I just found this AT&T site that translates words using a internet voice. The cool thing about it is you can make up words and sentences and it will pronounce them.
Give it a try! Get crazy!!
http://www.research.att.com/~ttsweb/tts/demo.php
Still waiting! Aislinn's due date has come and gone and no sign of giving birth. We have tried just about all of the conventional and non-conventional methods that are supposed to "induce" the process, but nothing yet! The only thing I can think of is to take Erin 4 wheelin in the Jeep, maybe we can shake her loose?
Oh well, I guess she just isn't ready yet. Maybe she is just holding out for April because the diamond is the birth stone.
Check back soon!
Something my wife and I are passionate about is saving the environment and we both want to pass that on to our kids. Part of my "Project Overhaul" ( see March 15th post ) is going to include some new products and services built around reducing the "Carbon Footprint" for our business. A small business with less than 10 employees can produce 70 tons of carbon per year! One quick change we are making is using 100% ( not standard 30% ) recycled paper for all of our literature that we hand out to our clients. It may seem small but it has a huge impact on the eco system. You will also notice the new widgets to the right of my blog. I found these via JAG Studios, they are a great way to educate and increase public awareness on the issue of becoming Green.
We also want to promote local farms and health markets as well. Buying from local produce farmers, especially organic farmers, helps the community and gives back to the Earth. My wife Erin always says, "spend the money now on the healthy clean food or spend it later on the medical bills".
Check out Nature's Gocer if your in the Vernon Tolland area. Our good friend Alison's parents Bob and Sue just opened up a health food store specializing in gluten free baked goods. It's a great place to grab a bite for lunch as well!
The whole point of this is to become as carbon free as one possibly can. Every little bit counts! We will be joining the Carbonfund.org program in the near future, we feel it's the least we can do for on part. We hope you all will find a way to support the cause as well! Every little bit counts!
Tip #1 - Bring reusable bags with you to the grocery store to carry your goods. Imagine all the paper and plastic you will save. Not to mention, stores like Whole Foods will give you .05$ for every bag you bring!
Just a little food for thought! I will be updating on these topics regularly so check back for future updates.
I just thought I would right a little post about things I use for inspiration in business and more importantly, family and life. I had a roommate when I was in the military (Navy) who I am still friends with who would right inspirational phrases on sticky notes and hang them everywhere. I always asked why he needed them and he would tell me "when life gets too crazy, you tend to lose your focus on your goals, they help me get back on track". 10 years later I find myself following his footsteps in this matter. Not to ramble on, but........ it is very easy to loose track of your direction, especially with a 2 year old and one on the way in oh about 7 days give or take. However, I am Uber excited!
So anyway, (trying not to let my adult ADD get the best of me, the purpose of this post)???? In my office I have a few quotes hanging on my walls just to remind me of where I am and where I want to go. The one I find myself referencing the most is by Henry David Thoreau, it goes...........
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined".
Simple yet powerful!
This is an instant confidence boost and it revitalizes my imagination!
Another that just popped into my head is by none other than Thomas the Train. Yeah, that's right, my son Keegan has brain washed me with Thomas the Train! In an episode when the train Mighty Mac can't figure out how to get to the station to pick up the vacationers, Thomas tells him-
"look where you want to go and follow the tracks that will lead you there"
Again, simple yet full of truth and meaning. Go figure!
This one makes me stop to see the whole picture and take everything for what it's worth. Giving me the vision to see the right path I need to take.
Anyway, just a little insight that may help, it does for me:) What's hanging on your walls??????
I started a project yesterday I call "overhaul" because that is exactly what it entails in reference to my business. In the coming months I am going to be launching a brand new website equipped with a new color scheme, new name (Eric Foley Photography or Foley Photography) and a custom designed logo by my great friend and killer designer John Cottle from Cottle Multi-Media. The focus is going to be on branding and marketing and it will be in conjunction with the work shop I am doing in August by LaCour studios in Atlanta, GA.
I also have a secret side project in the works that my lovely wife Erin is helping me out with. It's something that we have wanted to do for a while and now we finally have the time. It has to do with some new products and services we are going to offer, I can't wait!
12 days to our daughter Aislinn arrives, the anticipation is killing me!
Here is a vintage effect using a trio of Steve DePino's Pro Actions, actions used: Mystery @50%, Super 8 @50% and Ultimatum @65%. The best things about actions are that you can creat your own custom look or feel.
I did add a light texture @ 11% to complete the deal!
Well I have been working on a few actions lately and I just finished one today:) The challenge is creating one that is different from what everyone else is doing. I don't proclaim to be a Photoshop wizard but I have been learning a few new tricks lately. This action was inspired by my collection of vintage Sports Illustrated magazines, hence the name. I have some real classics, I'm talking the "Miracle on Ice issue" of 1980, covers with Dr.J, Bird vs. Magic, and Nolan Ryan. They all range from the 70's to the 80's and the images all have that classic muddy kinda grainy feel with muted colors of magentas and blue undertones. So This one will grace the portfolio this wedding season (sparingly of course), we'll see how it works out!
I should have a few more that should be done soon so stay tuned!
After seeing an image on Carla's blog of shoes with a texture applied, I was inspired to dig out a shoe shot from a wedding I shot this past February 2nd. She is the master of the shoe shot! I applied a few actions and 2 texture overlays. I need to use them more often, they just have such a cool feel. What do you think?
Well today I spent about 2 hours at the Mac Store in the West Farms Mall trying to get as much info as possible on the iMac and the Mac Pro. Yes, I currently use a PC (please don't tell anyone!) and I've finally decided to switch. The one factor beside all of the other obvious advantages that put me over the top, was for $99. I will get a 1 year, 1 hour a week, one on one class on my Mac with a "Mac Tech" at the store. After all, I think fear was the only thing in my way to begin with.
So now to decide, iMac or Mac Pro? Well, for the future en devour of my business, I think I would choose the Mac Pro, how ever, at $4,600. It's a little hard to swallow. I know it will be better in the long run so I will probably ignore that screaming sound that is coming from my wallet when I say $4600 DOLLARS!
Anyway, If anyone out there can shed some insight on the matter, please do! It would be much appreciated.
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