Photography

(UPDATED: March 18, 2014)

On Facebook, I asked my friends and fans for any topics they would want to see me blog about. Among a suggestion, one regarded photography. One specific element of photography was suggested. Commentary on that is forthcoming. For the most part, this is a commentary piece on photography rather than something real detailed.

In Case You're Interested...

I blogged about photography in fashion previously. My fashion blog, "StyleSpace by JBM" features a look at photography in fashion. You fashion lovers can read that post by clicking on the link below:

"Photography" (StyleSpace by JBM)
^ This post takes a look at photography in fashion.

LATEST UPDATE(S)/REVISION(S)

MAR 18 2014 - made various edits


Let's begin with this topic!

--- Photography ---

Anyone can take pictures of anything, ranging from "selfies" to professional-type pictures. Being adept in photography involves more than just taking pictures. People today are involved in social media with the likes of Instagram and Vine. They whip out their smartphones to take pictures and videos to share with others. While taking pictures can be fun, there is a proper science to taking memorable pictures.

Photography: Amateur vs. Professional.

There is a difference between taking casual pictures and professional pictures. Is there a difference between someone who casually takes pictures and someone who takes professional pictures? In no way am I someone who is any professional at photography. My mother tells me I take excellent pictures when she saw pictures of mine from certain events like the Houston Auto Show.

What is the difference between someone who just takes some casual photos and those who is a professional? If you ask me, the answer depends on the philosophy of the photographer. Does he/she feel a picture is more than just a picture? Does a picture have to be like its own song or its own book? Does the photographer feel pictures have to be able to tell its own story or make you think about something a bit further? I feel just like the finest musicians, authors, journalists, and various other professions; photographers have to be able to tell a story through the means of photography. You may be familiar with photojournalism- where the pictures tell the story. One who is adept at choosing pictures to tell a story are the ones who know the value of photography as a means of expression and engagement... which proves true this saying:

"A picture is worth a thousand words."

-Napolean Bonaparte

I think another aspect of casual vs. professional photography is in audience. Is a picture going to be seen by a bunch of friends and family or to a vast audience? Friends and family are likely going to enjoy professional-type photography, but what if you are trying to showcase impressive photography for a publication or a blog? You obviously want to give a vast audience a quality image with quality imagery.

Look at it this way- you obviously know I am a blogger. I blog about things for the world to read about. I don't just post material so friends and family of mine can read my material. No. I feel the world (and the world does view your material online) has to be interested in whatever I post. So because of this, I feel whatever I post has to be of value to as many people worldwide as possible. Same philosophy applies to photographers. Various photographers take pride in their work and want to provide the best-possible pictures to the masses in hopes of showing incredible pictures off to others. Who wants to photograph something that doesn't have any value or lacks appeal?

What qualifies as appealing or enticing depends on the photographer himself/herself and whatever kind of picture is taken. Something like a "selfie" is very casual, and thus doesn't require any serious dedication or detail... unless you just have no life and feel completely obligated to make your "selfies" as artistic masterpieces. A picture you feel holds massive value obviously has to be treated as if it had massive value. So your attention to detail really depends on the picture and what you want to share and convey.


There are some obstacles in being a photographer, both casual and professional. That's the next section.

--- Obstacles of Photography ---

With some pictures I've taken, I can properly demonstrate some of the obstacles faced in trying to take pictures. Before I discuss what makes certain images appear poorly, let me show you one of my better photogenic pictures:


^ from: (my Past Houston Auto Shows album on Facebook) - I took a picture of this CL Class Mercedes-Benz at the 2007 Houston Auto Show. Look at the angle and what I tried to capture as best as I could to make this a great picture.


And now... [some of] the obstacles of photography:

Blurriness and/or Discoloration.

^ both from: (my Houston Auto Show 2012 album on Facebook) - Even though the picture is clean, its discoloration makes it.

To me, nothing really hurts than for one to have blurry images or discolored images. Having a certain white balance can make the difference between a great-looking picture and something completely forgettable.

Timing.

^ from: (my Wings Over Houston 2010 album on Facebook) - .

You want to take a picture at the best possible moment. Sometimes you get it right; and some other times, you get it wrong. Sometimes ABSOLUTELY wrong.

Photo Bomb!

^ from: from my Houston Auto Show 2014 album on Facebook - Anything or anyone can come along and ruin an otherwise perfect picture.

Photo bombing is when something (usually unexpected) comes into what would otherwise be a perfectly good picture. For example, you may have a beautiful picture of an outdoor scene... when a grasshopper somehow appears on the lens of your camera, thereby screwing up what would have been a great picture. You may be taking a family photo or taking pictures of your friends when suddenly... someone or something comes along to screw up the image. Sometimes, you can even photo bomb yourself by having your fingers or something get in the way of an otherwise lovely photo you're trying to take.

Photo bombing isn't always bad, however. Some photo bomb moments can actually make pictures better. It all depends on the situation and the image.


These are among the various obstacles photographers and photography involve. How one gets around these issues depends. They are all proper and legit issues in trying to get the best possible pictures.

--- Photography: Cameras ---

Do you prefer proper cameras, devices with camera functions, or professional-type DSLR cameras? This is one of the first real things to consider when talking about photography. You can pop into a retail store and buy a one-time use camera for about $30 US dollars. Some devices have cameras and camera features- like smartphones. The best-possible pictures can be taken with either high-end cameras or DSLR cameras. What's best for you? I'll try to explain as best I can with as much as I understand the whole thing.

One-Time Use Cameras.

Some cameras are one-time use cameras. That means you can use them for one time, have the film developed, and the camera can't be used again. Why would you want one of these cameras? You basically get one of these in case you don't have a camera and want something to be able to take pictures.

Proper Cameras.

^ Any number of proper cameras can deliver amazing photography.
Most of today's cameras allow for multiple uses as well as multiple storage options. Such cameras have such a compact size which allows them to easily fit into pockets. Those who purchase carrying cases will be able to comfortably and safely carry cameras wherever they go. Proper cameras offer any number of features like incredible zoom angles, video capability, auto-focus, and even Wi-Fi capabilities. Needless to say, the basic camera has come a long way from being bulky to a more pocket-friendly device.

Video Cameras and Camcorders.

