The American Film Institute got its start in 1975 on the recommendation of the National Endowment for Arts and Humanities and legislation signed by then President, Lyndon Johnson. With funding from the NEA, the Motion Picture Association of America, and the Ford Foundation (a non-profit organization created in 1936 by Edsel Ford, son of Ford Motors founder, Henry Ford), the AFI enlisted leading actors, filmmakers, and educators of the day to train new filmmakers in the art. Today, AFI maintains a world-renowned Conservatory, an Education Center, and an extensive catalog of Feature Films.

The AFI also maintains standing Top 10 and Top 100 lists of the Greatest Films of All Time. The most recent entry into the Top 10 list was from 1993, Schindler’s List, but I’m hoping 2007’s Superbad is going to crack the list in this year’s voting. The top 100 includes 2001’s Lord of the Rings (#50). The list are voted on yearly and the nomination list is already available for 2008. AFI site membership is free, but full Institute membership begins at $50 and includes access to databases, a commemorative booklet, a magazine, and tickets to the film festivals. Larger contributions will net tickets to the annual AFI Life Achievement Award Tribute Gala.

http://www.afi.com/

Ive been busy with other things than writing the blog lately and haven’t been posting much. Sorry there hasn’t been much new. I’ve been really active on Bookmooch and have been reading a lot. I completed my project to convert all my CDs to MP3s that I mentioned a while back. I’ve also been downloading from iTunes and listening to a lot of new artists that I’ve found by way of Pandora. A couple times when I couldn’t download a song I liked (like Ryan Auffenberg’s Things You Say, But You Don’t Mean) I’ve bought the CD through Amazon.com‘s sellers market. I like Amazon’s partnerships with small dealers because it benefits both the mom-and-pop corner book or music store as well as internet businesses run out of someone’s basement and give the consumer more avenues to make a safe, online purchase of used, rare, or obscure items.  I’ve also been using the Mac alot more lately. I built a dozen Macmail stationery templates for Maggie to use. I’m thinking of putting together a package and selling them, but for now she has the exclusive.  I have been keeping track of different topics, sites, etc. to post and will start going through my list and posting a lot more frequently to catch up.

Netdisaster.com is goofy site that bills itself as an “absolutely useless” site that “simulates the destruction of the target-site by a disaster.” The methods of “disaster” range from spilled coffee to worm infestation, and even paintball gun attacks. Just enter the URL of the site to view, select the method of distruction and have at it. If you select the auto mode, you can still click on the hyperlinks on the displayed site and enable the method of attack on command by pointing to it. Any options including the URL can be changed in the filter frame at the top of the web page at any time and the help sections are detailed and well written.  Note that blog engines use the same kind of filter frame and will most likely conflict and disable Netdisaster, but there is an alternate viewing method that will work in some instances (use the Alt button or read the FAQ information specifically about this kind of problem).

http://www.netdisaster.com/

CPRInstructor.com is dedicated to the instruction of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and those who are trained to practice and train others.  The site offers videos, software, access to training courses, and lesson plans.  They also feature a very nice database of Good Samaritan laws in each state.  Good Samaritan laws are named for the New Testament parable wherein a man, of the despised Samaritans, stops to aid a man who has been beaten, robbed, and left by the side of the road.  The Gospel of Luke teaches that the Samaritan deserves honor and respect above those who had done nothing to aid the poor victim.  These Good Samaritan laws are designed to do the same and protect someone who uses CPR to aid a person in distress.  It’s unfortunate we live in a world that would require such commonsense laws, but personal injury case history shows that people will often forego this commonsense time and time again.  Some times even the lack of commonsense goes in both directions it goes both ways.

http://CPRInstructor.com