Maccas Super Blog

My mother never took a photo that did not have subjects with bright red eyes or a plant growing from out of someone’s head. It must be genetic because I started out that way. Mother’s pictures were always taken from too far away. She was the only one I know of that could get a point and shoot out of focus.Over time, I discovered Adobe Photoshop. It brought out a whole new world for me. I learned a lot of ins and outs of photography. I learned that when you look at a photo, you can never really know whether it was shot in a studio or on location. My extended family is scattered all over the eastern seaboard, from South Carolina to Texas, and then from Massachusetts to Washington DC, Virginia, North Carolina and then back to South Carolina. A lot of this is due to my career with IBM. Did you know that IBM stands for “I’ve Been Moved”?

With the above in mind, I decided to create a website with videos, photos, albums, etc so that the many cousins, grandchildren and grown up kids could see what each other looks like. The results can be seen at http://www.rickblackmon.com.

With encouragement from my beautiful redhead and my shrink who kept encouraging me to visit senior groups, teach in the community college, I finally decided to try to help those that are struggling with PCs. Nearly every home has at least 1. My wife and I are empty nesters and we have three. I am her technical support and I am offering to help you with your PC.

With the proper software, it becomes very easy to remove the cracks or creases seen in old photos. Redeye can be caused by other than dry eyes. Redeye is the reflection of light off the blood vessels in the back of the eye. When taking a picture, you can reduce it by using the redeye reduction feature (3 rapid flashes and a full flash). With software, it is a matter of a couple of clicks ot the mouse and it is gone. Most photo correction software has filters to despeckle, sharpen, erase unwanted items in a picture. You can eliminate an old flame from a picture, if you like. My favorite picture of my wife, dressed to the nines, has an ironing board in it. Using Photoshop, I removed the ironing board and now I have a great picture.

Adobe has some really great photo and video editing software for use with your cheap digital camcorder. Some of it is quite expensive but they have two pieces of software called Photoshop Elements nad Premiere Elements/ Premiere Elements is video editing software. They can be purchased separately or as a bundle. The individual packages are usually $69.95 but I have seen the bundle as low as $99.95.

Find the best digtial camcorder online at the Photo and Video Storeat the lowest prices!

Whether or not your still stuck in the Brett Farve’s Packers era you have probably figured out that Aaron Rodgers is Green Bay’s Quarterback of the future. Many people are turning into Aaron Rodgers fanatics. A-rod as his teammates call him is one of the best players in the NFL and is among the elite in the quarterback position. He is the first player to start his first three games and not throw an interception.

Rodgers was born December 2nd, 1983, in the city of Chico California. He attended Pleasant Valley High School we he gained over four thousand yards in his two years as a starting quarterback. His incredible play led him to setting single game records including six passing touchdowns and over two thousand four hundred yards passing.

Even with his great skills and stats to prove, he only had one division one offer. It was a walk-on offer from the University of Illinois. He turned down the walk-on offer and attended Butte College. It was then in 2003 when California coach Joe Tedford discovered Aaron and his talent as a freshman.

After transferring from Butte Community College to California, Rodgers had three years left of eligibility and became the starting quarterback just five games into the season. He led the golden bears to an 8-6 record. It including a huge upset of the then number three ranked University of Southern California. He also had an important win against the Virginia Tech Hokies at the insight bowl.

As a junior he posted godly numbers that led his team to a number four ranking. The bears only lost one game that season with Rodgers starting at quarterback. In that game versus So-Cal Rodgers tied a NCAA record with 23 straight completed passes. He posted over 2,300 passing that year and threw for 23 touchdowns and only seven interceptions.

Rodgers was projected to be an early first round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft but miraculously wasn’t picked until the Green Bay Packers selected him with the number 24th pick in the first round. Rodgers has spent his rookie season behind a struggling Brett Farve and Packers Team that finished a terrible four and twelve. In his sophomore season as Farve’s backup. He suffered a broken foot in a 35-0 win over the New England Patriots.

He shined bright when Farve went down in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys in 2007, Rodgers third year in the league. Rodgers then threw for over 200 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.* He now has led the Packers to a good start in the 2008 season still without an interception. It seems many people may just forget about that Farve guy.

