They be rolling...

They be rolling...
Originally uploaded by dewelch

I came across these guys will driving to school pickup. They were having a grand old time rolling through Sherman Oaks on a wonderful spring day.

Olive Oil Tin Ukulele

I continue to be amazed at the wonderful things that can be made from "junk".

What I'm Reading...

Compost by Ken Thompson

A small, yet excellent, book on all things composting. Good information on a variety of methods and Thompson works hard to dispel various composting myths. Excellent layout and photos add to your reading enjoyment.




Finding Water by Julia Cameron

The latest in Julia Cameron's on-going series of books for writers and other creatives.

Cottage Garden in Van Nuys

Cottage Garden in Van Nuys
Originally uploaded by dewelch

Found along my daily walk today.

Living History Day at Los Encinos State Historic Park

Scenes from one of the monthly "living history" days at Los Encinos State Historic Park in Encino, California. Docents dress in period clothes and provide turn-of-the-century activities for children and adults. A blacksmith is usually on-hand to demonstrate the skills and tools of the period.

Elsewhere Online: Recipe of the Day: Pasta With Butter, Sage and Parmesan

I am always on the look out for great, new recipes and this one from Mark Bittman, food editor for the New York Times, caught my eye.

Very simple and it sounds much better than the typical Alfredo sauce.

Recipe of the Day: Pasta With Butter, Sage and Parmesan The once popular Alfredo sauce of butter, cream, eggs, and cheese was a bastardization of this simple sauce, a beautiful classic.

Podcasting and New Media for Writers - Now open for registration

UCLA Extension Writers Program is again offering our class, Podcasting and New Media for Writers, during the summer session. Registration is now open at http://uclaextension.edu">http://uclaextension.edu.

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Podcasting and New Media for Writers

Podcasting and New Media have given writers direct access to a worldwide audience and freed them from absolute dependency on television networks, radio stations, and publishers to buy and market their work. To the audience, new media is "what you want, where you want it, when you want it," while to the podcast creator and producer, it is the ultimate creative freedom. This course covers the current state of this new medium; the basics of writing for it; and strategies for publicizing your podcast and expanding your readers, viewers, and listeners. Guest speakers available via audio and video podcast interviews, live interactive podcasts, and video conferences introduce you to the variety of ways you can use the medium. The course goal is to develop your own podcast based on individual professional or personal needs, interests, and goals. For technical requirements click here. Enrollment limited to 18 students. Additional technical requirements: Students need a recording device with microphone that is compatible with their computer; built-in microphones on laptops are acceptable. Students must have Apple iTunes software and access to audio recording software, such as Audacity or Apple GarageBand, to perform course exercises. High-speed Internet connection is required.

Course Open Reg# T8766U

No Textbook Required

Online Course
July 9 - September 10

$55 nonrefundable.

Rosanne Welch, writer/producer; WGA member whose credits include five seasons as staff writer, executive story editor, and producer on the CBS series Touched by an Angel. Ms. Welch also has written for Fox Broadcasting's Beverly Hills, 90210; Picket Fences for CBS and David E. Kelly Productions; and is the author of The Encyclopedia of Women in Aviation and Space.

Douglas E. Welch, writer and computer analyst, whose work has been published in Wired, MacWorld, and Los Angeles Times. Mr. Welch is a member of LA Podcasters and Friends in Tech and produced his first show, Career Opportunities, in 2004. He has written and produced over 300 individual episodes and conducts podcasting seminars for schools and businesses.

Event: June 1st Photographers’ Rights Protest at Hollywood and Highland

June 1st Photographers’ Rights Protest at Hollywood and Highland

Photographers throughout Los Angeles will gather at the Hollywood and Highland Metro Station to peacefully protest against the unnecessary treatment they have received from security guards(particularly the white shirts), LAPD, and LASD while photographing in public places, and on the Metro.

Make signs, T-shirts, and be sure to bring your cameras(still and video). Sign ideas as well as other ideas should be posted here. We need things that will make us stand out as a cohesive group.

