Pixies And Saint Patrick's Day
Pixies are considered guardians of Nature as fairies, elfs and gnomes. They come from the Viking and Celtic mythology.
And have always been associated with witches, fairies, and druids, because they use them as spies because of their small size.Following the tradition, their magic can't affect someone who carries a four-leaf clover, or an image of Saint Patrick.
The legend tells that Saint Patrick threw the pixies out of the house of God. In the 17th March, the day of Saint Patrick, it is said that the pixies and all the other magical beings come back from their hidden places to make pranks.
That's why in the day of Saint Patrick it's mandatory to carry a four-leaf clover, as it is a protection element against magic.When Saint Patrick founded the first church in Ireland, he invited the Celts to convert to Christianism. The legend says that the Druids, worrying about loosing their power over people, invoked a legion of mischievous Pixies to complicate the life of Saint Patrick, so he leaves Ireland.
The tradition says that the pixies entered the church doing their pranks. But Saint Patrick faced the pixies and threw them out. The pixies were very upset and felt hurt for this offense, and they abandoned the church of Saint Patrick. They never could stand again his image or his name. So in the so called exorcisms of pixies, they use the image of Saint Patrick.Following the mythology, pixies live amongst the flowers and forests. They differ from the gnomes in that pixies have magical powers. Many times, they are depicted as childlike figures.
It is said that the pixies approached human beings because they saw in them a source of fun for their pranks.They are attributed the power of being invisible and imitate the voices of animals. It's also said that they have a very touchy and sensible personality, and are easily offended and can be very resentful. These mocking beings enjoy telling each other their dirty tricks, and laughing hearing them.
These legends of pixies have been a strongly inspirational in all kinds of artistic artworks. William Shakespeare or Goethe did small references to these small creatures in some of their books. In Faust, Lord Oberon married the fairy queen Lady Titania, who was in company of a little pixie. The Gimm brothers give the pixies a more pleasant personality, sometimes helping the humans.
But most of the times, pixies are described by the majority of legends as mocking beings, fun, curious, like eternal children.
-Emma Alvarez-
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Saturday, February 26, 2011
Emma Alvarez Blog: Pixies And Saint Patrick's Day
Friday, February 25, 2011
Saint Patrick Day Traditions
Saint Patrick Day Traditions
Feb 17, 2011 Kimberly Napier
There have been many traditions that have formed over the years when celebrating Saint Patrick's Day. They vary from people wearing a shamrock, or wearing green to looking for leprechauns.
SHAMROCK
There is a legend that Saint Partick used a three-leaf shamrock to explain the Trinity. St. Patrick used the shamrock to show how the Father, the Son and the Holly Spirit can all exist separately; however, they are also a whole entity. Followers of Saint Patrick starting wearing the shamrock on his feast day and it has spread around the world.
LEPRECHAUNS
It is legendary that leprechauns guard pots of gold, however, what do these little people look like? Is it possible to get their pot of gold? Leprechauns look like little old men and dress like a shoemaker. They often wear a cocked hat and a leather apron. They are usually unfriendly and aloof, the better to protect their gold. Traditionally, they are thought to live alone and pass their time repairing or creating shoes for the fairies.
It is said that to capture a leprechaun, a person just needs to listen for the hammering of his shoe making. Once that they are captured it is possible to persuade them to give up their pot of gold; however, if the person who captured the leprechaun takes their eyes off of the leprechaun, it might just disappear.
WEARING OF THE GREEN
Read on
It is believed that school childen began the wearing of the green on Saint Patrick's Day. It is the color or spring, and connected with hope, nature and shamrocks.
Historically green has been used in the Irish revolutionaries flags. In 1919 it was adopted as one of the three colors to be used in Ireland's official flag.
Another reason for wearing green on St. Patrick's Day is that Ireland is called the Emerald Island due to the natural, lush greenery on the Island. Ireland is known as one of the only places on the earth were 40 different shades of green can be found.
FOOD
Many people believe that Corned beef and potatoes are a traditional feast day food in Ireland; however, that was a tradition that was brought to the United States and was spread from there. Traditionally in Ireland on feast day they will have roasted chicken.
LUCK OF THE IRISH
Many people look for ways to find luck on Saint Patrick's Day. If someone is truly interested in finding luck they could try the following:
1. Find a four-leaf clover. These are suppose to bring good-luck to their finder.
2. Wear green. This will help the wearer to keep from being pinched.
3. Kiss the Blarney Stone.
4. Catch a leprechaun, if possible, and do not let him out of sight.
Copyright Kimberly Napier. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
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Check out the New Four Leaf Clover Bear!
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Submitted by Wendy on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 2:08am.Well, St. Patty's Day is right around the corner so it is only fitting that Build A Bear brings us a new bear for the season! Check out the new Four Leaf Clover Bear! Thanks to kassiered for the preview picture!
Luck of the Irish comes in fours
Eketahuna schoolgirl Annabelle Capes, 13, has spent years collecting four-leaf clovers - 160 of them to be precise - and today has more than enough good luck to give away.
The St Matthew's Collegiate pupil and her prize-winning calf, Misty, often wander the paddocks and lawns of their dairy farm home in search of clover - although each, of course, have their own reasons to scour the ground.
"I walk in front of her so I usually get there first," Annabelle said.
"I've found one with six leaves and my favourite four-leaf clover is one a caterpillar nibbled that's shaped like a star.
