Saturday, June 25, 2011

YouTube - Jack Sparrow (feat. Michael Bolton)

Please watch, with an open mind: YouTube - Jack Sparrow (feat. Michael Bolton)

I will create maximum cards with Johnny Depp, etc.
I figured out how.
:)

Friday, June 24, 2011

Using a Scanner to Extract Postmarks « Digital Philatelic Workshop

Using a Scanner to Extract Postmarks « Digital Philatelic Workshop

Maximaphily activity reports per country in 2009 and 2010. I am trying to promote maximaphily worldwide, as you may have noticed :)

2009 Maximaphily activity reports per country:

Excerpt:
"48. UNITED STATES: (Terry WATSON)
2009 was not a productive year for Maximaphly within the United States.  
The U.S.’s Maximum Card Study Unit (MACSU) has been only minimally functional during this year.  
MACSU membership has declined.  
Interactions between club members have not been as strong and the MACSU Journal has not been issued. 
There are plans to revive MACSU in 2010 with a membership drive and by moving to publishing an on-line journal (in color) that will include articles written by a variety of collectors.
- We are not aware of any new Maximaphily Exhibits, National Level Exhibitions, nor participation in International Exhibitions by United States collectors.
- On the positive side, a small number of United States Maximum Card collectors continue to realize Maximum Cards following the FIP rules for their personal collections, to exchange with other collectors, and to sell in such venues as ebay.
In 2009, the USPS (US Postal Service) issued 79 stamps ( part of 9 sets of stamps and 14 individual stamps), on the Flags of the Nation series, the Lighthousesissue, Early TV Memories,  the Pacific Kelp Forest issue etc. From these stamp issues, we estimate that about 60 different Maximum Cards were created in the USA.
- Also our member Dorin Cojucariu [Cojocariu] has a web site, where he promotes Maximaphily exchanges on his main topic of MC on wild animals. Another member Sun Yu went to ITALIA 2009 and attended the Maximaphily Seminar there. He is also working on preparing Maximaphily Exhibits on his topics on Sculpture and Paintings."
===============

48. UNITED STATES  (Terry WATSON) 
- For the past three years, the official maximum card club of North America MACSU (Maximum Card Study Unit) has not been functional.  

However, as the end of 2010 approached there was movement to resurrect the club.  
Recently a new Board of Directors was established, a business license was applied for and received, a bank account established, and the first Journal in three years will be ready for publication in early 2011.  
This journal will be published “on-line”, thus saving paper, printing, and postage costs.  
Membership dues will be cut to only $12 annually for collectors who can receive the Journal electronically.  
Anyone interested in joining the reconstituted club can contact the new Treasurer, Gerry Marandino at brooklyngerry@gmail.com  
- There are other small, but positive signs for Maximum Card collecting in the USA.  

Communication between maximum card collectors in the USA is growing as email addresses are shared between collectors.  
Recently, all of the known maximum card collectors in the USA were contacted and asked to submit their best 2011 maximum card realizations and a vote was taken for the USA’s entry into the Best Maximum Card of the Year Contest.  
Mr. Sun Yu’s realization of Winslow Homer’s painting of “The Boys in the Pasture” was the winner and will represent the USA in contest OR in the 'World Competition of the Best Maximum Card created in 2010', that will be held later on this year. 
This communication was the first attempt to reach all USA collectors via the internet.
- Another positive indicator regarding maximum card collecting in the USA is that several American collectors have received some success in selling maximum cards at internet auction sites such as eBay.  

Often, these “entrepreneurs” sell duplicate cards that they have realized.  
Several North American maximaphilists are also actively exchanging cards with one another, yet another sign of growth of the hobby.  
- The United States Postal Service has not issued Official Maximum Cards in decades, and only one small stamp company is known to produce any USA maximum cards and these are produced in small quantities and do not meet FIP criteria. 

Thus, the overwhelming number of USA maximum cards of recent years are collector-realized cards, usually realized in small numbers.  
While the number of maximum card collectors is small, these collectors used over fifty (50) different 2010 USPS stamp issues to realize over an estimated 1000 MCs.  
Several maximum card collectors in the USA also enjoy creating non-traditional maxicards, with over 100 of these types of cards being created in the past year.
- The author is unaware of any exhibitions, exhibits, seminars, or other events that featured maximum cards in the USA in 2010.  

These are issues that the newly reorganized North American Maximum Card Study Unit will need to address in coming years if the hobby is to grow in the USA.  
-  Last year, the USA took part in the"World Competition of the Best Maximum Card created in 2009', with the Maximum Card 'Surfer & Out-Rigged Boat, Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii' created  by  Terry Watson. 

This competition was on Oct. 7, 2010 in Lisbon.

