Archive for August, 2006

Prosperity Game Check #3 - $3500

Tuesday 29 August 2006 @ 7:57 am

Message from the Universe: There is more to our experience than meets the eye…

Please refer to the e-book “Lessons from the Prosperity Game” for today’s lesson.

* Note: Download the free e-book at:
http://www.choosingprosperity.com/handbook.htm

After having taken about 100 pictures with my current digital camera and only having a handful turn out well, perhaps an upgrade to a new camera would be in order. Okay, U, this is what I would like to spend this check on:

Canon EOS 5D 12.8 MP Digital SLR Camera

Technical Details

12.8-megapixel CCD captures images up to 4,368 x 2,912 pixels
World’s smallest and lightest full-frame digital SLR as of August 2005–the sensor operates without a conversion factor
New larger 2.5-inch LCD screen can be viewed even at extreme angles of up to 170 degrees
Consecutive shooting allows the capture of 3.0 frames per second for up to 60 consecutive JPEG or 17 RAW frames in a burst
Captures images on CompactFlash Type I and Type II cards, compatible with cards of 2 GB capacity and larger

Product Description

From the Manufacturer
The 12.8-megapixel Canon EOS 5D creates a new D-SLR category, combining a full frame CMOS sensor with a lightweight, compact magnesium-alloy body. Weighing just 810 grams, it features a second generation 35.8 x 23.9-millimeter CMOS sensor, 3 frame-per-second, 60-Large-JPEG-frame burst, and 0.2 second start-up time operation.

Marking five years since Canon’s first CMOS image sensor appeared in the EOS D30, the release represents Canon’s fifth new CMOS sensor to be released since April 2004.

Equivalent in size to a frame of 35mm film, the camera’s 35.8 x 23.9-millimeter CMOS sensor gives photographers a full angle of view without magnification or cropping effect. It provides tighter control over depth of field and improves image quality by capturing more light with its large pixels.

Key features
Super responsive, the EOS 5D is driven by the same DIGIC II processor found in Canon’s EOS-1D professional range cameras.

Protected with a rugged yet lightweight magnesium-alloy exterior, the camera also features new Picture Style pre-sets, a new hi-resolution 2.5-inch LCD monitor, 9-point auto focus with 6 invisible Assist AF points to improve tracking performance, compatibility with Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E1, custom mode for fast recall of user defined camera set-ups, USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface for fast downloads and 1/8000- to 30-second shutter speed with X-sync at 1/200 second.

The CMOS advantage
With five years of in-house CMOS development since the original EOS D30, Canon’s latest CMOS sensor features 12.8-megapixel resolution, and the same second-generation on-chip noise reduction circuitry used on the EOS-1Ds Mark II. This effectively suppresses random noise and eliminates fixed-pattern noise for extremely clean, high-fidelity images. The wide 100-1600 ISO speed range is extendable to L:50 and H:3200.

Improved in-camera control
New Picture Style presets simplify in-camera control over image quality. Delivering more immediately usable JPEG images straight out of the camera without need for post-production, Picture Style pre-sets can be likened to different film types–each one offering a different color response. Within each easily selectable pre-set, photographers have control over sharpness, contrast, color tone, and saturation.

The pre-sets include:
Standard–for crisp, vivid images that don’t require post-processing;
Portrait–optimizes color tone and saturation and weakens sharpening to achieve attractive skin tones;
Landscape–for deep greens and blues with stronger sharpening to give a crisp edge to mountain, tree, and building outlines;
Neutral–ideal for post-processing;
Faithful–adjusts color to match the subject color when shot under a color temperature of 5200K;
Monochrome–for black and white shooting with a range of filter effects (yellow, orange, red, and green) and toning effects (sepia, blue, purple, and green)

Additionally, three user-defined entries allow the possibility to create additional variations on the in-camera styles or install additional custom Picture Style files. Additional custom Picture Style files may be downloaded from Canon’s web site.

Picture Style replaces internal image processing previously controlled by setting processing parameters and color matrix. Picture Style is also supported by the supplied Digital Photo Professional and RAW Image Task software.