"I even gave some to a couple of sick calves once to make them feel better. I don't think it worked."
Annabelle has sought her verdant prizes ever since her mother, Diana, showed her a four-leaf clover a dairy farmer had given her as a young girl.
"I have a bit of Irish in me and, after mum showed me her one, I looked and found my own," Annabelle said.
"I remember reaching 50 and thought about getting to 500, so it's just been growing and growing from there."
Only the best clovers make it into laminated cards and her search has persisted despite the odd bit of ribbing from fellow pupils.
"Some others, when they're told, have called me the strange child who collects four-leaf clovers.
I've just kept on collecting them anyway. It doesn't bother me."Annabelle has discovered an unusually rich run of lucky grass outside her mother's bedroom window but has yet to find any in the grass of her Masterton school.
"Dad reckons I've got enough now and I kind of agree.
"But, sometimes, when I'm out walking with Misty, I just can't help myself, and I almost always strike it lucky too.
"I must be good at finding good luck, I guess."
The four-leaf clover is an infrequent variation of the common, three-leaved clover. Such leaves traditionally bring good luck to their finders, particularly when chanced upon. According to legend, each leaf represents something: the first is for hope, the second is for faith, the third is for love and the fourth is for luck.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Praying for Goodluck in 2011
Praying for Goodluck in 2011
AS I walked along the sparsely lit corridor towards the grass lawn, it was increasingly becoming difficult for me to see my way through so I decided to perch on the nearest garden chair. I looked up to the dark moonless sky; there was not a single star in sight. Tonight of all nights, where have all the stars gone? And why has the moon conspired with the electricity company to deny a farewell to the outgoing year and welcome the new one? I asked myself.
I soon lapsed into deep thoughts. My mind went to the predictions for the year 2010. I asked myself, “How many of these predictions have come to pass?” As I was tugging at my memory, trying to recollect and recount, a little boy passed me by. I had with me some boxes of chocolates and I offered him one. He took it, smiled at me and walked away. Something was clearly wrong.
“He is not too young to appreciate a bit of kindness and say “Thank you”? I said to myself. I was to repeat the experiment in giving with four more children. Only one grunted, “Thank you.”
The last one taught me the lesson of my life. He was just about five years old. He took the box of chocolates, gave me a big hug and then he did what was totally unexpected. He dipped his hand into his pocket, fished out a piece of candy and gave it to me. “Papa you may have this,” he said and ran off to meet his mum who was waiting just a few feet away. Stupefied, I called out to his mother, “Why has he given me this?” “That is his favourite candy and the very last one. You must have touched him in a special way to make him part with his favourite candy. Ordinarily he would have just added it to the one in his possession,” his mother explained.
This little gesture changed my line of thought for the night. A little boy giving something dear to him as a way of showing gratitude for an unsolicited gift! Giving is wonderful thing and what we do best. It is natural action that is designed into us as human being.
Research has shown that giving is one of the best things we can do for ourselves, as well as others. Virtually all successful and happy people have discovered the secrets of giving. The gratitude shown by the little boy reminded me of something very important. When you give someone receives! And it behoves that someone to remember to say “Thank you.”
The Yorubas are, perhaps, one of the most generous and effusive in saying "Thank you." A Yoruba man would say THANK YOU immediately after a good turn and as many times as he runs into you that day. The following day, he will say eseunana" (thank you for yesterday's favour) and subsequently, "eseunojo" (thanks for the favour of the other day).
As a young man, I used to wonder if the appreciation was not too exuberant and out of proportion to the favour received! But now I know better. I know you can never really thank anyone enough for any favour so generously bestowed; I know that behind the exuberant appreciation is a subtle message that more is expected tomorrow; I know above all, that there's a depth of love captured in those words that can only be brought to the fore subtly with repetition.
Therefore on behalf of YOU AND EYE, I would like to say THANK YOU, the Yoruba man's way, with all the intended sentiments and expectations to all my readers and donors to the cause of eye care in Nigeria during the past year.
We cannot really thank you enough for your love and generosity. Unknown to you, your little gifts have changed the lives of many people. You have been active miracle men and women.
And if you don't receive a repetition of this note of appreciation every hour; every day for the next 365 days, it is not because I have deviated from the traditional Yoruba style of conveying the message but because I have written it with today’s technology that ensures that it stays permanently in your heart and mind. And I expect you will do more in the year.
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World's Longest Lucky Charm? - Phoenix News Story - KPHO Phoenix
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World's Longest Lucky Charm?
Pair Looking To Set New World Record
POSTED: 3:24 pm MST February 18, 2011UPDATED: 11:11 pm MST February 18, 2011GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Almost 2,000 feet long.Good enough for a world record?That's yet to be determined, but there was one very long lucky charm in Carmel Park in Glendale. Adrian Haiduc and Mirela Harris are trying to go in the World Record Academy by making the longest lucky charm in the world. The lace-sewn lucky charm is made of mother of pearls, pearls, red coral, agate, jade, crystal, glass beads, seed beads, all laid on ostrich and peacock feathers.According to an official measurement from a certified surveyor, the length of the charm is 1,918 feet.There is currently no record for a lucky charm in the World Record Academy.The two friends are not new to this sort of thing.They claim to own the world record for the highest launch of a jewelery collection.The pair believe they will find out in a week if the lucky charm will be certified as a new record.Copyright 2011 by KPHO.com. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Superstitious Taylor Swift jets back to LA with her lucky charm… The number ... - Daily Mail
Superstitious Taylor Swift jets back to LA with her lucky charm… The number 13 branded across her hand
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 1:50 PM on 23rd February 2011Taylor Swift jetted back to her native USA last night after wrapping up the Asian leg of her Speak Now world tour in Hong Kong.
