Too much Conor Jackson, not enough offense

The Cubs continues their offensive funk of this road trip, and the Diamondbacks exploded for six runs on the Cubs bullpen, beating Chicago 9-2 Tuesday night in Arizona. The losing streak is now at five of six games, and coupled with the Brewers win against the Cardinals, shortens their division lead to one game.

Maybe it's time to leave Jason Marquis alone for awhile. Once again last night, the Cubs got good starting pitching, and were unable to capitalize. Now I know that Jason is likely to have another second-half swoon, but he's not there yet. He did struggle a bit to be sure, giving up a 1st inning home run to Conor Jackson - his first of three RBI - before settling down for the night. This was fairly understandable, as this was his first start since July 11th. Marquis's fastball looked a little too strong and high early on, a supposed common problem amongst sinkerball pitchers throwing on extra days rest. He lasted six innings, giving up three runs. Jason is now 0-2, with a 2.25 ERA for July, after a pretty good June - yes, I'm forgetting about the dude against Baltimore. Maybe this is how you maximize his talents; keeping him in the 5th starter role, and missing a turn or two down the stretch to keep him a bit more fresh. I certainly saw enough last night to feel that he can continue to make a contribution, and he certainly pitched well enough to win.
But what really did the Cubs in was no offense. Now granted, they got a late pinch-hit home run from Daryle Ward to bring the deficit to 5-2 at the time. But the middle of the order continued their funk, going 0-10, with eight left on base. Let me make a suggestion. Sit Aramis Ramirez today. Release Alfonso Soriano from his chains, and play Mark DeRosa at 3rd. We'll just consider this the lost road trip for Aramis, and move on. This is streak is now 2-33, and he appears to be just killing the Cubs.
And speaking of releasing prisoners, it's time to activate Scott Eyre. The Kevin Hart party is over, as the meltdown last night proved. And put Kerry Wood on the DL if you must, because this is crazy. The kid has shown absolutely nothing in his turn here, and if you don't have the 12th pitcher that you want, go get him. The kid had a filthy slider last year that got hitters out, and he made quite a difference down the stretch. So, I understand why Lou wanted to give him another look. Now though, he's just way too wild, and can't seem to find the release point on that pitch. Frankly, I'm a little disappointed this morning to hear that the Diamondbacks acquired Jon Rauch last night. It's an under-the-radar sort of deal that many won't talk about, but I promise their opponents took notice. Jon has established himself as a top-shelf reliever, and I've fancied him a Cub for the last few years now. I'm still very in favor of the Cubs pursuing Ron Mahay though, because no one in the farm system has stepped up for that middle relief role, and Sean Marshall, who had his own problem in relief last night - 2/3 innings of work, with two earned runs - doesn't appear to be the guy either.
I've said enough. Let's grab the win today, and end this debacle of a trip. But that match-up in Milwaukee next week is looming larger. Get it together Cubs

Cubs 10, D'Backs 6; Hail the return of the King

The Cubs broke out their big bats in time to salvage the series - and road trip - and welcomed back Alfonso Soriano from the DL with a 10-6 win against the Diamondbacks Wednesday night. The win was highlighted by a Reed Johnson grand slam in the 8th inning that ultimately provided the margin of victory.
What can you say? A team in need of a spark was finally able to find one against a soft-tossing Doug Davis. They do seem to love mashing on left-handed pitchers, really a complete reversal from last year. The Cubs wasted no time jumping on him, with Derrek Lee hitting a solo home run to give the Cubs an early lead. There was a time in the earlier innings though where you thought that this might be it. At one point Doug proceeded to retire six in a row, and started taking advantage of some liberal calls on the outside corner to expand the strike zone. The Cubs finally got wise, and stopped taking the bait, forcing him to come inside with what's a very sub-par fastball. You can pretty much guess what happened after that. Down 2-1 after a Tony Clark homer, the Cubs grabbed three in the 5th inning, keyed by of all things a Ted Lilly seeing-eye single that scored Mark DeRosa. Ugliest swings I've ever seen from a hitter, to be sure, but he's a .205 hitter for the year. And he even stole a base, taking third pretty easily actually.
The Diamondbacks came back with a run in the bottom of the inning to make it close, but once again, the Cubs eventually got into a bad bullpen and capitalized. This time, Micah Owings was the victim - what has happened to him? - getting lit up for five runs in 1/3 inning. With a run already in, he walked Kosuke Fukudome and Mark DeRosa on consecutive at-bats, the latter walking in a run, and leaving the bases loaded. After being relieved by Leo Rosales, Reed Johnson comes to bat, and drives a ball to right-center for a much-disputed home run. Honestly, it did look like a fan interfered, plucking the ball as it was about to drop below the home run line. However, what you quickly learn after awhile in baseball is that it's better to be lucky than good, especially during a slump. We'll take it.
Thanks to Bob Howry for scaring all of us silly, by giving up a three-run home run to Chris Snyder in the 8th, his only inning of work. I know that most of that bullpen is a touch rusty, but these moments have been a touch too common for me this season, and it might be time to look into some other late-inning options. Chad Gaudin has looked extremely effective so far as a Cub, and while I know you hate to play with roles this late in the season, it might be wise to relegate Bob to middle relief duty for awhile.
Oh, and Soriano? 1-5, with a K. Don't ask me how good he looked, as normally some of the pitches that he was swinging at I'd attribute to rust, but this is Soriano we're talking about, so who knows. Let's see what happens tonight.

