I Like Winter...

"A bank is a place where they lend you a pair of boots in fair weather and ask for them back when it begins to snow."
--thanks to Robert Frost

Winter. All in all, i've always liked it. Crisp, cold air, the crunch of frozen earth beneath your feet, and NO insects! Snow. Well snow is something that means different things to different people, depending on whether they have to travel in it or not. And how far. Here in SE Pennsylvania, the weather often plays its' silly games with us: the typical forcast is, like, rain turning to snow overnight, then turning to freezing rain during the AM rush hour. Just an hour north of here, and it's all snow. A half hour south and it's all rain... I wish i had some photos available of the snow animals i would make for my kids when they were little tykes. I'd post some here, and will if i can find them. Soon i'll be doing the same for my grandkids.


That i like snow pretty much tells you that i don't do much driving in it, but either way, it's preferable (to me) than driving in the hot, humid downpours in July. The wipers can't keep up with the torrent slamming against the windshield, making visibility extremely difficult. Hydroplaning can happen at any time. And the potholes that pop up over the spring months can swallow some of the smaller cars.


I just realized that so far i'm just talking about the weather. Like, just polite conversation, to pass the time. And here's where i'd like to segue to some designs pertinent to the subject. But i can't. I don't  have any weather-related designs to this point. But i just gave myself an idea. I'll be creating a number of just such designs in the coming weeks. Hopefully, i'll cover a range wide enough for most shoppers to choose from.


In the meantime, it would be in both our best interests for you to check in with www.bakktalkgifts.com regularly. As sites go, it's not a prize winner, but it is functional and you can actually purchase any one of 100's of designs printed on any one of a number of products You can buy just one item, and it comes with a 100% money back guarantee. I could go on, but, long story short, it's a fantastic way to purchase unique one-of-a-kind designs for any occasion. Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, even weddings come to mind.


I am truly sorry for this fluff post. It doesn't say very much. So if you would like to send me a note of complaint, just e-mail it to bladimz@gmail.com, or just leave a comment at the end of this blog, which is coming up .... now.

The Family Reunion

So our annual family reunion was scheduled for today. This would have been our 30th in a row. But things went south quickly as the heavy rains moved across the heartland of Pennsylvania, seriously flooding the length of the Susquehanna River, putting thousands if not millions out of their water-soaked homes. It takes some of the fun out of the prospects of seeing one another again, when you know that many won't be there due to "other concerns". So i've reserved a little spot here to ask you to give a thought to those who have been dealt this nasty blow.


More good news: My graphics computer has been out of commission for the last 3 weeks. This takes me totally out of the game until this coming Monday, when, i am told, i will be back on line, feverishly catching up on work 3 weeks old. The old machine took a direct hit to the motherboard during a thunderstorm one Friday evening, and sent me on a three-week holiday. However,  if memory serves me right, i had loaded up a new section with various posters for purchase. Mostly humorous and fun, they are worth, i think, a look. If you have any ideas for a poster that you'd like to see, send it along to bladimz@dejazzd.com. I'll oblidge if i can. (Here's where i'd insert a sample, but.... well, you know about my graphics computer...)


Summer is finally over, and i'm glad of it. Too many, far too many, are complaining of Summer's end, but i think it's that they are more upset that it means going back to school/teaching than loosing out on more of the "hot and sweaty". This is the doorway that leads us toward holiday after holiday after holiday. The cooler and the best time of the year. And that means gifts for others and maybe one or two for yourself. Stop by, browse, shop; i'd offer you some coffee, if i could. I have, over the last few years, built up an eclectic array of designs for holidays, birthdays, and just for-fun days.


It's been too long between entries, and i'd probably keep at it more if there were more of you following along. But, for those of you who are, and you know who you are, thanks for checking in. Please be safe, take care of your family, your loved ones and those around you, if you can.

Shame.

Shame. It's a powerful thing. A terrible thing to have to live with. And i've been living with it without even realizing it.

It's shame that has me posting today. Which works out well, because the source of my shame is the fact that i've not offered anything here since last November. Here it is the middle of February, the snow still hanging around, but slowly fading, and i'm waiting for... what?

Bakktalk on the one hand, is not really, offering anything new, except for ever-more new and exciting designs. We've been, however, foraying into some poster designs, primarily inspirational or "un-inspirational" posters. You've seen them around. Check ours out; they're fresh, they're unique and just as clever as can be. Here's a sample, in case, like me, you're just lazy enough to not bother looking for them.

We'll be adding new posters to the list going forward, and will attempt to create an eclectic array, making it

easier to find one that suits your need.

Like every other design on this site, these posters make perfect gifts for birthdays, weddings, holidays; and for fellow employees or even the boss. Maybe.

It's nice to offer another new product line here, especially since the price is right and the quality of the printing is unmatched! If anyone here has any special ideas for a poster design, feel free to send it along to bladimz@gmail.com. If you have any questions, send them along as well. I'm sure there's someone here smart enough to be able to answer it.

I feel the weight of my shame lifting from my shoulders; it was good to get this off of my chest! Meanwhile, keep in mind the holidays moving in on us and browse our impressive variety of designs. If you find one you like, and you purchase it, you will love the product and the printing and i'll be happy too!

I'm about 3 months away from being a grandfather for the very first time, but that's for another post... I wish you all good health and good times until shame once again taps me on the shoulder. Carps Di Yum!

Holiday Shopping and You!