Before arriving at LAX, the singer posted on Twitter: ‘Hong Kong, that show last night was unreal, this tour was unforgettable. I will love you always :) Farewell Asia!’
Swift’s successful show might have had something to do with her lucky charm – the number 13 printed on her right hand.
Lucky charm: Taylor Swift arrived back in LA with the number 13 written across her right hand for luck
Fate: Taylor says that whenever anything good happens in her life, it has something to do with 13
The singer strolled through the airport with the number emblazoned on her skin, which she says is for good luck.
‘I paint this on my hand before every show because 13 is my lucky number – for a lot of reasons. It’s really weird,’ she said.
Taylor explains: ‘I was born on the 13th. I turned 13 on Friday the 13th. My first album when gold in 13 weeks. My first #1 song had a 13-second intro.
‘Every time I’ve won an award I’ve been seated in either the 13th seat, the 13th row, the 13th section or row M, which is the 13th letter.’
The superstitious star teamed up her number 13 with a gold bracelet, a striped top and red skirt, alongside a big smile on her face.
The 21-year-old country singer kicks off the second leg of her tour in Europe on March 6, starting in Brussels.
World tour: Taylor has just wrapped up the Asian leg of her Speak Now tour and will kick off the European leg in Brussels
She’ll then continue down to North America on May 27, before heading down to Australia and New Zealand later in the year.
As part of her Asian tour, Taylor performed in Taiwan, South Korea, Indonesia and the Philippines and made sure to film part of it for her fans.
She posted on Twitter: ‘Toured Asia + had my camera with me = I made a video blog.’
Do you have a story about a celebrity? Call the Daily Mail showbusiness desk on 0207 938 6364 or 0207 938 6683. For U.S. stories, phone 310 642 2317.
On stage: Taylor performed in Hong Kong to end the Asian leg of her world tour, again with 13 on her right hand
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What publicity would having a 13 drawn on your attract! Some of these comments are ridiculous! Taylor has drawn a 13 on her hand before every single concert for the last 2yrs now as a good luck charm. She has it facing that way so the crowd can read it. And I always find my self holding my bag like that so no she isn't trying to show it off! Taylor is a true inspiration. Ok she may not be the best singer out there and no she doesn't have a voice like Mariah Carey but she is a hell of a lot more talented. She has written every single song she has released, she plays many instruments and she has a beautiful voice. Not only is super talented but she is the most down-to-earth, gracious humble young woman i've ever met. She has her fans back and would do anything for them! And i've witnessed this first hand. I think she is amazing, and if you want proof of that check out her new vlog on youtube out today, she has not let fame go to her head and she deserves everthing she's getting right now
- Katy, Leeds, UK, 23/2/2011 21:18
If you see the concert photo, the 13 is for the crowd to see. I wouldn't call that just publicity. So she wants to share that with people, so what? There is much other �performers� out there who want to share much more ridiculous, perverse, etc. things. ie Gaga, Rihana, Minage, They are all sickening to me compared to Taylor. And just perhaps her sweet, fun, nice, down-to-earth persona is actually her real personality. Or are you critics all too cynical to even consider that. Says a lot about you if this harmless, fun, young lady gets you all so upset. And what it says about you is not good. (Bitter, envious and cynical.)
- Greg, Connecticut, USA, 23/2/2011 19:26
I think Guy #13 might be the lucky one! She's almost there!
- Blue, NYC, 23/2/2011 19:17
- joanna, Surrey, 23/2/2011 17:10 grow up... the illuminati theory is complete rubbish... and even if it isnt, taylor swift isnt their puppet, lady gaga is. you're a freak!
- Blair Rose, Ashton Under Lyne, 23/2/2011 19:13
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Thursday, February 17, 2011
Bingo players use their quirks, superstitions trying to win the jackpot - Utica Observer Dispatch
Lisa Barcomb is “the bingo queen.”
Sitting at a table with her lucky charms lined up nearby, she’s playing three cards simultaneously.
Wielding her dauber like a pro, she doesn’t even break stride as she explains that B1, against all odds, always seems to be the hardest number to get.
“Everybody hates that number,” she says, her eyes on the board showing which numbers already were called. “No one likes to wait for it at all.”
During a break, she shows off a total on her receipt from the bingo hall at Turning Stone Resort Casino – 27 games so far this month.
It’s Feb. 9.
Barcomb is not alone in her love for bingo. While smaller games have long been a fundraising staple for churches and fire departments everywhere, its local appeal is bolstered by Turning Stone’s high-stakes operation, which is one of the largest in the country.
And many of the 450,000 visitors who make their way through the bingo hall’s doors each year come armed with a bevy of tips, tricks, superstitions and souvenirs that they swear will help them win.
Some don’t like to be wished “good luck.”
Others try to find a favorite seat, or a favorite staff member, before the game starts.
For 66-year-old Cathy Mattia, of Utica, it all comes down to a green Buddha statue and a jade elephant that was a present from her children.