Golden Tabby Tiger (Panthera tigris) 2 - Stamps from Zazzle.com

My new design, approved today!
Golden Tabby Tiger (Panthera tigris) 2 Stamps from Zazzle.com

"golden tabby tiger is one with an extremely rare color variation caused by a recessive gene and is currently only found in captive tigers. 
Like the white tiger, it is a color form and not a separate species. In the case of the golden tiger, this is the wide band gene; while the white tiger is due to the color inhibitor (chinchilla) gene. 
There are currently believed to be fewer than 30 of these rare tigers in the world[citation needed], but many more carriers of the gene.
While no official name has been designated for the color, it is sometimes referred to as the strawberry tiger due to the strawberry blonde coloration. 
The golden tiger's white coat and gold patches make it stand out from the norm. 
Their striping is much paler than usual and may fade into spots or large prominent patches. 
Golden tigers also tend to be larger and, due to the effect of the gene on the hair shaft, have softer fur than their orange relatives.
Like their white cousins, all golden tabby tigers have mainly Bengal parentage, but are genetically polluted with the genes of the Amur tiger via a part-Amur white tiger called Tony, who is a common ancestor of almost all white tigers in North America. 
The suggestion that this coloration is caused through the deliberate breeding of Amur tigers with Bengal tigers is a popular myth founded on this fact. 
All golden tigers appear traceable to one of Tony's male descendants, Bhim."




One of the world's most endangered feline species: The Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus). Maximum cards from UK, Portugal and a Bulgarian EFO ("errors, freaks and oddities")


"The Iberian lynxLynx pardinus, is a critically endangered species native to the Iberian Peninsula in Southern Europe. It is one of the most endangered cat species in the world.[2]According to the conservation group SOS Lynx, if this species died out, it would be one of the few feline extinctions since the Smilodon 10,000 years ago.[3] The species used to be classified as a subspecies of the Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx), but is now considered a separate species. Both species occurred together in central Europe in the Pleistocene epoch, being separated by habitat choice.[4] The Iberian lynx is believed to have evolved from Lynx issiodorensis."



Why is this Bulgarian maxicard in error?
Tell me, baby!
:)

=================

Happy PFF (Postcard Friendship Friday)!

Please visit: http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/ (wait until Beth posts the today's Linky tool for the meme, then make your entry, if you want to join).




Thursday, June 23, 2011

So far, I have created over 129 personalized stamp designs at Zazzle alone. Plus a few at endicia.com, stamps.com, TNT (Netherlands), Australia Post and Royal Mail United Kingdom. I will create (not necessarily buy, too) at least one such design from each of the 24+ countries that currently have a postal administration that is smart enough to offer the public the chance to create personalized stamps, perfectly valid for postage and highly desirable for collecting/philatelic purposes

I have several stamp designs in my Private Gallery (not posted for sale) at zazzle.
You are not allowed (by the system) to see them/buy them.
Sorry. Can't peek on my Private...
But I can move them anytime to my Public Gallery, if muşchii  mei so desire...:)
"Private Products

Your finished products. Click any design to view its details, change options, or add it to your cart."


I have several designs in the In-progress Gallery, including those designs temporarily or definitively rejected
 [don't get me started...:)...].
You can't see them, either.
Curiosity killed George...or the cat?
:)
"In Progress Designs

Masterpieces in the making! Click any of your designs to continue creating. "


However, please take a look at my 119 stamp designs in my Public Gallery at zazzle (there are 10 more HIDDEN - only I can see them, until and unless I change my mind)
 http://www.zazzle.com/dorinco/gifts?cg=196687342138137670

The good news for you is that you, too, can design FREE OF CHARGE stamps and over 200 other products at zazzle, but not at any other issuer of personalized stamps in the world, AFAIK!

After you design, you submit for approval IF you want them in the Public Gallery.

Then, you or anybody else in the world can buy them (but shipped ONLY to an American address!).

Then, you will get a royalty payment, eventually, if anything sells.
If nothing sells, at least you had fun! :) 
Seriously.

UPDATE:
"
 


Product Visibility

Product Visibility

Your products posted for sale on Zazzle are set to one of three visibility levels:
  1. Public (everyone can see it) - Your product will be visible to anyone on Zazzle (subject to content ratings) and will appear in search results and in your Store. This option provides maximum exposure and is the best setting for products you want to sell.
  2. Hidden (only you can see it) - Your product is hidden from the Zazzle Marketplace. It is only visible to you and only when you are logged in to the Store containing the product. This is useful in many instances, such as for seasonal products or building out an entire product line of products then launching them all together at once.
  3. Direct-only - Your product is not visible in the Zazzle Marketplace and does not appear in any Store or within any RSS feed. It is only visible through external links or API integrations. This option is typically used by more advanced users who prefer to have a store on their own domain.

