David Petraeus Steps Down as Director of the CIA

After Waiting 24 Hours, President Obama Accepts General Petraeus’s Resignation as Director of the CIA

The U.S. Army/Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual
Holly Petraeus, Wife Of David Petraeus
Paula Broadwell, author of All In:  The Education of General David Petraeus


The Books of Frank Lloyd Wright

Article by Guest Blogger Linda Gordon

Frank Lloyd Wright:  An Autobiography

Born in Wisconsin of Welsh descent, Wright studied civil engineering at the University of Wisconsin. His early work as an architect was influenced by Louis Henry Sullivan when Wright became his chief assistant in Chicago.

America’s Greatest Architect

Widely considered the greatest American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright is most certainly one of the most influential. For nearly 70 years, he produced masterpiece after masterpiece, each distinct and boldly innovative. Wright’s most important works bear the unmistakable touch of his genius in the treatment of material, the detailing, and the overall concept.

Gore Vidal: An American Iconoclast

Gore Vidal, 1925-2012

Photo of Vidal by Carl Van Vechten, 1948

If one had to sum up Gore Vidal in one word, that word would be iconoclast. According to the dictionary one of the definitions for the word ‘iconoclast’ is “a person who attacks cherished beliefs, traditional institutions, etc., as being based on error or superstition.” In that since of the word, Vidal has definitely attacked cherished beliefs and traditional institutions, from his third novel in 1949 to his most recent appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher on Hbo.

Statue of Jacob van Artevelde, Vrijdagmarkt Canvas Prints

Statue of guild leader Jacob van Artevelde, Vrijdagmarkt, Ghent, Belgium, Europe

  • Canvas Print  This 12 x8 Canvas Print features an image of Statue of guild leader Jacob van Artevelde, Vrijdagmarkt, Ghent, Belgium, Europe chosen by Robert Harding. Estimated image size 305x203mm.
  • White Sides Photo printed on archival quality canvas. Laminated. Canvas print stretched and hand mounted over thick 1 3/8 inch wooden bars. No frame, Gallery art appearance. Ready to hang
  • Image Description:  Statue of guild leader Jacob van Artevelde, Vrijdagmarkt, Ghent, Belgium, Europe. Statue of guild leader Jacob van Artevelde, Vrijdagmarkt, Ghent, Belgium, Europe

Review: Trick Photography and Special Effects

Trick Photography and Special Effects

We recently received a copy of a new book by photographer Evan Sharboneau. Sharboneau has a truly informative blog with some incredible tutorials at PhotoExtremist.com. I was really pleased with the way the book was organized. No matter what your level of skill or experience with photography, you will find this book a valuable resource that you will return to again and again. I found the abundance of lighting variables and techniques in Trick Photography and Special Effects almost overwhelming. There are so many real examples, all clickable that link to the web for even further review. This book even has clickable links to step by step tutorials for many of the techniques illustrated.

Monkees Singer Davy Jones is Dead at 66


eBay Sniper

Davy Jones, 1945-2012

Davy Jones, Monkees Frontman

British singer-songwriter and actor Davy Jones has died at the age of 66. Best known as a member of the Monkees, Jones and his band released six albums, four of which hit No. 1 on the Billboard chart. Several of their singles still resonate today, including I’m a Believer, Last Train to Clarksville, and Daydream Believer. Jones and his legacy will be remembered for years to come.

Stream Direct TV: Watch 4500 HD Channels

Stream Direct TV

Pros:  Stream Direct provides unlimited and uncensored access to over 4500 TV channels for a one time lifetime fee. No other fees ever!

Cons:  It’s not exactly clear what you will have access to until you sign up, however we found all of our favorites upon further review.

The Verdict:  Considering what you would pay monthly for cable TV, Satellite Direct TV, with over 4500 HD channels, is definitely worth the one time fee.

Price:  $49.95

Add a Stealth Mode Boss Button to Google Chrome


I just found out about a neat little application for people who have to spend one third of their weekdays stuck at the the office. If you have a job consider yourself lucky. But does the job have you? Do you have the boss looking over your shoulder when you would rather be shopping at Amazon or checking out the latest lol cats? Now you can hide those websites easily with the Boss Button extension for Google Chrome.

Corporate Welfare: Free Lunch for Wealthy Americans

I saw this very well done rebuttal to Ben Stein’s outrageous commentary against the proposed tax increase for rich people:

Linda McGibney: Ben Stein is Wrong

Television producer Linda McGibney is within America’s highest tax bracket and disagrees with Ben Stein’s claim that he feels it is a punishment for the wealthy to be taxed higher during a recession.

Daria: The Complete Animated Series


From a recent article in Salon:

“Daria” may have started out as a hip soapbox for lampooning suburbanites, but as the series progressed, it really let its characters grow. The clueless teachers, the workaholic parents, even the vacuous fashion club members evolved into complex human beings. And Daria and Jane grew beyond mere smirking social commentators, too, as they grappled to fit dating, college pursuits, and even their own hypocrisy into their narrowly idealistic worldview.