A camcorder is primarily designed to take video rather than be any proper camera. However, most of these devices can evenly and easily take on both camcorder and camera tasks. The clunky camcorders of the 90s or so probably won't take that spontaneous picture you want to snap. Also, some video cameras and camcorders can be on the bulky side. You won't be able to keep some of them in your pocket and whip out to capture certain pictures.

Devices With Camera Features.

Devices like smartphones and tablet PCs have cameras to them. A lot of them may or may not offer features like zooming or flash, but some devices with camera features are just as able to take quality pictures. Don't expect them to replace any proper camera, though, because they likely will not be your camera replacement. I even use my Samsung Galaxy Player 4.2 and my Hisense Sero 7 Pro tablet for taking pictures. Most of my pictures are taken with my SGP 4.2 for quick pictures. And since this is no proper camera, I don't even take pictures beyond 640×480 resolution.

DSLR Cameras.

^ The serious photographer who wants serious pictures need only discover DSLR cameras.

DSLR cameras represent the omega of photography. DSLR stands for digital Single-lens reflex. Let me offer this quote that explains it better:

"DSLR stands for digital single-lens reflex: the word reflex refers to the action of the mirror, which flips upwards whenever you take a picture to allow light travelling through the lens to reach the sensor."

-from: www.digitalslrphoto.com (links to article)

DSLR cameras offer the crispest and most detailed images. Professional photographers usually tote around DSLR cameras to take some of the best-possible images at the greatest quality. Even those who are not professional photographers may have DSLR cameras for their images. For example, my blogging friend Lily of "Imperfect Idealist" has had her more recent pictures taken with a DSLR camera.

DSLRs are also capable of recording videos. YouTube vlogger and tech junkie Khanh Nguyen (better known as "akaKhanh") does her videos with the Canon T3i DSLR camera. If you have about 11 minutes of time, you can see this video either here or on YouTube. In fact, take a look at this video to know if you really NEED a DSLR:


^ "Why I Chose the Canon T3i"

DSLRs are worth the investment for those who want the best quality pictures.


From one-time cameras to DSLRs, I've essentially covered the alphas and omegas of cameras and devices with camera features.

--- Photography: Final Thoughts ---

When you want to capture a moment forever, look no further than cameras. It takes skill (and some luck) to snap the finest pictures. Photography is all about capturing visual moments and immortalizing them forever as an image stored in a camera or camcorder. Technology and methods have changed, but the main aspect of capturing moments in a picture still has its allure and its charm. Not everyone is photogenic or is able to take the absolute best pictures. Some photographers feel a picture is more than a picture- a picture should be a story being told and is paced like any good book or movie.

The level of dedication and purpose in taking pictures far outweighs whatever device you have. Finding a camera or camcorder to suit your needs has no real impact on how well and how motivated you are in taking pictures. Some people do just fine with a simple camera or some sort of video camera. More professional types feel the need to get it absolutely right, which constitutes the purchase of a powerful DSLR camera.

No matter what your level of dedication is and how important pictures are and taking pictures are to you, mastery of the art of photography is key in turning a simple taken picture into something special. You can be an amazing photographer even if not posting pictures online (like Facebook or Instagram) or for blogs or websites. Taking pictures is not just about taking pictures- the finest photographers are able to take pictures to help tell a story and even provide perspectives words can not express... or at least, not to express completely and definitively. Proudly showcase your shutterbug skills no matter what level of photography or dedication you have!

Cross-Promotion/Other Reading.

More posts from me related to photography...

"Photography" (StyleSpace by JBM)
^ This post takes a look at photography in fashion.

"Model Material" (StyleSpace by JBM)
^ An aspect of photography involves modeling.

"Selfies" (John's Blog Space)
^ I made mention to "selfies" in this blog post. So what is a "selfie?" Read my post on that.


Here's something to think about in case you want to comment:

What do you think is the difference between good and bad photography, and does it matter if experience and craft are factors in quality photography?


The next section and your involvement are optional. You can skip it if you choose to.





Thank you so much for your cooperation! If you want to support my work after reading this post, you can do so by taking a look at these items. I want you to be able to maybe jump start your own photography career or even look into buying a new camera. I would appreciate your business if you found something you liked here based on what I've posted. Just like in my other blog posts, your shopping involvement is voluntary- meaning you don't have to if you don't want to; but your business would be vastly appreciated.

Help yourself (or someone else) to a camera, as part of my thanks to you for reading my post. Take a look (NOTE: Availability of each item varies):

For cameras:


For video cameras and camcorders:


For DSLR cameras:



Happy shopping, and thank you for supporting my work! :)





I hope all of you enjoyed this blog post and my efforts to explain and expose photography to you all. Feel free to share your thoughts if you found my material of interest. Thank you for reading!

"Like" me on Facebook, Follow JBS, Follow me on Bloglovin', and/or Contact Me via E-Mail!
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Bicycles

(UPDATED: July 29, 2012)

Bicycles are enjoyed by many walks of life ranging from children to adults for reasons ranging from recreation to sport. This is two-wheeled fun for many reasons and applications. Push those pedals and be on your way to a fun ride. Or if you're the more adventurous or rebellious kind, you're into mountain biking or even BMX stunts. Whatever the case, bicycles may well be worth your time. This blog post is all about bicycles.

I haven't been on a bicycle since childhood. Do not think that this is any information based on personal experience or anything like that. I am simply providing all of this for entertainment and educational purposes.

WARNING: This post includes a number of YouTube videos. Your viewing performance may be slow depending on your connection. You may view the individual videos in links if you are unable to view any of the videos.

--- Bicycles at a Glance ---

^ from: bicycletouringpro.com - Two-wheeled fun awaits you when you ride a bicycle.

A lot of us may have started out riding tricycles. I certainly remember riding tricycles before moving up to a bicycle. My memories even include riding a bicycle with training wheels. Bicycles have been around since the 19th Century. As with most inventions, the bicycle has been enhanced and innovated over time to become and remain a fun form of both transportation and recreation. Some cities and nations have bicycles as the most effective mode of transportation.

I remember when I was younger and had a bicycle. I previously had a scooter that I enjoyed riding. My first bicycle had training wheels since I was not comfortable going on two wheels yet. Over time, I would learn to properly ride a bicycle and be able to ride it properly. I sometimes challenged a little girl to a race when at my grandmother's house. I would be on my scooter while she was on her bicycle. We had to go to this one intersection in our neighborhood back to my grandmother's house. Fun times. One time, I even once had a dirt bicycle. I think it was too big for it and didn't get to ride it too much, though.

