Those that need to hear the sound of their own voice!

Honesty, I am not one those people that need to hear their own voice! Frankly sometimes my own voice annoys me, it sounds like the voice of a child at times to me. Anyway - I was perusing through the new applications availble for blogs and I came across this nice enhancement. Audioblogging, from audioblogger.com! I think it's only available for blogger subscribers.

I swear I felt like someone read my mind. There are times when I want to purchase a small voice recorder to remember things later. When I was younger the thoughts I wanted to record were song verses that came to me, or simply words that just sounded good together. Now I have no idea what I would want to record but I like the possibility and the option to do so now. I was curious and signed up! The post was instantaneous. As soon as I hung up (You dial in via phone to make your audio entry) I checked the posting and there it was.

Are you curious what I said? You really shouldn't be, it's a lame audio clip. Listen to my first audio post!

I know, I know..I should stick to photography.

Comebacks To "Why Aren't You Married Yet?"

I will have to start using these soon...
From E-mail Forward:
Comebacks To "Why Aren't You Married Yet?"
You haven't asked yet.
I was hoping to do something meaningful with my life.
Because I just love hearing this question.
Just lucky, I guess.
It gives my mother something to live for.
My fiancee is awaiting his/her parole.
I'm still hoping for a shot at Miss/Mr. America.
I'm waiting until I get to be your age.
It didn't seem worth a blood test.
I already have enough laundry to do, thank you.
Because I think it would take all the spontaneity out of dating.
I wouldn't want my parents to drop dead from sheer happiness.
What? And lose all the money I've invested in running personal ads?
I don't want to have to support another person on my paycheck.
Why aren't you thin?
I'm married to my career, although recently we have been considering a trial separation.

Feeling Good Birthday

"It's my birthday, time to party, la la la!" That's right I'ma-gonna go celebrating tonight. I'm feeling hella-good and am ready to paaaah-ty. I just bought mysleft a nice brithday gift I'm so excited. Gwen Stefani and Blackeyed Peas in Concert! Just bought the tickets, my sister and I are set.

Joke Of The Day

From E-mail Forward: The Good Son
An old man lived alone in the country. He wanted to dig his potato garden but it was very hard work as the ground was hard. His only son, Fred, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament.

Dear, Fred, I am feeling pretty bad because it looks like I won't be able to plant my potato garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. If you were here, all my troubles would be over. I know you would dig the plot for me.
Love, Dad.

A few days later he received a letter from his son.

Dear Dad, For heaven's sake, don't dig up that garden! That's where I buried the bodies.
Love, Fred.

At 4 am the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left. That same day the old man received another letter from his son.

Dear Dad, Okay, you can plant the potatoes now. That was the best I could do from here.
Love, Fred.

New Pets

I've been extremely busy and then too tired these days to post anything. This one is a bit out of date.

I would say like two weeks ago my sister called the house while she was out saying "I have a big surprise! Be ready outside and help me with my stuff." I thought -- Well if it's a big surprise I should have my camera ready :) I took Charlie out for a little walk, just as my sister was arriving...

WOOHoo! Two new pets for Jules (my nephew)! Charlie was excited! He sniffed the cage and wanted to e-hem "greet" the new little guys.

Flash Movies: Modern Living / Neurotica series

These are awesome! These collections of short flash interactive films depict great imagination and talent.Modern Living / Neurotica series

Beach Time Fun

Normally I have more fun during spring and autumn seasons. I am not a fan of the Chicago extreme temperatures of winter and summer. This summer however I find myself going out in the sun far more. This weekend my sister, nephew and I hit the beach again. Even though we have an ample swimming pool we both enjoy the beach environment. It's an actual outing and it feels relaxing. Jules LOVES the sand. This time was his first experience being covered all over with it and he was simply giddy.

Running Away Continued...

From previous post Running Away continued...
I reached my feared destination. It was even darker than I remembered. It looked long and wreaked a putrid stench that momentarily paused me in my tracks. I heard a noise behind me that quickly hardened my fear. I quickly gulped it down and held my breath as I decided to enter the alley. I grabbed hold of my bag firmly and made a fast dash. I screamed when I felt a quick brush over my foot a quarter way into the way. I knew what it was, but I instantly looked back to confirm what I knew wasn't my imagination. The rodent just stared back at me. All I could see was it's dark outline and glowing eyes peer through me. It knew I was scared, I felt it and continued to run forward at a faster pace than I ever ran before. I prayed to have that be my only frightful encounter through that damned sewage smelling path.

I reached the end of the alley unscathed! I held my hands to my aching rib sides. I was breathing so heavily, I felt my lungs wanting to jump out of my body in hopes of grasping more air. I turned my focus towards the alley to see or hear my persecutor. The only thing I thought I heard was an eerie wind that spoke to me. I was lucky this time, never come through here again I felt it whisper back at me.

Fourth of July Fireworks

This weekend was full of events that kept me busy taking pictures everywhere. July 4th, the US Independence Day was this Monday. We started the celebration early, as many Americans did as well. For the most part everyone begins firing off their fireworks and high-tech pyrotechnic displays on the third. This year my brother in law and his brother had fun shooting some fireworks of their own, I was lucky enough to watch and take pictures :)


© 2005 Araceli Arroyo Photograph

Gangsta Gadgets

Imagine that! Gadgets for the hip-hop world. And that's exactly what the folks at Sync Magazine did for the June issue, delivering a wide range of fantastically conceived pieces of gear, including the "Laptop Lowrider", the "Ba-Donka-Donk" Mouse and seven other concepts that will blow your mind and make you scream.

