a part of. It may be a one time fee or a monthly membership. Once you become a member of a site like this, you gain access to their entire Magic database. Any trick that you want to know how it's done, all you have to do is just look it up. New tricks are usually added on a regular basis by the site itself. Some accept member's submissions but for the most part, they are in charge of what gets posted.

Most people feel that these online Magic exchanges are okay because you are sharing your tricks with fellow Magicians, which is the one exception to the rule. But how does one know when a new member is a Magician or just a curiosity seeker? For that matter, should it even matter? Isn't Magic something that should be shared by everyone?

The argument as to whether or not Magician secrets should be shared will no doubt go on for as long as people are still entertained by the art of Magic itself, regardless of whether or not the thrill of that entertainment is in not knowing, or in ultimately figuring out the unknown.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Magic

Author:: Michael Russell
Keywords:: Magic
Post by History of the Computer | Computer safety tips

Arizona Blue Gunfighter: Lady in White End Chapters

The Saloon
Chapter Four

He had checked into the hotel: shaved, took a bath, and put on the cleanest dirty shirt he had. Combed his hair and wiped his boots off with spit and the shirt he was about to put on. He then looked out the window; it was 10:00 AM on the clock above the saloon he was in yesterday. Then tightening his gun belt, he went down stairs of the hotel, out the door, across the street to the saloon, then as Blue walked through the door he walked up to the bar, ordered a whiskey with a beer to wash it down. Two young gunmen were standing along the bar: fiddling with their shot glass. He hadnt seen them in the saloon the previous day, although he recognized most of the othersregulars.

A young man at his right, blond hair, medium build, about five food eight inches tall, perhaps 22-years old or there about was checking Blue out; first his height, his build, and then how his holster was, and his gun handle. Then his partner, a little taller an d heaver pointed to a picture on the wall.

Is that you, old man? the black haired fella said.

Blue jerked off his leather hat, saying, Does it look like me?

I heard of you, Arizona Blue. Fast as fast can be but not faster than my friend standing by you, he said with a cocky voice.

They were part of the new breed Blue thought, as he looked at both of them, one on each side of him. The blond next to him and the black dude farther down the bar. Theyd shoot you in the back that was the kind they were, thought Blue.

The blond stepped back: Meet you in the back of town, Mr. Blue. See how good you really are.

Blue stood there with his whiskey in one hand, the other close by his gun handle; the hell with it take this kid out he told himself, but on my wedding day (?) so he questioned himself.

Said Blue with a hesitant voice, one he never had before,

Im getting married, fleas, so its your lucky day, go home.

Momentarily he fel t odd, he should take care of these two, right here and now, it was his style. Why let another man have a chance to plan your killing.

The two men walked out of the bar, and then Ben asked,

A local lady I gather?

Yaw, your sweet little Ella, answered Blue.

Ella, replied Ben surprised, shes a pretty one all right. Ben thought he best leave it at that, in case something wrong came out of his mouth, and he might not live to regret it, remembering what the previous day had brought.

Blue looked at the clock in the bar, it was 11:00 AM. He then took his second drink: he drank it down quick, and walked outside.

The blond kid stood in the middle of the street, said,

I wish somebody would tell me, Mr. Blue, the true story of you, the coward part.

Nobody had ever dared call him a coward before, and lived to tell about it.

Where is your buddy, asked Blue.

No response.

Blue turned to face the bond gunfighter, his hand going slowly down to his gun side. Both were thinking: would it happen here. It was becoming too much for Blue to back away he couldnt take it.

Okay, kid, Ill meet you in that empty lot by the outskirts of town, no need to mess up the street here with blood.

This was not what he wanted at all though. He wanted to marry that woman that made him laugh. She would be a good sidekick, a good wife he thought.

Ella
Chapter Five

Ella came up from the church hearing there was to be a gunfight. She stopped at the edge of town and stood by an old broken down shack that once housed slaves. Several townsfolk were there already, but she moved a little farther away from them, standing alone for a moment. Behind her were two houses with backyards and fences dividing the three acreage [open area land, where the two men stood twenty-five yards apart.