“This elephant is supposed to be lucky,” she said, pulling the figurine from her purse. “The first time I brought him to bingo, I won $500.”
Mattia said she’s played bingo at least once a week since Turning Stone opened in the 1990s.
The appeal?
“The possibility of winning something big, going out with your friends and it’s just fun,” she said.
Cheryl Kucharek, 63, and her sister, 78-year-old Joyce Lowry, both of Rome, said they regularly arrive at Turning Stone at 4:30 p.m. to get seats for the 7 p.m. game.
“We get a seat and we start getting our cards and things ready,” Kucharek said. Their “things” included a camouflage-wearing Marine bear and no less than half a dozen daubers in different colors.
While the sisters said they come primarily for the social aspects of the game – often with a group of seven, including Kucharek’s husband, Dennis – they’ve also won once or twice over the years. Lowry even took home $1,500 on New Year’s Eve.
“We really have a lot of fun,” Kucharek said.
Not everyone is there to socialize, however.
Robin Green of Rochester said she makes the 2½-hour drive to Turning Stone three or four times a month because it offers the possibility of winning up to $1,000 per regular game, and more than $100,000 on some jackpots.
Altogether, Director of Bingo Operations Bob Larson said, the casino pays out $18 million per year – almost $50,000 per day – in bingo winnings. And unlike many other games, there always is a winner.
“A bingo game takes on a different effect when you’re one number away from winning $1,000,” he said. “That beats the heck out of a church game where you’re playing for $3.”
As for what Turning Stone makes off the game, officials would only say that it accounts for 5 percent of the resort’s total gaming revenue.
The bingo hall also is considered a tourist draw equivalent to the resort’s event center or its many restaurants.
“Bingo is the reason there are casinos,” Larson said.
With that in mind, the Oneidas have invested additional money in the game in the last year, partially in hopes of attracting younger players.
“Cosmic Bingo,” which began in April, is a Saturday night mixture of club music, black lights and impromptu contests that Larson enthusiastically describes as “high-energy entertainment in a bingo setting.”
The casino had to buy new lighting and improve its sound system to make the event possible, but the $10 session regularly attracts players in their late teens and early 20s – compared to the more traditional 45-and-up demographic that dominates other sessions.
“Our attendance is growing rather rapidly,” Larson said of the Cosmic games, which can accommodate about 700 players. “For four out of the last five weeks, we’ve sold out.”
The basic version of the game also is catching on with younger players, it seems. Twenty-two year old Amanda Ladd of Liverpool tried it for the first time Wednesday after hearing rave reviews from her friends.
She hadn’t developed any superstitions yet, but the “fast-paced” game already had her hooked only halfway through.
“I’ll probably come back – a lot,” she said.
UVU women's basketball feeling lucky - Daily Herald
Call it a coincidence, or call it perfect timing, or call it the inspiration, but something's happened to the UVU women's basketball team and all signs point to a 17-year-old Orem girl.
The Wolverines had lost four games in a row and 14 of their past 15. They had just two wins on the season and hadn't won a road game all year before meeting Orem's Emily Austin.
The team met Austin after a practice and posed with her for a team photo, gave her and her family UVU T-shirts and vowed to help Austin in her battle with leukemia as part of their annual Pink with a Purpose game.
UVU coach Cathy Nixon told Austin that she was the team's good luck charm.
How right Nixon was. After meeting Austin, the Wolverines promptly won two road games and this past Friday they followed that up with a win over Texas-Pan American. Suddenly UVU is in the conference chase.
"We definitely have talked about it. When we met her we knew she was fighting a battle, and that she would inspire us," Nixon said. "On Saturday there were a lot of distractions - we were playing in a different gym (Activity Center) - so we really had to focus on what we needed to do, and that was to play a game we would be proud of and that Emily was proud of. Seeing her Saturday was motivating to our girls. We just hope we can do our part to help her with it."
The team is collecting donations for the family and all proceeds from Saturday's game are going to Emily to help her fight to stay alive. Those who would like to donate can still do so by going to www.wolverinegreen.com. Look for a Pink with a Purpose logo and click on it to find out how to donate.
During UVU's three-game winning streak, two players in particular came up big. Abby Beutler scored a career-high 27 points on Saturday, giving her an average of 17.7 points and 10 assists per game during the streak.
Another player who has helped UVU turn things is around is Sammie Jensen, who scored 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, has averaged a double-double in each of the last three games and now has 11 double-doubles for the season.
Robinson on the rebound: In every game Utah Valley University plays, Geddes Robinson will at some point look up to the person who is defending him.
The 6-foot-5 junior may be undersized for a power forward, but that hasn't stopped him from leading the Great West Conference in rebounding at 9.0 rebounds per game.
What in the name of Dennis Rodman is going on at UVU?
You don't have to be a seven footer to be a good rebounder.
"He's intelligent. He sees the ball and he's competitive and strong," said UVU coach Dick Hunsaker.
When asked about his knack for rebounding, Robinson said, "I just try to see where the ball is being shot from and after the shot I tried to time it and try to angle it and attack the glass. Me (Jordan) Swarbrick, Ben Aird and Justin Baker, we just all attack the glass at once. Sometimes I I'll get a tip and keep it alive and Justin will grab the rebound or Ben or Swarbrick. We just all attack it aggressively at one time."