Cubs 6, Marlins 3; Cue that music

And fly that flag. The Cubs got back to their winning ways at Wrigley last night - their first game there in nearly two weeks - beating the Florida Marlins 6-3. It was their second win in a row, and allowed them to continue to stay ahead of the surging Brewers, who got a late home run from Ryan Braun to beat the Cardinals 4-3.
Was there something in the air last night at Wrigley? Just about every pitcher labored through the game. And I do mean labored. Even Carlos Zambrano, who picked up his 11th win of the season, toiled through his seven innings of work. Falling behind hitters, plenty of foul balls, and just really extended himself overall. It was not his finest hour, and frankly I was a bit surprised when Lou Piniella chose to leave him in for the seventh; even more surprised when he left him in to face Hanley Ramirez with two out, Carlos over 120 pitches at the time, and a man on second. Ramirez flied out to deep center to end the inning, but it was an off move, in my opinion. Z looked gassed, the bullpen was ready - or so we thought - and Ramirez had already homered earlier in the game. Odd.
The good news was that the Cubs had given him a 6-2 lead by that time, getting to Marlins starter Scott Olsen for four runs in the fifth inning, with even Carlos himself getting in on the act. Zambrano hit a double to left that scored Mark DeRosa. Then with the bases loaded, Aramis Ramirez hit a double to right that scores two, before Alfredo Almezaga completes a relay through to gun down Derrek Lee at home, and end the inning.
The bullpen continued their streak of shaky work though, with four relievers working to complete the last two innings for the win. Chad Gaudin and Neal Cotts combined in the 8th to literally load the bases, while getting no one out between them. They gave way to Bob Howry, who got the next two outs relatively unscathed, mostly from a highlight grab of a hard-hit line drive by Mark DeRosa. Marmol, closed out the inning, and finished in the 9th. Marmol loaded the bases, before finally striking out Wes Helms to end the inning. I'm not going to worry too much for now, although with Kerry Wood making his annual trip to the DL, this could be a very taxing weekend for the bullpen. Word is that we may have a Jeff Samardzija sighting in the next few days, to which I say great. He can't be any more ineffective than the other middle relievers have been lately.

Marlins 3, Cubs 2; Duh-duh, duh-duh...

Well, that didn't take long. It's official, Jeff "The Shark" Samardzija was recalled from AAA Iowa today, and inserted into the Cubs bullpen. Furthermore, he made his first major-league appearance, which is about the only good piece of news coming out of the 3-2 loss to the Marlins.
Sigh. Bullpen woes. I can't think of anything that turns a contender into a pretender quicker. Those dog days of summer role around in August, and you find out quickly whether or not you're for real. We'll see about this team, but right now, they look stretched thin, After barely escaping with a win last night due to shaky bullpen work, the saga continued today, with only worse results. Following a very so-so performance by Ryan Dempster in six innings of work - should have known his 6/6/6 statline was going to be trouble - Samardzija was inserted into the game to start the seventh, and found out what every rookie quickly does; your stuff doesn't scare people anymore. He got this lesson taught to him when he tried sneaking a belt-high fastball - 97 on the gun by the way - past Jorge Cantu, who had no problems sending it hard down the left field line for a game-tying double. I'm sure Jeff got tons on hitters out with it in AAA, no matter where he spotted it, but that's meat and potatoes to big-league hitters. He went two innings in all though, with that his only run. Let's hope that the lesson was learned, and he'll not be so laissez-faire with that fastball again.
Things really went wrong in the ninth though when Bob Howry gave up a pinch-hit home run to Jeremy Hermida to give the Marlins a 3-2 lead, and the win. Now, I could comment on Cubs hitters leaving 13 men on base, but you know what? Games like this happen, and it was just going to be that kind of low-scoring affair. You've got to win one-run games, and sometimes that means putting it on the bullpen to get the job done. It was a bad job today, and while I can't get on-board with some bloggers suggestions of DFA'ing Howry, I've two other thoughts. First, it's time to DL him for certain. Doing it Wednesday when Kerry Wood returns sounds like a good time to me. Second, I understand that the Cubs are looking at Damaso Marte, and Ron Mahay. I love it, and I think that this needs to happen like oh...tomorrow. The trading deadline is next weekend, so perhaps it can wait a few days. But there are micro-fractures developing there, that could turn into full-blown tears by the end of August. You got to fix that now.