New LCD monitor
For improved image review and menu readability, the EOS 5D is fitted with a new large-size high-resolution 2.5-inch 230K pixel poly-silicon TFT LCD monitor. The improved screen retains brightness and visibility throughout a wide 170-degree angle of view, both vertically and horizontally, making it easy to view images when the camera is mounted in a fixed position.

Autofocus
A newly developed 9-point auto focus system features 6 additional invisible Assist AF points located inside the spot-metering circle. These points come into effect when the camera is switched to AI SERVO AF with the center focus point selected and are automatically used to improve the camera’s subject tracking performance.

Ergonomics and control
The ‘Premium EOS’ design features a magnesium alloy exterior with rubberized grip surfaces. The discreet and lightweight compact body measures just 152 x 113 x 75 millimeters and weighs only 810 grams, making it two thirds the volume and weight of the EOS-1Ds Mark II.

In a handy new feature, current camera settings can be stored and assigned to the C (camera settings) position on the Mode Dial. This allows photographers to switch quickly between two completely different camera set-ups without having to switch bodies–ideal for photographers who need to rapidly switch their cameras from an indoor to outdoor shooting condition, for example. Exposure mode, ISO speed, AF mode, drive mode, Picture Style, white balance, and custom functions are all stored in the custom setting. There are 21 custom functions with 57 user-definable settings to enable photographers to configure the camera for their preferred way of working.

Connectivity
With the optional Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E1 (not included–must be purchased separately), photographers can work cable-free as full-frame image files can be transferred automatically through a wireless LAN to a computer in seconds.

A USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface allows rapid transfer of images from camera to computer, ideal for shooting straight-to-hard-drive with the camera tethered to a computer in a studio environment, thus providing full screen previews of images as they are shot. The EOS 5D also has a video out interface to allow playback and review on a TV monitor, and it’s PictBridge compliant to support direct printing to any compatible photo printer without the need for a computer. It takes both CompactFlash Type I and Type II cards, including cards of 2 GB capacity and larger.

Compatibility and accessories
The EOS 5D offers complete compatibility with all Canon EF lenses, providing photographers with access to a vast range of lenses with focal lengths from 14 to 600mm.

The camera is also compatible with the new (as of August 2005) high-performance EF 24-105mm f4L IS USM, a lightweight Image Stabilizer lens. Completing Canon’s f4L-series zoom lens range, the new lens complements the EF 17-40mm f4L USM and EF 70-200mm f4L USM lenses. An ideal match for the lightweight EOS 5D, these lenses are designed for professional photographers requiring high-quality lightweight lenses with a fixed aperture throughout the zoom range.

Also compatible with EX series Speedlites and other EOS accessories, the camera provides photographers with a highly adaptable and flexible camera system. Canon’s E-TTL II flash metering ensures accurate flash exposures by taking into account such factors as lens distance information, ambient light readings and the detection of reflective objects in order to calculate flash output.

The BG-E4 is a new battery grip designed especially for the EOS 5D. (Not included–must be purchased separately.) Constructed with the same magnesium alloy as the camera’s exterior, it has a solid and comfortable hold. The grip can accommodate two BP-511A/514/512/511 battery packs or six AA batteries. The Battery Grip BG-E4 features a shutter release button, AE/FE lock button, AF point selector, and main dial to enable comfortable use of the camera when held vertically.

The camera’s focusing screens are interchangeable: In addition to the “Standard Precision Matte” (Ee-A) focusing screen supplied with the camera, “Precision Matte with Grid” (Ee-D) and “Super Precision Matte” (Ee-S) screens are available.

The EOS 5D supports the optional Data Verification Kit DVK-E2 v2.2 (not included–must be purchased separately), which verifies the authenticity of images taken with the camera.

New software
The EOS 5D is supplied with the EOS Digital Solution Disk v11, which includes a new version of Canon’s Digital Photo Professional (DPP) RAW processing software–now at version 2.0. DPP now supports RAW images shot on all EOS digital cameras from the EOS D30 onwards, and includes support for Picture Styles. Improvements and additions are aimed at improving functionality and workflow efficiency for professionals, and include: easy image selection with three levels of check marks; real-time adjustment of sharpness; improved image correction (Copy Stamp); enhanced image transfer function (single-image transfer to PhotoShop is possible); extended color space support, now including Apple RGB and ColorMatch RGB; and improved usability of the CMYK simulation function.