--- Kinds of Bicycles ---

A bicycle from a retailer can cost anywhere between $100 US Dollars (or less) to even four-figure US Dollar amounts! Some of the more expensive bicycles (namely racing bicycles) have carbon fiber construction and can be quite expensive. Bicycles are usually sold based on the wheel width. Some bikes even have gears to them. So not every bike is created equal. Here are a few different kinds of bicycles (thanks: about.com):

Road Bicycles.

^ from: www.amazon.com - A men's road bicycle from Schwinn.

These bikes were meant to take on concrete and asphalt. Bikes like these were meant to be ridden around the neighborhood or in the park. They can even be performance-ridden as you could compete in bicycle racing events with road bikes. A number of manufacturers make road bicycles... even including Mercedes-Benz and Peugeot!

Mountain Bikes.

^ from: www.amazon.com - A Men's Mongoose mountain bike.

Mountain bikes are rugged and durable bicycles. They are best made for taking on natural terrain, yet many others do have them around town or on tarmac. Mountain bikes have wide and rugged tires. These are performance bicycles meant to take on undulating terrain.

Hybrid Bikes.

^ from:www.amazon.com - A women's hybrid bicycle from Schwinn.

The hybrid bicycle is best suited as a happy medium between road bikes and mountain bikes. You get the ruggedness of a mountain bike coupled with the city-happy nature of a road bike.

Cruiser Bicycle.

^ from: amazon.com - Women's Pacific cruiser bike.

Just like cruiser motorcycles are meant more towards style than outright performance (as opposed to sporty motorcycles), cruiser bikes are meant more towards style than being some kind of performance-oriented bicycle. Only difference is that nobody will look at you as a poser/poseur on a cruiser bike compared to a cruiser motorcycle. :)

BMX Bikes.

^ from: www.amazon.com - A Mongoose BMX bicycle.

BMX stands for "bicycle motocross" ("X" instead of cross). Think of these like non-motorized dirt motorcycles. They are best known for pulling off stunts like most motocross and supercross riders do. BMX bicycles are meant for those action sports types who ride while doing tricks. Everything from bunny hops to rail riding is what the BMX rider is all about. They are the rebellious riders who are all about pulling cool tricks and being real cool while riding.


These are the basic kinds of bicycles. Have you a favorite kind of bicycle?

--- Bicycles for Recreation and Sport ---

Before I begin the next section, I would like to thank the people who allowed their videos to be embedded. It's great to know my readers could view these videos without having to leave my blog (not to say that my readers/visitors would rather be any place besides "John's Blog Space").

Bicycles for Recreation.

A bicycle can be a fun way to go around the block or through the park. Think of kids who enjoy going around on bicycles as they ride. There are older bike riders who may enjoy bike riding at a park- whether a city park or a dedicated skate park. Whatever the case, a bicycle can be fun to ride around on. Some people even have their own custom bicycles. Bicycles are as much a casual expression of who we are as any other thing. Basic bicycles to creative bicycles are out there for riding enjoyment.

Want to make a scene and have fun? Try a tandem bicycle! Tandem bicycles are meant to have more than one person ride along with others. When coming up with this blog post, one person's YouTube channel shows that there is an actual science to tandem riding. While it may seem cute to have more than one person riding one bike, check this video out for more insight on tandem riding:

^ "Tandem Bike Riding"

Some people make custom bicycles; some even turned into tricycles. Look no further than with Lowrider bicycles. These bikes may have custom-made frames and accessories while also being fully tricked out. Talk about riding in style! Check out the lowrider bikes in this video:

^ "Lowrider Bike Commercial"

Bicycles for Sport.

In the sporting realm, bicycles have been great for working out. There are stationary bicycles

Bicycles can also be great sporting equipment for those doing outdoors sports. There are a number of people who'll ride their bicycles in outdoor settings. Mountain bikers ride their bikes on some undulating and hilly trails. Here is an example of mountain bike riders going all-out:

^ "GoPro HD HERO camera: Mountain Bike Clip"

Those into action sports have seen bicycles being used at skate parks and at half pipes. Dave Mirra is one of the finest in performing amazing stunts and tricks on a bicycle. He is a multiple-time champion of BMX competition. A lot of these stunt bikes have bars on the wheels so they can pull off tricks riding on rails. This video below is an example of BMX stunts. This is Morgan Wade and his gold medal run in the Action Sports World Championships round in 2007 in Dallas, TX, USA:

^ "BMX: Morgan Wade's Gold Medal Run in Dallas, 2007"

And of course... let's not forget those who take part in bicycle tours and rallies. Here in the Houston area, we have a famous event called the MS 150, a 150-mile bicycle rally from Houston to Austin benefiting the fight against Multiple Sclerosis (or MS for short). There are many cycling events worldwide. The most of famous of which, is of course... the Tour de France. This is a look at how brutal bike rallies and tours can be:

^ "Tour de France 2011 Highlights"


You now know about cycling both for recreation and for sport.

--- Bicycle Safety and Gear ---

When riding a bicycle, are you geared? Do you know about being safe while riding? A few pieces of advice are mentioned here in this section.

Bicycle Gear and Parts.

Here is a brief look at bike parts and accessories.

• Training Wheels - if you're starting out trying to ride a bicycle, training wheels are a great way to start. I remember I had training wheels on my bicycle once I went from a tricycle to a bicycle.

• Custom Saddles - bicycles may have custom seats designed for various applications, ranging from racing to just average bike riding. Some seats are even recommended by doctors and physicians.

• Baskets and Carts - some bikes can be equipped with carts for carrying around things safely.

• Water Bottle Cage - if you have a water bottle, equip one to your bicycle to be able to take water with you on the go as you ride.


These are among many other different items and accessories for bicycles.

Bicycle Apparel.

Most casual bike riders usually wear street clothes. Serious cyclists usually wear specialized cycling apparel. Some of these items include bicycle jerseys as well as bike shorts. There are also bib shorts worn by cyclists, which are kind of like overalls for cyclists. There are also shoes and socks specially designed for cycling. Here is an example of someone wearing dedicated cycling apparel:


^ from: redkiteprayer.com (best I could find) - This men's cycling outfit is an example of what cyclists wear as part of their outfit.