Aaron Rodgers anything has been in demand. Anywhere from Aaron Rodgers Jerseys to Aaron Rodgers autographs. Rodgers patiently waited for his time to shine and he has taken it by the horns.

There are many things that people look for in a roofing, siding and gutter service provider, as the team at Mastercraft Exteriors knows so well. This is why the president of the company, Richard Spanton Jr., strives to give customers what they want and make sure that they give a positive reference when the job is over. Mastercraft Exteriors has amassed a huge list of satisfied customer’s references that they are willing to share with all prospective customers who are deciding if this service is right for them.

Mastercraft Exteriors has been operating as a roofing, siding and gutters contractor across the United States since 1996, in which time they have built a high level of experience and a solid reputation. As a family owned and operated business, they have a duty to uphold the family name that compels them to use the finest products and stand behind their work with a manufacturer’s warranty as well as their own workmanship warranty. Customers want proof and not a bunch of promises, though, which is why Mastercraft Exteriors offers so many positive references to prove the quality of their work. Brad CCI from Wisconsin gave the following positive reference:

“I would like to take this opportunity to recommend Mastercraft Exteriors as a professional and reliable roofing contractor. Our project at Caravilla was under a major time constraint to finish the roofing by our grand opening the following month. Mastercraft Exteriors completed 94,000 square feet of tear off and replacement of the shingles in about one week. Their workmanship was impeccable and attention to detail second to none.”

Mastercraft Exteriors specializes in hail damage and insurance restoration for residential homes and commercial businesses, with a commitment to building long lasting professional relationships.

“You know your home will be the best it can be with Mastercraft Exteriors” - Richard Spanton Jr.

If you’re like a lot of people, you may have some wheat pennies lying around in a jar or a drawer, somewhere. Most of us have at least seen a wheat penny at one time or another.

Whether you’re a beginning collector looking for information on starting a wheat penny collection, you’re a casual collector just wondering which wheat pennies in your stash might be worth some real money, or you’re a professional collector looking to acquire those elusive key date wheat pennies you need to complete your collection, you’ll find what you’re looking for at the new online wheat penny supersource,
WheatPennyFinds.com.

WheatPennyFinds specializes in wheat penny information and resources, and it boasts one of the largest networks of wheat penny deals available online.For all things related to wheat pennies, visit WheatPennyFinds.com today!

Are you beginning to think about that new golf club to add to your bag? Have you given any thought as to what to get that avid golf fan in your family? Well now would be a god time to pick up one of these beauties. We have uncovered some of the top “Hybrid” clubs on the market. The latest hybrids include the Nike SasQuatch Sumo, the TaylorMade Burner Rescue and the Tour Edge Exotics. These clubs, known as hybrids, are a relatively recent addition to the golf club world, and their popularity has grown because they are much easier to hit for recreational golfers. In fact, they are easier to hit for all golfers, and most touring pros now carry hybrids. The combination of a wood and iron in the design of these clubs makes them easier to get the ball airborne and reduces the negative effects of a mishit. A hybrid golf club has proven, in a very short time on the market, to reduce bad hits and lower your score. We have listed the top hybrids available on the market today.

(1) Tour Edge Exotics XCG

High tech in a traditional looking package. The tour edge features a “brazed” tatanium cup face and crown to the steel body resulting in a clever way to add weight low and the promise of much improved energy transfer. The clubface has a very effective hitting area. The design of the clubhead limits any turf interaction, reducing the amount of “digs” you may have with your shots. Suggested Retail Price…$219.