Robinson did it again on Saturday in UVU's 64-42 win over Texas Pan-American, he pulled down nine rebounds.
"I have to give the credit to my teammates. We're all physical players and we all box out," Robinson said. "A lot of times i end up with the rebound, I just keep attacking aggressively."
Robinson is averaging 8.9 points in an average of 27 minutes per game and has helped UVU to improve to 7-1 in conference play.
When asked what his secret to rebounding, Robinson summed it up perfectly.
"I just want it more."
The color of money: There is nothing like getting paid to go to a basketball game. For some lucky UVU students, that's what's happened this year.
They got a check for attending a home game - a check for $1,000.
That's one way to increase their fan base.
The way the contest works is you must be a student to enter and you must be present to win. Each time a student attends a game he or she is entered into a drawing, and entries multiply with each game attended.
The promotion is run as a partnership between UVU and Pinnacle Security.
There have been plenty of stories from those who have won the money. One student used it to buy Christmas for their daughter. One student used to to fly home to see family, one student who was coming off devastating knee injury used it to help withe medical bills.
And finally, one student used the money to have more a college experience.
"The money I won gave me what I needed to move out and finally get my own place, said Matt Hardman, UVU student. "As a student, my budget is stretched pretty thin and something like this can be a real game changer. I even had some leftover and was able to use it for books and school fees."
Feeling lucky
Call it a coincidence, or call it perfect timing, or call it the inspiration, but something's happened to the UVU women's basketball team and all signs point to a 17-year-old Orem girl.
The Wolverines had lost four games in a row and 14 of their past 15. They had just two wins on the season and hadn't won a road game all year before meeting Orem's Emily Austin.
The team met Austin after a practice and posed with her for a team photo, gave her and her family UVU T-shirts and vowed to help Austin in her battle with leukemia as part of their annual Pink with a Purpose game.
UVU coach Cathy Nixon told Austin that she was the team's good luck charm.
How right Nixon was. After meeting Austin, the Wolverines promptly won two road games and this past Friday they followed that up with a win over Texas-Pan American. Suddenly UVU is in the conference chase.
"We definitely have talked about it. When we met her we knew she was fighting a battle, and that she would inspire us," Nixon said. "On Saturday there were a lot of distractions - we were playing in a different gym (Activity Center) - so we really had to focus on what we needed to do, and that was to play a game we would be proud of and that Emily was proud of. Seeing her Saturday was motivating to our girls. We just hope we can do our part to help her with it."
The team is collecting donations for the family and all proceeds from Saturday's game are going to Emily to help her fight to stay alive. Those who would like to donate can still do so by going to www.wolverinegreen.com. Look for a Pink with a Purpose logo and click on it to find out how to donate.
During UVU's three-game winning streak, two players in particular came up big. Abby Beutler scored a career-high 27 points on Saturday, giving her an average of 17.7 points and 10 assists per game during the streak.
Another player who has helped UVU turn things is around is Sammie Jensen, who scored 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, has averaged a double-double in each of the last three games and now has 11 double-doubles for the season.
Robinson on the rebound: In every game Utah Valley University plays, Geddes Robinson will at some point look up to the person who is defending him.
The 6-foot-5 junior may be undersized for a power forward, but that hasn't stopped him from leading the Great West Conference in rebounding at 9.0 rebounds per game.
What in the name of Dennis Rodman is going on at UVU?
You don't have to be a seven footer to be a good rebounder.
"He's intelligent. He sees the ball and he's competitive and strong," said UVU coach Dick Hunsaker.
When asked about his knack for rebounding, Robinson said, "I just try to see where the ball is being shot from and after the shot I tried to time it and try to angle it and attack the glass. Me (Jordan) Swarbrick, Ben Aird and Justin Baker, we just all attack the glass at once. Sometimes I I'll get a tip and keep it alive and Justin will grab the rebound or Ben or Swarbrick. We just all attack it aggressively at one time."
Robinson did it again on Saturday in UVU's 64-42 win over Texas Pan-American, he pulled down nine rebounds.
"I have to give the credit to my teammates. We're all physical players and we all box out," Robinson said. "A lot of times i end up with the rebound, I just keep attacking aggressively."
Robinson is averaging 8.9 points in an average of 27 minutes per game and has helped UVU to improve to 7-1 in conference play.
When asked what his secret to rebounding, Robinson summed it up perfectly.
"I just want it more."
The color of money: There is nothing like getting paid to go to a basketball game. For some lucky UVU students, that's what's happened this year.
They got a check for attending a home game - a check for $1,000.
That's one way to increase their fan base.
The way the contest works is you must be a student to enter and you must be present to win. Each time a student attends a game he or she is entered into a drawing, and entries multiply with each game attended.
The promotion is run as a partnership between UVU and Pinnacle Security.
There have been plenty of stories from those who have won the money. One student used it to buy Christmas for their daughter. One student used to to fly home to see family, one student who was coming off devastating knee injury used it to help withe medical bills.
And finally, one student used the money to have more a college experience.
"The money I won gave me what I needed to move out and finally get my own place, said Matt Hardman, UVU student. "As a student, my budget is stretched pretty thin and something like this can be a real game changer. I even had some leftover and was able to use it for books and school fees."
Bingo players use their quirks, superstitions trying to win jackpot - Utica Observer Dispatch
Lisa Barcomb is “the bingo queen.”