Blue looked to his right, there was Ella: she was pretty as a sparrow, and all dressed in white. He smil ed; she had decided he was the one she wanted to marry and that as long as he married her he could do what he did best.

Never had she known such empty stillness, as she stood there. Her body was like a storm that wanted to break open the clouds.

Im ready boy, go for it, said Blue. The boy went for his gun but before he could clear his holster, Blue shot him in the heart. The boy went back a foot but not down. Blue looked dumbfounded. He knew he hadnt missed.

The boy was laughing so hard he didnt even aim the gun now dangling in his hand. He had on a metal vest that started to shine as one of the buttons broke off his shirt. Blue looked closer, squinting his eyes, trying to make heads or tails out of this drama.

Something else was wrong: Blue didnt see the black guy. He looked over to the fence; there were now a dozen or more people watching. The sheriff, Ella, and her dad stood by the shack on the right. All of a sudden Blue caught a glimpse of a gun pointing at him coming out from behind the fence. Its the other man, thought Blue, but before he could pivot his body to position himself, the fragments from the shotgun hit his chest like a dying buffalo: thus, he rocked back and forth, and then fell to his knees and then flat on his face.

The dark young man jumped out from behind the fence,

I killed Blue, he yelled.

Ella, frozen in shock, grabbed the sheriffs six shooter, and aiming it carelessly at the man, shot him four times, once in the foot, then in the shoulder, and as he fell to his knees, a bullet hit his chest, and his eye. The youth was blood soaked on the ground, next to dead. Her eyes lifted up and over to the blond, he knew if he shot her, the town folks would hang him but if he didnt, shed shoot him. Within ten seconds a bullet hit her forehead and she dropped to the ground. Then the fire works started, several guns started shooting at the blond. The gunfighter went down hitting the dirt like a chicken with his head snapping every which way.

Ellas father, picking her up, with her last words she asked to be put by Blues side and buried next to him. And her father did as she asked, putting her hand into his, and turning him over so she could see him. He had a smile on his face. As she laid there: 10-seconds of life left, she whispered to her father,

You know daddy, one day out of my life, today, was better than all the rest. And she died, and was buried by him. Their tombstone read, Mr. and Mrs. Blue: Sidekicks.

Originally written: Originally written in 1990; Rewritten: 4/2002; Revised during the months of November and December of 2005 First time in publication.

See Dennis' web site: http://dennissiluk.tripod.com

Author:: Dennis Siluk
Keywords:: Chapter story
Post by History of the Computer | Computer safety tips

Sex Controversy Art and Fame

Wang Guiquan is famous now...barely two days ago, a google search had nothing on her. Today, there are reports, blogs, Articles and discussions all over the internet - from China and Japan to India, Germany and further afield.

She did her thing and that raised a Controversy and now she has an acknowledged presence in the world of Art.

I remember a little incident that happened while I was still at college. One of the students there wrote a piece on the prevalence of homoSexuality at the college hostel. The college is and was one of the best-reputed institutions in India and the Article was published in a magazine that was somewhat well-known and popular with the young English-reading public, especially students.

In the Article, the young man alleged there was rampant homoSexuality within the college hostel and the gutsy young man who spoke with a lisp and in a manner well below the standards of the college made instant enemies. He had a harrowing time for the next few days and faced a lot of ire from the students and the management at the college. However, the anger cooled down soon enough. More importantly, he was noticed by the publishing world and though his English was merely average, if not worse, he was soon contributing Articles to some pretty well-known publications.

Today, he is a senior journalist working with a reputed publication. Assuredly, his English has improved considerably since those stormy days and he has learnt a lot about his craft. And, he is famous...well, famous enough!

So, Wang Guiquan with her bold expression and about twenty pictures of her Nudes and close-ups of her Genitals in 'Experimental Space', an exhibition in Nanjing has already attracted a lot of attention and notoriety, if you like. She has also, surely, made a lot of enemies and critics but she has fired what might be the biggest salvo of her fledgeling career.

There is no tonic like Sex and Controversy to give a heady push to an Artist's career.

Wang Guiquan, deserves support and encouragement from all who believe in Art because, in the world of Art, an Artist has just been born.