(2) Nike SasQuatch Sumo

The square head on this club combines with Nike’s “PowerBow” rear weighting technology to deliver an ultra-forgiving and stable club. Shots launch and fly higher than they do with the first Sumo came out with. The lightweight Cryo steel face adds additional pop to the ball. The trailing edge of the clubhead with its single rail allows you to dig balls out of nasty lies. Suggested Retail Price…$149

(3) TaylorMade Burner Rescue

A lightweight dual crown lowers the club’s center of gravity, resulting in higher launching and lower spinning shots. The standard version is designed to hit draws, or shots to fly to the left. The tour version is designed with neutral weighting and produces lower flights, like the trajectory of an iron. The Burner has a light overall weight to promote faster swing speeds. Suggested retail Price…$159

(4) Nicklaus Claw

By moving mass to the hosel, beyond the head itself, the Nicklaus Claw has distributed the weight to provide added forgiveness. The iron-like topline makes it easy to square the club at address. Two rails on the sole plus a center runner reduce turf contact and stabilize the head. a 50-gram stainless steel plug along the sole contributes to higher ball flights. Suggested Retail Price…$99

(5) Adams Idea Pro Gold

Designed for lower handicappers, the Maraging steel face and overall weight placement combine for a hotter ball flight. This Pro tour design comes with a Mitsubishi Javln FX (higher trajectory) or Matrix OZIK (lower trajectory) shafts. This club is not for the high handicapper. Suggested Retail Price…$219

Any of these hybrid clubs will be a great addition to your golf bag. Any of these clubs will make a great gift, any time of year to the golfer in your life. These are truly game saving, score reducing clubs. The Tour Edge exotics and the Adams Ides Pro are suggested for the low handicapper golfer. The TaylorMade Burner and the Nike SasQuatch Sumo are excellent choices for the recreational golfer and are priced just right.

A recent study undertaken by State Farm Insurance revealed some interesting trends in how women view themselves as financial planners, and how they trust the professionals who can help them in their financial decisions. One of the most troubling findings of this State Farm Insurance study was that women are having a hard time trusting the service providers who could be assisting them with finances, savings and insurance. Women revealed in the State Farm study that they trust their doctors vastly more than they trust their financial advisors.

The women who replied to this State Farm Insurance study were asked about service providers they had strong relationships with, and they ranked financial advisors as some of the lowest for going above and beyond what was required of them. Women also revealed to the State Farm study interviewers that they were more likely to wait for a major event in their life, be it positive or negative, before getting their finances in order. The State Farm Insurance study revealed that American women would take more control of their money, however, if they suddenly came across more money, experienced the death of family or friends, became ill, got divorced, lost income, got a raise, or heard of a trend such as recession or inflation.

This State Farm Insurance study, called the Musts of Trust, has found that women do not feel as if life insurance policies are in their budget and they do not always see how important these policies are in order to be prepared for the unexpected. The State Farm study did find, however, that most women insure their cars, their health, their homes and their lives.

State Farm Insurance offers complimentary Insurance Financial Reviews to help consumers find the policies that fit within their budget and provide the best coverage, whether they are women, men or families.

State Farm Insurance is the leader in life, auto and home insurance, and they have been providing consumers with home and fire insurance policies since 1922. In that time, State Farm has learned a lot about the major causes of leaks in American homes. State Farm Insurance would like to provide home owners with some precautions that they can take in order to avoid leaks, and avoid the cost of those leaks. Since ongoing leaks are not covered by most insurance policies, whether they’re from State Farm or not, these precautions can save a lot of money.

State Farm recommends the following preventative measures for home owners:

* Avoid putting too much toilet paper in the bowl or placing any other inappropriate objects in the bowl, such as hanging deodorants and chlorine tablet cleaners. They can accidentally clog toilets, which State Farm reports as one of the biggest causes of leaks
* Check the water supply lines for wetness, bulging hoses and other signs of deterioration on all of those major appliances regularly
* Install hot water heaters next to a floor drain on the lowest levels of the home
* Install water leak detection systems on all your major appliances to monitor leaks, including refrigerators, washing machines and hot water heaters
* Make sure the air conditioning systems are serviced annually
* Replace water heaters every eight to 12 years
* Unclog drains if the pipes appear to be draining slowly, and check the pipes under the sinks for leaks.

State Farm Insurance has developed a Building Technology Research (BTR) lab in order to assist home owners in maintaining safer and stronger homes. The State Farm lab tests building materials and appliances for weather conditions such as hailstorms and hurricanes, as well as other events like fire and water damage. Part of this State Farm program is identifying weak spots in homes for leaks, and educating people about how they can prevent this.

