The Black & White Photo Contest

The timeless and graphic qualities of black-and-white always make a statement. Digital Photo Pro's new Black & White World Photo Contest celebrates the monochrome image. The First Place Prize Package includes $500 cash and publication of the winning photo in Digital Photo Pro magazine - along with other great prizes! Entry deadline is May 22, 2014. First Place Prize Package: Publication of the winning photo in Digital Photo Pro $500 in cash A Manfrotto MK190XPRO3 190 kit - alu 3-section horiz. column tripod + ball head Tamrac's Apache 6 Camera/Tablet Bag A 32GB Professional 600x SDHC UHS-1 memory card from Lexar A Compact HoodLoupe from Hoodman USA A Ready For Anything lighting kit from LumiQuest Online publication of the winning photo in the Winners' Gallery Second Place Prize Package: Tamrac's Mirage 4 Photo/Tablet Backpack A Strobist® lighting kit from LumiQuest A 16GB microSDHC UHS-1 memory card from Lexar Online publication of the winning photo in the Winners' Gallery People's Choice Award: Online publication of the winning photo in the Winners' Gallery

Travel Software

Recently I was watching TV and a commercial came on showing the Expedia app. In the commercial it showed off how easy it is to keep on track while traveling. I am one who travels all the time and I love to find an app that makes traveling a lot easier. 

I have been using the Kayak app since and have been a huge fan of it. The Kayak website lets you plan your trip ahead of time by customizing the trip. The Expedia app lets you customize your trip as long as you booked the items through their site. This means that if you book your hotel through another site and want to keep track of the itinerary on your app then you can't. 

I usually will go into the Kayak website and customize my entire trip before traveling so that my entire trip is synched up on my phone when traveling. The Kayak app also has a Flight Tracker that helps when trying to find what gate you need to run to next. 

The Expedia app doesn't work unless you have a trip already booked through Expedia. 

Overall, I am always willing to try new apps that make my life easier and if anyone has recommendations on a great traveling app then let me know. 

Thanks for reading!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

The Final Inspection

The Marine stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward Marine,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The Marine squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here,
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Marine waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward Marine,
You've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

Semper Fidelis!

Author Unknown

Botanical Garden

Here is a photo from one of my recent trips to San Diego, CA.  I stopped off at Balboa Park and found this amazing view from the Botanical Garden. 

Thanks for looking.

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

Fatcow Web Hosting Review

I have finally decided to post a review of my domain host company.  If you don’t know already, I have been using Fatcow for quite some time now.  I switched over from using another company that has a very similar layout and setup and even prices.  Heck, I even noticed that when I login and try to contact support for something I need help with, it still has my auto fill in the box. 

Fatcow has been pretty good, but I have noticed that when wanting to host websites that require a little more work such as scripting or SQL events you probably should upgrade to something a little more of their add-ons than just trying to host your SQL page without their input.  I had my Wordpress site hosted on it for years and noticed that things would start to run slow now and then.  Turns out the database was getting bogged down.  I had to switch to another host for the blog site because Fatcow’s basic plan servers couldn’t handle it. 

The layouts are pretty easy and it allows me to setup an FTP folder for easier upload access from Adobe Dreamweaver and many other Web Design programs.  I know that most users probably use FTP services that are built into programs more but a lot of people prefer to have someone else do the work.  That is what is great about Fatcow because you have unlimited access to pages, subdomains and so much more. 

I want you all to go out and try Fatcow and let me know what you think.  If you have another web domain host that you have been working with then let us hear about it.  I would love to get your feedback.  By you signing up with Fatcow using the link below I will get a $25 voucher towards an upgrade. 

Host your website with FatCow!

Disclosure: I am a professional review site that receives compensation from the companies whose products I review. I test each product thoroughly and give high marks to only the very best. I am independently owned and the opinions expressed here are my own.

Strange Orchids

I came across this very unusual Orchids while I was visiting Balboa Park in San Diego, CA recently.

Never seen them before but they remind me of a spider I came across once while in Japan.

Thanks for reading!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

It’s Me Mario

As I was walking through San Diego recently, I noticed this Super Mario graffiti artwork on the side of a structure.  I have always been a fan of Nintendo and video games.  I just had to share with everyone.

Thanks for looking.

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez