King Booker Bowling

5 TIME 5 TIME 5 TIME



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMWToAH9MSg&hl=en

Food Around The World

This article is about exploring some of the reoccurring themes in food from around the world. If you are a foodie, this article may be of general interest to you; but if you are interested in opening your mind and palate to trying some new foods, this is a good starting point. Over the next few weeks, I will post more articles along this theme with specific descriptions and suggestions for trying and cooking different types of international food. Hopefully, looking at it from this perspective will make it less scary to try new things.

Many, many years ago, when the first explorers and migratory people roamed the earth, they observed how and what each other ate. As they moved about, they shared meals, borrowed some ideas, and brought them home to modify to their own tastes and environment. As people's cultures developed and changed, so did the types of foods they ate.

For example, in North America we love our huge bowls of pasta for dinner, but in Italy it is often just one small component of the whole meal. In some parts of Asia, noodle dishes are often very popular as well. Usually the noodles are made from rice or egg, such as Malaysian mee goreng and Cantonese chow mien, and are often components of soup or fried after boiling.

Rice can be a main meal with vegetables and meat added and steamed right into it, such as Indian Biryani. There's also fried rice in some of the other Asian countries or yummy beans and rice in Cuba. Rice is often eaten plain as a side dish, or with flavouring added as in North American cooking.

Soups are another variant that extend from clear broths, to rich meaty stews such as Hungarian goulash, Vietnamese noodle soup, or the North American favourites of chili con carne and New England clam chowder.

Breads--where to start? Mmmmmm.....bread. Some of my favourites include Middle Eastern pita bread, Indian naan made in a clay tandoor oven, and Italian focaccia. My friends love my garlic cheese biscuits, similar to a certain popular seafood chain, and my mom's homemade bread. I don't own a bread maker, but I know people that swear by these to make all kinds of doughs and baked products.

Vegetables that are eaten in salad or cooked as a side can really vary depending on what is regionally and seasonally available. If you're interested in trying Thai food, they sometimes include green mango or papaya in salad. In North America people love their many options for greens such as spinach, arugula, sprouts, and different types of lettuce. Options for baking, sauteing, steaming, frying, and grilling vegetables are endless.

Fruit also varies so much from place to place. With the advent of genetic engineering, the appearance, texture and taste of fruits like bananas and tomatoes from country to country are almost limitless. I can taste a huge difference between my garden's beefsteak tomatoes, and the hothouse tomatoes I buy from the grocery store, that are shipped up from the U.S. in the winter. When traveling to warmer climates, I love to eat fresh mango, papaya, pineapple, pomegranate and guavas. Although they might not be as fresh, you can find some of these fruits at your local grocery stores in North America, buy one and give it a try this week.

Meat has been a popular staple item in some cultures, and a luxury item in other cultures for a long time. Depending on where you live, different meats are very popular; such as pork in China, and goat and lamb in India. There are many popular meats in North America, but certainly beef and chicken are among the most preferred. Meat can be put on a spit and roasted over a fire, baked, grilled in a North American barbecue, cooked in a slow cooker, stir fried, or seafood turned into Japanese sushi or sashami, just to name a few options.

Cheeses are another wonderful creation that vary so much depending on the type of milk, process used to make it, and what is added into them. On a recent trip to the Canary Islands, we enjoyed delicious fried manchego cheese in a moho rojo sauce. While in Indian cooking, the homemade, paneer cheese is very popular. Some of my other favourites include Greek feta, Italian mozzarella balls, and good old North American sharp cheddar.

Hopefully this article has helped to highlight some of the reocurring themes in foods from around the world. The spices, methods of preparation, and local choices may be different, but the food groups are quite similar--and the possibilities are endless.

As promised, I will post more detailed articles in the future about suggestions for eating and cooking new foods, and eventually start posting some recipes. In the meantime, feel free to do a Google search on the names of any of the food mentioned if you're interested in finding out more about what they are or what's in them.

Try Some Great New Dinner Recipes Featuring Alaska Seafood

Looking for something new and exciting for dinner tonight? Why not try some popular Alaska seafood recipes instead of the same old processed or prepackaged dinner? Not only delicious but good for you, it's easy to know you're choosing a fresh, wild, organic dinner when working with Alaska seafood! Get started with some of these favorites!

Fish Tacos are a favorite in many parts of the country and combine the best of the American northwest and southwest into one great dish! One of the most popular Alaska seafood recipes around, start with a marinade of soy sauce, olive oil, and lime juice and cumin to taste (just a dash!) Marinade strips of Alaska Halibut in the marinade mix for at least an hour, then bake them on a lightly oiled sheet at 350 degrees. Cook until the fish is slightly browned, about 8 to 10 minutes. After the fish is ready, it's the simple process of putting together a taco with your favorite ingredients! Reccommended are sour cream, cheese, corn tortillas whether soft or crunchy, and cabbage instead of lettuce to really enhance the flavor!

A favorite all across the southern US but especially in Louisiana with a Cajun and Creole influence is Etouffee. Try Etouffee with Alaska crab for a great twist on this popular southern recipe. Start with two pounds of thawed Alaska Crab legs, from a variety like King, Snow or Dungeness crab. Remove the meat from the crab shell. Begin by heating in a skillet chopped celery, onion, and bell pepper in vegetable oil for about 10 to 15 minutes until softened. Next throw in minced garlic, bay leaves, and about a half cup of clam juice and water over reduced heat. Slowly add in about a tablespoon of flour to thicken the mixture. Last, add the crab meat, with parsley and green onion to taste. When the mixture is heated, after about five minutes, add cayenne pepper and salt to taste. This mix is great served with a starch like rice, or beans and rice!

For a twist on the normal cookout, try grilling Alaska Salmon Burgers instead. This is one of many popular Alaska seafood recipes that include salmon, which is great cooked many ways but is a real summer treat when grilled. Start with canned salmon, about two cleaned and drained cans, and mix with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, a tablespoon of Dijon mustard, ¾ cup dried breadcrumbs, and a ½ cup sliced green onions. Once mixed (easiest with the hands) add in three egg whites. When the mixture is ready, shape it into patties and throw it on the grill! These burgers are great served with the regular fixings like tomato, onion, lettuce and cheese on a bun!

Crab cakes are one of the most popular Alaska seafood recipes of all time, and there's no better ingredient than fresh, wild caught Alaska Dungeness Crab! Combine in a big bowl 12 ounces of thawed crab meat, a cup of soft bread crumbs, a quarter cup of celery, a quarter cup of green onion, three tablespoons of mayo, a beaten egg, hot sauce to taste, a dash of salt, and a dash of black pepper. Chill the mixture about an hour in the refrigerator, then shape into about four patties or 'cakes.' Sprinkle flour over each cake and sauté each in hot vegetable oil about 10 minutes on each side. When the crab cakes are ready they will turn golden brown!

Acai Berry Shakes Recipes

Using the acai berry in your shakes is a simple way to insert this superfood into your daily routine. The berry is beneficial to both people trying to lose weight or put on muscle. People with those goals know that shakes are one of the easiest ways to reach those goals, while still getting all the nutrition necessary to keep your body healthy. Here are a few of my favorite acai berry shakes that I am sure you will love.

Acai Berry Weight Loss Shake

This shake is a great replacement for a morning or afternoon meal. It will help you lose weight naturally by keeping you full longer than most meals and is packed with plenty of the nutritional content that many dieters miss out on.

1 Serving Acai Pulp or Powder
5-6 Ice Cubes
1/2c Low fat organic yogurt
1 Scoop whey protein powder
1/4c Frozen blueberries
5 Whole frozen strawberries
12oz Water

Put all of these ingredients into a blender and mix until smooth. This is a fast and easy meal replacement shake that will do a great job of holding you over until your next meal. The acai berry helps suppress appetite, so it is the perfect addition to this weight loss shake.

Acai Berry Protein Shake

This shake is designed for weightlifters as a post workout meal. Most lifters know that it is necessary to feed your muscles within 30-60 minutes after lifting. The acai berry has an excellent amino acid profile, so it is a great way to help with muscle recovery.