Also provided is on the EOS Digital Solution Disk v11 is ZoomBrowser EX (PC) and ImageBrowser (MAC) v5.5 for managing images, EOS Capture v1.5 for remote shooting, PhotoStitch v3.1, PhotoRecord v2.2 (PC) and RAW ImageTask v2.2. The EOS 5D is compatible with Canon iMAGE Gateway, which provides a 100 MB online photo album.

In addition to the body of the camera, I need the lens to go with it. To make the $3500 check, I have decided to go with this lens:

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens

Technical Details

EF mount; standard zoom lens
Internal focusing; full-time manual focus; aspherical lens; image stabilizer
28-135mm focal length
f/3.5-5.6 maximum aperture
Micro UltraSonic Motor (USM)

Product Description
A compact and lightweight zoom lens with built-in image stabilizer for greater sharpness Advanced optics and aspherical lens element help preserve sharpness and color clarity from edge to edge Accepts 72mm lens filters (optional)

Comments (1) | Posted in Law of Attraction

Abraham-Hicks Quote 8/28

Monday 28 August 2006 @ 11:07 am

“You did not come here as teachers in this time to teach everyone, because everyone isn’t seeking what you are. You came forth in absolute vibrational response to those upon your planet who are seeking that which you are knowing. So, as you focus upon your connection first, and you understand that those who will benefit from it will gravitate towards you, then you will get together in gatherings — usually it is one on one — with others who feel uplifted by their interaction with you.”

Expressed by Abraham-Hicks
Selected by Jerry and Esther Hicks
From the Abraham-Hicks Planning Calendar
New Abraham Journal #34 now online

Comments (1) | Posted in Abraham-Hicks, Abraham-Hicks Quotes

The Prosperity Game: Check 2 - $2500

Sunday 27 August 2006 @ 8:56 am

‘Have in your mind that which would constitute a miracle for you. Get the vision. Suspend disbelief and skepticism. Allow yourself to take the journey toward real magic.’ — Wayne Dyer

We’re collecting hundreds of Prosperity Game miracles. Share your miracles at the Game forum: http://www.choosingprosperity.com/forum/

I think I will use this wonderful check to work on redoing my kid’s rooms. We have some pretty awful particleboard furniture that has been “fixed” one to many times.

I would like two of each of these please U

Dresser

Bookshelf

The total cost for both of this is a slight bit over the $2500, but I know U will help supply the extra amount to.

$2517.98

Comments (0) | Posted in Law of Attraction

‘The Secret’ and Abraham Hicks

Wednesday 23 August 2006 @ 10:21 pm

About a week ago, I ran across a blog post at Get Wet! in regards to an email they sent to Abraham Hicks about how they felt that “The Secret” was very materialistic with it’s examples and failed to let people know that LOA (Law of Attraction) also works for all other aspects of your life as well. The main push of the film was about money and getting things.

They received an email in response to their well written concerns from Abraham-Hicks (Jeanne) which basically said that when Esther and Jerry agreed to participate in this project, they really didn’t know how it would turn out and that is was quite different than what they contracted with the company.

So when the producer recently insisted on further significant changes in their agreement regarding marketing, distribution, and theatrical rights, Jerry & Esther opted instead to be cut out of the film altogether. This is still in negotiation.

I have to say that I wasn’t too impressed with “The Secret” either. I didn’t like the style of the film. I also felt the same way about “What the Bleep”. Good concepts but hard for me to “get into”. I did notice the materialism of it all too and that bugged me as as it did Stacy and Andrea. I can see, though, how it would appeal to the masses as it appears that most people look towards things and money as a way to find happiness. “If only I could have that, I would be happy” and I sure that any LOA / Abraham die hards know that there is SO much more to it than that.

When I was listening to this week’s Abraham CD (I highly recommend doing the weekly subscription!), I felt like I was a fly on the wall with something that was being talked about. There was a women talking about how she wanted to get rid of resentment towards people in her life and Abraham had some interesting “Esther” information to share. It really fits into what Stacy and Andrea were talking about in their blog post.