How to Discover Your Creative Voice

Artistic creativity has been a source of inspiration for our race since the classical period. Each artist, the true creative spirit, like our physical bodies, is born, matures and learns to communicate through language. The artist is uniquely designed with a second voice that is birthed through time and loving care devoted to a given craft. Mozart learned his voice early as he composed his first full scale opera at age 12; Leonardo Da Vinci learned that his voice uttered beautifully through the strokes of a brush, as did Michelangelo through his chisel; or John Milton through his pen. These are artists that have sketched their names into the grand canvas of time, and did so through their quest of learning their creative voice. Though difficult and time demanding it may be, to go on this quest is necessary if you desire to achieve the true artistic spirit, and the first steps of this journey are usually the hardest, as they are the foundations of a lifestyle.

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Step1
Identify the craft you wish to pursue. All great artists of the past have years behind their successes of trial and error, drafts and failed manuscripts. The first works of Shakespeare were shunned by the artist himself. Even the first plays performed by the ancient Greeks are now forgotten in the shadows of their greater accomplishments. Identify the craft you wish to devote yourself to, and truly pursue development through tutelage, reading books on the craft and practice. Allow yourself to make mistakes, as well as to try new methods. At no time are you going to be locked into an artistic genre! Remember, it does not matter how much practice you "waste" on another genre; if you desire to move to another type of art, be it from painting to writing or writing to sculpting, the time you put into the first craft will only help improve the time spent on the second. No time spent practicing is wasted time.


Step2
Begin to dive into the works of other artists in your desired field. When we are babies first learning how to speak, isn't it common for us to adopt the sayings and mannerisms of our parents or guardians? We do this until we find our own voices, our own desired sayings and slurs. The language we will eventually become fluent in is first nurtured and given sustenence through the language of others. It is only natural. Before you can write an original script, you must know what has already been written. Practice your voice by using another's, someone you begin to admire while searching out the other artists in your craft, and you will notice, slowly and over time, that a unique voice will begin to reveal itself between the lines of your text or the strokes of your brush. Eventually, you will no longer speak like the ones you admired and adopted from, but through the experiences you allowed yourself to live through the pracitce of your craft.


Step3
Beginning to speak creatively is only the beginning. Now, like it was when we were children, it is time to learn meaning, as well as to expand upon your vocabulary. This step never really ends, as developement never truly finds it's limit. The only time an artist ceases to develop is when the artist has chosen to give up on their craft--a sad day. Never stop expanding your knowledge, and always be openminded to new ideas! Perspective is the lense in which art is created, and once we limit the access of different perspectives, we begin to limit our potential as artists. Being open to new ideas is, by far, the most important thing to do while persuing a career as an artist!


Step4
Connect to like-minded people. It is important to find fellow artists, not needing to be in the same genre, that are pursuing development in their craft; people that are open to new ideas and are able to give constructive input through encouragement. This is by far the hardest step to accomplish, since it is rare to find those that are willing to offer only constructive input. Rather, it is more common to find a group of people that are more willing to take apart a work, and this comes from fellow artists just as much as it comes from critics. If there is not a local group in your area, try to form one! There is a priceless pleasure that comes from an artistic family where everyone's best interest is in mind, and all assist in the success of one another.

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How to Make Egg Maracas

Making musical instruments cannot get any more fun than maracas. Maracas can be made and played by anyone. By adding maracas to your ensemble, your family band's sound can only get spicier.

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Step1
First you will need to choose whether you want larger or smaller maracas, or even some of each.


Step2
Choose your filling. You will notice that when the maraca is filled with raw rice that it sounds different than when it is filled with uncooked beans. Experiment with the amount of fillers you use or even expand to use small candies.


Step3
Once you have found the sound you want, add that amount of beans or rice to your plastic egg shells. You can either leave them unsealed to change at your will, or seal them with tape or glue.


Step4
Put on your favorite music and shake it!

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How to Create a Believable Fictional Character

This article is mainly geared toward fiction writers who already have characters in mind or created. It is a checklist of ideas to keep in mind that will help you create realistic characters or slightly alter existing ones.

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Step1
When you start brainstorming the traits of your character, you want to look more at how those traits impact your character than the really the traits themselves. Too many times I've seen writers give a detailed list of traits when they begin to describe a character--this can make the character seem flat if you're not careful.

The advice of many writing books of "show, don't tell" is very important in characterization as well as plot. If your character is intelligent, show them doing something intelligent. Don't just have it listed.


Step2
You need to have some background information on your characters that is specifically for you as the writer--it doesn't have to be thing that the reader even knows about directly. This can be information about the characters personality, general reactions when they have a certain emotion, etc. You can keep this stored in notebooks or even in a computer database if you're more technically oriented.