Sitting at a table with her lucky charms lined up nearby, she’s playing three cards simultaneously.
Wielding her dauber like a pro, she doesn’t even break stride as she explains that B1, against all odds, always seems to be the hardest number to get.
“Everybody hates that number,” she says, her eyes on the board showing which numbers already were called. “No one likes to wait for it at all.”
During a break, she shows off a total on her receipt from the bingo hall at Turning Stone Resort Casino – 27 games so far this month.
It’s Feb. 9.
Barcomb is not alone in her love for bingo. While smaller games have long been a fundraising staple for churches and fire departments everywhere, its local appeal is bolstered by Turning Stone’s high-stakes operation, which is one of the largest in the country.
And many of the 450,000 visitors who make their way through the bingo hall’s doors each year come armed with a bevy of tips, tricks, superstitions and souvenirs that they swear will help them win.
Some don’t like to be wished “good luck.”
Others try to find a favorite seat, or a favorite staff member, before the game starts.
For 66-year-old Cathy Mattia, of Utica, it all comes down to a green Buddha statue and a jade elephant that was a present from her children.
“This elephant is supposed to be lucky,” she said, pulling the figurine from her purse. “The first time I brought him to bingo, I won $500.”
Mattia said she’s played bingo at least once a week since Turning Stone opened in the 1990s.
The appeal?
“The possibility of winning something big, going out with your friends and it’s just fun,” she said.
Cheryl Kucharek, 63, and her sister, 78-year-old Joyce Lowry, both of Rome, said they regularly arrive at Turning Stone at 4:30 p.m. to get seats for the 7 p.m. game.
“We get a seat and we start getting our cards and things ready,” Kucharek said. Their “things” included a camouflage-wearing Marine bear and no less than half a dozen daubers in different colors.
While the sisters said they come primarily for the social aspects of the game – often with a group of seven, including Kucharek’s husband, Dennis – they’ve also won once or twice over the years. Lowry even took home $1,500 on New Year’s Eve.
“We really have a lot of fun,” Kucharek said.
Not everyone is there to socialize, however.
Robin Green of Rochester said she makes the 2½-hour drive to Turning Stone three or four times a month because it offers the possibility of winning up to $1,000 per regular game, and more than $100,000 on some jackpots.
Altogether, Director of Bingo Operations Bob Larson said, the casino pays out $18 million per year – almost $50,000 per day – in bingo winnings. And unlike many other games, there always is a winner.
“A bingo game takes on a different effect when you’re one number away from winning $1,000,” he said. “That beats the heck out of a church game where you’re playing for $3.”
As for what Turning Stone makes off the game, officials would only say that it accounts for 5 percent of the resort’s total gaming revenue.
The bingo hall also is considered a tourist draw equivalent to the resort’s event center or its many restaurants.
“Bingo is the reason there are casinos,” Larson said.
With that in mind, the Oneidas have invested additional money in the game in the last year, partially in hopes of attracting younger players.
“Cosmic Bingo,” which began in April, is a Saturday night mixture of club music, black lights and impromptu contests that Larson enthusiastically describes as “high-energy entertainment in a bingo setting.”
The casino had to buy new lighting and improve its sound system to make the event possible, but the $10 session regularly attracts players in their late teens and early 20s – compared to the more traditional 45-and-up demographic that dominates other sessions.
“Our attendance is growing rather rapidly,” Larson said of the Cosmic games, which can accommodate about 700 players. “For four out of the last five weeks, we’ve sold out.”
The basic version of the game also is catching on with younger players, it seems. Twenty-two year old Amanda Ladd of Liverpool tried it for the first time Wednesday after hearing rave reviews from her friends.
She hadn’t developed any superstitions yet, but the “fast-paced” game already had her hooked only halfway through.
“I’ll probably come back – a lot,” she said.
Bingo players use their quirks, superstitions trying to win jackpot - Utica Observer Dispatch
Lisa Barcomb is “the bingo queen.”
Sitting at a table with her lucky charms lined up nearby, she’s playing three cards simultaneously.
Wielding her dauber like a pro, she doesn’t even break stride as she explains that B1, against all odds, always seems to be the hardest number to get.
“Everybody hates that number,” she says, her eyes on the board showing which numbers already were called. “No one likes to wait for it at all.”
During a break, she shows off a total on her receipt from the bingo hall at Turning Stone Resort Casino – 27 games so far this month.
It’s Feb. 9.
Barcomb is not alone in her love for bingo. While smaller games have long been a fundraising staple for churches and fire departments everywhere, its local appeal is bolstered by Turning Stone’s high-stakes operation, which is one of the largest in the country.
And many of the 450,000 visitors who make their way through the bingo hall’s doors each year come armed with a bevy of tips, tricks, superstitions and souvenirs that they swear will help them win.
Some don’t like to be wished “good luck.”
Others try to find a favorite seat, or a favorite staff member, before the game starts.
For 66-year-old Cathy Mattia, of Utica, it all comes down to a green Buddha statue and a jade elephant that was a present from her children.
“This elephant is supposed to be lucky,” she said, pulling the figurine from her purse. “The first time I brought him to bingo, I won $500.”
Mattia said she’s played bingo at least once a week since Turning Stone opened in the 1990s.
The appeal?
“The possibility of winning something big, going out with your friends and it’s just fun,” she said.