I am not any kind of cycling expert, but my best guess is that wearing such bicycle apparel helps you better perform as you're cycling. Those who compete in bicycle races will probably find wearing dedicated cycling apparel to better help you aerodynamically as you ride. Those bicycle racers often tuck down (just like motorcycle racers do) as they ride to get as little wind resistance as possible while at speed. Some cyclists wear bicycle gloves for protection and better grip.

For female bicyclists, there are special active skorts designed for those who want to wear a skirt while still being covered. These cycling skorts have attached shorts or bloomers to keep a cycling girl covered while also looking cute. There are even cycling dresses from one site I saw in preparing this blog post.

Bicycle Safety.

A riding helmet is the best method of protection. It is also a good idea to invest in knee pads. These (especially a riding helmet) can be very helpful to have if in the event of a head-on crash. I thankfully have never experienced an incident where I was thrusted off of my bicycle for all the times I've ridden a bicycle.

It helps to wear light-colored clothing, especially if riding at night. Speaking of night bicycle riding, have reflectors at the front and the back so you can be better spotted in darkness. Don't also forget to let people behind and in front of you know when you're turning. Links to much more detailed bicycle safety measures will be showcased later in this blog post.

Equally important in all of this is making sure your bike is secure and protected. Be sure the bike is properly secure to a bike rack with a lock and a cable.


I hope you all are able to dress nicely and ride carefully while riding your bicycle.

--- Bicycle Manufacturers ---

Click on the hypertext link in each heading to visit the official websites of these bike manufacturers. The majority of these are mostly suited towards my American audience. I am not sure if any of these can ship overseas or are also available in other nations. These are only a few of so many different bicycle manufacturers and retailers:

Bicycles: From Dedicated Bicycle Makers.

They are known for their bicycles. Visit any or all of these links to learn more about their products.

• Schwinn - Well-known for producing great bicycles. In addition to riding bicycles, they also offer stationary exercising bikes.

• Mongoose - a very popular bicycle maker with a vast variety of bicycles to choose from for various applications.

• Huffy - Maker of many bicycles as well as scooters and other sporting equipment.

• Kent - With over 100 years of cycling, they offer a variety of bicycles for many age groups and in various styles.

• Trek Bicycle - Bicycle maker with loads of experience, having been around since 1976.

• Brodie - They offer many bikes mostly for adults. They go by the slogan of, "Real bikes for real people."

• Surly Bikes - Surly sells complete bicycles as well as bicycle frames.

• MIRRACO Bikes - a bicycle company founded by multiple-time BMX World Champion, Dave Mirra. Frames and parts are offered in addition to the many different bicycles offered.

• Terry Bicycles - a feminine-exclusive brand that offers bicycles for women as well as bicycle apparel and parts.

• Renovo Bicycles - a bicycle manufacturer featuring wooden frame bicycles.

• Chubby's Cruisers - A maker of cruiser bicycles offering various styles for adults and children. Accessories for ordered bicycles can be added to each bike upon ordering.

• Specialized Bicycle Components - A maker of sophisticated bicycles. Their bikes are made for many applications, for both adults and children. It even includes a bicycle made in conjunction with the McLaren Formula 1 racing team.

• Waldmeister Bikes - a German maker of wooden-frame bicycles.

• Prestigio Bikes - a bicycle manufacturer based in the Republic of San Marino. Site is in Italian, but is also available in Spanish and English.

• Shimano (North American link) - Japanese company that sells bicycles, and they also make various parts and apparel for bicycles. The Osaka-based company was established in 1921 and incorporated in 1940. They also offer products for rowing and fishing.

• Sexy Bicycles - Yes, this Australian bicycle maker is actually called Sexy Bicycles. They make stylish bicycles designed with an exciting array of colors.

Bicycles: From Auto Makers.

Did you know that auto makers have provided their own bicycles? Only links to legitimate, commercially-available bicycles are featured here.

• Peugeot - Having made bicycles in the past, world-renowned automaker Peugeot offers a line of bicycles thanks to a new partnership with a well-respected bicycle maker. Peugeot bicycles are only offered in select European nations (including its native France) as well as Japan.

• Ferrari Bikes - Anyone even remotely educated about cars knows what kind of exotic ecstasy Ferrari provides. While they may not go as fast as their gasoline/petrol counterparts, Ferrari does provide some bicycles for your enjoyment. These bikes don't come cheap, though. Their cheapest-priced bike sells for about

• BMW - BMW makes both automobiles and motorcycles. They also make bicycles. Are these bicycles, then... the ultimate bicycle riding machines? I don't think they are sold outside of Germany or Europe because prices are only offered in Euros.

• Volkswagen (of Ireland) - Volkswagen and its long heritage of making automobiles also makes a number of bicycles. The bikes offered from this link are featured only for Volkswagen of Ireland.

• Mini Cooper Bicycle - The Mini Cooper is one of the finest automobiles of all time. Its heritage is prevalent on these bicycles. There are bikes offered for both adults and kids bearing the Mini Cooper namesake.

• Maserati - Better known as the luxury arm of Ferrari, Maserati made a bicycle called the Montante for Maserati 8CTF. It is an elegant bicycle from the Italian company.

• Land Rover - Land Rover is best known as a maker of rugged vehicles for off-roading. They also make bicycles for adults and children for multiple applications.

• Porsche - Pure pedal-pushing Porsche power. Porsche provides some bicycles that are as elegant and as capable as their cars. It isn't likely you'll draw stares on a Porsche bicycle as you would in a Porsche automobile. Of course, you could always fly the Porsche flag by attaching a Porsche bicycle to your Porsche Cayenne. :)

• McLaren (links to more info on the bicycle) - In a joint effort between the McLaren Formula 1 team and Specialized, the world's fastest bicycle was born- the S-Works + McLaren Venge. Visit the Specialized link to see the Venge Aero Road Bike co-developed by Specialized and McLaren. Or as an added bonus, let me share with you a video on this bicycle. Enjoy!


^ "Specialized S-works+McLaren Venge"


I may include more links in the future if I find more bicycle makers to feature.

--- Bicycle Resources ---

Resources for bicyclists and those into bicycles. Have a look around, this being my way of thanking you for reading this blog post:

Individual Links on Bicycles and Cycling.

• People for Bikes
• Bikes Belong
• International Mountain Biking Association
• Cyclingnews.com
• PedalHouston (Houston/Galveston area)

Bicycle Safety.

• Bike Safety - KidsHealth by Nemours « advice for children on riding bicycles
• Bicycle Safety - How Not to Get Hit By Cars
• Kids and Bicycle Safety « provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Kids Bike Quiz « test your knowledge of bike riding for kids.