Step3
It's helpful sometimes to mentally put your characters in situations that aren't related to your plot. Playing with ideas may help you create a more solid character, even when the ideas themselves don't make it into your book or short story.


Step4
Do your homework. If your main character is a pilot, you may possibly have readers who are pilots. If little details are off, your drama may suddenly become a comedy to them. You don't have to go overboard, but either do enough research or have a friend who's an authority review it for you.


Step5
Be observant of people in general. This is especially helpful in studying mannerisms, such as people running their hands through their hair if they're frustrated or nervous. Sometimes this is also helpful for coming up with conflict ideas as well. Just don't creep people out by following them around with a notebook in public.

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How to Tell You Have an Unhealthy Film Addiction

Movies are a wonderful thing. They can entertain on a base level and also rise to the pantheon of high art. But like most things in contemporary culture, their enjoyment can become an abuse. Film fanatics should be wary of the following signs that may point to an unhealthy love of the cinema.

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Step1
You hiss and cover your face when exposed to sunlight.


Step2
The ticket taker at your local cinema just sighs and shakes their head when you approach.


Step3
Your ass has permanent indents directly matching the pattern of your sofa or chair.


Step4
You cannot resist diving headlong into arguments about film even when overhearing them in passing.


Step5
You think Tarantino is a god.


Step6
You unconditionally refuse to watch anything that is not in black and white and Swedish.


Step7
You continually correct people's pronunciation of foreign film directors and stars, going so far as to enunciate the names slowly.


Step8
You have spent endless hours watching bad kung fu action films because your peers regard the "Hong Kong" movement as legitimate cinema.


Step9
You are angered by dialogue appearing in the first five minutes of any movie.


Step10
You sit in the front row, away from the common rabble at the theater.


Step11
You never fully get all the popcorn husks out of your teeth or the butter flavor dust from your fingernails.


Step12
You claim that your film project, now in its eighth year, is at a "very interesting stage".


Step13
You have twelve unfinished screenplays to your credit and three more story ideas "in progress".


Step14
Even though you change it often, your "top ten" film list is always memorized and can be recited at will.


Step15
You decline a party invitation because Turner Classic Movies is having a Sam Fuller retrospective that evening, even though you could Tivo it.


Step16
You broke up with someone because of what they said about Federico Fellini.


Step17
You're still apologizing for Brian DePalma.

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How to Get Writing Ideas

I believe that writer's block comes from two things: Not being prepared or wanting your writing to be perfect on the first draft. In this article, I will address both of these issues and help you get a better flow of ideas going for you.

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Step1
One of the first things you need to do is get in a habit of carrying a notebook and something to write with wherever you go. We all have down time--waiting in line at the post office, doctor's office, etc. You can brainstorm during these times and come back to your ideas later when you're home. This has personally allowed me to come up with dozens of short stories I don't think I would've done otherwise.

If you want to do it, keep separate notebooks by your bed and in your car as well. Just remember to write down that great idea you get in your car when you get to a red light--not while the car is moving.


Step2
Read. I've also found it helpful to keep some reference books in your home office about the area you like to write about. It's always good to read about a book a month to keep your mind sharp and help you to spark some ideas. This makes some writers uncomfortable--thinking it's going to limit their creativity--but for me it's had the opposite effect.

I sometimes even read a little of people I disagree with (don't buy their books--just read a few pages) and have an idea of how I'd put a topic in my perspective.


Step3
Don't worry about getting things right on the first draft. While I was in school, I used to be so worried about getting a paper back with red ink on it. Now I actually like it when I run copy past other people and have them catch my mistakes. It makes your final draft better than if you keep it to yourself.

There are a lot of great web sites for writers that are very nice and helpful when it comes to reviews. I'll link you to a free one, Writing.com, that's my favorite below. I'm not affiliated with them but have been a member of their site for over a year--we review each other's work for things called gift points, which you can exchange for better memberships and to reward people for reviewing you. What I like is you can store your work online (private or public) in a portfolio and pick back up where you left off on another computer with the Internet. They've been really good to me or I wouldn't suggest them.

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How to Clean Scanned Artwork in Photoshop

While I love using Photoshop to edit and color my comics, I ve never been too crazy about the time-consuming process of scanning images and cleaning them in Photoshop. Throughout the years, I ve learned several nifty tricks for sharpening the lines of scanned images while removing unwanted "noise and specks" gained through the act of scanning.

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Step1
Turn on your scanner. Open Photoshop. Under the File menu, click on Import and then click on your scanner s brand name in the drop-down menu. This will open a window in your scanner s software. I use an Epson Stylus model.


