Arts and Entertainment

Ticket fraud and illegal purchase activity has lead to the cancellation of over 1,000 concert tickets to Barbra Streisand’s fall tour, according to a release from Ticketmaster overnight. Reportedly purchased with fraudulent credit cards, the tickets have been invalidated.

“It is a serious violation of the law to try to buy concert tickets using stolen credit card information and, when successful, to resell those tickets to unknowing consumer victims through resale web sites,” said Sean Moriarty, President and COO of Ticketmaster in a statement.

The problem for ticket holders is that they must replace their tickets. For Ticketmaster, the issue may be either that they were bought with fraudulent credit cards, or that the tickets were found on secondary reseller sites. Ticketmaster has previously cancelled tickets for Tom Petty and Kylie Minogue concerts, because of the discovery of tickets on secondary sites.

Ticketmaster representative Bonnie Pointdexter said “It was a credit card issue. The tickets were purchased with a fraudulent credit card, which was discovered subsequent to their purchase.”

Streisand’s publicist insists the same is true. “The issue was not that the tickets were found on resale sites. I mean, they [Ticketmaster] discourage largely any form of scalping, but over 1,000 good fans of hers were liable to be disappointed if they were not refunded their money.”

The large amount of invalidated tickets may be due in part to the success of this tour.

“The issue isn’t peculiar to Barbra,” Streisand’s publicist continued. “But it may be more aggravated because of the large numbers of ticket sales. Lots of people are very intent on getting tickets.”

“With the Streisand tour the unusually high number of incidents of fraud has prompted us to issue this specific warning,” Moriarty’s statement added. “A list of the Streisand tickets that have been cancelled to date is available for reference on Ticketmaster.com at www.ticketmaster.com/barbrastreisand.”

“This information should have been available two months ago,” said Don Vaccaro, CEO of TicketNetwork.com. “TicketMaster needs to take a more proactive stance on credit card fraud. It appears as if anyone can order tickets through TicketMaster for an event using a stolen credit card number and use the tickets.”

Fans that purchased tickets that were affected on the dates of Oct. 4, 11, 13, 18 and 30, as well as Nov. 2, 4 and 18th received cancellation notices from Ticketmaster via email.

Michael Cohl, the tour’s national promoter, said in a statement that “With the overwhelming number of cancelled tickets accessible for sale in the secondary market, it’s imperative that we warn consumers that Barbra Streisand tickets purchased from unauthorized resellers may not work at the door on the night of the show.”

“In this case Streisand and the venues lose money, the fans who previously purchased tickets lost access to better seats and the industry as a whole loses credibility,” Vaccaro said. “If TicketMaster used the same vetting procedure as secondary market brokers do, this would have probably not happened.”

“The only way for fans to know that their tickets are valid is to purchase their tickets from venue box offices or from Ticketmaster,” Cohl wrote.

A representative for concert promoter ICM said the company “did not have a comment in this case.”

When buying tickets, the safest avenue to prevent losing money on cancelled tickets is to purchase them using a credit card, so that there is a traceable transaction path. Also, when buying from the secondary market, using a reputable broker, one certified by the NATB or that has an actual store front is another way to reduce the risk of buying fraudulent tickets.

Christine Paluf is the Editor of TicketNews.com/ TicketNews.com, a secondary ticket industry news and information site.

Anyone who wants to learn how to play the guitar can easily learn how to do it.

Quitting too early is the problem that most newbies have. The reason why they give up is because they find that it is too difficult and they quit trying hard enough to learn how to play the instrument.

Practice is essential in learning how to play any instrument, including the guitar. Most new guitar players give the excuses that their fingers hurt or they do not have time to practice as their reason for quitting guitar, rather than the true reason of not practicing as much as they should. Practice makes perfect and many people do not want to put the time into practicing that is needed.