Bicycle Dealers, Parts, and Accessories.

• Shop for bicycles and bicycle parts on Amazon
• Performance Bike
• Cambria Bike
• Wheel World Bike Shop
• Just Bicycles
• PV Bicycle Center - Palos Verdes, CA, USA


More links may be included in any future edits.





I have never really been too fond of cycling to say I am any sort of bicycle person. I do hope you cycling fans have enjoyed my blog post. Remember to Subscribe and Follow if you love my work. If you're indulged in social media, GET SOCIAL WITH ME! Thank you for reading!

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Surfing

One of the most popular water sports is surfing. It's you against some killer waves. Ride those waves and look cool doing it. Guys and girls (or to use Hollister Co. terms, Dudes and Bettys) can rip up the waves equally. For many people, the surfing lifestyle is a fun and carefree way of life. While the blog post is nothing too serious on surfing, it is sort of a digest on surfing.

Special hello to all of you who enjoy surfing and/or the whole beach lifestyle! I hope my post will be to your liking.

--- Surfing at a Glance ---

Ride them waves... but don't wipe out! The magic of surfing can only be mastered by those who are best at trying to retain their balance while riding some insane waves. Guys and girls can equally ride the waves and look cool doing it. Most of the great surfers look like their feet are glued to the surfboard as they stand on the board.

I don't know any moves in surfing. When coming up with this blog post, I've heard of moves such as a kickflip and a rodeo flip. Let me try to describe some of the more common surfing moves as best as I can:

• Bottomturn - a bottomturn is usually when a surfer rides the top of the wave, then zig-zags left to right going down a wave.

• Re-entry - a surfer rides up to the top of the wave and turns back down quickly to the bottom of a wave.

• Cutback - sort of like re-entry, but done quicker.

• Snap - a surfer rides up a wave and sort of swings out the back of the surfboard before coming back down. Almost like drifting on a wave.


Those of you more into surfing than I am probably can better educate me here. Contact me via E-mail so I can edit this post and better educate my audience (and protect my credibility and integrity).

--- Surfing as a Trend ---

Sometime in the mid-2000s, there was sort of a fashion trend towards surfing. Lots of surf-inspired fashions shown up around this time as well. Guys and girls whom have never surfed a second in their lives had some surf-inspired fashions especially during Summer. Some surfers either wear proper beachwear or even wear wetsuits. Regardless, the fun of being out on the water surfing on waves is an unreal experience.

You have to admit there's something hot/sexy/cute about a girl balancing herself on a surfboard riding the waves. Same goes for a girl who even squats down while riding the waves. And of course... what guy doesn't love a girl who gets wet battling the waves? So you can somewhat imagine what has made the surf culture trendy, at least from fashion and style standpoints. This all goes back to romanticizing certain things to make them trendy to the casual set.

How hot can surfing be? Watch these girls go to work on the waves:



And there you are.

--- Bethany Hamilton ---

When I was preparing this blog post, one such surfer caught my interest. Bethany Hamilton may just be one of the most inspiring persons of any kind. She is a one-armed surfer who had her arm severed off from a shark attack. Her inspirational story even was featured in a movie called "Soul Surfer."

I don't really watch movies, but if you haven't seen "Soul Surfer," here is a trailer of this movie based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton and her never-say-die courage and determination:


And if you want to get "Soul Surfer" online, check it out on Amazon by clicking on the item below:


^ "Soul Surfer" for DVD.

--- ASP Surfing ---

One of the premier leagues of professional surfing leagues in the world is the ASP. ASP stands for the Association of Surfing Professionals. The ASP competes worldwide across a number of venues. They surf in the United States, Europe, Japan, and in the South Pacific. One of the premier names in the series is Kelly Slater. As of this post, Kelly Slater an 11-time World Champion of the ASP. He even won the 2011 championship, beating out three Australians- Joel Parkinson, Owen Wright, and Taj Burrow. Adriano de Souza finished 5th in the final rankings. The 2011 women's championship was won by Carissa Moore of Hawaii. She, like Kelly Slater, edged out three Australians (Sally Fitzgibbons, Stephanie Gilmore, and Tyler Wright) and Brazil's Silvana Lima for the 2011 crown.

So it's safe to say that Australia and Brazil have some great surfers in addition to the United States.

To learn more about the ASP, visit their official website at www.aspworldtour.com.

--- Popular Surfing Locations ---

If you wish to go surfing, just head to the beach and ride the waves. Some places are very popular or

Here are some of the many:
• (almost anywhere in coastal Southern California)
• (almost anywhere in Florida along the Atlantic coast)
• (almost anywhere in Hawaii)
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Japan
• Bondi Beach - Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
• Manly Beach - Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
• Fiji
• Tahiti

There are, of course, many more locations to enjoy surfing. These are just some of the many that come to mind for me.

--- Surfing Resources ---

Do you like surfing or want to surf? Here are a few resources for you all. I just pulled these up quickly and semi-randomly:

• SURFER Magazine

• SURFLINE.COM - check on the surf of locations worldwide. You know, so you can properly plan your next attack of the waves. :)

• Transworld Surf - An online magazine devoted to surfing.

• www.aspworldtour.com - home to the Association of Surfing Professionals, the biggest pro surfing league in the world.

• SURFING FOR LIFE - a film documenting the history of surfing that was released back in 2001.

• Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum (HBISM) - an online museum showcasing the history of surfing.

• Surf News Network - get your fill of surfing news online here.

• Surfrider Foundation - love surfing? Love to protect the seas? This is the best way to show your support of the world's waters as a surfer and as a lover of beach culture.


Just so you know, I am working on another blog post within the realm of surfing; especially involving fashions involved with surfing and of beach culture. Stay tuned for that (or keep checking this post for an updated link).

I'd like to treat you to some Amazon material. If my blog post on surfing has been to your interest, I'd like for you to please help support my work any way you can. Click on the link below this paragraph to check out items on Amazon that may interest you as a surfing fan. This is purely optional, but I would appreciate it if you did have a visit and do some shopping. Check it out:

Surfing on Amazon

I would appreciate your business and support if you do look around and buy something you like from Amazon. Read "An Important Amazon Note" for important information regarding any featured Amazon material in my blog.





Thanks to all of you for reading this blog post. I may add more material based on what kinds of traffic I get to this post. Surf on!