Step2
In the scanner software s configuration window, open the resolution drop-down menu and select a resolution size that s at least 300 DPI. Many artists, however, swear by 600 DPI. Open the image type drop-down menu and select grayscale. This mode is especially recommended for scanning line art or grayscale images.


Step3
Click the Preview button to double-check the image s scan size and resolution. Make whatever adjustments are needed before scanning. When you re satisfied with the way your image looks in the scan preview, click the Scan button.


Step4
After the image has been scanned into Photoshop, change your image s mode from grayscale to RGB. Under Photoshop s top row Image menu you ll click on Mode, opening the drop-down menu. Click on RGB.


Step5
At this point, there are several ways to clean up your scan. It varies from artist to artist. I usually use the Brightness/Contrast slider tool as my first step in strengthening lines and removing unwanted fuzz and lines. ( Image, then Adjustments in drop-down, and select Brightness/Contrast. ) This opens the Brightness/Contrast dialog box.

Play with the Brightness and Contrast sliders to get the right level of shade and sharpness for your image according to your preferences. Note: Make sure that the Preview checkbox is checked.


Step6
Open the Curves tool. ( Image, then Adjustments in drop-down, and select Curves. ) This opens the Curves dialog box. Click your cursor on any part of the fishline in the box. Push and drag the line while watching how this action affects your image s resolution. Click the OK button when you re satisfied with the image s resultant clarity.

Note that some artists prefer the Levels tool to the Curves tool. To open the Levels dialog box, press Ctrl-L. In the box, play with the three sliders to light and dark preferences. Click the OK button when you re satisfied with the image s look.


Step7
If there are still unwanted lines or paper textures, click on the polygonal lasso tool in your vertical toolbar. Use the lasso to manually select unwanted parts of your image; then hit the Backspace button to remove these parts. Or you can use your eraser tool. This can be a time-consuming process.

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How to Use Flickr as a Comic Art Portfolio

If you re a comic artist, Flickr is a quick, easy and inexpensive way to showcase and share your portfolio. You can upload up to 100 megs of graphic files for free every month (5 megs per graphic file maximum). You also have access to a huge community of users and, if you choose, you can display your comics as a slideshow. If you need more storage space and bandwidth, you can open a Flickr Pro account that allows you to upload unlimited amounts of graphic files (10 megs per file maximum) for $29.95 per year.

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Step1
Register for a Flickr or Yahoo account. Note that if you already have a Yahoo account, you need not register for Flickr.


Step2
After logging into your account, upload your first graphic file (5 megs maximum per file). Click the Browse button. Locate the specific graphic file on your computer drive that you want to upload to your Flickr page. Click the Upload button.


Step3
On the Describe your photo page; enter a Title for your comic. Briefly describe your comic in one or a few sentences and enter search engine keyword tags. Click the Next button.


Step4
Set up an alias for your unique Flickr URL. This is an optional step. You may skip it by clicking the Skip this step link.


Step5
Set up your unique Flickr account icon by either using an image that you ve already uploaded to Flickr, or by uploading a new image from your computer hard drive. You may also skip this step and go with Flickr s generic icon.


Step6
Create a personal profile. This is also an optional step that you may want to skip.


Step7
Upload more comic image files.


Step8
To organize your comics into specific sets, click the organize link on the top row of your Flickr home page. Choose create a new set. Drag comic files from your new set to the work field. Enter the name of your set and click save.

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How to Be a Class Act Stand-up Comedian

You know deep down you are creative funny but the only problem is the delivery of your funny bone to an unforgiving audience. Even though your jokes are Ronald Reagan style classic one-liners, how you deliver them to the rapturous amusement of the audience is another thing. Read on to learn how to be a class act stand-up comedian.

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Step1
First of all rehearse your act invite first relatives or friends as your audience and then start your routine. Such an exercise ensures you are first and foremost comfortable facing an audience and you get honest opinions and reaction from good close friends or relatives.


Step2
Start your act by getting used to the stage you can walk around to calm your nervous nerves with the microphone. Avoid seeming confused.


Step3
Don t go directly and formally attack your comic material like Good evening audience I heard of this man who told the doctor to scan his anatomy and the doctor misheard him anesthetized him and gave him a vasectomy instead. Then tell the audience it s funny. If you are spared of stoning you won t be spared of thrown rotten eggs and bad language aimed at you.


Step4
Instead just ease into the audience like I do for instance How many of you attend family re-unions by a show of hands, wow only five out of 2000 here tonight, OK then how many of you dread family reunions its sure is a Nixon landslide. My mother and relatives one time at a family gathering, asked me what I was doing with my life, I told them I am stand up comic and they sneered at me and almost walked away never taking me seriously until I told them I earn and how much, they almost suffocated me with deceptive hugs.


Step5
With such an easing fun opening you can now start delving into the comic material you had practiced earlier. The key to effective comic delivery is funny creativity as a gift confidence and being you.