Cheryl Kucharek, 63, and her sister, 78-year-old Joyce Lowry, both of Rome, said they regularly arrive at Turning Stone at 4:30 p.m. to get seats for the 7 p.m. game.
“We get a seat and we start getting our cards and things ready,” Kucharek said. Their “things” included a camouflage-wearing Marine bear and no less than half a dozen daubers in different colors.
While the sisters said they come primarily for the social aspects of the game – often with a group of seven, including Kucharek’s husband, Dennis – they’ve also won once or twice over the years. Lowry even took home $1,500 on New Year’s Eve.
“We really have a lot of fun,” Kucharek said.
Not everyone is there to socialize, however.
Robin Green of Rochester said she makes the 2½-hour drive to Turning Stone three or four times a month because it offers the possibility of winning up to $1,000 per regular game, and more than $100,000 on some jackpots.
Altogether, Director of Bingo Operations Bob Larson said, the casino pays out $18 million per year – almost $50,000 per day – in bingo winnings. And unlike many other games, there always is a winner.
“A bingo game takes on a different effect when you’re one number away from winning $1,000,” he said. “That beats the heck out of a church game where you’re playing for $3.”
As for what Turning Stone makes off the game, officials would only say that it accounts for 5 percent of the resort’s total gaming revenue.
The bingo hall also is considered a tourist draw equivalent to the resort’s event center or its many restaurants.
“Bingo is the reason there are casinos,” Larson said.
With that in mind, the Oneidas have invested additional money in the game in the last year, partially in hopes of attracting younger players.
“Cosmic Bingo,” which began in April, is a Saturday night mixture of club music, black lights and impromptu contests that Larson enthusiastically describes as “high-energy entertainment in a bingo setting.”
The casino had to buy new lighting and improve its sound system to make the event possible, but the $10 session regularly attracts players in their late teens and early 20s – compared to the more traditional 45-and-up demographic that dominates other sessions.
“Our attendance is growing rather rapidly,” Larson said of the Cosmic games, which can accommodate about 700 players. “For four out of the last five weeks, we’ve sold out.”
The basic version of the game also is catching on with younger players, it seems. Twenty-two year old Amanda Ladd of Liverpool tried it for the first time Wednesday after hearing rave reviews from her friends.
She hadn’t developed any superstitions yet, but the “fast-paced” game already had her hooked only halfway through.
“I’ll probably come back – a lot,” she said.
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Wednesday, February 16, 2011
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Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Fun Saint Patrick's Day Gifts
Fun Saint Patrick's Day Gifts
Feb 14, 2011 Anna Thurman
Exchanging Saint Patrick's Day gifts is a way to make an already fun-filled holiday even more fun. Saint Patty's gifts are usually more related to the holiday rather than to an individual's taste, so it is easier to have more fun when picking things out. There's not as much reason to worry about a person's specific tastes and styles since most people expect to get things that involve alcohol, the color green, and Ireland. On Saint Patrick's Day, these are the gifts that most people actually want.
Alcohol-Related Gifts
Not everyone drinks on Saint Patrick's Day, but it's a fact that many people certainly do. One of the more popular drinks on Saint Patty's Day is Guinness Beer, which is a well-known Irish beer. Some beer stores might sell St. Patrick's themed beer sets on Saint Patrick's Day that come with green beer glasses and other Saint Patty's accessories. A six-pack of Guinness beer with a set of green Guinness beer glasses would make an excellent gift for a friend who likes to enjoy the holiday with Irish beer.
All Things Green
Saint Patrick's Day is all about the color green, and any gifts given or received should usually reflect this. It's not hard at all to find Saint Patrick's Day T-shirts in green or white with green lettering. Many of these T-shirts come with amusing slogans, which makes it twice as much fun to pick them out. Unfortunately, Saint Patrick's Day is probably the only day during the year when such a T-shirt might be worn, but it's always good to have one for the occasion to use year after year. In addition to green T-shirts, there are also green hats, buttons, socks, and more made specifically for Saint Patrick's Day. These gifts are guaranteed not only to make a person smile, but they will also likely be fairly inexpensive.
Saint Patrick's Day Irish Gifts
In addition to being all about green and all about beer, Saint Patrick's Day is also all about Ireland. A really neat idea for a Saint Patrick's Day gift would be to give a friend an Irish-themed gift basket. A gift like this could end up being slightly pricey depending on what goes in it, but there's no doubt that creating such a basket would be a lot of fun. Some ideas for the contents of an Irish-themed gift basket include CDs with Irish pub songs, food imported from Ireland, and books or DVDs that take place in Ireland.
Whether a person decides to gift alcohol, green Saint Patrick's Day articles of clothing and accessories, or Irish-themed gifts, a Saint Patrick's Day gift exchange is sure to be a good time. The great thing about Saint Patrick's Day gifts is that they don't have to cost much money, and in fact, no one expects them to. It's a great way for friends to surprise each other with fun little things that aren't really too personal and are more just about celebrating the holiday.
References
The Holiday Spot: St. Patrick's Day
Gifts.com: St. Patrick's Day Gifts
Copyright Anna Thurman. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Comments
1
Saturday, February 12, 2011
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WORDPRESS TUTORIAL FOR INTERNET MARKETERS
- WordPress installed
- Unique theme installed (not the WordPress default theme)
- In WP Settings —> General make these changes: Site Title = Main KW, Site Description = Description including main KW. Email should be youremail@email.com. Timezone = YourTimezone.