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Ballet

(UPDATED: October 16, 2011)

Whether you love it for its grace or if you dislike it because it's too "pretty," ballet is one of the greatest showcases of grace and spirit among any art. It is by far one of the most popular and oldest performing arts in existence today. Both males and females ranging from children to adults take part in the beautiful and graceful art of ballet. This blog post is my contribution to ballet. I don't know much about ballet or is any kind of aficionado of ballet, but I will do my best to discuss and showcase ballet in a classy and respectful manner. I hope you will enjoy my blog post on ballet.

If any of you are in ballet or have done ballet before, I'd like to salute you and thank you for visiting John's Blog Space!

LATEST UPDATE(S):

OCT 16 2011 - made a few simple edits to this post

--- Ballet at a Glance ---

Some information supplemented from Wikipedia for this section.

(from Wikipedia) The origins of ballet originate back to the the Italian Renaissance courts in 15th Century, and then later enhanced by the French and Russians. Ballet is something that requires great concentration and grace to be amazing. No one average person- not even my out-of-shape self- can ever do any of these moves as gracefully as a conditioned and trained ballet dancer. There is an exact science to precisely and properly executing the many maneuvers ballet dancers make. A good deal of fitness and exercise can help in more precisely executing each stunt and performance. I don't know the name of any such ballet moves even if my life depended on it.

Anaheim Ballet mentions ballet as a "beautiful strength." This video will set the mood for the style of dance to be showcased in this blog post:


You have now been introduced (by me) to ballet. You can read much more about ballet from a much more qualified source than I by reading the Wikipedia page on Ballet.

--- Ballet Misconceptions ---

I touched on it a bit in the introduction. I won't name all of them, but I will touch up on some of the most common misconceptions.

I guess for a lot of people, ballet is too pretty and girly and soft. Like EVERYTHING is supposed to be hard and raw. Almost as if many people believe those who are in ballet are somehow wimpy and couldn't fend for themselves if in a compromising position. Then again, who said ballet dancers are as tough as gridiron football players or any hockey players? I think people often look beyond the grace and charm of ballet and just think of ballet as a pretty art form where everything is seemingly perfect. The training to have everything perfect is tough. I wouldn't survive one day in ballet class, let alone multiple days trying to get EVERYTHING perfect.

If you'd like to learn about more ballet misconceptions, I invite you to read "Ballet Myths Busted" at www.theballetbag.com.

--- Ballet Outfits ---

Let's see these ballet dancers in their outfits. This is ballet from a style perspective. All of these are descriptions of what most ballet folk wear.

Leotards and Unitards.

The most basic outfit for any ballet dancer is a leotard. Leotards cover the body much like a one-piece swimsuit. Some leotards may or may not have sleeves to them (most do not). These leotards mostly are in spandex, but some may even be polyester among other materials.

Leotards are usually accompanied with tights to complete an outfit. Unitards can be thought of as rompers/playsuits or jumpsuits for ballet dancers. They consist of the leotard top and are joined with either short legs or pant legs as part of the whole outfit.

Ballet Skirts.

Dress yourself up a bit with a ballet skirt. Accompanied to a leotard or unitard, a little extra diversion is offered to your ballet outfit with these skirts.

Ballet Dresses.

As beautiful as any leotard, a ballet dress can be equally graceful and beautiful to wear. What girl wouldn't want to be just a bit more lovely in her ballet dancing?

Tutus.

The tutu is a petticoat for ballet dancers. Just put one on and twirl to your heart's delight!


And of course...

Ballet Shoes.

Ballet shoes are mostly form-fitting shoes designed for various foot movements. A good pair of shoes designed for tip-toe moves and bending the feet are needed for various ballet dancers. Two of the most common ballet shoes are your basic ballerina slippers and pointe shoes. Their soles range from full sole shoes to split sole shoes. My best guess is that they offer different levels of comfort and control when performing ballet moves.

You are probably thinking of ballet flats if you're reading this. However, ballerina slippers are the real dancing shoes of ballet dancers. These shoes were specifically designed for ballet dancing. They contour to the feet and are more comfortable to wear for the various routines and moves such ballet dancers execute. The appeal and style of ballerina slippers found their way into ballet flats you've probably seen or worn. I asked online what makes ballet flats different from ballerina slippers, and one girl said that ballerina slippers were specifically made for ballet dancing; not just to wear with your outfits casually. The cute ribbons and bows you see on most ballet flats usually originate from the lovely ribbons and straps you see on ballerina slippers. Just know that your ballet flats are for wearing with your outfits; ballerina slippers are graceful shoes to wear in your ballet routines and moves.

Pointe shoes are so beautiful with the ribbon ties to secure them. Pointe is so graceful and beautiful as a form of ballet dance. Pointe shoes offer a basic ballerina shoe with many ribbon ties to help secure them. To get an idea of what Pointe is like, I have found this video, courtesy of the Ballet Center of Houston. Take a look at this video and see these Pointe shoes in action as well as pointe ballet:



By the way, I doubt they were wearing blue in support of my blog. ;) The song playing in the background is beautiful.


Many of these items have even influenced everyday fashion. In fact, the movie "Black Swan" in 2007 offered up a look at ballet-inspired fashion. For a detailed look at ballet-inspired fashion, please check out this site: "ballet inspired fashion" on dancemana.biz.

--- Ballet Videos ---

Would you like some ballet videos? I've found a number of them online to share with all of you. Feel free to get your ballet fix right here!

• Russian Ballet
I mentioned Russia as one of the key players in the evolution of ballet. Well, a young lady named Natalia Osipova at Moscow's (as in Moscow, Russia) Bolshoi Ballet Academy performs a ballet routine for all of you in this video. Take note of her graceful moves. This is a beautiful performance:



• Twinkle Toes!
Here are some videos showcasing a few different ballet moves.

Italian fouettes are performed by this (then) 13-year Canadian old girl named Alys Shee:


How about some pirouettes? Here you go:


Finally, here are some arabesques. These are done beautifully by this lady:



• Ballet Boys
My objective in blog posts like this one is on factual material. So therefore, I tried to find a proper video to suit this section. I tried to find a proper video on a male in ballet rather than some random video of males fooling around as ballet dancers. I don't have just one video... I have two. Many people think that males who practice ballet are gay or wimpy. Fact is- males have performed ballet LONG before mostly females have taken up the ballet scene. So what you're about to see is the kind of ballet most have come to know before most know ballet as a girly form of dance.