If you want to learn how to play the guitar, here are a few tips for you to keep in mind:

1. Get the best guitar that your budget can afford

You will learn easier and faster if you have a quality instrument to learn on. You don’t have to buy the most expensive one, but you do need to do your research to find a quality guitar that fits your budget.

A quality guitar will sound better and feel better to even an inexperienced guitar player. They can also give you an added incentive to learn how to play because you enjoy the feel and sound of the guitar.

2. Practice, Practice, Practice

You need to practice every day for best results. It is really the ONLY way for you to learn how to play the guitar comfortably and well.

3. Learning by Yourself

In many cases, it may be easier for you to learn how to play by yourself. You can then learn at your own pace and at your own comfort.

You will still need an instructor, but learning the basics will be much easier on your own and then you can find an instructor to help you learn how to play the guitar.

The most important thing for you to do is to get started. After you become comfortable and familiar with the guitar, then it is time to find an instructor. You can learn to play the guitar as easy as 1-2-3. You just need to be interested in it enough to stick with it through the ups and downs.

Andrew McNaught is a successful webmaster and publisher of

Remember the old ad that used to run endlessly in magazines and newspapers:

“They laughed when I sat down at the piano…but when I started to play…” ?

I remember very well the first time I played piano for a group. They DID laugh. It was a disaster. I overheard the leader say “Let’s get somebody with some rhythm in there to play.”

Ouch!

That hurt. But I told myself right then and there that I would learn to play the piano so well that no one would ever laugh at me again.

Guess what?

Nobody laughs anymore. And they don′t laugh at my students, either.

Why?

Because I discovered…

– The BACKDOOR to piano playing –

What in the world is the “backdoor to piano playing?

Chords.

Chords are a way in to the world of piano playing without having to go through the front door: years and years of scales, drills, rote practicing, etc. Chords are really a shortcut to understanding and playing music without all the formal training.

Formal training is fine if you have the time and money. But most adults don’t want to wait forever before they can play something enjoyable on the piano. I took lessons when I was a kid, but found it boring. Not only that, but all I could do was play the written music exactly as it was written. Without the sheet music in front of me, I didn’t have a clue what to do. So I lost interest in piano playing until the incident described above. But shortly after that, I had the opportunity to play in a school combo — but to do that, I had to learn chords, and learn them fast.

I didn’t really know where to turn, so I sent for a $2. chord chart advertised in Popular Mechanics, and within hours after I got it I was playing the Dm7 chord and the C6 chord in my left hand while I played the tune with my right hand. Talk about excited! Within a few weeks I could play dozens of songs using chords. And I discovered that my sight-reading speed greatly improved at the same time, because now I understood what I was seeing on the printed page!

So I came in through the back door instead, and now I enjoy what I used to hate! Why? Because I understand what I’m doing because now I understand chords and chord progressions. I eventually went on to get advanced degrees in music and literature from Southern Oregon University — and it was easy because of all I had learned about music theory and harmony due to playing and understanding chords.

Can you do the same? There’s really no reason why you can’t if you have the desire. Start looking at sheet music with new eyes: look for notes that make up chords and then analyze those chords. Before long you’ll start seeing a pattern of recurring chords – in other words, chord progressions. Do this for a few months while simultaneously learning about chords and how they are formed, and music will take on a new dimension for you. You’ll no longer view sheet music as something you are tied to, but rather you’ll see it as a map that you can follow to create the sounds and styles you choose.

Duane Shinn is the author of over 500 music books and products such as DVD’s, CD’s, musical games for kids, chord charts, musical software, and piano lesson instructional courses for adults. He holds an advanced degree from Southern Oregon University and was the founder of Piano University in Southern Oregon. He can be reached at pianolessonsbyvideo.com pianolessonsbyvideo.com

He is the author of the popular free 101-week e-mail newsletter titled “Amazing Secrets Of Piano Chords & Sizzling Chord Progressions” with over 55,700 current subscribers. Those interested may obtain a free two-year subscription by going to playpiano.com playpiano.com.