- In Posts —> Categories, change the default “Uncategorized” category to the main KW phrase. Then do a Wonder Wheel search and find the other categories to add.
- In WP Settings —> Permalinks change it to Custom Structure, use /%category%/%postname%/
- In WP Settings —> Discussion change it so an admin must always approve a comment and that it will never email me. Do not allow pingbacks & trackbacks.
- Remove all default Blogroll links from Dashboard
- Google Analytics installed & configured w/ http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/google-analytics-for-wordpress/
- Mobile version enabled & configured w/ http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wptouch/
- Multiple languages enabled & configured w/ http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/global-translator/
- Akismet installed & activated (key is XXXXXX)
- All In One SEO Pack installed & configured w/ http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/all-in-one-seo-pack/
- Caching installed / enabled w/ http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-super-cache/
- Captcha for comments enabled w/ http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/si-captcha-for-wordpress/
- Related posts displaying at the bottom of individual post pages w/ http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/yet-another-related-posts-plugin/
- Facebook “Like” button installed
- Archives page built ( linked to in sidebar w/ Sitemap ) using http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/clean-archives-reloaded/
- Post Plugin Library installed @ http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/post-plugin-library/ (Does nothing by itself, it’s used for Popular Posts & Random Posts plugins)
- Popular Posts plugin installed w/ http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/popular-posts-plugin/ . Use sidebar widget to show 5-10 popular posts.
- Random Posts plugin installed w/ http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/random-posts-plugin/ – use same settings as Popular Posts Plugin. Install sidebar widget to show 5-10 Random Posts.
- Psychic Search plugin installed & activated from: http://www.maxblogpress.com/plugins/ps/
- Install SEO Booster Lite: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/seo-booster-lite/ – add SEO Bootster widget to the sidebar, title it something like, “Recently Searched”
- Install & activate SEO friendly images @ http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/seo-image/ – in it’s setting, check both “Override” boxes to override WP defaults
- Install & activate SEO Smart Links @ http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/seo-automatic-links/
- Install & activate To Title Case: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/to-title-case/
- User sitemap built w/ http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/sitemap-generator/ . Link to the sitemap at the bottom of the sidebar.
- Google XML Sitemap installed, configured, built w/ http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/google-sitemap-generator/
- URL & XML Sitemap added to my Google Webmaster Tools account
- Adsense displaying w/ http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/all-in-one-adsense-and-ypn/ (Adsense ID xxxxxxxxxx). Set to show 2 ads per page, 1 ad per individual post, use default colors, random positioning, 15px spacing. Sizes: 200×200 250×250 300×250 336×280
- Add 160 x 600 px sidebar Adsense ad at the top of the sidebar, above everything else in default colors
Although you’re welcome to borrow this checklist from me, many folks have individual setup/plugin preferences (such as Platinum SEO vs. All In One SEO Pack). I encourage you to personalize your own WordPress tutorial checklist to reflect your favorites!
Sometimes when we think we’re missing information, we’re really just missing a plan. This framework should get you headed in the right direction.
Let me know in the comments how you’d personalize this checklist!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Daily Campus - Spend less to say ‘I love you’
On the list of bogus commercial holidays Valentine's Day comes in right after Halloween.
Some may accuse Hallmark or the candy companies of scheming together to boost their profits, while others may just become acutely aware of their single status.
Regardless, there is no ignoring cupid and his arrow this time of year. Our culture demands gifts be bought and reservations be made. I've conjured up several thoughtful Valentine's Day ideas to make your boo smile without breaking the bank.
Valentine's Day is Mother's Day 2.0 – restaurants will be packed. Don't even think about waiting less than an hour without a reservation. Furthermore, a nice dinner for two can easily cost $50. Solution: consider staying in. Prepare your date's favorite dish. Or, if you both like cooking, cook together. Cooking together not only allows you to bond, but you don't have to worry about obnoxious crying babies at the table next to you. Taking the time to select the cuisine and set just the right ambiance will make for special night, no doubt.
Skip the florist. Flowers are a formality on Valentine's Day, but the grocery store is just as suitable as a specialty shop if done right. Put them in a nice vase and you're good to go. No one is going to judge you or know the difference. If you do one thing, stop by the store and grab some flowers because if you neglect the day altogether you'll certainly be in the dog house.
I say flowers, you say... chocolate. It wouldn't be Valentine's Day without those cellophane wrapped hearts filled with candies you have match up like a game of Memory. Don't buy a huge box of Forest Gump mystery chocolates. Go for quality, not quantity. Buy a truffle or a chocolate covered strawberry instead. You will save a little money and maintain good taste. Keep it classy, SMU.
Valentine's Day may be a Hallmark holiday, but that doesn't mean you must seal your card with their infamous golden crown. Some of the most meaningful cards are handwritten. Take time to express yourself on blank stationary. If you don't have stationary on-hand, pick up some simple, timeless cards. Use them for thank-you notes, birthdays, or simple letters. Over time your card savings will add up.
If you feel compelled to go beyond the traditional dinner, flowers and cards, do something thoughtful. Whether it is a framed portrait of you two or a pair of shoes you noticed your mate coveting, show that you care. It's not the dollar amount – It's the thought that gives a gift value.
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