I'm going to say something that isn't too much of a surprise here. The holidays are riding roughshod already, and there's nowhere to hide. And since that's the case, you'll fare better if you have gifts waiting for them when they come for you. I make this sound a little scary for a reason. Fear has a way of lighting a fire under... well... you know.

I don't have anything clever to say (do i ever?), nor exciting to announce. I'm just here, adding my two cents to the blog-o-sphere. And what i want to say is that, although i have nothing mind-boggling to share, i have been working steadily, daily, on creating and adding new, unique designs. Some ribald, others uproariously funny, still others thought-provoking. And i do it just for you, my faithful audience.

Here is where i need to announce once more that i also offer digital photo restoration and repair for a wonderful price. Old photos, or newer, damaged, dog-eared, cracked, split, scraped, faded, etc. can be professionally restored. You need more information? Please go to my (very basic) website. It gives you, i think, most of the information you might need. It includes samples, some background information, and some interesting ideas, too. Don't be afraid to try it, at least.

My holiday blog wouldn't be complete without wishing all of you and yours a very, very meaningful and enjoyable season. I know that's not possible for everyone, and i wish them the best that the season can offer. The holidays will come and go faster than anyone can imagine, and soon we will be looking 2011 straight in the eye. The good thing is that, even if the holidays will be gone, my designs and the products they are printed on will always be good gifts, and fun ideas for the entire year. In the meantime, please stay safe. And buy my stuff!

Bill

Warming Up to Summer!

I stick my head into the designing mode, and the next thing i know, it's the middle of June and the birds outside are laughing at the old man at the window (that's me.) What happened to Spring? A lot of rain and wind and even some late snow, but it came and went so fast! I know i'll be saying the same kind of thing this Autumn, but i'll worry about that then.

First, there's not a lot of changes here at Bakktalk, which i suppose has its good & bad points. Just more and more designing as usual. Hopefully, they are improving as we attempt to

improve ourselves. We are, though, creating a new website that'll blow your sox off once it's done. And i have no idea when that's going to happen, since i'm not the one working that item.

One thing that i do want to direct your attention to is a little promotional video that i produced and posted on YouTube. It's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cAI0Wx7t_8,

more commonly known as "Bakktalk on YouTube". It's short and sweet; just the way i like them. I hope you take a minute to watch it. It's had very few views since we put it up; surprising when you consider that it's only one of about a billion other vids there *sigh* If you have any suggestions or comments, please pass them on. We always appreciate your input.

I personally very much hate the hot and humid weather, but Summer comes either way. I do enjoy that which comes with Summer; baseball, picnics, cool breezes, the song of the tree frogs at night, water battles, etc. I hope that you enjoy the pleasures that Summer brings to you and that you focus your attention on the here and now. And enjoy it as much as you can. Time goes too forward fast (PA Dutch) for one to ignore the present.

Until the next time, here's hoping that you all stay safe!

Bill

Shameless Advertising...

Happy New Year to you all; my adoring readers, and may the best of 2010 land in your collective lap. How many times have you've been involved in such a wish? Ok... you think about that while i take this time and space to hawk the availability (to buy) of a sweet little upstate NY mountain getaway/home/cabin. I won't say much here except to direct you to my YouTube link here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83Te8jLXevI. It's not the prettiest or most professional piece ever done, but it get's the point across.

What the heck. If some of you aren't interested in any of the products here at Bakktalk Online Gifts, maybe some of you will be interested in a nice snug cabin and a sweet little deal to boot. What i'd really like for the new year is for the sale of this property to happen and for the buyer to fill it with a ton of my shop items. Yes... it's true. I can dream, can't i.

There it is: my shameless unabashed property advertisement.

That's really the extent of this post, other than the standard request that all of you continue to scan my shop on a weekly basis for new designs and even some new products, which i will probably post a blog about soon.

May you all enjoy your winter from the warm comfort of your snug comfortable home. And if that's not happening, please take a second look at the link... Seriously, here's hoping that all of you enjoy good health and good will toward your fellow man. Until next time.

Not Just Another Pretty Face...

Bakktalk Online Gifts is growing steadily with more designs being added weekly. If i were you, (imagine that...) i'd stop in on a fairly regular basis. I've just begun a "Lobbyist" design series . A lobbyist is a person who tries to influence legislation on behalf of a special interest, like the oil or tobacco or corn industry. My series presents a humorous twist on the subject of lobbyists. For instance, would you like to be an Ice Cream Lobbyist, or how about a Meatloaf Lobbyist, or a Lima Bean Lobbyist. Ok... Some ideas are better than others, but you get the idea. And, speaking of ideas, e-mail me with an idea for a lobbyist design. Feel free to e-mail me at bladimz@dejazzd.com with your suggestions; if your design is used in the series, you will receive a design of your choice.

So, one of the other things i wanted to pass on to you, dear reader, is that i am announcing my new Photo Restoration Website, complete with many samples, pricing, and other pertinent information. And since you asked, the link to that site is:

http://sites.google.com/site/mypicphix/

It's certainly not the prettiest site (i'm not a web designer...) but i hope it makes my point. And the point is that my image restoration services are always available. Just e-mail me at the above address with any questions you may have. I'm here 24/7!

Please have a very safe and memorable Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season. It can be a very intense time for some, a very sad time for others and an extremely demanding time for others still. Treat each other with a little extra compassion and understanding at this time of year. It may well be the best gift that person receives this season.

Later!