Jennifer Harman is among the very few women professional poker players in America. Jennifer was born on November 29, 1964 at Reno in Nevada. Jennifer started playing the game on the knees of her father at the tender age of eight.

Jennifer went to University of Nevada to study biology after completing high school. She also worked part-time as a waitress. This helped her learn few nuances of the poker game. After completing her degree, Jennifer found herself drifting into poker rather than a regular job. Soon she quit her job to play poker full-time, much against her father’s wishes.

Although Jennifer took a year off to do some business, she soon went broke and returned to the poker table to earn back her losses and make good gains too. Jennifer was a strict cash game player only. Nevertheless, soon, Jennifer made her mark in the poker tournaments too.

Jennifer Harman was 6th at the World Series of Poker in 1995 in the $2,500 Pot-Limit Hold’em event. In 1999, she was 13th in $1,500 Limit Hold’em event. Jennifer also won the Limit Hold’em event at the Orleans Open and the Commerce Casino No-Limit Hold’em championship.

Jennifer’s biggest achievement was in the 2000 World Series. She was first in No-Limit 2-7 Draw, although she had never played the game ever before. She won the next bracelet at 2002 WSOP, winning $5,000 Limit Hold′em event. She was successful in 2004 too. Later in 2005, she won the biggest money tournament at a WSOP Circuit main event. The prize money was $384,000. Her total live tournament winnings as of 2007 are more than $1,700,000.

Jennifer has been in and out of poker circles due to her kidney transplant. Jennifer later founded CODA: Creating Organ Donation Awareness. This is a nonprofit organization to raise money and awareness for the cause. Jennifer is married to stylist Marco Traniello. Her husband also plays poker. They have twin boys. Jennifer is a member of ‘Team Full Tilt’ at Full Tilt Poker.

pokerblaze.com PokerBlaze.com is a poker blog site by a poker player for poker players and fans alike. PokerBlaze provides information on pokerblaze.com online poker, poker site reviews, poker players, poker tips, and other information to help your game.

1. Don’t try and make something happen. Trying blocks the creative flow and will result in blocks.

2. Don’t expect to create something good. Expectations will always come with judgements and, consequently, you’ll end up feeling let down.

3. Don’t worry about what is “coming out.” Improvisation is about play and freedom to explore. Abandon unrealistic expectations and experience the joy of improvisation.

4. Don’t try and please others. The first person you must please is yourself. This may seem obvious but don’t underestimate the strong need to please - ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE ARTS!

5. Don′t try and accumulate a “lot of knowledge.” All it takes to improvise is a few chords and the proper attitude.

6. Don’t think. Improvisation is about FEELING. It’s about being in the moment and experiencing the moment through the music. Thinking will take you away from your intuition, which will guide you if you listen to it. Intuition will lead you places thinking never could!

7. Don’t quit. Practice is what makes intuition stronger. The more you practice or play, the stronger your intuition will grow and the more you will trust it. Your unique voice will emerge and will grow stronger each time you sit down to play.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music’s quiescencemusic.com/piano_lessons.html online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Visit quiescencemusic.com/piano_lessons.html www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lessons.html now and get a FREE piano lesson!

You have heard about an ipod and you know what it looks like. These sleek highly successful electronic devices are the rage in more iPod review.

Apple has announced that over 100 million iPods have been sold worldwide. The iPod is noted as being the best selling music player in history. Apple is flying high because they designed it.

The sleek designs have been made for the lifestyle of the active one who has those busy schedules. A iPod has little weight and is very easy to carry. You can jog. You can walk. You can even run with your iPod. It is very easy to carry in your pocket and very easy to carry by hand.

The storage capacity of an iPod is totally awesome. You can download at least 500 or more CDs. How convenient is that?

There are 5 types of iPods.

