Thursday, March 31, 2011

The Annual Baseball Opening Day Blog Entry

Hi All, Well, I just thought of a new tradition...at the start of each season for all the major sports (Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey) I'm going to have an 'opening day' entry that talks about the various sports... So, here we are - it is opening day for the 2011 baseball season. Lots of baseball fans love numbers and statistics. Click here for a seriously fantastic stats oriented website (Baseball-Register.com). The folks who put this site together are remarkably obsessive, computer savvy and organized. Amazing stats from literally every baseball game ever played. Player stats, team stats and a sort function make this a baseball fans' fantasy website. Speaking of fantasy....lots of baseball fans play rotisserie (fantasy baseball). And why not, with baseball statistics part of the lore of the game it is easy to see why folks have combined computers with baseball to come up with fantasy baseball. Click here for a few of the more popular fantasy baseball websites: ESPN Fantasy Baseball Yahoo! Fantasy Baseball CBS Sports.com Now that you've picked a team for fantasy baseball, click here for a some 'perspective' on your players. Note that there are many, many, many, many more blogs to be read than just the 5 that I've listed below. Why so many blogs? Because they are so easy to create and update. Folks can create a blog in minutes and be up and writing in probably 5 minutes or less. Can you say democratization of the ideas? Some really good baseball blogs include: MLB Blogs - direct from MLB...authoritative and updated often! Baseball Blogs from the Yahoo! Directory - yep, it still works. Why did I include this? Because every major league baseball team has a blog and this link goes to all of the blogs - instead of linking each of them individually. Baseball Musings.com - not so much a blog as it is a website...includes video and, on the right side of the screen you'll see links to other baseball blogs, links to other baseball news websites, and sigh...more links to other baseball tags. This stuff is endless! Egads... Finally, if you know what a depth chart is, than congratulations, you are a seriously obsessed (in a good way, I mean) baseball fan. Click here to see depth charts from MLBDepthCharts.com. Enjoy the links, the season and the games this year. It'll be a very interesting season! Go Mets! Go Yankees! Okay, one last link - here is one of the best odes to baseball ever written - click here for a link to the book from Amazon.com. stu Friends the Farmingdale Public Library on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter by clicking here!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff - For Real

Hi All,

Perspective, recognizing what is important, letting things go...while all these phrases might be cliches, they are true. Heck, that's why cliches are cliches - they are truisms and ideas that folks have been able to put into words.

Frustration, dealing with people, angst, problems...these are all some reasons why people get unhappy and/or depressed.

Alas, some years ago an author by the name of Richard Carlson wrote a book called, 'Don't Sweat the Small Stuff - And It's All Small Stuff

Click here for a link to the book in the card catalog at the Farmingdale Public Library.

Now, I am NOT saying that this is the only book that might help readers give perspective to various parts of their life. What I am saying is that this is a very popular, easy-to-read book - that is well liked by many, many readers. Click here for the link from Amazon.com to the book.

Also notice that of the nearly 300 customer reviews, nearly 195 of them (nearly 2/3 of the reviews) gave the book a 5 star review. Click here to see the 292 reviews - review by review.

So, what makes the book so gosh darn good? Well, with super short chapters - each varies in length from 2-4 pages - and with titles like: 'Make Peace with Imperfection', 'Develop Your Compassion', 'Allow Yourself to Be Bored', 'Let Others Have the Glory', 'Experiment with Your Back Burner', 'Praise and Blame Are All the Same', 'Look Beyond Behavior', 'See the Innocence', and 'Turn Your Melodrama into a Mellow-Drama', you will understand that the book is NOT a high pressure sales job.

It is practical advice on how to live a happier, less stressful life. And you'll be happier too!

Note also that the author created a small cottage industry since he wrote books on the similar topic for teenagers, women, and for families.

One downer though, Richard Carlson passed away December 2006. At least we have these books as his lasting legacy!

Regards,

Stu

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Monday, March 28, 2011

Computer Gaming Websites

Hi All,

It is a bright, sunny Monday afternoon here in Farmingdale! What better way to meet the day (okay, by the time I am posting it is early afternoon) with a post talking about....computer gaming websites.

It used to be - years and years ago - that computer games were looked up on by non-gamers as being, well 'odd' or 'out-of-the mainstream'. Well, thanks to the ubiquity of computers and the internet, that is not the case anymore. Click here for an article that speaks to this fact.

And this article also.

Most of the hardcore gamers who play computer games are probably familiar with the various websites that are available. The bulk of the rest of this post discusses - lists - some of the more popular computer game websites.

Get your game on folks!
TopTenReviews.com - reviews, comparisons and more on computer hardware and of course, computer games

Gamespot.com - whether you've got a PC, Xbox 360, Wii, PS3, PSP, 3D3, DS or other game console you'll find reviews, advice, cheats, Easter Eggs (yes, I know what an Easter Egg is in game parlance...), Editor's picks and more on this site...go to it fellow gamer.

Finally, check out Gamesradar.com for more computer game advice, suggestions, cheats and more!

So...if you like this blog post, you probably know more about computer games than I do...I just pick up some of this stuff from various family members who play computer games.

Enjoy and happy gaming!
stu

PS, check out the Gamestop.com website if you want to actually purchase computer games.

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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Farmingdale Community Summit Exp and Health Fair

Hi All,

Shameless plug for the library entry is coming - you might want to read this. It is very, very helpful, educational, good stuff...

On Thursday, March 24th from 6pm-8pm at the Farmingdale High School there is going to be the Farmingdale Community Summit Expo and Health Fair.

Attendees will be able to meet local sports leagues, civic organizations, local businesses and be part of a Trash or Treasure Antiques Road Show. (Attendees can have one piece appraised by a professional appraiser.)

Also at the Farmingdale Community Summit Expo and Health Fair will be the 'Art of Giving', a Middle School Student Art Show and Narrative, Free Chiropractic Screenings, Free Blood Pressure Testing, Voter Registration and....if you bring books from the Farmingdale Public Libray - fines will be waived for books (only books!)

Finally, attendees will be able to watch and cheer four years olds in the annual Trike-a-thon for charity.

There will be food, raffles, and prizes at the Summit Expo and Health Fair so come one, come all! It is sure to be a good time for all - don't miss it.

Click here for directions to the Farmingdale High School!

Regards,

Stu

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Monday, March 21, 2011

Amazing Scenery and Photographs

Hi All,

If 'a picture is worth a thousand words' the links in this posts will fill a whole encyclopedia!

Check out these amazing photography websites!

Scenery Photography.com
Amazing-Scenery.com
Flower Photography and Flower Photography Part II

Tundra Photography From National Geographic

Desert Photography
Tropical Rainforest Photography

Enjoy the photos!
Stu

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