Believe it or not, what you will see in the first video is classic ballet... but are all played by males! Before women essentially took on these ballet roles, these roles were played by men. So have a look at this interesting video featuring men wearing feminine ballet outfits and wigs:


This male performer practices in contemporary ballet here. Check out his moves here:



• Ballet Fun With Kids
This video could not be embedded. Therefore, I will make this link regarding the video. This is a very cute and fun video of a little girl (then) 10-years old showcasing a vivid imagination coupled with ballet dancing.

Again, embedding was disabled. So if you want to see this video, click on "KIDS BALLET DREAMS Rochelle Marks (10yrs old)" on YouTube.


There are your video inspirations on ballet. Hope you enjoyed your time here!

--- To All Who Practice (or Have Practiced) Ballet... ---

You all are the ones who help exhibit and showcase what makes ballet so enjoyable and graceful. You help showcase the beauty and grace of such fluid movements while also dancing to lovely musical scores. It is just too bad you ballet folk get such a bad rap from most people. Those especially include people who think ballet is just pretty and wimpy, like everything has to be hardcore and tough. People fail to realize (let alone appreciate) all that goes into being great ballet dancers. I am not any kind of serious fan of ballet, but I greatly appreciate what all goes into ballet.

So uh, keep doing your thing! You dig? :)

--- Ballet Resources ---

That concludes this blog post for the most part. I may make a post to my alternative blog, "John's Shop Space," but JSS is still being considered and mapped out for renovation. So I will not be posting to that site until renovations are complete. And if I do post to JSS, it will feature more personal selections for you ballet lovers/dancers.

So here are some resources for you ballet dancers. More will be added in future edits. These are all my own words on each resource. I am not paid anything to talk about any of these resources in the way that I do:

Discount Dance Supply.

With many kinds of dancewear items for dancers (including those in ballet), this is one place to look towards online for your ballet gear. Dancewear for other kinds of dancing are also offered here.

The Ballet Store.

All the gear and merchandise you could want for ballet can be found here at The Ballet Store. There are even various resources available for all of you into ballet including news items regarding ballet. This is more of an all-in-one place for all kinds of ballet fans.

Capezio.

Capezio is one of the most respected companies in the realm of dancewear. With over 125 years of dance, Capezio has something for just about everyone.

Motionwear.

From ballet to cheerleading to gymnastics, Motionwear has just about everything for every kind of dancer. Relevant to this blog post, click on the "Dance" link to see the ballet material.

Dancewear Solutions (links to Ballet).

Dancewear Solutions has all kinds of items for all kinds of dancing. The link above takes you to the Ballet store of the site. Various items and accessories are offered on the site for ballet dancers to be properly suited for gracing the floor with their moves. Everything from ballet outfits to ballet shoes are offered on DWS.

Tip Toe Dancewear.

With a variety of items offered for various dancers, Tip Toe Dancewear has you covered with many different items to dress you up for dancing. There are also items offered for cheerleaders as well. So if you enjoyed my Cheerleading blog post, you may find some great cheer gear here as well.

Men's Dancewear.

An Australian author on HubPages named Marisa Wright mentions mens' dancewear on her page. My male audience can look at this site for some notes on male ballet items.


Again- more items should be made available to this blog post should I find some more worthy resources. If there are some you think I should consider posting, I would appreciate if you contacted me via Email. Help me help my reading/visiting audience.



Special request for all of my readers- please help support my work by finding items online featured in my blog posts. One such way is by checking out these items on Amazon. Use these widgets to dress yourself up for ballet. I would appreciate your business if you buy something useful. If you enjoyed my blog post (or any of my blog posts) please support my work, if you don't mind, by finding certain items that interest you based on this blog post:

Ballet on Amazon: Apparel.

Ballet on Amazon: DVDs.

Ballet on Amazon: Books.

Thank you for visiting (and shopping (if you done any))!





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Stargazing

It can be very beautiful to see stars (and other celestial bodies) in the night sky. A clear night's sky supplements its own natural show for all to see. Many people can better see what all the universe has to offer when not around city lights. Those in rural areas, places without lots of city lights, and even those in far northern/southern latitudes and elevations are usually able to see what all the universe has to offer. Here is a random picture I found online to help set the mood for this blog post:






^ from: www.starscapes.com (best I could find; this or nothing) - The night sky is full of many wonders and mysteries. What will YOUR stargazing experience have in store for you when you look up in a clear night's sky?

As anyone who visits John's Blog Space knows, I have always had such deep fondness for nighttime. I can remember in 1994 (I was a 5th Grader then) when I was part of a field trip at a camp called Camp Olympia. The first night of my four-day field trip, I looked up into the sky and saw MANY stars at night. The sight was so beautiful. Unfortunately, that star show didn't last long because it would rain hard later that night with rain persisting for the second day. Anyhow, seeing many stars in the sky makes you wonder what all is out there than what we normally see at night. Keep in mind that I live in a big city- Houston. At most, I can see anywhere between 30 to 50 stars in the sky on a clear night in the city. For the rare times I have been away from lots of city lights, MANY more stars are visible in the sky at night. It is really a phenomenal sight to see so many stars in the sky at night. Many more can be seen if you go to an observatory or have a telescope.

Maybe the most interesting thing I've ever seen in the night sky was a shooting star. I actually remembered seeing a shooting star one morning when I was a little boy. I have never really noted solar eclipses or lunar eclipses before. If I actually lived in locations where I could see auroras, I'd love to see how they would look in person. I had actually intended on posting a blog about auroras. I may save that for the near future.





Do you all enjoy looking up at the sky at night? Are there certain things you would love to see in the night sky when looking up at the stars? Are there certain locations for you that are great for looking up at the night sky? Feel free to comment. Thank you for reading!

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LEGO

(UPDATED: May 17, 2023)

Through my youth, I have enjoyed playing with LEGO. What makes LEGO fun is in taking what pieces are offered to you and build what the main package consists of. Do you HAVE to, though? Absolutely not! You can take the package of Lego bricks and make other things in addition to what the package is supposed to consist of. That adds to the creativity and appeal of collecting Lego sets. I have a big tub full of Lego bricks (and some other stuff) that I haven't really played with in ages since getting older. Still, LEGO was the stuff I grew up with.