You have the original iPod and 5 generations.The original iPod has been redone in color and it is called the iPod Photo. You then have the smaller version of the iPod which is called the iPod mini. Then there’s the iPod Nano which uses some flash memory and is much smaller and thinner. The next would be the ipod shuffle which has small storage space and the experience is fantastic. And last but not least is the iPod video. It’s a lot slimmer, it plays videos, stores pictures and lots of files. It also holds up to 15,000 songs. This is the iPod I really love. Iit is so awesome.

Although an iPod is small, it produces a fantastic good sound quality and some great accessory products. Here are the top.

The top iPod accessories right now are:
A. iPod Video
B. Apple 20 GB iPod 4th Generation
C. Apple 40 GB iPod 4th Generation
D. iPod Shuffle Dock Connector
E. Apple Care Protection Plan For The iPod
F. Apple iPod Dock
G. Monster Wireless FM Transmitter
H. Belkin Tune Power Rechargeable Battery Pack for the iPod
I. Griffin Technology TJuice, Tune Juice Battery Back-up For The iPod and the iPod Mini
J. Griffin Airclick Mini Remote Control For The iPod Mini
K. The iPod Shuffle Sport Case

Get them while it’s Hot!!!!!

This is what you should look for when choosing your iPod.

A. How much storage space you will have. The most popular size for storage space is 6GB and the 20GB. It depends on how much stuff you have, files, songs, etc.

B. Of course keep in mind of the price. Shop around.

C. Color, do you want alot of color?

D. Usage should be compatible according to the amount of stuff you have. Don’t buy a iPod with huge storage space if you don’t need it.

More iPod review and the hot iPod accessories are still the hottest thing going on right now.

For those of you who have an ipod already and are looking for the easiest way to convert your dvds to an ipod, we have a couple of suggestions available on how to

Before the season, I had Oregon State ranked seventh in the Pac-10. I am still not much more of a fan of the Beavers than I was before. Mike Riley is in his second tour of duty as their coach, and he hasn’t been especially effective either time.

It looked as if this program would turn a corner in 2001, coming off a 10-1 season and a complete dismantling of an overmatched Notre Dame team in the Fiesta Bowl. But it wasn’t to be. Dennis Erickson had done it that season with a number of players Riley brought in, but the next season Oregon State was back in the middle of the Pac-10. Soon after, Riley was out of the NFL, his meteoric rise from USC assistant to NFL head man checked. Riley was soon back with the Beavers.

Things haven’t gotten a whole lot better for him lately. Right now, there is a strong movement underway to “Can Riley” at Oregon State. Will he be the latest in a long line of young coaches who move up to the head job, can’t get it done, and then find their way back as a permanent assistant? That, of course, isn’t up to us, but rather to the Beavers’ athletic department and faithful.

For now, Riley has a little bit of a quarterback controversy going. He’s got a decent starter in Matt Moore, one who started his career at UCLA and moved on to OSU when it became apparent he wouldn’t be a star with the Bruins. But now Moore, even though he’s been a solid starter for the Corvallis eleven, is on the hot seat. Young gun Sean Canfield is in the mix, and has been told to be at the ready just in case Moore falters. That’s not exactly the best way to engender support for the incumbent.

Moore has some tools. He’s got exciting WR-KR Sammie Stroughter, who can get a ton done with his feet and has some nice hands. He’s also got RB Yvenson Bernard, who is in the Steven Jackson mold. Bernard had a great season last year and is averaging nearly 5 ypc this season. From the looks of it prior to the season, the Beavers would be competitive.

But their offense has been anemic. The D, led by linebackers Alan Darlin and Joey LaRocque, has been good; they held Washington State to just 13 points last week. But it’s hard when the offense musters only six points.

For all of the work Mike Riley has done in bringing in solid offensive players, this team just has looked dysfunctional on offense. Five games in, and with wins over only Eastern Washington and Idaho, this team is still in the bottom half of the Pac-10. And with a tough road the rest of the way (with the exception of a game against a horrible Stanford team), I don’t see it getting much better for the Beavers.