1 Serving Acai Pulp or Powder
5-6 Ice Cubes
1/2c Low fat organic yogurt
1-2 Scoops whey protein powder (chocolate)
1 tsb. Natural peanut butter
1 Banana
12oz Milk or water

After you blend all these ingredients together your muscles will be thanking you for feeding them after a great effort at the gym.

Mall Noodle Fight

Eh King of Erk vs Rosebud



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyAbAjAW0HY&hl=en

Dr. King's Historic Speech - I Have a Dream - Forward by Coretta Scott King

The idea behind this book is simple: publish the text of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech--delivered in the 1963 March on Washington--accompanied by the illustrative art of fifteen artists whose work has featured in books that have received the Coretta Scott King Award or Honor. The result is a moving and beautiful remembrance of this historic moment in the American story, a worthy tribute to the visionary Dr. King who delivered the speech, and a powerful call to renew the work of forgiveness, justice, and love that Dr. King pushed forward so forcefully in his day.

Two things will draw young readers to I Have A Dream. At the top of the list, of course, is the power of Dr. King's words. At least three things moved me in re-reading these amazing words. First, King's laser focus on the problems he confronted. For example, near the beginning of the second half of the speech (p. 21), in answer to the question from his detractors, "When will you be satisfied?", Dr. King launches a trademark rhetorical rhythm, beginning each sentence with "We can never be satisfied until...", or "We cannot be satisfied until...", followed by a litany of injustices that King wished to see abolished, including police brutality, segregation, and denial of voter rights. Dr. King pulled no punches in laying out the grave problems that African-Americans faced.

Second, power lies in the compelling vision of justice, equality, and brotherhood that King cast in the speech. Here the rhetorical pulses begin with the famous, "I have a dream...", followed by beautiful and compelling articulations of Dr. King's vision of racial equality and justice: "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed--we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal" (p. 25).

Third, the power of Dr. King's words lies in the non-violent means he advocated. Despite the grave injustice Dr. King and his followers faced, and the daunting distance between reality and the vision King cast, he remained unwaveringly committed to non-violence. For example, King said, "We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force" (p. 19). With Gandhi, King believed that one's means contained the end that one would reach, and so if peace and justice are the ends sought, peaceful and just means are the only way to reach them. Just as the power of Dr. King's words sent chills down my spine once again, I believe they will also grip children in the 9-to-12 years age category, with a little explanation from an adult at key points.

Children will also be stirred by the beauty and stylistic diversity of the illustrations in I Have A Dream. Both the images of injustice, and the images of the hopeful new day ahead are compelling. For example, on the page where Dr. King urges non-violent means (p. 19), there is an image of angry Caucasians crowding in a diner, standing behind three African-Americans and one Caucasian seated behind the counter in steadfast yet peaceful resistance. Two of the angry mob are pouring ketchup on the heads of two of the African-Americans. The image makes both the injustice of segregation and the difficulty of non-violence palpable.

In addition to the subjectively appealing words and illustrations of I Have A Dream, the book has much developmental value for children in the 9-to-12-years category. First, the book constitutes an obvious opportunity to discuss with children Dr. King's life and pivotal role in the civil rights movement of the 20th-century. As such, the book is an opportunity to learn about an important period of recent American history. A brief but helpful biographical sketch of Dr. King printed after the text of the speech will facilitate such learning.

Second, I Have A Dream provides an excellent opportunity for moral and religious learning. The moral themes raised by Dr. King's speech (justice, peace, love, segregation, etc.)--and particularly the non-violent means Dr. King advocated--will naturally raise moral questions for children, thereby prompting conversations with adults that can lead to valuable moral learning. Similarly, the religious themes of Dr. King's speech--e.g., his quotations of Amos 5:24 ("Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream") and Isaiah 40:4-5 ("Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill be made low...Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together") from the Hebrew Bible--provide an opportunity to discuss the faith that animated Dr. King's words and deeds, and more generally the connection between religious conviction and right action.

In sum, I highly recommend I Have A Dream.

Ryann Watters and the King's Sword by Eric Reinhold

Fantasy Fiction for Kids Introduces Spiritual Warfare

"Ryann Watters and the King's Sword" describes incredible exploits and adventures of three small town kids who suddenly found their selves experiencing fantasies they had previously lived out only through adventure books. Eric Reinhold's imagination is creative and contagious. I found myself immersed in a world of fantasy, entertainment, and in facing spiritual warfare head-on.

In the quiet town of Mount Dora, Florida two angels make late night visits. Ryann Watters receives a visit from the angel Gabriel and is charged with finding the King's Sword. Gabriel provided Ryann with a ring, a staff, and a horn to help him in his quest. The same night Drake Dunfellow was visited by a dark winged evil angel Ekron. Drake was enlisted to stop the forces who are trying to bind Ekron.

Ryann relates his story of Gabriel's visit with his friends Terrel and Liddy. Later the same day Ryann discovers that the unique powers of the ring direct him to the entrance of a portal that allowed him enter the land of Aeliana, the first stop in his quest to find the King's Sword.

In a later visit to Aeliana, Ryann and his friends are met with the forces of evil. The conflict that followed provided non stop action and suspense as the combat heightened into a battle of spiritual warfare.

Eric interweaves the story with inspiration and motivation for the young reader to develop important character traits of integrity, accountability, discipline, perseverance, leadership, commitment and respect.

The illustrations and the cover design by Corey Wolf add to the anticipation of the world of Aeliana and the quaint town of Mount Dora.

"Ryann Watters and the King's Sword" is written with kids nine to twelve years old in mind. It is also an excellent choice for family time read aloud sharing. This is highly imaginative, quality entertainment. I am looking forward to the next book in this exciting trilogy.

Creation House, 978-1599792880

As Reviewed for Midwest Book Review

Gorillaz - Superfast Jellyfish [HD]

This morning you have time for a hot home cooked breakfast Delicious and piping hot in only 3 microwave minutes... (Are you kidding?) Yo, pretty packages of frosted delights Look, it comes with a toy hehe, I like that. I wanna number 4, a number 6, and throw in a plastic doughnut Just enjoy the gritty crunch, it tastes just like chicken. Wrappers of many bit sizes Man, are you freakin blind? That's a rock. All mixed in the pot for momma's homemade from scratch, well, not quite. Toasted over flames, they be tasting quite right. All hail king Neptune and his water breathers No snail thing to quick for his water feeders Don't waste time with your net, our net worth is set Ready, go. Many know others, but we be the colors of the mad and the wicked we be bad, we be break it with the 24 hour sign shower my habits while you dine like rabbits with the crunchy, crunchy carrots (that's chicken) Gotta have it Superfast A whole lot of breakfast you got time for! [Chorus] Superfast Superfast, I come in last, but just in time for breakfast Keep it through, Keep it through, forever blue Tonight's the night for action Aluminum I crush your fun aluminum The sea is radioactive The sea is radioactive [Rap] All hail king Neptune and his water breathers No snail thing to quick for his water feeders Don't waste time with your net, our net worth is set Ready, go. Many know others, but we be the colors of the mad and the wicked we be bad, we be brickit with the 24 hour sign shower my habits ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LB3M3uoBjU&hl=en

Gamblerz Crew - California Beach Commercial 2009

Gamblerz Crew on California Beach water park commercial, Subscribe and more will be coming soon.... They are saying.... 'Come To, California Beach. Exciting! Seeing Water Park!' not What the fuck XD



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6T1tLue_6I&hl=en

The History of New Years Resolutions

The tradition of the New Year's Resolutions goes all the way back to 153 B.C. Janus, a mythical king of early Rome was placed at the head of the calendar.

With two faces, Janus could look back on past events and forward to the future. Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions and many Romans looked for forgiveness from their enemies and also exchanged gifts before the beginning of each year.

The New Year has not always begun on January 1, and it doesn't begin on that date everywhere today. It begins on that date only for cultures that use a 365-day solar calendar. January 1 became the beginning of the New Year in 46 B.C., when Julius Caesar developed a calendar that would more accurately reflect the seasons than previous calendars had.