From Abraham-Hicks Weekly CD subscription - CD 7/1/06 Seattle WA Track 7 “Her Resentment is Hurting Her”

The thing we enjoy, and every now and again Esther and Jerry bump up against something where they are sure that the reason they feel bad is because of the behavior of someone else. And we particularly enjoy it when that person continues to be as bad as Jerry and Esther think that they are and refuses to change what they are doing and they continue to be that bad which gives Jerry and Esther the option of turning and going with the flow or holding themselves in resistance to the flow and giving that person the credit for them being out of the flow. There are a lot of people who will tell you one thing and do another. There are people who will mislead you, who will pretend to be one thing when they are really another. In other words, we’re not saying that you don’t have a legitimate gripe or a legitimate claim. We’re just saying that if you wait for some outside arbitrator to make them be the way you need them to be so that you feel better then there will always be another one and another one and another one. Where if you take your stand and reclaim your power by saying to them “I resent you and it feels terrible, therefore, I am going to do something about my resentment and I am not going to ask you to do something about your behavior”. Because when you are trying to control conditions or circumstances, there’s just another and another and another and another and another and another. Jerry and Esther had an experience recently where someone asked them to enter into an agreement which they usually don’t do but they did and then the person proceeded to break the agreement at every turn and then proceeded to threaten them if they didn’t allow a further breach of the agreement. And as it went on, first Jerry and Esther’s, mostly Esther’s, mouth was hanging open in disbelief. She could not believe that they could be so bold and blatant about it but the longer it persisted, for many many months it went on, the longer it persisted, the deeper their level of resentment became. And short of going to battle which they do not want to do, they could not get these, this person, to do something different, and so the resentment sort of festered. Now Jerry and Esther have a wonderful life and in the scheme of everything they are living, it was not a big part of their life, although it started taking more and more and more and more of their time. And Esther found herself wanting to clean it up but believing to clean it up, this person had to stop doing that. In other words, still not taking responsibility. Only this was so in your face and so apparent that Esther said “Time to clean up my vibration, time to accept my own power, time to acknowledge that nobody can do anything that is big enough that it deserves my resentful attention. Because resentful attention only gets you more of what you do not want”

It was really odd to me in my evaluation of this information. I know The Secret is introducing people to the Law of Attraction and that can be nothing but good. If someone realizes that they DO have control over their lives, that can only create improvement in their lives. I just hope that they realize that that control envelopes their whole life and not just the material part of it all. I appreciate The Secret because I know it will give those who are not up to speed with all of this, a hand up and help them grow and learn. I think, for me, I have moved beyond the money / belongings part of LOA. I have that well under control. I know there is a never ending supply of money and that if I want it, it will come to me. I don’t need to stockpile stuff in order to convince myself of that (anymore). I think it is cool to see that Esther and Jerry still battle with it all too and that they are able to understand and “turn the boat around”. Makes them more real to me. I do wonder, though, how they managed to attract this particular, challenging situation That is just me being a nosey parker!

Comments (6) | Posted in Abraham-Hicks, Law of Attraction

Abraham-Hicks & Law of Attraction Online

Wednesday 23 August 2006 @ 9:36 am

I am seeing more and more blogs and websites show up about people discovering Abraham and Law of Attraction. As I was looking around, there seems to be a major influx in the last 2 or 3 months. I am going to keep a running tab on the sites / blogs / resources to be found online. If you know of other ones, feel free to let me know.

Abraham Quotes (as seen at the top of this blog and which change daily)
http://www.abraham-quotes.com

Abraham-Hicks Yahoo Mail Group (high volume of email; lots of great conversations)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Abraham-Hicks/

Finding My Way to Wellbeing
http://findingmywaytowellbeing.blogspot.com/

As If My Magic
http://blog.as-if-by-magic.com/

Ask, Answer, Receive
http://ask-answer-receive.blogspot.com

Dearer Still Is Truth
http://dearerstill.blogspot.com/

Marci from Maui
http://marcyfrommaui.powerfulintentions.com/blog

Reminding You Of What You Already Know
http://davetrager.blogspot.com

Evolving Times
http://evolvingtimes.com

Deliberate Creation
http://iheart80s.blogspot.com/

Get Wet!
http://integrationcoach.wordpress.com

Living in Balance and Harmony
http://prayasone.blogspot.com