Lenny Del Genio is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League.
Read all of his articles at procappers.com/Lenny_Del_Genio.htm procappers.com/Lenny_Del_Genio.htm

Where legends now flow and flow
And scattered pieces of the hero’s pyre,

sing: the stones of Kuelap, Chan Chan

Cuzco—the Amazon ring and ring, as
Barbs on windpipes blow their echoes…!

Thus, cords of music sweep into the jungles

And the Andes; here, —here dwells the city

Of the Andean sea—stone fortress, built

By the gods with stones blood and clay,
— Machu Picchu! Here are the visions
— Of ecstasies; —sharper than a condor’s

Wings These legends flow and flow
And sing! — and flow and sing, and flow

and sing…infinity! “The Legends of Peru!”

#1286 3/23/06 Written while in Lima, Peru. Peru has a lot to offer the adventurous person from: legends from the Amazonas, to Cajamarca, Ancash, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Lima, Ica, Arequipa, Cusco, and Puno; to the far off places like Huancayo, Machu Picchu (by Cusco), Kuelap (in the Amazonas), Chan Chan (by Trujillo); and to Huacachina las lineas de Nazca, to Tambo Colorado. Most of these places I have been to.

Wherever you go in Peru, you will find legends, and discovers just being discovered; yes, you become a part of history just by being in Peru. Part of the adventure in Peru is, or can be trekking on routes; for me it is more archaeological sites, for others perhaps a magical journey with a personal itinerary. Again my vice is the ancestral legends perhaps, and the journey—I want the whole cup of coffee, or whole bowel of soup, and in Peru you can have it. I do hope Peru remains the prize of South America—she is right now.

See Dennis’ web site: dennissiluk.tripod.com dennissiluk.tripod.com Poet Laureate of San Jeronimo-Huancayo, Peru.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have faltered ever since their World Series win a few years back. An early rise to the top last season took a tremendous turn for the worse with the June 5th performance-enhancing drug bust of reliever Jason Grimsley. They went on a 3-20 slump after receiving all of the scrutiny from the media from Grimsley’s episode. This sent the Diamondbacks from the top of the NL West to last place in the division. They made a run at the Wild Card, but were never able to recover from the midseason distractions.

The Arizona offense remained consistent and powerful despite the distractions. Orlando Hudson had the best year of his career, hitting over .300 in the second half of the season. Johnny Estrada hit .302 and Eric Byrnes became the first Diamondback with 25 homers and 25 stolen bases in a single season. Brandon Webb was the spark of the 2006 season on Arizona’s pitching staff. He started the season with a 47-45 mark with a 3.28 ERA, but on the way to winning the Cy Young Award, he posted a 16-8 record with a 3.10 ERA and breezed through a perfect inning in his first ever All-Star Game. The 2007 season looks promising but the Diamondback’s young talent has to step up. Orlando Hudson, Chad Tracy, and Eric Byrnes should be the only position player starters older than 24 on opening day.

The biggest offseason news for the D-backs pitching staff was that the Diamondbacks agreed with the New York Yankees on a trade that brought Randy Johnson and $2 million back to Arizona in exchange for reliever Luis Vizcaino and three minor leaguers. Can Johnson rediscover the magic he possessed the last time he was in Phoenix or is he too old to get the job done against Major League hitters? We feel he could be a sleeper and National League pitching is much easier than in the American League so he should be fine. The starting four in the pitching rotation looks very promising for the 2007 season. Brandon Webb, Randy Johnson, Livan Hernandez, and Doug Davis respectively have proven themselves in the Major Leagues. All of these pitchers have remained healthy and with 6 Cy Young awards on their side, this team has the experience in their pitching staff that could get them to the postseason. Livan Hernandez has recorded more than 200 innings in 8 out of the last 9 seasons. Doug Davis has recorded at least 34 starts and 200 innings in each of his last 3 seasons. The problem will not be the starting pitching in 2007 if there is a problem at all.

