I MADE MY MIND MOVIE!

It is not as polished, nor as professional as Alexandra Cattoni’s or this example
, however, it is mine.

It reflects My values, My goals and My dreams. And, because it is so personal, I will not be sharing it here (my apologies).

The message I DO want to pass on through this post is that although it took about 4 days, it was relatively easy. Most of the time was spent going through my library of family pictures deciding which ones best reflected the concept I was trying to achieve … and time spent reviewing family photographs, and re-living family memories, is time well spent relishing life!

Procedure

I used Photoshop Elements 6.0 in the “Create” directory using the “Collage” feature. I then pasted my photographs into each Concept page, according to the concept I had in mind. Each page was separately saved and, subsequently, imported into “Windows Movie Maker” (which comes with the Windows Operating System).

I used the “Import Pictures” to import my Concept pages and “Import Audio or Music” to import the audio tracks I wanted to use. Then it was just an exercise of timing transitions (using View Video Transitions) between Concept Pages to the soundtrack.

It was not that difficult and was a very satisfying and, at times, emotional exercise. I am well satisfied with my final product.

Try it!!

Note: this procedure leaves you with a video in *.wvm format which can be uploaded to YouTube.

Check out my Squidoo page as well!

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Here is an interesting use of an iPod (having video capability) I found on the Integrated Success Program“ web-site.

I came across Alexandra Cattoni’s Mind Movie and thought it would work well on an iPod. This is an inspired idea and it should not be that difficult to make one for yourself. I am going to make one for myself, that is a certainty.

The vision board idea was mentioned several times in “The Secret” and so you may have come across the idea before. However, the vision board is static. The Mind Movie is more dynamic in that it involves more of your senses (vision and hearing) and can be made to develop a stronger emotional response through your choice of music. Furthermore, you can change out both the pictures / photos and the music as your goals change / evolve.

It is a very exciting concept and easy to implement into your life.

I think this is a very powerful technique for Goal Setting.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and, more to the point, I hope you make one for yourself and your individual goals.

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While the “virus” is, reportedly, little more than a prank, can access only “jailbroken” iPhones and, to date, has only reported from Australia, it’s effect is relatively trivial. It is the significance, however, that is very …., well, significant.

A “jailbroken” iPhone is one which has been “hacked” usually by, or on behalf of, the owner and the jailbrokwn iPhone susceptible to the “ikee” worm are those in which the SSH default password was not changed.

The worm, apparently, does nothing more than change the users wallpaper to an image of Rick Astley (an 80’s era pop singer), with the accompanying message “ikee is never gonna give you up”. Again, nothing too serious but it serves a s a warning that jailbroken iPhones may have a security weakness. Furthermore, there were reports earlier this summer that iPhones might be susceptible to remote takeover through a series of mailicious text messages. Apple subsequently issued a security patch (so keep your iPhone current with the latest software updates through iTunes.

Further information on the ikee worm is available here and here.

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The first cell phone I owned utilized Rogers Communications for service. I held on to it for a grand total of three days because it offered lousy service, dropping calls and poor connections all the time. I live in a small city in southern BC and to have poor service within the city itself, with little or no service between communities, made poor economic sense.

I returned that cellphone and activated one through the Telus network and, although there are some dead zones with regard to service between communities, it’s area of service at that time was significantly better. I have been satisfied with my cell phone service to date.

My cousin just re-activated his iPhone through Rogers and has had nothing but difficulty in getting the plan he wants confirmed and the associated charges consistent with that plan. He has spent hours talking with Rogers representatives, trying to get charges not consistent with his plan refunded, trying to get the plan he wants confirmed … and on … and on … and on.

Now I am sure there are people who have had great service with Rogers (my brother may be one) and are well satisfied with their Rogers plans. I am also sure Rogers has increased the size and reliability of their service area. However, given my past (limited) experience and my cousins recent nightmarish attempts to obtain satisfactory iPhone service through Rogers, I am very excited about the recent announcement by BCE of a deal with Apple to offer iPhone service in Canada.

Once the service is confirmed and available (apparently next month through both Bell and Telus Corp), I will give serious consideration to upgrading my current cellphone to an iPhone 3G or 3GS and the functionality it offer.

BCE Press Release

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Under the proposal, a safe default level of 80 decibels would be placed on devices (such as iPods, mp3 players and (and cellphones that play music

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The Live Happyapp is “A Happiness Boosting Positive Psychology Program developed with Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of The How of Happiness and professor of psychology at University of California at Riverside.

Dr. Lyubomirsky has undertaken research into the science of happiness and gratitude, both common buzz-words in the field of Personal Development. Recent research, however, has begun to document the benefits of an “Attitude of Gratitude” and the corresponding implications to one’s happiness.

In additon, please note that the creator’s are “… donating a portion of every app sale to the Live Your Life Well program, a public education campaign … dedicated to helping people combat stress and promote well being”.

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The Shuffle is now available in blue, green and pink, as well as the existing black and silver versions. In addition to increased colour options, the price has been reduced.

Finally, third party headphones are now available from Belkin, Scosche and Sony which include playback controls on the cord.

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There is now a 64 Gb version of the Touch. The 32 Gb and 64 Gb versions are claimed to be “50% faster” with better graphics than previous models. In addition, you can expect to see a reduction in the price.

Perhaps most significant for the iTouch / iPhone line, there are now approximately 21,000 applications (apps) available through the iStore for purchase / download. The combination of apps in an mp3 player allows users to play their favourite music while playing / using apps. This is perceived to be the most significant factor in the iTouch / iPhone line relative to its competitors (Sony’s Playstation Portable (PSP) and Nintendo’s DSi).

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This latest Nano also has the VoiceOver feature, Genius Mixes (see the post on iTunes 9.0) and an FM radio tuner. Music on the radio can be paused and can also use a “tagging” feature so as to get the name of the song.

The Nano is available in 8 Gb and 16 Gb versions in black, silver, purple, blue, green, orange, yellow, red and pink.

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The feature that will probably be utilized most is improved syncing which will allow you better control over the music transferred from iTunes to your iPod / iPhone. In addition to transferring Playlists, you will be able to transfer by Artist and Genre.

In addition, the latest iTunes release offers “Genius Mixes”, which will take a song you are playing and create a Playlist from your existing Music Library that should go together with that song. Genius Mixes is complemented by Genius, which periodically sends information (anonymously) about your Music Library to Apple, which then sends recommendations (based on other users submissions) for additional music consistent with your musical tastes. This is only enabled if you turn on “Genius” on the right sidebar.

Finally, you are also able to send content from your Music Library, using “Home Sharing”, to up to a maximum of five other authorized computers. This features allows you to share music, movies and TV shows between the authorized computers. This feature requires an iTunes account.

So, download and install iTunes 9.0 and discover the new features.

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