Rajesh Kanoi (Jack) is a published writer, now living and working in China. Many of his short-stories, poems and Articles have been published, including a book of short-stories, 'From China With Love' (Lipstick Publishing). http://www.writingup.com/blog/oneinabillion

http://o3.indiatimes.com/kjack/

Author:: Rajesh Kanoi
Keywords:: Sex, Controversy, Art, Fame, Wang Guiquan, homoSexuality,Experimental Space, Nanjing, Genitals, Nude
Post by History of the Computer | Computer safety tips

Troy Burroghs and the Cake

I was in a little town I call, Somewhere in North Dakota, outing with a few friends. I guess they were supposed to have been friends, they were supposed to bebut! I took a picture of Johnny and Johnny. I asked them to take a picture of me, but they wouldnt, Im not sure why and I left it at that for the momenta forever moment. I guess it didnt matter all that much, I noticed I didnt have any film in the camera anyhow, so all the better, and I got to see what they were made from, or out of.

Then I noticed a store nearby, saw the roof of it to be frank, over the trees somewhat, and as I walked towards it, I discovered I was walking the wrong way; in any case, a black man came walking by me wanted to help me, and I said:

No need to, not sure why those exact words came out, but they did. Perhaps I was mad because Johnny and Johnny didnt take my picture with my camera that didnt have any film; perchance a delayed reaction, a little Post Traumatic Stress, I hear so m uch about that nowadays.

He asked for a Chesterfield cigarette, and some candy: yes, yes, were still on the black man, he now wants a certain cigarette brand and candy; as if Im the store I was headed for before I went the wrong way. He was on his way to his mothers house he said, and asked if I wanted to go with him. I got moving, in motion as he was talking, I thought maybe he wanted my Dobbs hat, but now that I think about it maybe it was my wife he wanted. She wasnt with me though. Who knows what people want, you cant read their minds. I once asked a black man:

why do you date white women?

I mean there are a lot of black pretty women out there, Ive dated a few. And he said,

Theyre easier! I was in shock, I didnt ask: easier than what, because I was still trying to figure out if I was going to get into a cockfight or not over this. Anyhow he didnt have blood in his face when he said it, it was just down to earth honest to gosh truth. So I left it a t that.

At this point, I decided to forget the store, and went into the restaurant. I asked for a coke and coffee, I like drinking them at the same time. Sometimes they bring the coke back without the coffee, and it gets me mad, irritated, you see I know what they are thinking, but they are not taking the time to think what I had asked for, rather they have interpreted my little sentence to mean what theyd like it to mean, thinking how can a person drink a cold and warm drink at the same time, its possible, I do it all the time. It is like the trinity, no big thing to figure out if you got a big god; hard things to figure out if you have a little god. Besides all this other talk, a coke and a coffee is just that, no more, no less. I didnt say one for today, the other for tomorrow: oh no, I left it up to their brains to digest. But, and this is a not too good but: this time she had it together, and she brought both at once. Awa! a bigger tip she wants I thought. A f riend of mine was in the caf, asked where I got my hat: I thought: what is the big deal with my hat today, I told her not to make a fuss about the damn hat. That I didnt get the Chesterfield cigarettes I had planned on either (she didnt know what I was talking about). She didnt listen to me she was only for herself doing something with her face. Then she said,

Could we eat at McDonalds? I was thinking she was with the black man, that wanted that cigarette, but I guess not.

Decisions, decisions that is all I make all day. I do not care if we eat at Porkys or McDonalds, or whatever.

She looked at me now. She said,

Ok lets eat here, I want some cake, and so we ordered some; I really prefer pie to cake, but to keep the peace, I said ok, and we got the cake. Then out of the blue, she said,

You have to eat some if you want to ride my bike. Well, first of all I do not like cake, second of all, I never knew she had a bike, and could care less if I got a ride on it, I was supposed to get back to my camp site, and wasnt sure how she got into the story in the first place, perhaps she snuck into my dreams, and third, she could stick the bike up cant think of where, but you get the picture, any old place.

Well, Troy, she said with a smirk, are you, or are you not, going to eat this cake with me? I thought I have only one of those alternatives, how lucky I must be. She pointed to the cake; I picked it up and shoved it in her face.