Step6
You are always welcome to change direction as per how you gauge the audience if you notice the father in law jokes are tiring them, move over to another theme like Dennis Rodman and Mike Tyson are considering running for congress. Imagine Mike Tyson as the senate majority leader, no liberal senator who likes to avoid a black eye and a bitten ear like plague is going to oppose Bush tax cuts. Be flexible don t always stick to the book in stand up. Humor is all over look around and you may find something funny to make fun of and amuse your audience.


Step7
Once the audience starts to like your comedy take a breather, with the audience how you start your comedy routine is the one that makes or breaks your show. Hold the audience captive at the start, and you got them all the way.


Step8
I know you will derive satisfaction performing the comedy and sure after the show the audience will give you a standing ovation. Go for it and don t fear if you fail the first time be encouraged you will do a better job next time. Ask God for confidence on stage.

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How to Set Up Parental Locks in Dish Network Satellite TV

With over 250 channels and utilizing the most advanced equipment for home theater on the market today, Dish Network has become the leading digital satellite TV service provider in America. Among its many attractive features, the Adult Guard software has added to the flexibility of its usage, enabling parents to control the type of programming viewed by their children at home. Parents can now restrict or remove adult channels from the Electronic Program Guide using this software. Just pick up the remote and follow the simple steps:

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Step1
Select LOCKS from MENU.


Step2
Choose CHANNEL LOCKS and press SELECT.


Step3
Scroll through the listed number of channels until you reach the channel number that you want to lock and press SELECT (a check mark will appear next to the information).


Step4
Select SAVE


Step5
Type in a 4-digit password and select OK.


Step6
Confirm your password by retyping it and select OK.


Step7
Use this password for viewing the locked as well as the adult PPV (pay-per-view) channels on your Dish Network system.

Lock Adult Channels and yet Retain them in the Electronic Program Guide (EPG):

Step1
Select LOCKS from MENU.


Step2
Choose RATINGS LOCKS and press SELECT.


Step3
Choose NR/AO (Not Rated/ Adult Only) and press SELECT. (A checkmark should appear in the box.)


Step4
Select SAVE


Step5
Choose LOCK SYSTEM and press SELECT.


Step6
Type a 4-digit password and select OK.


Step7
Confirm your password by retyping it and select OK.


Step8
Use this password to view the PPV channels including all other shows with NR/AO ratings.

Hide Adult PPV Channels:

Step1
Select LOCKS from MENU.

Step2
Choose HIDE ADULT and select LOCK SYSTEM'.

Step3
Type a 4-digit password and select OK.

Step4
Confirm your password by retyping it and select OK.

Step5
Confirm that the locked adult channels are hidden by searching for the channel number in the EPG. To do this press GUIDE on the remote and enter the channel number.

View an Adult Channel After Adult Guard has Been Activated:

Step1
Select LOCKS from the MENU.

Step2
Type the 4-digit password that you had selected to lock the channels and select OK.

Step3
Select UNLOCK SYSTEM.

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How to Insure Someone Elses Car

Most insurance companies have their own set of rules when it comes to insurance policies and sometimes there is an ambiguity about whether or not you can insure someone else's car. According to some legal experts, an individual is not allowed to insure in their name any property belonging to someone else. This effectively means that you cannot insure a car belonging to your friend or a rental company. The person who owns the vehicle has to get it registered under his or her name and only then would they be eligible to obtain insurance coverage. However, if you drive someone else's car occassionally, then you can seek a non-owner's insurance policy. Typically, such policies include liability, medical and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Non-owner's insurance policies generally do not include comprehensive coverage, monetary protection against collision or reimbursment for towing and rental charges. This applies to all vehicles you might rent or borrow with permission. You can also take out insurance for somebody elses car when it has been in your custody for one one reason or another. Follow these steps to determine if you can insure someone else's car:

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Step1
Determine that the vehicle you are planning on insuring is registered under the name of the owner. It may belong to a friend, relative or rental agency.


Step2
Go online and visit the Web sites of several insurance companies to learn about their policy options. Read the information carefully and thoroughly.


Step3
Set aside the names of insurance companies that offer non-owners insurance.



Step4
Use the customer service phone number mentioned on the Web site of each company to contact an agent or customer service representative to learn more about your options.


Step5
Tell the agent or representative that you wish to use a car owned by your relative, friend or a rental agency, whichever the case may be.


Step6
Inform them of the situation clearly and explain that you are planning to obtain separate insurance coverage for the vehicle in question. Be sure to mention that you are interested in getting a non-owner's policy.


Step7
Follow the procedures for obtaining non-owner's insurance offered by the company if the quote is acceptable to you. If not, contact other providers untill you get one that is.