The Romans named the first month of the year after Janus, the god of beginnings and the guardian of doors and entrances. He was always depicted with two faces, one on the front of his head and one on the back. Thus he could look backward and forward at the same time. At midnight on December 31, the Romans imagined Janus looking back at the old year and forward to the new.

The Romans began a tradition of exchanging gifts on New Year's Eve by giving one another branches from sacred trees for good fortune. Later, nuts or coins imprinted with the god Janus became more common New Year's gifts.

In the Middle Ages, Christians changed New Year's Day to December 25, the birth of Jesus. Then they changed it to March 25, a holiday called the Annunciation. In the sixteenth century, Pope Gregory XIII revised the Julian calendar, and the celebration of the New Year was returned to January 1.

The Julian and Gregorian calendars are solar calendars. Some cultures have lunar calendars, however. A year in a lunar calendar is less than 365 days because the months are based on the phases of the moon. The Chinese use a lunar calendar. Their new year begins at the time of the first full moon (over the Far East) after the sun enters Aquarius- sometime between January 19 and February 21.

Although the date for New Year's Day is not the same in every culture, it is always a time for celebration and for customs to ensure good luck in the coming year.

Ancient New Years

The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, Babylonians celebrated the beginning of a new year on what is now March 23, although they themselves had no written calendar.

Late March actually is a logical choice for the beginning of a new year. It is the time of year that spring begins and new crops are planted. January 1, on the other hand, has no astronomical nor agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary.

The Babylonian New Year celebration lasted for eleven days. Each day had its own particular mode of celebration, but it is safe to say that modern New Year's Eve festivities pale in comparison.

The Romans continued to observe the New Year on March 25, but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors so that the calendar soon became out of synchronization with the sun.

In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the New Year. But tampering continued until Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has come to be known as the Julian Calendar. It again established January 1 as the New Year. But in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days.

Global Good Luck Traditions

With New Year's upon us, here's a look at some of the good luck rituals from around the world. They are believed to bring good fortune and prosperity in the coming year.

AUSTRIA - The suckling pig is the symbol for good luck for the new year. It's served on a table decorated with tiny edible pigs. Dessert often consists of green peppermint ice cream in the shape of a four-leaf clover.

ENGLAND - The British place their fortunes for the coming year in the hands of their first guest. They believe the first visitor of each year should be male and bearing gifts. Traditional gifts are coal for the fire, a loaf for the table and a drink for the master. For good luck, the guest should enter through the front door and leave through the back. Guests who are empty-handed or unwanted are not allowed to enter first.

WALES - At the first toll of midnight, the back door is opened and then shut to release the old year and lock out all of its bad luck. Then at the twelfth stroke of the clock, the front door is opened and the New Year is welcomed with all of its luck.

HAITI - In Haiti, New Year's Day is a sign of the year to come. Haitians wear new clothing and exchange gifts in the hope that it will bode well for the new year.

SICILY - An old Sicilian tradition says good luck will come to those who eat lasagna on New Year's Day, but woe if you dine on macaroni, for any other noodle will bring bad luck.

SPAIN - In Spain, when the clock strikes midnight, the Spanish eat 12 grapes, one with every toll, to bring good luck for the 12 months ahead.

PERU - The Peruvian New Year's custom is a spin on the Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes at the turn of the year. But in Peru, a 13th grape must be eaten to assure good luck.

GREECE - A special New Year's bread is baked with a coin buried in the dough. The first slice is for the Christ child, the second for the father of the household and the third slice is for the house. If the third slice holds the coin, spring will come early that year.

JAPAN - The Japanese decorate their homes in tribute to lucky gods. One tradition, kadomatsu, consists of a pine branch symbolizing longevity, a bamboo stalk symbolizing prosperity, and a plum blossom showing nobility.

CHINA - For the Chinese New Year, every front door is adorned with a fresh coat of red paint, red being a symbol of good luck and happiness. Although the whole family prepares a feast for the New Year, all knives are put away for 24 hours to keep anyone from cutting themselves, which is thought to cut the family's good luck for the next year.

UNITED STATES - The kiss shared at the stroke of midnight in the United States is derived from masked balls that have been common throughout history. As tradition has it, the masks symbolize evil spirits from the old year and the kiss is the purification into the new year.

NORWAY - Norwegians make rice pudding at New Year's and hide one whole almond within. Guaranteed wealth goes to the person whose serving holds the lucky almond.

Chinese New Year

Except for a very few number of people who can keep track of when the Chinese New Year should be, the majority of the Chinese today have to rely on a typical Chinese calendar to tell it. Therefore, you cannot talk of the Chinese New Year without mentioning the Chinese calendar at first.

A Chinese calendar consists of both the Gregorian and lunar-solar systems, with the latter dividing a year into twelve month, each of which is in turn equally divided into thirty- nine and a half days. The well-coordinated dual system calendar reflects the Chinese ingenuity.

There is also a system that marks the years in a twelve-year cycle, naming each of them after an animal such as Rat, Ox, Tiger, Hare, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Boar. People born in a particular year are believed to share some of the personalities of that particular animal.

A Review of Listen to My Dream by Debi Pearl

The book Listen To My Dream, a children's story about Martin Luther King, Jr, was published in December, 2009. The publisher is Pearl Books, LLC.

The book covers the life of King from childhood through his death in 1968 and is written as a narrative poem. It opens with King asking his mother why he was black and wasn't treated like others. Later, his teacher encouraged him to dream big dreams to help others. He set his mind to do that very thing.

As a 'colored man' (a term for Negroes at the time), he didn't have the same privileges in the south that whites had. Then when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white person and was arrested, King organized a boycott of the Montgomery bus system until blacks were treated the same as others. Eventually in 1956 the Supreme Court ruled that such discrimination was against the law.

The children's part of the book is written as a poem, emphasizing the importance of setting goals and sticking to them. It ends after King's funeral following his murder on April 4, 1968.

Listen To My Dream is a 40 page book written in two parts. The first poetic part, as mentioned above, outlines King's life and influence in bringing about racial equality. Part two gives more details about the civil rights movement and how King influenced it; this part is written as a narrative and has no pictures.

Debi and Michael Pearl drew all the illustrations for the first part of the book. At times the poem only hints at something and then, a detail is given on the picture. An example of this is the statement that it was his teacher, Miss Lemon from Oglethorpe Elementary who prodded him on to have a dream and believe in it.

The focus of the book Listen To My Dream is on King's part in bringing about civil rights. In that Martin Luther King should be recognized and remembered.

B Boy The End / KYS - Gamblerz Crew

This video is A little tribute to B boy The End, Powermover To Gamblerz Crew Enjoy



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMC_epG9zxo&hl=en

SOULTRAIN FREESTYLE 2010~!!

2010 B-BOY CLAN " SOUL TRAIN" FREESTYLE AT GAMBLER'S STUDIO HEAD: NOODLE BEZIT , STILL , ROCKET , RUSH , POP , YS , JY , MONSTER KING , BIG ROAD , BLAST , NEMO TRANCE , ZESTY



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQRI-6WJOrg&hl=en

There is More to Eoin Colfer Than Just Artemis Fowl

While it's correct that Eoin Colfer is more known for the Artemis Fowl series, he is a man with superb control over diverse subjects which appeal to young adults all over the world. The Artemis Fowl character, however, remains his golden boy who consistently delivers hits for the author. The minds of the children from all over the world are today filled with the images of fairies (with mechanical wings) and flatulent dwarfs due to the fascination spell cast over them by the Artemis Fowl series author Eoin Colfer.

Airman

At the same time, we cannot forget he has also produced other well written books with the same appeal that have always attracted the young readers (though Artemis Fowl attracts them more). The title Airman by Eoin Colfer is about the life of Conon Broekhart who has been framed for the murder of the king. But Conon is no pushover and he escapes using a flying device which was designed before he was sentenced. He wants to prove that he is innocent and also wants to catch the person responsible. Just like Artemis, Conon is also a brilliant mind though there are no fairies around him.

