Caspar Babypants: Music for kids… and grownups too!

August 27th, 2009

Chris Ballew knows how to write a catchy tune. As leader of the rock band The Presidents of the United States of America, he wrote alternative radio hits like “Lump” and “Peaches” – songs that stick in your brain. While PUSA still plays shows from time to time, Chris now spends much of his time writing and performing as Caspar Babypants.

As a music-loving parent myself, I find Caspar’s debut release “Here I Am,” to be as fun for me as it is for my son. Chock full of two minute sing-a-longs, “Here I Am” is a joy to listen to – over and over and over again – as I’m sure many young ones require.

Eric Hancsak Entertainment , , , , , ,

Slightware The Next Great Threat To Brands by Kenneth J Weiss

August 7th, 2009

HalfSquare.net contributor, Kenneth J Weiss, has just released his first book: Slightware The Next Great Threat To Brands.

If you work in marketing communications, or have a brand or business you want to market on the internet, this book is a must have. There are few in the internet world with the brand experience and knowledge that Ken possesses. Although many like to think they know how marketing on the internet works – they don’t. Ken is the real deal.

Learn more about Ken and his wonderful new book at www.slightware.com, and download the first chapter FREE!

Buy it now on Amazon.

Slightware The Next Great Threat To Brands by Kenneth J Weiss

Slightware The Next Great Threat To Brands by Kenneth J Weiss

Eric Hancsak HalfSquare , , , ,

No time for the gym? No problem!

August 4th, 2009

Hello Halfsquare readers!  First let me apologize for my absence and lack of fitness information.  This past year has been quite busy for me both personally and professionally, but as a result many good things have transpired.

That being said, one of the biggest questions I receive from people is regarding exercise and their busy schedule.  First of all, if you know me and if you’ve seen my training center, you know I don’t believe in 99% of the training methods and equipment seen in the average commercial gym.  I also don’t believe we are so busy that we can’t find 30-45 minutes a day to exercise.  I work 6-7 days a week and sometimes 14+ hours a day and still manage to train for 1-1 1/2 hours a day 5-6 days a week.

Let’s consider a worst-case scenario.  You are stuck at home, you have no exercise equipment and only 15-20 minutes.  Can you get an effective exercise program in?  I’m willing to bet you can!

Scott’s minimalist, quick-fix workout:

warm up for a couple of minutes with some stretches, joint mobility exercises like shoulder circles, hip circles and leg swings; then perform the following series:

-bodyweight squats x 50 reps

-push ups x 50 reps

-crunches x 50 reps

-jumping jacks x 50 reps

-rest 30-60 seconds

-bodyweight squats x 40 reps

-push ups x 40 reps

-crunches x 40 reps

-jumping jacks x 40 reps

-rest 30-60 seconds

-bodyweight squats x 30 reps

-push ups x 30 reps

-crunches x 30 reps

-jumping jacks x 30 reps

-rest 30-60 seconds

-bodyweight squats x 20 reps

-push ups x 20 reps

-crunches x 20 reps

-jumping jacks x 20 reps

-rest 30-60 seconds

-bodyweight squats x 10 reps

-push ups x 10 reps

-crunches x 10 reps

-jumping jacks x 10 reps

-Congrats!  You’re finished!

I realize that your current level of fitness may not allow you to perform many repetitions per exercise, that’s ok!  Do the best you can.  Simply decrease the number of repetitions per exercise for each series, the key is – work continuously with very little rest for the 15-20 minute time frame you have.

There you have it, no more “no time” excuses!

-Scott

Scott Shetler Fitness, Wellness , , , , ,

GreenScene – Stat of the Day: 2009 Sunscreen Guide

July 8th, 2009

According to an new review by the Environmental Working Group, 3 out of 5 sunscreens either do not provide adequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients with significant safety concerns.

> Click here to read the report

> Which sunscreens are the best? Click here for a list.

Eric Hancsak GreenScene , , , , , ,

TV SHOW REVIEW: Hung (HBO, Sundays @ 10p)

July 6th, 2009

You are an underpaid high school basketball coach. Your wife left you for a rich, nerdy dermatologist. Your kids won’t listen to you – one of whom, the son, is into Goth and wears makeup and nail polish. The house you just moved into burned down. You are now living in a tent behind said house. You have no direction or prospects. But at least you have a really big penis.

This is the life of Ray Drecker (played by Thomas Jane). After his wife Jessica (played by Anne Heche) leaves him, and his house burns down, he meets friend, and former one-night-stand, Tanya (played by Jane Adams) at a get-rich class. After another night together, in anger Tanya tells Ray to “go market your penis!” He takes her suggestion to heart and becomes a male escort. Unfortunately for Ray, his first client changes her mind. At least she gives him $50 for his trouble. Rock bottom ensues.

Hung is way more than just an endless stream of tallywacker jokes. It’s a well written comedy with a dry witted dark side and a heart.

Eric Hancsak Entertainment , , , , ,

MUSIC: New Releases for July 7, 2009

July 6th, 2009

Son Volt
American Dust Central

Maxwell
BLACKsummers’night

Marcy Playground
Leaving Wonderland…In A Fit Of Rage

Barack Obama
Days Of Hope (speech)

The Jayhawks
Music from the North Country: The Jayhawks Anthology

ehancsak Entertainment , , , ,

GreenScene: Cash For Clunkers

July 2nd, 2009

President Obama signed into law a program that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is calling the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) (AKA “Cash For Clunkers). This is a government program that helps you purchase a new, more fuel efficient vehicle when you trade in a less fuel efficient vehicle.

See if you qualify:
> GM Owners
> Chrysler Owners
> Ford Owners

> Learn more here @ www.cars.gov

ehancsak GreenScene , , , , , ,

MUSIC: New Releases for June 30, 2009

July 2nd, 2009

Wilco
Wilco (The Album)

Rob Thomas
cradlesong

Moby
Wait For Me

Levon Helm
Electric Dirt

Wilco perform “Wilco (The Song)”  from new album, live…

ehancsak Entertainment , , ,

Vacation Recommendation from a beer nut: Take a trip to Boston!

April 9th, 2009

So it’s official: after 2 awesome vacations with our friends Dustin and Beth, they are definitely great travel companions and also have wonderful ideas on where we should go and what we should do while there. Perfect example, Boston!

Here is my personal account of the places we visited and things we saw.  I recommend them all (from the perspective of a tourist) and hope you can make it to Boston one day!!

We didn’t go to the “cheers bar” although everyone keeps asking me if we did. Believe me, we found plenty of other places to make up for it. Sunset Bar and Tap has hundreds (thousands?) of beers on tap and in the bottle… longest list I’ve ever seen. And Conner, their beer-guru, really knows his stuff. “The Drunken Strawberry” (my necklace, not me) made its debut.
Read more…

Carrie Randall Aldente Ideas, Real Real Life , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

GreenScene – Stat of the Day: Pesticides and Organic Produce

March 30th, 2009

According to the Environmental Working Group, eating the organic version of the following vegetables will reduce to your consumption of pesticides by up to 90%:

Peach
Apple
Bell Pepper
Celery
Nectarine
Strawberries
Cherries
Kale
Lettuce
Grapes (imported)
Carrot
Pear

> Download the Shoppers Guide here, from FoodNews.org

Eric Hancsak GreenScene, Real Real Life , , ,