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How to Determine if I Live in a No-Fault State

In the insurance sector, there is a policy known as no-fault vehicle insurance. This pertains to insurance claims requested after an accident involving two parties driving different vehicles. Usually, the insurance companies have a set procedure to handle accident cases: the police and insurance company staff assess the damage, determine who was at fault and then the claim is decided upon considering the state's applicable laws. With a no-fault insurance policy, the fault of any driver is not a determining factor for processing claim. Both the drivers claim insurance from their respective insurance companies. The interpretation of this policy has been a subject of debate as every state has different insurance laws. There are twelve states that have mandatory no-fault insurance laws. To know if you live in such a state, consider the following:

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Step1
Go online and search for no-fault insurance policies and laws. Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Dakota and Utah have no-fault auto insurance laws.


Step2
Get online premium figures from a number of insurance agents and find out whether any of those offer the no-fault insurance policy.


Step3
Rejecting your request for such a policy implies that you are residing in a state where no-fault policies are not provided.


Step4
Pick up the phone and confirm from your nearest insurance agent if your state provides a no-fault policy and whether you qualify for one. The agent will be able to clarify your doubts.


Step5
Getting such a policy would mean that you are residing in a no-fault state. It will also mean that you are covered with Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Optional Basic Economic Loss (OBEL).

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How to Organize and Store Summer Clothing

Storing summer clothing can be a tiresome job. But when done the right way, your clothes can be fresh and in great condition when summer rolls around again next year.

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Step1
Wash and dry all summer clothing before storing. When done drying, press any items that need pressing and then fold all items. When folding, make the item as small as possible. This will make it easier to fit more items in one container.


Step2
Sort items into piles according to each person and type of clothing. Put all like items together, such as shorts in one pile and shirts in another.


Step3
Use cedar bags or cedar balls and place inside large plastic containers to keep bugs and moths from creating holes in your clothing. If you are using bags, line the bottom of the container. If you use cedar balls, place them around your clothes after you are finished placing your clothes in the container.


Step4
Place folded items inside containers. When it's full, place lid on top and label container with the name of the family member whose clothes it contains and what is inside.

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How to Prevent Moth Holes in Clothing

It can be really upsetting when opening a box of stored clothing and finding nothing but moth holes on every item. There are several precautions you can take to keep moths from getting to your clothing and other household fabrics.

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Step1
Line your closet or storage area with cedar wood. This is the best way to keep moths away.


Step2
Purchase cedar bags from your dry cleaner. These bags can be used to hang over certain items, such as wool garments, to keep moths out.


Step3
Put moth or cedar balls in your closet or storage area.

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How to Keep Buttons from Breaking on Clothing

Everyone loves the decorative buttons that come on sweaters and blouses. But most of the time they end up breaking during washing and are hard to replace. Read on for a very simple solution to this problem.

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Step1
Wrap each button individually with small strips of aluminum foil before washing the garment. Lay foil on top of the button and press the foil downward under the button. Make sure the foil is wrapped tight and will not fall off.


Step2
Pretreat the garment with a spray if needed for stains. Wash as usual.


Step3
Air dry your garment. Being placed in the dryer is bad news for decorative buttons; that's when most buttons break because of high heat and tumbling action.


Step4
Remove the foil from the buttons when the garment is dry. Buttons should be intact.

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How to Care for Sweater Sets

The sweater set is a valuable asset to any wardrobe. It is very versatile and can be worn in many ways. To keep your sweater set in the best condition follow these simple steps.

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Step1
Pretreat both pieces together if there are any stains. Lay each piece side by side and spray with a pretreatment spray. If soaking is needed, place both pieces in a bath of warm water and pretreatment spray.


Step2
Wash the pieces of the set to at the same time to avoid one piece changing color separately. Use a detergent that is specifically for bright colors to help hold the set's color.


Step3
Dry clean your sweater set together if you prefer. Tell the cleaner to fold the sweaters over the hanger to avoid stretching them.


Step4
Fold sweaters over a hanger or place in a dresser drawer. To fold, hold sweater by neckline and bring sleeves together and then fold in half.

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How to Care for a Tweed Vest

Tweed vests are a glorious addition to any wardrobe. But tweed can be confusing to care for. All you need is a little know how and patience.

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Step1
Know your best option. Dry cleaning is always the best option for tweed. It upholds the fabric, which makes it last longer. You don't have to dry clean your tweed every time you wear it. Once a tweed vest has been dry cleaned, it will stay clean for several wearings, as long as it doesn't get stained.


Step2
Spot clean your tweed vest. If you get food stuck on your garment, you can usually get it out yourself. Allow the food to dry. Take a toothbrush or butter knife and gently scrape off the food. Be very gentle and patient. If the food was not absorbed by the tweed, this may save you lots of money on dry cleaning.


Step3
Use a pumice stone to get rid of unwanted fuzz balls that tend to gather on tweed. Gently rub the stone across the garment. The stone will rub off the fuzz. You can also take tweezers and pick off the fuzz.