Arizona’s infield looks to be very promising as well with Orlando Hudson being a veteran ring leader at 2nd Base. Hudson had his best offensive season last year, hitting .287 with 15 home runs and 67 RBIs and earned himself the NL Gold Glove while posting a .454 SLG, the best of his career. Conor Jackson (.291, 15, 79) and Chad Tracy (20 homers, 80 RBIs) return at first and third respectively. At shortstop multi-talented Stephen Drew is back to build on last year’s strong debut (.316 in 209 at-bats). Fan favorite and Diamondbacks star Luis Gonzalez will not be returning as the left fielder for the D-backs outfield. He signed a $7 million deal for one year with the Los Angeles Dodgers heading into the 2007 season. Eric Byrnes is set to man Gonzalez’ familiar station in left field. The elder statesman of the D-backs position players at 31, Byrnes led the club in home runs last year with 26 and his experience will help this young club get along this season. Carlos Quentin, who hit nine home runs and drove in 32 runs in just 57 games in 2006, is ticketed for right field. Rookie of the Year contender Chris Young is set to take over in center.

Jose Valverde is the closer for this team and he is going to be a big question mark this season. He allowed LHH to bat .323 against him in 2006, but just .212 for his careers. He throws an upper 90’s fast ball that is tough for any hitter to catch up to. The key will be his location as he lacks consistent control, which is a major problem for a closer. Brandon Lyon, another reliever, allowed six homers in 29.1 innings in 2005 but only seven in 69.1 innings in 2006 to lower his ERA by more than 2 runs. Jorge Julio is another solid reliever for the D’Backs. He moved from a pitcher’s park to a hitter’s park, but lowered his ERA from 5.06 with the Mets in 2005 to .383 with the D’Backs in 2006. Arizona’s pitching staff will have to carry this young team and we feel they have all of the tools to do so. Look for Arizona to make another run at a Wild Card in 2007.

William Young is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League.
Read all of his articles at procappers.com/William_Young.htm procappers.com/William_Young.htm

The movie, Black, was the main winner at 2005 Indian Filmfare Awards winning eleven awards in total, breaking a record as a result. It then went on to win 10 awards in the 2006 IIFA Awards ceremony. Time Magazine (Europe) selected the film as one of the 10 Best Movies of the Year 2005 from across the globe. The movie was positioned at number five. It was also listed on the “25 Must See Bollywood Movies” by Filmfare Magazine.

Story:

Black is the story of blind and deaf girl (acted by Rani Mukherjee) who has been in darkness since she was born. No one, not even her parents, are able to help her in any way until an old alcoholic teacher, Debraj Sahai (acted by Amitabh Bachan), enters her life and takes on a mammoth of a task of bringing the young girl into light and ensuring her graduation from a normal college. The film is similar to the story of Helen Keller.

Screenplay:

Superb acting is produced by well-renowned veteran Amitabh Bachan and multiple award winning actress Rani Mukherjee. Probably this is the finest ever performance of Rani Mukherjee. Her turning point in acting came from the movie, Hey Ram whereby she claimed that Kamal Hassan changed the actress within her and indeed it was a very successful change. One is able to feel the pain and sufferings experienced by the girl and admire the determination and patience given by her teacher.

Cinematography:

Cinematography is very well done by providing the appropriate lighting to create the suitable mood and atmosphere such as the scene of the young girl.

Video Editing:

Not much video editing can be expected from this movie since the focus is on the story and the deep portrayal of the characters. However, few scenes like the one where Rani Mukherjee enjoys the snow are well edited.

- Thanaseelan, click on worthofwordplay.blogspot.com worthofwordplay.blogspot.com to view his main blog. Don′t forget to check out the categories on his blog.