Since 1922, State Farm has been offering consumers some of the most comprehensive and reliable insurance policies for their homes, their cars, their health and their livelihoods. In 2008 State Farm is the leading insurance company for cars and homes in the United States, the leading insurance company for watercraft, and is one of the largest insurers in Canada. The company also offers banking and investment accounts. State Farm has set up more than 80 million insurance policies, investment accounts and bank accounts to date.

The success that State Farm has demonstrated in its 86 years of service is thanks to the excellent employees and agents that have helped build and maintain the company over the years. State Farm currently has approximately 17,000 agents and 67,000 employees. This may sound like a lot, but considering that the company has more than 77 million auto, fire, life and health policies in North America, as well as more than 1.9 million bank accounts, it makes sense. The State Farm team can now boast that their company sits at the 31st spot on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies, proving their success.

The State Farm family of companies is housed under the parent company State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance. The company explains their mission as helping people to manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams. State Farm does everything they reasonably can in their daily operations and over the long term to improve the quality of life in the thousands of communities they serve through numerous charitable works. After having built so much success in the communities they serve, this is their way of giving back and saying thanks for everything the company has achieved.

State Farm Insurance is one of the most trusted names in the insurance industry, one of the most notable corporate entities participating in the philanthropic community, and one of the most esteemed names in the business world.

State Farm Insurance has long been involved in the communities they serve, such as through their Youth Advisory Board, which offers service learning grants for classrooms. And now that the State Farm Youth Advisory Board has added environmental responsibility to the list of issues that they grant social learning grants for, the communities they serve can become even better places. State Farm Insurance is proud to be involved with service learning. This is a teaching method which supplements classroom studies with hands-on projects, addressing pressing community issues and problems.

The State Farm Youth Advisory Board, which consists of 30 high school and college aged youth, will be responsible for awarding $5 million to service learning projects led by students in North America. This includes the United States, as well as the Canadian provinces of Alberta, New Brunswick and Ontario. State Farm Insurance has started a truly unique undertaking here, with youth being completely responsible for so many decisions and resources. State Farm Insurance has given the Youth Advisory Board the responsibility of researching issues that they want to see solved, reviewing the grant applications, and deciding who the money will be granted to.

There are five important issues that State Farm Insurance has decided these grants should focus on to qualify for consideration by the Youth Advisory Board. These are disaster preparedness, driver safety, accessing higher education/closing the achievement gap, financial education and, the new addition, environmental responsibility. In order to be considered for the State Farm Insurance Youth Advisory Board grants, applicants must also be either a K-12 educator in a public, charter or higher education institution, or a service learning coordinator whose primary role is to coordinate service learning projects in a public, charter or higher education institution.

The State Farm Youth Advisory Board is just one example of how State Farm Insurance cares about the communities it serves beyond the scope of their policy holders.

State Farm Insurance is putting their Catastrophe Team to the test right now, as they dispatch this team of experienced professionals to the areas of the country affected by Hurricane Ike. As soon as the areas affected are safe for people to enter, these State Farm Insurance employees enter the area to start the claims process for the victims of this unyielding natural disaster. And since State Farm Insurance has been receiving thousands of extra calls from customers, they have set up additional call centers with newly trained representatives around the country.

To ensure that the State Farm Insurance Catastrophe Team has the tools they need to start the claims process right, they have a fleet of mobile claim handling facilities that have been innovatively designed for their work. These State Farm Insurance vehicles have been moving toward the affected areas in Texas where they are most needed to assist with hurricane victims. As soon as the State Farm Insurance vehicles are situated in their strategically planned positions they provide the resources for claims representatives from the Catastrophe Team to get the ball rolling for customers immediately.

Although so may resources are going towards the claims processing process for victims of Hurricane Ike in Texas, State Farm Insurance has not taken away any of their focus away from victims of Hurricane Gustav in Louisiana. The team that State Farm Insurance dedicated to this effort weeks ago is still working to get all the claims processes. They have simply allocated even more resources to the additional efforts for Hurricane Ike. State Farm Insurance has even hired temporary staff in their call centers to handle the additional claims.

The State Farm Insurance team of agents, claims representatives and catastrophe representatives has already made significant progress with the 50,000 claims filed since Hurricane Gustav, and they will not stop until the work is done.