Step4
Always hang up your tweed garments after wearing them. This will help them keep their shape and leave you with less trips to the cleaners. This also eliminates having to press the vest the next time you want to wear it.


Step5
Store tweed in cedar bags or in a closet with cedar balls when not in use. This will keep away moths, which can eat holes in your tweed.

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How to Know if You Are Covered Under a Family Member's Car Insurance

Today, many families own more than one car. Since insurance companies usually track the driving history of the registered car owner before selling an insurance policy, some families register all of their cars under only one name. The names of other family members are then added to the policy in a practice that is legally accepted and saves money on car insurance costs.Are you part of a family that owns more than one car and registers the vehicles under one members name? Here's how you can find out if your name is included in the policy and you have adequate insurance coverage.

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Step1
Ask everyone in the family if the cars are insured under a single name.


Step2
Request that the registered policy member notify the insurance company to add your name to the policy before you drive any car.


Step3
Call the insurance company to confirm that your name has been added to the policy and clarify if you can drive any of the family cars with adequate coverage under the policy.


Step4
Get a copy of the policy and check all the names. Make sure your name has been added correctly.


Step5
Check the type of coverage extended to youcomprehensive, liability or collision. In some cases, you may not be covered comprehensively. You may want to talk with the insurance company about what this means to you as a driver.


Step6
Drive the car only after receiving confirmation that your name has been added. It's always a good idea to keep a photocopy of the policy with you when you drive.

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How to Get Car Insurance for Exchange Student

Exchange students usually visit the U.S. from 6 to 9 months and might want to drive a car which requires insurance. Foreign nationals can carry an International Driving Permit for a maximum of 1 year from the date of entry into the U.S. Exchange students can also use this permit to get car insurance.

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Step1
Check your university brochure. If you come to the U.S. on a J-1 visa (given to exchange students) and want to drive a car, you need to bring an International Driving Permit. Your university will give you a comprehensive insurance policy to register and drive a car.


Step2
Rent a car if you'd like to drive once in a while. Renting a car is easy with an International Driving Permit. You can either get a non-owner's insurance policy from a local insurance agent or insurance available from the car rental itself.


Step3
Call for quotes and shop for the best rates on a non-owner's policy. You may not have an established driving history, so your premium is likely to be higher.


Step4
Get a guardian through your universitys exchange student adoption program. Check the availability of a guardian with your exchange program coordinator. You can then add your name to their existing insurance policy temporarily and pay them for the difference in their premium.

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How to Get Car Insurance After a DWI

After DUI or DWI conviction, you want to put it all behind you. However, if you need a car to go to work or the supermarket, you will need insurance. But your car insurance premium might shoot up, or your policy might be cancelled altogether. And what if you dont have car insurance in the first place? There are no laws regulating the premiums charged to DWI offenders. So, what will it take to have car insurance after a DWI?

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Step1
Hire a good lawyer to fight your DWI case. You may reduce the charge in a plea bargain or even limit how long your license is suspended. If the suspension period is small, your carrier probably will not know and your license may not be suspended at all. If you succeed through an attorney in an appeal at a later date, call up your insurance company and demand being reinstated at old rates.


Step2
Take courses in addition to those that are required after a DWI which will give you a more responsible image to insurance companies. After a DWI case, showing your improved attitude towards safety is the only way to get on top of your insurance worries.


Step3
Get quotes from multiple carriers and choose the one that will quickly get you the proof of insurance or the SR-22 form. You will need to show this to your local DMV in order to change your suspension status and get your driver's license reinstated.

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How to Put Car Insurance in Your Parents Name

Getting a car insured under your parents name can save you a lot of money. The premium is usually low for people in their mid-forties and fifties. They are considered safer drivers because studies show they take fewer risks on the road. Although their insurance rate may go up, the additional cost will be cheaper than the cost of getting insurance in your own name (especially if you are under twenty).

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Step1
Ask your parents to call their insurance company and get a personal quote for adding a household member to their existing policy.


Step2
Ask them to call various insurance companies to compare rates. Often, other companies may offer a lower rate and it may be worthwhile to switch insurance companies.


Step3
Get quotes on insurance rates if you were to take the policy in your name and compare this with the above rates--even if you just to appreciate the difference.

Getting Insurance on a New Car

Step1
Register the new car in your parents name if you are above the age limit required by your parent's insuanrce company. You can register a new car in your name and obtain coverage through your parent's company if you meet the company's age limit standards.


Step2
Ask your parents to call their insurance company and get a personal quote for adding a household member to their existing policy.


Step3
Ask them to call various insurance companies to compare rates. Often, other companies may offer a lower rate, and it may be worthwhile to switch.


Step4
Call to find out insurance rates if you were to take the policy in your name and compare this with the above rates--even if you just wanted to see the difference.

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