Start Time: 11:00am

Location: Hollywood and Highland, 6801 Hollywood Los Angeles, CA 90028

At about 1:30pm we will board the Metro and travel to Union Station

Start Time: 2:00pmLocation: 800 N Alameda St Los Angeles, CA 90012

Flickr Group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/laprotest/

Contact: info@discarted.com

Starfish from Leo Carillo State Beach

Starfish from Leo Carillo State Beach
Originally uploaded by dewelch

My oldest sister is in from Ohio, so we took the day to spend some quality time in Malibu. After lunch at Neptune's Net we took a walk on Leo Carillo State Beach. We hit it at exactly the right time. The tide was out and there was some great tide pools stretched out along about a mile of the beach. I caught these pictures of one of the several starfish we saw. We also saw crabs, snails, sea cucumbers(?), mollusks and more.

Career Tips via Twitter

Today I started a new daily Career Tips message using Twitter. If you are on Twitter already, you can type follow careertips or visit http://twitter.com/careertips

Career Tips from Career Opportunities

Event: New Media Interchange Meeting - May 28, 2008

Please join me for the first meeting of New Media Interchange on Wed, May 28, 2008 at 7pm

The location is Panera Bread in Studio City

Ventura Boulevard (map)
about 4.30 miles away
12131 Ventura Boulevard
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 762-2226 | phone
(818) 762-5566 | fax

They have several good space indoors, a large patio and free Wifi.

Please RSVP for the meeting using Upcoming.org

Video: Maker Faire - Sand Painting

Computer control, sand and a large ball bearing turn simple movement into art at Maker Faire 2008



iPod Ready Video

Joseph on BoingBoingTV from Maker Faire

We were watching this Maker Faire video this morning and suddenly we saw someone we recognized. Joe shows up at 2:43 at the end of the first segment on the ComBots fighting robots.

Great "long photo" of California Sunset

Sampler: LIVE from the Library - May 8, 2008

A sample of my twice-monthly Internet Seminar from the Sherman Oaks Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library

Event: small is beautiful: an approach to design and business @ Machine Project

small is beautiful: an approach to design and business
8pm, Thursday May 8th
FREE

monome is brian crabtree and kelli cain, a small company creating adaptable, open-source hardware interfaces used by musicians, artists, and tinkerers world-wide. they will discuss their progression from art practice to sustainable business, emphasizing minimalist design, transparency, and local, responsible production methods. their philosophy on sharing information has both fostered an enthusiastic user community and inspired similar endeavors by like-minded designers.

Machine Project
1200 D North Alvarado
Los Angeles, CA, 90026
213-483-8761

[Map]

Long day at Maker Faire

IMG_2724-small
Originally uploaded by betsyphd

Yes, it was a long day and Flickr user betsyphd caught me resting up before the Eepybird guys did their show.

This little rest did me a world of good. Made it through the rest of the day.

Fire Fighting Robot Demo from Maker Faire 2008

Another in my series of video from Maker Faire 2008 in San Mateo, California.

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From the Maker Faire Program Guide...

Tony Pratkanis is a proud five year member of the world famous Homebrew Robotics Club of San Jose, CA. His interests include robots, computer programming, and social insects—especially ants.

Web Site: http://www.formicite.com/bots/



iPod Ready Video

Maker Faire Photos

100_5435
Originally uploaded by dewelch

I took much more video than photos at Maker Faire this weekend, but here is a selection that I did manage to shoot.

Video will be coming out about 1 every day or so, depending on my schedule.

Click for more photos!

Fossil Fool at Maker Faire

iPod Ready Video

From the Makers Faire Program Guide....

About the Maker(s)

Paul Freedman [paul@fossilfool.com]

Fossil Fool / Rock the Bike!

Paul is a bicycle designer and inventor who has worked for 6 years in the Bay Area bicycle community. He invented the Down Low Glow, neon lights for bikes, and has sold nearly 2000 sets to bikers around the world. He also led the nonprofit Worldbike.org to a successful distribution project in Kenya and an appearance in the Smithsoniana.
www.fossilfool.com

Sea Lions at Pier 39, San Francisco

Mobile post sent by douglaswelch using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3