I bet she was thinking those white guys are real jerks, being a black woman. But I know one thing, she didnt go looking for that black guy.

Dream Writing: 4-2002/Revised 11/13/2002; re-edited 12/28/2005

See Dennis' web site: http://dennissiluk.tripod.com

Author:: Dennis Siluk
Keywords:: Short Story
Post by History of the Computer | Computer safety tips

Would You Like To Be A Party Entertainer? Part II: Breaking In

In Part I, we talked about the requirements to be a party entertainer. Here, in Part II, we will discuss how to break into this rewarding and well paying field.

You have a finely honed skill, you like people, and youre willing to give up your weekends. Now what?

Well, now its time to get started.

You have to do two very important things: Introduce yourself to the world, and lay down the foundation for your new Business.

Introducing yourself to the world

Even though your skills may be excellent, taking on the role of a paid Performer in a party setting will be a new experience for you. So cut your teeth in low risk situations that allow you to perform in front of the public.

Fairs work well for newbie Performers. Depending on how you deliver your performance, you may be able to charge willing attendees individually. An example is a Tarot reader who charges for a reading.

Non-profit organizations are always looking for fun and inn ovative ways to raise money. Many hold fundraising events. Your invitation to donate your time or sell it at a deep discount to a struggling non-profit will be very welcome.

Be sure to ask the organizers to list you in their program and prominantly display your name and contact information.

Although you may earn little or no money at these events, you will test your mettle, polish your delivery, build your confidence, and guests will see you perform. Since some will be looking to hire party entertainment for their own events, you will begin to pick up paying gigs.

In fact, being approached for paying gigs by people seeing you perform is an indication that you are ready for prime-time. You are now acquiring a reputation as a Performer.

Hint: Bring lots of Business cards.

Laying down the foundation of your new Business.

Yes, like it or not, once you make the decision to accept money for your services, you are in Business.

By conducting yourself as a Businessperson, you will increase your chances for success, increase your respect among potential clients and peers and eliminate a lot of headaches down the road.

So how do you do that? Register your Business with the State and, if necessary, local governments.

Set up a system to track your income and expenses. It can be a notebook or your copy of Quicken. Print up some Business cards, and put together a flyer to describe what you offer. Dont forget to include all of your contact information.

Set up a system to track your bookings. You must, must, must have a failsafe way to record and remember your bookings. The worst thing you can do is fail to show up at a party when you are the hired entertainment

Find out the market rate range for talent in your area and set your own rate within it.

Some newbies are tempted to charge too little when they start out. Don't. You worked long and hard to build your expertise. And you will work h ard to perform. Don't shortchange yourself. If you feel your services are not worthy of the market rate, reread the previous section,Introducing yourself to the World.

Now, youre ready to go forward. Contact local event planners and entertainment agents, put up a website, advertise in the classified section of local magazines or newspapers (Hint: look at where other entertainers advertise).

Other Performers

As you perform, youll start meeting other local Performers. Welcome the opportunity.

Youll find that local party entertainers in the same specialty tend to know one another. Even though we are competitors. Most times we work with each other and help each other.

Thats because, individually, we benefit more by cooperating than undermining each other.

Entertainers often refer qualified peers for open jobs when their own schedules are filled. We substitute for each other when sudden emergency prevents one of us from fulfilling a commitment.

As you establish yourself as a competent professional, handling yourself with integrity, you'll be accepted by this network.

Now that youre prepared, youre ready to go! I wish you lots of fun and success.

About the author

Ellen M. Zucker has entertained at Parties for over 10 years. Her company, Faces & Fortunes, provides caricature artists and fortunetellers for party entertainment in the Philadelphia and Delaware Valley region. For more information, visit http://www.facesandfortunes.com

Her sister site, http://www.faces-and-fortunes-partytips.com contains tips, interviews, and advice on putting your event together from the professionals who make Parties and special events happen.

Author:: Ellen Zucker
Keywords:: party entertainer,party entertainment,Performer,Business,home based Business,second income,Parties
Post by History of the Computer | Computer safety tips