The Supernaturalist

This is the story of that time from Eoin Colfer when unpolluted environment, space and sun have become scarce commodities. Satellite systems are used to manage the cities in which even buildings are rotated to achieve certain ends. The problem is, satellites are failing and people are dying. There is no welfare program going on in the cities and everything has to raise its own funds to survive in the world. Abandoned child Cosmo Hill lives in an orphanage where children are used to test products for companies. The testing also results in injuries and illnesses though nobody really cares what happens to them. The readers will find continuous action in the book, and you get a strong and gripping story of good versus evil.

The Wishlist

The Wishlist is the story of Meg Finn who is in trouble after she tried to rob a person with a partner in crime. The partner, Belch, his dog and Meg - all die in an explosion. Meg's soul hangs in between heaven and hell and she is given one last chance by God to go back to earth and help the last person she hurt.

Maximum Crew VS Gamblerz Crew - BOTY Korea 2009 (Part 1)

Maximum Crew VS Gamblerz Crew at Battle Of The Year Korea 2009 event. Subscribe and more will be coming soon....



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ktPfl3oYw&hl=en

Tall Tale Heroes - Special Heroes

Throughout history, there have been many heroes about whom stories have been written but a tall tale is a special kind of story which is mainly based on a hero because they are unique and stronger than the people in real life. The heroes sometime have a special kind of power and energy to fight and solve any kind of problem in a simpler and funnier way which is actually hard in real life.

Children find tall tale heroes real and they can even find a tall tale hero in them therefore, it is essential to bring a hero in front of them so that they can learn something good from them and delivers the knowledge and energy that they need in real life.

Well, hero can be a man or women. So, you can accordingly choose a hero for your child and tell them the story so that your child learns something good from it. Calamity Jane is a famous woman in American tales whose real name was Martha Jane Cannary. She was a frontiers woman and professional scout. The best thing about a tall tale is that anyone can join it and find his/her own character in him.

One of the famous American legends was David Crockett. He is America's greatest heroes and self proclaimed "king of the wild frontier". The famous sayings of Crockett is "before going ahead, always make sure that you are right and be confident of what you are doing". Such tall tale heroes can bring a positive change in your child's life and help them learn something through their sayings and life.

Hyderabadi Biryani at Bombay Palace - Restaurants in Hyderabad

What you see - Right along the chaotic Lakdi-ka-Pul junction is The Hampshire Plaza hotel. The huge lobby leads to a corridor to the restaurant - Bombay Palace. The door resembles that of a palatial chamber. Inside is the small restaurant which has a Mughlai feel to it. The walls have images of Bombay as it was in the earlier years. You are greeted with pictures of the Victoria Terminus, The Gateway of India, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Building. There is a deep sense of nostalgia attached to it. It is really like a slice of Bombay in Hyderabad.

A famous international chain of restaurants serving Indian food in New York, Kuala Lumpur, Budapest, Toronto and London. The uniqueness of cuisine here lies in its adaptation to tastes of the local people. The place, therefore, mainly serves Mughlai cuisine with special Hyderabadi and Andhra dishes.

What you get - The restaurant has a very elaborate wine list. In fact, even water is served in long stemmed wine glasses. On the menu are a delectable selection of Kebabs from Shikampur to Sheek and a very good selection of Tandoori seafood thrown in. Even the roasted Papads are very tangy and tasty.

In the vegetarian starters there is a unique selection of Chaat dishes such as Ragda Patties (an ode to the iconic Chowpatty Chaat) to choose from along with other popular ones like Paneer Tikka, Aloo Wraps etc. The platter is the best choice if you want to savor the taste of all that is on offer.

Coming to the main course there is a very wide range of Biryanis. The traditional Hyderabadi Biryani is prepared in three different styles! Must-try is the aromatic Nizami Prawn Biryani. Then there is the traditional Mughlai fare which includes Murgh Makkhanwala, Kadhai Murgh and seafood like Fish Amritsari with cream.

Our verdict - For a unique experience as far as Hyderabadi Biryani is concerned go to Bombay Palace (sounds paradoxical but it's true). The seafood is indeed one of the best in the city and the service is quite good. The restaurant staff is very courteous and makes efforts to make the guest feel at ease. For a good experience try the white wines with white meats and the red wine with the red meats.

The ambiance complements the food very well with light music playing in the background. Valet parking is available. The place is currently open only for dinner and in the day is available for large or party bookings with special packages on offer.

What you pay for a meal for two - Rs. 650 (without wine).

A Classic Salad Recipe That Even Your Kids Will Love

Summer is a time to relax. Many people enjoy jetting off to the beach, enjoying long afternoons in the warm waters and the cool white sands. However, not everyone can afford that luxury.  Yet, even if you're stuck in the cement jungle, there are still ways to bring the beach to you. An open air dinner party, with a seafood feast is the perfect way to conjure long summer days amidst the surf and waves.

A good way to start out the night is with Alaskan Shrimp Louie. This is a classic seafood salad that makes use of Alaska's fresh and succulent shrimp.  It's also really simple and easy to make; it works well as a starter course or for lunch. Remember, the finer the shrimp, the better the salad, so make it Alaskan.

The ingredients you will need to gather are: 2 pounds of cleaned Alaskan shrimp, shelled, deveined and chilled, about half a cup of chopped green onions, some chili sauce, finely chopped parsley, cayenne pepper, tomatoes, quartered, sliced boil eggs (these can be omitted),  mayonnaise, heavy cream, a head of lettuce, chopped or shredded.

In a medium sized bowl, mix together the green onions, mayo, chili sauce, and cayenne pepper. Next, stir in the parsley and sprinkle on salt and pepper to taste. Add the cream and fold in gently. Arrange the lettuce on a serving dish or on individual plates. Place the shrimp on the plates and spoon on the dressing. Garnish with eggs, tomatoes and lemon wedges.

Shrimp Louie, or Alaskan shrimp Louie in this case, is said to have originated somewhere on the West Coast, perhaps in Seattle or San Francisco. It generally consists of crab or shrimp, lettuce, hard boiled egg and pink Louie dressing.

A modern twist on the Alaska shrimp Louie favors adding a little more spice. Some alternatives include adding Dijon mustard and fresh lemon juice to the dressing. Additionally, avocados and baby greens can easily replace the lettuce and hard boiled eggs. However you decide to make your shrimp Louie, don't forget to use Alaskan shrimp.

Give it a try for your next summer dinner party.

GETITERRDAY

GETITERRDAY BY CG 13 AND DA AWW YEA'S CG is a player for show, he gets mad bitches and he fucks mad hoes. CG-----Fuckin tite ass puss lips err day, big ol sloppy ones up in my fay. Bitches to my right, bitches to my left. titties in my bed tit fuckin all night. i get it i get it... i get ...it every day. big ol sloppy dick up in yo pussay. take my dick out ur puss, lemme squirt on yo face. close ur eyes real tite or itll sting like mace. lemme see dem big ol mudflaps. push it all the way in til you hear my balls slap. fuckin mad hoes til my dick falls off, why dont you grab my balls like the doc and make me cough. who ordered extra sausage on dis meat lovers pizza, ya better be hungry tomorrow cuz der be leftovas in the freeza. cmon on bitch no suck on my cock, my dick so long its tucked in my fuckin sock. get it get it get it err day. he gets mad bitches cg clearly isnt gay. get it get it in every possible way. hes done some weird shit, they memories wont go away X2 BLACK GIRL--oh shit, gon crack up some rc cola in this mothafucka RC--tank on my slank tank tank on my slank, bank on my slank bank bank on my slank. i said hey girl want me to tro you a bone? BLACK GIRL-I dont even no you mister, why dont you leave me alone? RC-cuz i needs my nut and i needs it now BLACK GIRL-well maybe i can help, but can ya tell me how? RC-Get on ur knees and grab a hold of dis dong BLACK GIRL-If i do it just right, will ya talk about it in ur song? RC-Maybe, but first do ur mothafuckin ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRNs2amcbu8&hl=en

Achievement Guide: Kingdom for Keflings

This is a video showing how to achieve all the achievements in kingdom for keflings. This game is a xbox live arcade game, downloadable in the xbox 360 dashboard in the marketplace. This game has 12 achievements worth 200 gamerscore. In the video i use the abbreviation gs, that means gamerscore. The ETAU(the estimated time of Achievements unlocking) of this game is about 7-9hrs. I must say this was one of the easiest games i have 100%. If you have any questions post them in the video or contact me on xbox live my gamertag is Rook BenCarmine.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy-unvt7PWo&hl=en