This blog entry is about the little bricks and sets from a Danish company children (and adults) have been playing with since first being made available in 1949. The LEGO Group is based in Billund, Denmark and invented by a fellow named Ole Kirk Christiansen.

PERSONAL NOTE: Hey! Thanks to all of you for keeping this blog post popular. I hope my blog post on LEGO will be to your liking if you've never read it before.

LATEST UPDATE(S)/REVISION(S):

MAY 17 2023 - extensive updates to a very old post






^ from: actionfigureinsider.com - LEGO... what can YOU create with a bunch of Lego bricks? No... what CAN'T you create?

My First Lego Sets.

The first time I remember getting a Lego set was back in 1992. I think I got a Lego City set of something. The one I wanted for Christmas in 1993 was called Central Precinct HQ. That was a three-story Lego set complete with a police station, a jail cell, and a criminal (because prisons are useless without criminals to jail). I would have a catalog featuring many more Legos from many more collections from some of the bigger sets. When you open up a Lego set, your creativity runs wild as you look for as many ways as possible to turn a pile of Lego bricks into something beautiful. The possibilities are (and should be) endless. Lego sets mostly award creativity and inventive ability. Perhaps this is why I've grown to love Lego sets just about all of my life. Also, this may be how I've grown to become more creative and inventive in many things. I sometimes even enjoy taking about LEGO people and sticking different parts onto different LEGO people. Everything from heads, to arms, to bodies, to legs, to hands, to head accessories... endless possibilities and more fun than playing with those plastic Army men! :-) Some LEGO sets, like the old Train collection, can be equipped with a special device that allows you to put batteries into it to make it come alive. Some may even have a remote control or some other device to allow you to use and control certain LEGO sets that can be powered by batteries.

Legos for All.

For almost everyone ranging from children to adults, there are a variety of different Lego sets to let your imagination run wild. Younger children can enjoy the Duplo lineup. Girls can enjoy the Belville lineup of LEGO toys. More advanced LEGO builders can challenge more challenging sets from the LEGO Technic collection. And if your love of LEGO is what you want to share digitally, you can with a variety of LEGO games ranging from the LEGO Racers games to the various LEGO games based on licensed series (like LEGO Star Wars among others). So there is a LEGO set and collection for you!

LEGO from My Time to Now.

LEGO has really evolved to include many more varieties and sets to use. When I first got into LEGO, I basically played around with some very cool LEGO sets. When I stopped really building LEGO sets, various licensed LEGO sets (like the Star Wars LEGO sets), sets that you can create meticulous versions of actual cars, the Bionicle series, and more. I am not surprised in the least bit that there are various structures and models built ENTIRELY out of LEGO bricks. There are even these LEGO models to this day. LEGO has withstood the test of time quite well.

What is Possible With Lego?

Simple - almost ANYTHING! Don't believe me? Check out these pictures from around the Internet:


^ from: bitrebels.com - So you can't afford a Volvo XC90? Build your own!


^ from: waynehodgins.typepad.com - a LEGO city complete with train tracks and more.


^ from: geekologie.com - LEGO Chess. Checkmate!


^ from: mydigitallife.info - Someone re-created the Bird's Nest for which the 2008 Beijing Olympic Summer Games was held along with some other facilities.


^ from: guardian.co.uk - a LEGO-built (non-functional) PC. No Blue Screen of Death guaranteed!


^ from: platformnation.com - LEGO people rock! Literally!


^ from: cartype.com - a LEGO Honda/Acura NSX.

Told you that ANYTHING is possible! That's only the pictures I could use and provide credit for. More Lego goodness can be found at LEGO!






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Stuffed Toys

(UPDATED: July 24, 2012)

Giving stuffed toys can be like giving new friends to others. Think of a guy who gives his girlfriend a cute stuffed animal. Imagine a parent who gives his/her baby or babies a stuffed toy to play with. Whether they are teddy bears or some other stuffed cuddly toy, these are gifts that can capture the hearts of those who receive them. There are kids that love stuffed animals. There are some girls that REALLY love stuffed animals! This blog entry discusses stuffed toys and what they can mean for those who receive these as gifts.

LATEST UPDATE(S)/REVISION(S):

JUL 24 2012 - comments disallowed (spam concerns); enjoy the following post, but commenting has been disallowed. Any suspicious comments or suspicious hits will have me delete certain non-genuine comments.

--- Stuffed Toys and What They Mean to Others ---

Money CAN buy you happiness! There isn't a kind of gift that can lift someone's spirits quite like offering a cute stuffed toy to someone. The most common stuffed toys are (of course) teddy bears. Anything from a small teddy bear to a big one can uplift someone's spirits. Some stuffed toys can even be worn as accessories. When such stuffed toys are offered, they can be great fun for those who receive them. It can be like buying someone a new best friend. Of course, money can't buy you friends, but they can buy you some stuffed friends.

--- Stuffed Toys in Pictures ---

Here are examples of cute stuffed toys from around the Internet...


^ from: reliablegreetings.com - This teddy bear loves you! What girl WOULDN'T melt or break into happy tears if given this teddy bear?


^ from: dailycuteness.com - When this eagle soars into the sky, it also soars into your heart.


^ from: craftyavenue.com - A very kawaii kitty! Should please any cat lover (like myself).


^ from: fromourheart.com - This bunny should be dedicated to any shining star in your life.

These stuffed toys can warm anyone's heart. How much so? Imagine hugging and clutching a lovely stuffed animal. Though stuffed toys are made, the most important thing a stuffed toy can make is a best friend. Maybe not a friend whom you can share with the world and introduce to your real friends, but they can be something enjoyable and cute to have.





Of course, there are MANY more stuffed toys of many kinds and sizes. If you'd like to shop for some stuffed toys on Amazon, you have two choices... use a widget or visit John's Shop Space. So do you want to shop on Amazon for stuffed animals, toys, or whatever? I can help you with the widget below. Happy shopping! :)

WARNING: Not all stuffed toys are for all children. Most manufacturers recommend offering these to those 36 months (or 3 years) or older since some of these items can pose health hazards since there are some parts that can come apart. Keep this in mind if shopping for your children.

Use this widget to shop for stuffed toys on Amazon (HINT: change the default search text to "stuffed animals" or "teddy bears" to search specifically for those items):



Or you may visit John's Shop Space by clicking on the graphic below. It includes a few more widgets linking you to teddy bears or stuffed animals:


Thank you for reading!

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