Not Helpful
Helpful 

Topic Info  


Borat - "Throw the Jew Down the Well!!" [His audience seems unaware of his sarcasm...]. Also, read from BBC: Jewish bodies found in medieval well in Norwich, UK. Also, a British maxicard of piled wood logs, a symbol for those unfortunate people piled up (or down) in the well. Beware of well-wishers...


His audience seems unaware of his sarcasm...

Who hasn't seen the movie Borat, outrageously funny and offensive on purpose?
:)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borat


Isn't this awful?
Please read from BBC:

Jewish bodies found in medieval well in Norwich

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13855238

The point of the maxicard is the animal called The Stoat (Mustela erminea), also known as the ermine or short-tailed weasel.

But I also say that it could symbolize that horrible pile-up of bodies.
Not all's well in the well.
=============
Near the neck of the stoat, I see a wooden heart shape. Do you? :)

Please visit and join The Guest Heart Thursday meme!



Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -
A place to share YOUR hearts!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

The Last Huskies - maxi cards from the Australian Antarctic Territory, even more Down than Down Under. Nobody will let the dogs out again in the freezing cold of Antarctica







Australian Antarctic Territory
Flag
Map of Antarctica indicating Australian claim
Map of Antarctica indicating Australian claim
Capitalnot applicable
Largest research stationMirny Station(Russia)
GovernmentTerritory of Australia
 - Governor-GeneralQuentin Bryce1
Area
 - Total5,896,500 km2
2,276,651 sq mi 
Population
 -  estimateless than 1,000


"The Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) is a part of Antarctica. It was claimed by the United Kingdom and placed under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1933. It is the largest territory of Antarctica claimed by any nation. Since the Antarctic Treaty came into force in 1961, Article 1 of which states "The treaty does not recognize, dispute, nor establish territorial sovereignty claims; no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force", most countries do not recognise territorial claims in Antarctica."

"AAT consists of all the islands and territory south of 60°S and between 45°E and 160°E, except for Adélie Land (136°E to 142°E), which divides the territory into Western AAT (the larger portion) and Eastern AAT. It is bounded by Queen Maud Land in the West and by Ross Dependency in the East. The area is estimated at 5,896,500 km².[1]
The territory is inhabited by the staff of research stations. 
The Australian Antarctic Division administers the area primarily by maintaining three year-round stations (MawsonDavis and Casey), which support various research projects."

"Australia issues postage stamps for the Australian Antarctic Territory. 
The first issues came in 1957, and sporadically thereafter, settling into a pattern of an annual issue by the 1990s. All have been Antarctic-themed, and all are valid for postage in Australia and its territories, including Antarctica."

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Top 30 Stamp Collecting Blogs, by guidetoartschools.com

#2:
"Dorincard: Blogger Dorin C is a stamp and postcard fanatic, and luckily he's more than pleased to write prolifically and charmingly about his obsession. He has a particular bent for stamps with wild mammals on them, but his blog demonstrates an affinity for stamps of all forms and backgrounds, as long as they offer a special narrative that's worth sharing with his readers.


  • Source: http://www.guidetoartschools.com/library/best-stamp-collecting-blogs#ixzz1KirbuA4p
    "

    Some feedback received about me and my blog here

    [DORIN'S NOTE: There are over 100 million websites.]

    From alexa.com traffic rank site

    "There are 1,699,250 sites with a better three-month global Alexa traffic rank than Dorincard.blogspot.com.
    About 43% of visitors to the site come from France, where it has attained a traffic rank of 152,077.
    About 80% of visits to the site consist of only one pageview (i.e., are bounces).
    Dorincard.blogspot.com's visitors view an average of 1.5 unique pages per day.
    Visitors to the site spend roughly two minutes on each pageview and a total of three minutes on the site during each visit."



    inkling (Enthusiast)

    The best use of this site is Other.

    Likes
    • Good content

    Comments:
    Postcards and stamps, mainly featuring mammals and birds but Dorincard also has other creations
    and interests he likes to share.
    His enthusiasm for Maximum cards (a postcard and a similar themed stamps sent through the
    postal system) shines through.
    He shows how he gets the right card, stamp and postmark together.
    Visiting his site you will also learn things about the natural world told with a dry sense of humour,
    possibly with a play on words, and a unique style of headings.
    Topical and informative both for the enthusiast and casual visitor.
    • Was this useful?
    • Yes
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    • 1 out of 1 person found this review useful.



    1 Review
    Global 1,699,251
    Alexa Traffic Rank
    France Flag 152,077
    Traffic Rank in FR

    28 Sites Linking In "


    Wedding gifts from Zazzle

    Wedding>