Gamblerz Crew at K fest allotment 2

Gamblerz crew Preformance.At K-fest Sick Bruce Lee Soul Soy King So Rush Pop Noodle Zesty Furious



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKn6qjrMIVQ&hl=en

Target 2/26/10

What we're doing in the bay these days...Going to Target, attending the Berkeley High School Mens Varsity Home Opener victory 12-11, talking to "Ling Ling", and driving around Berkeley for food.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c27ElkFaw_Q&hl=en

How to Make Delicious Crab Pasta Salad

Crab is a great ingredient for salad. You can add it to green salad or pasta salad to really make it into something special. Crab goes especially well with pasta. The pasta takes on some of the flavor of the crab, bringing the flavors all together. The trick with crab pasta salad is to let it sit for awhile in the refrigerator so all the flavors can permeate the pasta, giving each bite a fabulous taste. You can make the salad earlier in the day, or if you need it for a lunch, you could even make it the night before. Chilling puts this recipe at its best when you are ready to serve, so keep it cold!

You can serve it in a nice serving bowl or turn it out on a big platter on a bed of greens. This is a good dish for a barbecue, picnic, or potluck. It is filling and has great flavor. Making a salad like this is a great idea when you need to make the crab stretch. By mixing it in a salad, the cost of the crab meat is diluted because you can serve more people easily than if you were giving them straight crab. Seafood of all kinds is expensive, but crabs are probably second only to lobsters when it comes to price. Even so, use the best crab you can afford. Second rate seafood will give you a second rate salad. If you can only afford half a pound of good crab, get that and make it stretch by adding more ingredients. Better to have less crab and get a good flavor from it than a lot of crab that tastes fishy.

Stretching your seafood dollar is important, especially if you are feeding a crowd. You will find this delicious recipe does a great job giving everyone a good sized portion. Try different ingredients in the recipe if you wish; for example, if you want the crunch of bell peppers but do not care for their flavor, try adding chopped celery instead. If you cannot get real crab, try flaking some imitation crab and adding it to the recipe. It is very versatile, so use what you have on hand.

Recipe for Creamy Crab Pasta Salad

What You Need

1 (12 ounce) package pasta shells, uncooked
1/2 cup light sour cream
1/2 cup light mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 Tablespoon honey mustard
1 Tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pound crab meat, cooked
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup green onions, chopped

How to Make It

Prepare the pasta shells as directed on the package. Drain and let it cool.

Blend the sour cream, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice and dill together in a bowl. Season with the salt and pepper.

In a big bowl, toss the pasta, sour cream mixture, crab meat, bell peppers, and onions. Cover and let the salad chill until you are ready to serve.

Serves 8.

The "Noodle King"

He had just confiscated the noodles....



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXOEfqi2dM0&hl=en

Asian Affair: Vibrant Vietnam & Sizzling Singapore

I simply love aircrafts and long haul flights. We board award winning Singapore Airlines with about 30 hours to go. With 8 magazines, 6 movies, 4 meals and a sleeping pill, I arrive relaxed and ready to explore. American airports are still not people friendly. Singapore's ultra-modern airport invites you to linger with free internet terminals, a cinema, rooftop swimming pool, aromatherapy spas, oxygen bars, indoor nature garden with waterfalls and koi pond.

I'm escorting my smallest group yet with 28 singles. Over 60 had begged me to offer these destinations, but most bailed last minute claiming fear of bird flu. So it's like a vacation for me with this quality over quantity entourage of culture-vultures.

We begin with an orientation tour at the top of Mt. Farber with spectacular views. I can see the group is impressed with this sparkling metropolis located between Malaysia and Indonesia. Here is the leader of S.E. Asia, a bustling port that was modernized by the British Empire. It's called the "Lion City" and inhabited by 4 million souls. 76% are Chinese and the other minorities blend harmoniously. Singapore is a city, state, capital and country all in one and draws 8 million visitors per year, yet few Americans have yet to discover it.

We check into the opulent Regent Hotel of the Four Seasons. I'm given a suite and swear this wins the award for the most gracious staff on the planet. We've arrived at a perfect time now with the "Great Shopping Festival" on. There is nothing like some retail therapy to soothe our jet lag. Orchard Road, like a tree lined Fifth Avenue is a block away and center of all life. Shopping is the national obsession and bargain hunting can become a blood sport here.

There are 150 mega-malls with some that never close. I'm a label slave and purchase a used authentic Rolex with documents for a fraction of it's original cost. We have only 4 days here. So much to do 24/7, its like Hong Kong on steroids. The Arts Festival is on with a multitude of venues. After dark, it becomes party city at the trendy Clarke Quay area by the river.

We have an astute and friendly guide named Farida who shows us all the sights along with a great sense of humor. We visit the lush National Orchard Gardens with 60,000 orchids, China Town with its markets and temples as well as Little India with its intense aromas and vibrant colors. Then on to the ultra-contemporary financial district, Merlion Park with its landmark fountain and the historic colonial area that was established by Sir Stanford Raffles.

We stop to sip a Singapore Sling at the famous Long Bar of Raffles Hotel where rooms start at $700 per night. Other tours included Jurong Bird Park and the Night Safari at the zoo, considered the best in the world with its free roaming cages for 2500 animals. In free time, we ride rickshaws around town and take the cable car over to Sentosa Island.

Some of us opt to head back to the zoo for a Jungle Breakfast with the Orangutans. At night Terry & I dine on jumbo chili crabs and rice cakes. This vibrant island-state of Singapore is glistening clean with purple bougainvillea bushes lining the highways. All cars are equipped with alarms to sound if one exceeds the speed limit. No graffiti, no gangs and in this tightly "controlled democracy", it's the death penalty for drug traffickers. We all make jokes about getting caned for chewing gum or jay-walking.

Its been a leisurely visit here. I usually feel like Jack Bauer on the TV series 24 on my trips with non-stop itineraries. I feel rested as I board our 3 hour flight to Vietnam.

We arrive to another world with rice paddies, sampans, lotus blossoms, coconut milk and noodle soups. It's like time machine travel back to the 15th century in this graceful land that is steeped in history. It is far poorer than I anticipated. There is however, an alluring charm which is found in the gentility of these people with the sincerest of smiles. I am a fan of the Third World. Whereas Singapore was dynamic, Hanoi is culturally stimulating. The city is studded with lakes and shaded by tamarind trees. It is a dichotomy that bustles with Chi-energy and yet is tranquil at the same time.

We check into the deluxe Sheraton Resort, an oasis of calm amidst the chaos. Our fabulous guide named Hong will be with us for 6 glorious days. His first lesson was in teaching us how to cross the streets. The traffic of 7 lanes is horrendous with 2.4 million motor scooters. "It's called the Chicken Game." Hong says. "Don't run, don't stop, just walk slowly so drivers can predict your direction." That afternoon I stand in fear stranded 20 minutes curbside as this lesson goes against all instincts. There are entire families on a single scooter, called the "Vietnamese sandwich." Everything is transported on these mopeds, 8 piglets, a dozen chickens upside down, a TV, a tree and more. Pollution is bad. The inner city looks tired and worn. Suddenly there's a monsoon downpour. People drape ponchos and it becomes raincoat city. It dissipates as quickly as it began and life goes on.

The sun shined on our daily tours which included the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, the French Quarter and the memorial to Ho Chi Mihn. We line up with hundreds of people to enter the tomb where his preserved body is visibly encased just like Lennon in Moscow. Communist armed soldiers command us to silent reverence, no cameras, umbrellas, sunglasses and arms at our sides. Later we visit Hoa Lo Prison, or Fiery Furnace. Built by the French in 1896, thousands of political prisoners were tortured here until 1954. We view the dungeons with leg irons, torture equipment and "head cutting machies." In the 1960's the Vietcong used this as a prisoner of war detention center for American pilots shot down during the Vietnam War. It was our captive pilots that sardonically named this place "The Hanoi Hilton." We also do a walking tour through the Old Quarter where each narrow lane was named for its ancient craft: Silk St., Coffin St., Grilled Fish St., etc. Hong leads us to a food market with turtles, sea slugs, pig heads and other unmentionable creatures for sale. Thit Chow is dog stew which is considered peasant food here. Country rat is ceremoniously served at all birthday parties.