Click here to View the Gangsta Gadgets

Happy Swing

What I wouldn't give to be a kid again. The old saying is true, if I knew then what I know now... I would have enjoyed and appreciated my childhood more. The good thing about having your own children or nieces and nephews for that matter is that you see things again through their eyes. I remember some of my childhood memories and bask in their happiness. Life is wonderful sometimes that way.

A day at a park swing can bring so much happiness. It's all smiles for us on this day.

Flash Project - 99Rooms.com

I liked this site, but must admit I got creeped out. The sound and grim pictures are prefect for the spook factor!

What is 99rooms?
99rooms is a unique internet art project that interweaves wall painting, photography, animation and sound in a manner entirely unknown until now. Since the launch of 99rooms.com in June 2004, more than one million individuals throughout the world have visited this interdisciplinary composite work of art.

The beginning of 99rooms stemmed from the mystical, often apolocalyptically charming pictures created by the young Berlin artist Kim Koester within the countless vacated premises of East Berlin's industrial sector. The basis of the individual 99rooms accessible through the internet was born within the artwork and industrial environment of the closely photographed atmosphere fostered by Koester.

The photos which resulted from this were initially produced in digital form and then animated through a cooperative effort between Richard Schumann and Stephan Schulz in order to be subsequently complemented through a personal sounddesign from Johannes Buenemann.

The final product of this year long effort is a scintillating intermediary world which invites the observer to an interactive journey through its morbidly-beautiful rooms.

Visit 99ROOMS.COM

Nature Walks With Charlie

Charlie and I have started a new weekend habit. Yesterday marked the fourth straight weekend that we have gone for a hike at my new favorite park in Riverside, IL. I think it's part of the forest preserve, which I think I will change it up a bit next week. We will probably go through the main forest preserve instead. These trails are perfect for Charlie. He tends to pull on his leash in the beginning. Yeah, yeah he wasn't able to learn that in my training. Hey I was able to teach him many other things, so I am willing to let him pull on me a bit. After a while he tires himself out anyway, which is why this spot is perfect. I let him slush though the river water and cool off.

We walked through the woods in and out the river bank until the sun went down. Yesterday was a perfect day for it. The weather cooled down and provided us with a nice breeze through out. Needless to say Charlie was snoring all the way back on the 15 minute drive back home. As soon as we got home he plopped himself down and continued snoring. Looking at these pictures I think it's time for a fur trim - Ick!

Flash Movies - d-art_v1.2

Pretty cool site with many options in 'expirements' to keep you entertained for a while. Be sure to try out the nintendo revival game, it had me suckered in for quite a while.d-art_v1.2

Swimming Fun

The water was cold, but I got in anyway. There is just something about having a clean big body of water near you that beckons you to jump in. This weekend I did just that. The weather wasn't as hot as I would like it, but after a few minutes my body temperature adjusted and I had fun. After almost two hours or so, I left and found myself energized, my body however was tired. It was a good work out. We have a pool-basketball board, which gave me quite the exercise. I wish I was an early bird. I would love to hop in the morning and feel refreshed and fully awake for the work day.

Netdisaster - Destroy the web!

I love this site! I stumbled upon it thanks to 'Stumble' and it was immediately placed into my favorite links. Go ahead enter any site. I love that it will screen-grab the website that is on the net right now and will do whatever you choose. Destroy a webpage now!

Flash Movie - Falling Dude

Turn up your speakers, this is a fun flash clip. Snowman like little guy falls and screams along the beat of a dance track. Funnier is that I can actually picture the song playing at the local night club. Falling Dude

Breezy Night

Last night was a fresh breezy beautiful night for a stroll through downtown. My sister and I took my nephew and posed him in many nice spots. I found a nice easy parking spot and headed to Millennium park. Below are a few of my favorites snapshots.

© 2005 Araceli Arroyo Photograph

Joke of the Day

From E-Mail Forward - In Honor of Stupid People . . . .
In case you needed further proof that the human race is doomed through stupidity, here are some actual label instructions on consumer goods.
=On a Sears hairdryer -- Do not use while sleeping.
(That's the only time I have to work on my hair.)
=On a bag of Fritos -- You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside.
(the shoplifter special?)
=On a bar of Dial soap -- "Directions: Use like regular soap."
(and that would be???....)
=On some Swanson frozen dinners -- "Serving suggestion: Defrost."
(but, it's just a suggestion.)
=On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom) -- "Do not turn upside down."
(well...duh, a bit late, huh!)
=On Marks &Spencer Bread Pudding -- "Product will be hot after heating."
(...and you thought????...)
=On packaging for a Rowenta iron -- "Do not iron clothes on body."
(but wouldn't this save me time?)
=On Boot's Children Cough Medicine -- "Do not drive a car or operate machinery after taking this medication."
(We could do a lot to reduce the rate of construction accidents if we could just get those 5 year-olds with head-colds off those bulldozers.)
=On Nytol Sleep Aid -- "Warning: May cause drowsiness."
(...I'm taking this because???....)
=On most brands of Christmas lights -- "For indoor or outdoor use only."
(as opposed to what?)
=On a Japanese food processor -- "Not to be used for the other use."
(now, somebody out there, help me on this. I'm a bit curious.)
=On Sainsbury's peanuts -- "Warning: contains nuts."
(talk about a news flash)
=On an American Airlines packet of nuts -- "Instructions: Open packet, eat nuts."
(Step 3: say what?)
=On a child's Superman costume -- "Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly."
(I don't blame the company. I blame the parents for this one.)
=On a Swedish chainsaw -- "Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals."
(Oh my God..was there a lot of this happening somewhere?)

This One Is For You Rabbit!

Per request from a good friend here are a few pictures of Sir Charles my trusty photoblog companion. This was from last week's short trip to a beautiful park in Riverside, IL. The rain cut our visit short, but both Charlie and I enjoyed the few for at least a few short minutes.