Most of our meals are included with elaborate breakfast buffets and 10 coarse lunches. Every restaurant is affordable. One evening my dinner menu presented salad of jellyfish, deep fried eel, ginger crickets and sticky rice with tender roasted pigeon. It seems the Vietnamese will eat anything that moves because "it tastes like chicken."

We attend the Water Puppet Show, a ancient art form unique only to Hanoi. This blend of music and dance on water was the source of entertainment of villagers long ago. We then scatter to explore the city, Asia's oldest capital. Some go for massages and pedicures at prices that can't be resisted. Some shop for souvenirs while others have clothes tailor made for them. I have an embroidered silk dress cut to my body in 4 hours for $45. We also visited the handicraft villages for bargains in art, ceramics and lacquerware. The currency is a great challenge for us as $10,500 dong equals 65 cents. We felt like millionaires yet it was disheartening to learn that the annual per capita income is just $320! We tip generously throughout.

Vietnam's pulse is found in its cities whereas its decorous grace is found in its villages. We head out through the countryside for a full day cruise at Halong Bay. The air is fresh as we pass rice paddies, duck and prawn farms. It is rice harvest time and hundreds of rice farmers are bent over their ponds. Timid children wave as we drive by. We arrive at this natural UNESCO World Heritage Site and board our private wooden junk boat. Quietly we sail into a dreamscape that looks surreal. 3,000 islands of sheer limestone cliffs emerge from the emerald sea. There is a timeless, haunting quality to this scenery. Nat. Geo. calls it "magic in stone and water." We enjoy a seafood lunch with fresh caught crab and prawns. It's a perfect day in the sun for escapism and serenity.

The highlight of the trip for me was our group cyclo-tour through Old Hanoi on the last day. We turn a corner downtown to see 28 bicycle-rickshaws lined up to peddle us individually for an hour through the narrow scooter filled lanes of oncoming traffic. There are some near-misses at the red lights which are always ignored. We all laugh as locals stare. Terry at 6'4" is considered huge even in America. Here he looked like King Tut seated on a throne as his 90lb. driver peddles him effortlessly in line with our group. We later go our separate ways for independent exploration. After several hours, I found myself lost in an area of town with no taxis. I had to get back to join others for dinner. No choice but to hire a ride on a scooter. Dressed in a skirt with my arms full of bags, I mount the tiny seat and we're off. On the highway, I wrap my arms and legs around my driver like an octopus. He laughs the entire way to the Sheraton.

We fly back to Singapore for a good nights rest at the Le Meridian before our long flight home to Los Angeles via Tokyo. I reflect on another journey well done with new insights gained on history and cultures. It was like visiting two different planets within one vacation. The contrast of this trip is evident in our photos from the contemporary garden paradise of Singapore to the new renaissance of traditional Vietnam. This is certainly an Asian affair never to be forgotten.

Interview With Lisa Maria Lanno, Author of "The Secret Cave"

Today, Tyler R. Tichelaar of Reader Views is pleased to be joined by Lisa Maria Lanno, who is here to discuss her new children's book "The Secret Cave," iUniverse (2006), ISBN 9780595405855. We are also joined today by Brianne Plach, our ten-year old reviewer of "The Secret Cave" who will ask Lisa a few questions to begin.

Lisa Maria Lanno was born in 1954 in Boston, MA, an only child of first generation Italian-Americans. She was married in 1976 to her late husband, Frank, and they had three children, Genevieve, Joe, and Valerie, born in Hawaii, where the family resided for 5 years. She has one grandson, Jedai, and she has three large dogs who live with her, along with Joe, Valerie, and two cats.

Lisa is trained in motivational speaking and graphology (handwriting analysis). She loves to cook, enjoys her family and has a passion for animals. She makes homemade, healthy dog cookies for her dogs, gifts, and for sale. You can purchase her dog cookies at [http://www.puppylovecookies.com] where some of the profit goes to animals in need. Since age sixteen, Lisa knew she wanted to be a writer. "The Secret Cave" is her first published book, but she has more on the way.

Tyler: Thank you, Lisa, for joining us today. Brianne, I'll let you ask your questions first.

Brianne: Did you have any fun family vacations that inspired you to write about two cousins exploring a mystery on their vacation?

Lisa: That's a good question! Actually, as an "only child," my family vacations consisted of my mom, dad, myself and occasionally other family members. As my parents were in their mid-40's when I was born, all my cousins were much older, which I think helped to cultivate my already active imagination. You think up all sorts of fun things when you're the only kid around!

Brianne: Did you have a cousin close in age to you while growing up? If so, is that who Joe and Ronnie are based on?

Lisa: No, I really didn't have anyone in my family that was close in age, but I did have a friend who lived one house away. She was the more "logical" of the two of us, but was always willing to participate in my "imaginary" adventures. (Maybe that's 'cause she was a year and a half younger than I was, and more easily convinced!)

I'd drag her up the big hill behind my house and she'd play "archaeologist" or "detective" with me. That is, until I fell down the hill head first, broke a tooth, and hurt my foot! Here's one that my kids still tease me about: We'd go to a store with our parents, and off on our own, we'd "follow" people, pretending to be detectives. I had a pen, yes a pen, which I'd talk into, as it was my secret phone. Sometimes when I misplace a phone, my kids will hand me a pen, and say, "Here, use this"!

Brianne: Did you always want to be an author?

Lisa: You know, now that I really look back, I think I always did (when I realized the "Princess" thing was probably out of the question). My first choice was to work with animals, but I'm SO sensitive to them, that I knew I'd take sad cases to heart, which would probably break. That's why I work with them as a hobby and/or volunteer, not to mention all the strays I've picked up in all these years!

Brianne: Do you plan on writing more books like "The Secret Cave" with great mysteries to uncover?

Lisa: Absolutely! I have an idea swimming in my head (and partly on paper), about three teenage girls, who happen to get their phone "wires" crossed. Every day at the same time, they can "listen in" on a conversation between a man and woman. When the woman decides she'd actually like to go on a date with the man, the girls hear more of his conversations, and realize he may be a killer! They have to find out who he is and who she is, before he possibly kills this innocent woman. How's that for starters?

Brianne: What gave you the idea for setting the mystery in the 1700's?

Lisa: Well, when the boys find the "mystery note," and the "diary," there is mention of the famous pirate "Blackbeard." I did my research to find out when he was alive and active. That's how I came up with the year 1710.

Brianne: Thanks, Ms. Lanno. I simply loved this book and hope you write more books in the future. You are very talented and can captivate kids' imaginations.

Lisa: Thank you Brianne, as well. You are an amazing young lady, who can truly "see" what an author is trying to say and do. I truly believe you are going to be an amazing adult as well, and I hope all your dreams come true!

Tyler: Thank you, Brianne, for helping us out. I really appreciate it. Lisa, I understand "The Secret Cave" is an exciting adventure story about seeking treasure and that it involves pirates. Will you tell us a little bit about the book's plot and setting?

Lisa: The book takes place in the summer, on a scenic lake in New England. Two families join in for a fun-filled vacation. Joe and Ronnie, both thirteen, are cousins, their younger sisters, Anna & Emily are eight and ten, while their older sisters, Valerie and Genevieve, are fifteen and sixteen.

The boys take their first day of vacation quite seriously, venturing deep into the woods to collect anything they might find interesting. They have NO idea of the journey that lies ahead. While at the top of a tree, trying to retrieve a birds' nest, they notice something very strange in the distance. They see huge, white rocks that appear to be shaped like a skull. Of course, the curious youngsters decide to investigate. This leads to a number of adventures including: *A mysterious note, *An old cup, *A diary, *Skeletons, *A secret cave, *A pirate named "Spike", *Possible treasure, and *Lots of danger and excitement.

The clues, which are written in rhyme, will have you scratching your head, as the boys try to decipher them. You will feel exhilaration each time a mystery is solved and anticipation as the boys try to figure out the next.

Each day, the boys get closer to solving each clue, while trying to keep their parents and nosey little sisters out of it. Their older sisters become involved and help them plot a midnight adventure that will have the hair on the back of your neck standing up!

At one point, Ronnie and Joe run into a very serious hazard. Your heart will race as they try to escape a terrible fate.

The book ends with some very satisfactory, mystery solving, but just when you think it is over, there is another clue to be found, another secret to be found. It will all be revealed to you in the "Secret Cave Two."

Tyler: Lisa, where did you come up with the idea for "The Secret Cave"?

Lisa: Since childhood, I've always been fascinated by mystery and adventure. There was a hill behind my house, where I'd play and pretend I was on some adventure or another, even trying to find dinosaur bones in my yard. My poor mother had to deal with me digging in her garden! I also lived near the ocean and would imagine what it was like hundreds of years ago, and would make up places where there would be a secret caves that hid treasure, but it was a trip to Disney World that made the pirate theme stand out. I took my kids on all the rides and simply fell in love with the "Pirates" ride. As we rode through (over and over), a story started to emerge. I pictured my kids going on an adventure and finding treasure. Maybe I was living my imaginative fantasies through them. I wrote a draft of the story years ago, but didn't do anything seriously with it until now.

Tyler: What is your favorite part of the book, or what do you think is the most exciting part of the mystery?

Lisa: I'd have to say that I have three favorite parts that I consider most exciting. The first is at the beginning, when Joe and Ronnie literally stumble upon a skeleton hand, the remains of the first pirate in the cave. Although they already knew there was some sort of mystery, this is a part that makes you "hold your breath" and wonder what is going to happen next. Is someone going to pop out and "get them"? Are the boys going to run, or continue on? Now they know for sure it's going to be more frightening than just finding an old note or dented cup.

The second part is when there is a cave-in that traps the boys. They think things are just fine until they realize they have a limited air supply. The more frenzied the boys become, the faster your heart will beat as you read!

The third part is the ending (which, of course, I won't reveal). In the last chapter, even though the mystery is "solved," you, as the reader, know there is something that isn't quite right. Something in your stomach will say to you, "There's got to be something missing here." When you see a brand new mystery unveiled, your excitement will build, making you want to find out what will happen in the next book.

Tyler: What do you feel sets "The Secret Cave" apart from other children's books that involve mysteries and adventure?

Lisa: I feel the characters are very relatable to children and the story is quite believable. Readers will actually be able to picture themselves in the mystery. As the clues are revealed, the reader will find that he or she will be thinking about what each clue could mean and how to solve each riddle, as well as how to get out of the jams the characters find themselves in.

I'm "all about imagination" and creative thinking, and this book will make people, young and old, use their imaginations. The best part is, you don't even realize you're doing it! The questions that the characters ask each other will prompt the reader to immediately respond, mentally, and make choices in their own minds as to what "they" would do in the same situation. If that doesn't do it, the "Stop & Think" questions at the end of each chapter will certainly spark your imagination.

Another thing I tried to accomplish while writing this book was to keep it neutral. There is no mention of any holidays (for anyone of any religion) and the characters are simply described by hair & eye color. Although I did have people in mind while writing the book, I want kids to be able to see themselves. Example: "Joe" is simply described as having very dark, curly hair, dark brown eyes, and a darker complexion, which is exactly what my Italian son has. However, any boy of any race might be able to picture himself as the character. There goes the "imagination" thing again!

Tyler: Lisa, your descriptions of how children will be able to see themselves in the characters reminds me of how children will play out their favorite roles. For example, I remember pretending to be characters from Star Wars as a child. I have often thought that imaginative child's play was an early form of my becoming a writer. Besides digging for dinosaur bones, what kind of an imaginative world did you live in as a child, and how do you think that has influenced you as a writer?

Lisa: Well, one thing immediately brings me right back to being quite young, maybe six or seven. I would watch TV at night with my parents and many times, fall asleep on the sofa. But, it was NEVER a sofa to me. Sometimes, I was flying high above the ground on a magic carpet, or on a raft in the ocean. I would wrap my blankets so that they formed a fin, pretending to be a mermaid, floating on the ocean floor. Even something as simple as a bath towel wasn't a towel to me. It might have been a long, flowing gown, and the towel on my head was long, beautiful hair. Of course, I was a Princess in Hawaii!

At about age nine (boy, you sure are jogging the memory banks), I started watching any detective mystery I could find and by age eleven, there was a short lived TV series called "Honey West" with Anne Francis as the beautiful detective. That did it, and I've loved mystery and adventure ever since.

On a more educational note, at age nine, I was fortunate enough to see the actual "King Tut" exhibit at a Boston museum. It was the most fascinating thing I'd ever seen, and I think that's when I stopped looking for dinosaur bones and started hoping to find some kind of ancient treasure. (There goes mom's garden again!)

Always being able to make things up and "see" through my mind's eye has certainly been an influence in becoming a writer, aside from the fact that I always did like to write, even as a youngster.

Tyler: Lisa, am I correct that the children in the book-I noticed they share your children's names-were inspired by your own children? What was your children's reaction to their mother becoming an author and turning them into characters in a book?

Lisa: The children in the book are based upon my own children, and "Ronnie" is actually my sons' best friend (to this day). His name is also "Joe," so we used his middle name. It's so much easier to "picture" your characters if they are real people, and trust me, the kids really act like the characters in the book. "Anna and Emily" were based upon stories told to me by a friend about two lovely sisters, with very different personalities.

My "kids," now in their twenties, think it rather amusing to read about themselves as they were over ten years ago. They laugh at the characteristics of the children, seeing their own personalities as youngsters. There are some differences, however. Valerie is actually "the baby" and Genevieve is the eldest, with Joe stuck in the middle. In the book, Valerie is older than Joe. I have "thumbs up" from all three.

Tyler: Although they usually pretend to make everything up, writers typically do draw on real-life experiences they have had, and it sounds like you've done the same. What challenges or difficulties did you find in taking people you knew and recasting them into fictional characters? For example, what made you make the changes in the children's ages or sibling order?

Lisa: Taking my real kids and casting them into roles wasn't too difficult, because I kept their personalities (flaws included) as they really are. The younger girls I did have to "make up" a bit more, as I don't know them personally. I got some basics and built on how I think they'd interact. As for the ages: I thought that 13 would be good ages for a believable adventure. The boys aren't too young, yet not too old. I wanted younger sisters so that younger readers could relate, and there had to be the annoying older sisters to antagonize the boys. I changed the ages of my girls because I'd already decided on the boys' ages and didn't want to cast Valerie as the younger sister. I liked her better as a bit older.

As for "real life" experiences, I WISH I could have done the things the kids in The Secret Cave did!

Tyler: Lisa, I understand "The Secret Cave" is not just a straight story, but has educational supplements included. Will you tell us a little bit about those?

Lisa: Of course! I feel it has a lot of educational value. I put in the "Stop and Think" section at the end of each chapter to ignite the imagination of the reader. The questions are not the typical "what happened on page 2" questions, rather, questions that will make you think. "What would YOU do in this situation?" "What would you have happen if YOU wrote the book?" "Do you think there is danger ahead? Should they check things out?" "Why do YOU think this or that happened?"

I'm not asking the reader to predict what I wrote, but to think of how they would tell it if they were writing the book. My imagination told me what to write and it's fun to find out what your imagination will tell you to write.

I have also added a "Vocabulary Section" at the end of the book. Vocabulary words are in bold, italics throughout the book, helping youngsters to learn and appreciate new words. The younger readers may just learn the meaning. A mid-level reader may learn the meaning and spelling, while the higher-level reader might learn the meaning, spelling, and be able to put the word into a sentence. I feel it's a good learning tool for teachers and parents, as well as the children themselves.

Tyler: Why did you decide to include the educational supplements? You mentioned they are not the "typical" questions, but ones that make you think. Did you feel some of the reading materials used by schools was deficient?

Lisa: Although I'm not as "in tune" with the school system as I was when my children were young, I decided to put the educational supplements in for various reasons. My main focus is on the youngsters and helping them to "see" in their minds eye, as I did.

I also wanted the book to be appealing to parents and teachers, as well as the students. Everyone wins this way! The kids get a mystery to read and help solve, and the questions are really just prompts to help them to learn to do just that. Same with the Vocabulary Section; kids can look up words on their own, or a parent/teacher may want to use them as well.

As for reading materials being deficient, I really couldn't say, but believe that things in the schools are fine. What I do know is that there is a lot of testing done these days (MCAS, I believe) and many teachers say that there is less room for creative writing. his way, they can get a little of included in their reading.

Tyler: I understand you actually work with schools and reading programs. Would you tell us a bit about your work?

Lisa: Certainly! I am presently working with libraries, schools and bookstores, with Author Readings, Motivational Talks, and Creative Writer's Workshops. I have my own little "twist" on the traditional "author reading." I'll generally read the first chapter of "The Secret Cave," and ask one of the "Stop and Think" questions to the audience. (Hint: it's about several, huge, white rocks in the distance that are shaped like a skull). They get to tell me what they think the white rocks could be. The responses are amazing! There's everything from "monsters," to "Indian burial grounds," to "doorways to other dimensions," to "ghosts and goblins," or "dinosaur bones." Everyone has something different to contribute.

Now that they are enthused and having fun, sharing ideas, we'll talk a bit about motivation and how to apply what they've just learned to every day life. Some youngsters don't find it as easy to write as others, but now they know how easy it is to imagine, which is all that is needed to start the process! I'll work this into a motivational talk about life in general. Then, they can ask any questions they'd like.

My goal is to have the young ones feel good about reading, writing, and about their self worth.

The Creative Writer's Workshops that follow are also very interactive with what I call "brain exercises." Example: Children (and grown ups) are asked to picture themselves under a table, with a black sheet over it. I ask them questions like: "Where are you?" "Are you inside or outside?" "Who are you?" "What noises do you hear?" From there, we learn how to add and build to our story, and how to conclude. There's a lot of audience participation and youngsters "feed" off of each other's ideas, creating a very energetic atmosphere. I also have "exercises" for younger children involving drawing, rather than writing. As of September 2007, I'll be teaching an eight-week course to children ages 6-12. By the end, they'll all have their own stories completed! You can see the website, http://www.SecretCave1.com for more details about my work.

Tyler: Lisa, you've mentioned imagination several times. A lot of parents think what's important is math and science, and when school budgets are cut, it's usually the arts, which allow children to express themselves, that are the first to go. Why do you think having strong imaginations are so important for children and for their growth into adults?

Lisa: Well, I believe math and science are very important, and necessary, but why take the things away that make us who we are? We all need to learn to read and write, learn math, etc, but our imaginations are "our own." They make us individual and unique, something that cannot be taught in a math class. For example, there may be a child who loves science, but with imagination added, he/she may become a great inventor. With imagination, there is truly no limit.

Sometimes as adults, life gets difficult. I've heard many people say that when they are stressed, they just "picture" themselves on a beautiful beach somewhere, with the gentle wind blowing on them, while they soak up the rays of the sun. Our imaginations can be of a healing nature as we mature and "take us away" at times. Now maybe some of those people will take it a step further and paint a lovely picture, write a poem or even find that pretty beach to photograph. It all leads to positive things.

Tyler: Lisa, how has imagination helped you in your journey through life?

Lisa: As I mentioned, we are all unique, we all have our own special abilities, and I was blessed with a vivid imagination (although don't ask me for directions or to balance a check book). I struggled in school with math and science, but any English and/or writing project was not difficult, with creative writing being very easy. Knowing I had this one good ability got me through feeling rather "dumb" when it came to other subjects. I focused my goals on what I was best at, and it all involved imagination (cooking, art projects, writing, painting, and newly added, web design).

What I didn't realize was how it can help give confidence in life as a whole! I may have to work harder at math than other people, but I know I can do it if I try.

Another way it's helped is with my own children. As an example, when they were very little, (1, 3 & 5), I had to think of inventive ways to entertain them all together. I'd cut different shapes out of construction paper and have the kids glue them to make faces. While one child learned words, one would learn colors, and the other learned shapes. So, imagination helped us all (and kept three little ones all at one table!)

Tyler: Lisa, what do you find most rewarding about being a children's author?

Lisa: I find it most rewarding to be able to reach children as an author, an educator and as a motivational speaker. I truly feel that if the kids have self-esteem, they won't need all the "bad" things the world has to offer.

I completely enjoy my talks and workshops, no matter how many or how few are in attendance. In a recent workshop, a mom with two very creative daughters said she was very "mathematical" and had "no creative abilities." After the workshop, even she realized she could find her creativity and help understand her girls better. Now, that's rewarding!

Tyler: Lisa, did you always want to be a writer? What influenced you in choosing to become an author?

Lisa: I have always been creative and as I got older, I found that putting things into words was the easiest and most natural way for me to create. For example, I can paint, but it takes a lot of effort. Writing comes naturally to me and I absolutely love it. Everyone has some natural talent; they just need to find it. I've had serious thoughts of becoming an author for about 15 years, but I guess now was the right time to do it.

As for becoming a "real" author, I was at a turning point in my life. My husband passed away suddenly, and of course, that brought some difficulties. I had a choice: get a job that I'd probably be unhappy with, OR go for my goal. I decided to "practice what I preach" and go for it. It's taken a lot of work, but if you believe in yourself, you can do it! If you can be happy with the work you do, then every day becomes a wonder, rather than a task.

Tyler: I understand "The Secret Cave" has a forthcoming sequel. Will you tell us a little bit about what we can expect from the sequel?

Lisa: It will be the same cast of characters, this time, with more involvement from the sisters, now that they are aware of what's going on. Although the first book has an actual ending, I threw in a cliff-hanger for everyone to think about. The children will return to their vacation spot, this time as "celebrities," but they will secretly be trying to solve a huge mystery without letting anyone else in on it.

This one will be a little more "creepy," with plenty of secrets and adventure, chills and thrills, and dangerous escapades. The pirates will "visit" the kids, (I won't tell you just how), but are they really visiting the children, are the kids dreaming, imagining, or are there ghosts? Once again, the "Stop and Think" questions will make you wonder.

The ending will surprise you, as it's not what you would completely expect. I'm not 100% sure yet, but I may add a character or two. See, I have this habit of first writing the beginning, then the ending, and then filling in the middle!

Tyler: Lisa, before we go, would you tell our readers a little bit about your website? I checked it out myself and saw that it contains several attractions for your young readers.

Lisa: Oh yes, the website: http://www.SecretCave1.com I'm very proud of it because I designed it myself and do all the website work. My new motto is "you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!" (Remember, I'm over 50 and learned web design without any instruction).

I have two "kids' pages" so far, with animated clipart that relates to the book, with questions and quotes from the book as well. There is a page for jokes and facts that I update each month, keeping youngsters aware of historical events of the month, as well as family friendly jokes (for kids, by kids), all with corresponding clipart. More kids' pages are in the planning stages.

There is a calendar listing of events, photos of events, and my family, press and reviews, tips for teachers, parents, and a "motivate" section. I've made it quite personal with family photos, because I want children to see that I'm a "real, normal" person with a regular life.

Tyler: I would say you're normal, yet extraordinary, Lisa. Thank you for joining me today. Before we go, do you have any last words you would like to say to your young readers?

Lisa: First, I would like to say to Brianne: "Thank you" for seeing the value in "The Secret Cave." I'm so happy that you enjoyed it. You are a very smart young lady!

To the youngsters: Here's a quote to remember (although I didn't make it up)

"Whatever the mind can believe, it can achieve."

Keep that attitude in all that you do.

As for "The Secret Cave," please get out of it what is best for YOU. Perhaps it will inspire you to write, or just take you away on an adventure. Maybe you'll become a treasure hunter! Please enjoy, and happy reading!

Tyler: Thank you, Lisa. I hope you have lots of success with your future books and the kids love them even more than they already love "The Secret Cave."