First Test Run with my Square Up card reader and Application

This new device by Square Up is providing me with an easier and more effective way to do business on the go. I have seen these card readers in use at Farmers Markets, Flee Markets, Crafts Shows, and most recently at the Turkey Creek Public Market just outside Knoxville. A vendor was using her card reader plugged into an Ipad. I watched as a customer made a purchase with ease.

I have run several transactions using the Square Up card reader on my LG Vortex smartphone running on Verizon Wireless. I start by launching the Square Up application on the phone. Next, I plug in the card reader jack/dongle into the top headphone jack. The application acknowledges the card reader is connected. I type an amount for the transaction, usually include a description and/or photo about the sale, then slide the card through. I tried sliding the card at different speeds and learned that slightly slower is more effective than faster. After sliding the card, a new screen shows that the card is being authorized and accepted. Square Up then shows a screen that allows for the purchaser to sign their name. Pressing a button below the signature brings up a screen for sending a receipt to myself and the purchaser. This can be an email address or text msg. to a phone number to complete the transaction. I have made successful transactions with VISA, MasterCard, and American Express.
The GPS stamp feature that is included on this application seems to have a learning curve. Each time I ran a transaction the map result sent in the receipt email was progressively more accurate. It has not been completely accurate. Trying to learn if this is an issue with Square Up or my phone.
I like the practice of paying a fee only when running a transaction. The deposits go to my bank account usually within 2 days. No problems at all so far. Yay! Cool!
What kind of business do you use your Square for?

Brandon

Square Up official website.

Costume Ideas and Resources

Here are some of my favorite websites for costumes, performers, and our industry.

Steampunk Costume

Starcostumes - men/women/children/mascots/halloween/theatrical

Coolest-homemade-costumes

Mimicsproductions - custom made mascot and theatrical full costumes for TV, movies, live shows (UK)

Mascotsandcostumes - Custom made costumes for brand recognition - commercial
Abbyshot - tailored custom creations and reproductions of fashions from TV, movies, cartoons, comics and more (UK)

Been A Long Time Since I Rock n Rolled.

Wow! What a year so far. I moved to Knoxville, started a couple of new jobs, made repairs on a house and my Volvo 240, been tilling a garden, fixing lawn mowers, hanging privacy curtains, checking out Knoxville's music scene, practicing scales and chords on my electric guitar, learning some more french language and sign language. Reconnected with some friends from back in the day. Had a girlfriend, then didn't. Been getting chiropractic adjustments with excellent results. Paying down debts. Hoping to get my dental work done this year. YES!

Sing Through the Stress No Matter the Weather

The winter season is especially challenging for anyone who sings in public performances. When going out to do my costumed character act, I must usually prepare to acclimatize my voice. The changes in temperature and humidity from inside my car to the home or office venue can be considerable. I try to work in as much time as possible for the adjustment to be made before beginning my routine. Sometimes even with all the best preparation, surprises still occur. I then work it into the act as well as possible. When playing a chicken or gorilla there is a little more room for improvising. That saves the day in most cases. Preparation helps me reduce the stress that can sometimes accompany a performance.
Have you faced this situation? How did you prepare? What were the results?
Leave a comment.

Singing benefits the mind, body, and soul. It helps melt away stress.

•Reduce stress and improve mood

•Lower blood pressure

•Boost the immune system

•Improve breathing

•Reduce perceived pain

•Improve a sense of rhythm

•Promote learning in children

•Forge comforting memories

•Promote communal bonding

•Provide comfort

•Motivate and empower

Read more at
bellaonline.com

10 easy ways to cut stress
10 practical ways to reduce stress
Managing stress while singing

Overcoming troubles with courage - a poem

This has been a year of stark changes and challenges for me. I reflect back on the lessons I've learned, the promises I made, the friends that helped me through it all. There have been pleasant discoveries and surprising victories. May these upcoming holidays bring opportunities to you for living a courageous life. Turn your stresses into stepping stones towards a higher purpose. Live the life you have dreamed.

Enjoy this poem.

As you travel through life
There are always those times
When decisions have to be made,
When the choices are hard, and solutions seem scarce,
And the rain seems to soak your parade.

There are some situations where all you can do
Is simply let go and move on,
Gather your courage and choose a direction
That carries you toward a new dawn.

So pack up your troubles and take a step forward
The process of change can be tough,
But think about all the excitement ahead
If you have courage enough!

There might be adventures you never imagined
Just waiting around the next bend,
And wishes and dreams just about to come true
In ways you can't yet comprehend!

Perhaps you'll find friendships
That spring from new things
As you challenge your status quo,
And learn there are so many options in life,
And so many ways you can grow!

Perhaps you'll go places you never expected
And see things that you've never seen,
Or travel to fabulous, faraway worlds
And wonderful spots in between!

Perhaps you'll find warmth and affection and caring
And somebody special who's there
To help you stay centered and listen with interest
To stories and feelings you share.

Perhaps you'll find comfort in knowing your friends
Are supportive of all that you do,
And believe that whatever decisions you make,
They'll be the right choices for you.

So keep putting one foot in front of the other,
and taking your life day by day...
There's a brighter tomorrow that's just down the road
Don't look back! You're not going that way!

Amazing Unshavings - Mustaches/Moustaches, Beards - Celebrate Facial Hair

Movemeber.com

Moustaches at Squidoo

Handlebar Moustache Club UK

Beard Community and Moustaches

Why do people wear such things on their faces? This lens is committed to raising the issue of the moustache as a window on the soul, and as a device for expressing personal identity.

Since the first humans had a choice between having hair on their upper lip, or cutting their upper lip off with a flint, the way they have worn their 'hair up there' has helped to define who they are. Famous individuals, groups and societies, cultures and social movements have used the moustache to announce their intention to not be ignored, to stand up and say 'Yes, I look silly, but dammit, at least I look silly the way I want to.' They do not allow their detractors to choose a weak point in their physical appearance, they hand it to them on a plate - "I have a ludicrous moustache - please mock me for it". It is only the truly strong of character who can offer such opportunities to their enemies.

This guy is one of my inspirations for performance arts. Enjoy the dangerously funny videos by Remi GAILLARD

Name:GAILLARD
Channel Views:14,966,203
Total Upload Views:510,532,624
Style:Clown
Age:35
Joined:July 03, 2007
Last Visit Date:15 hours ago
Subscribers:426,980
Website
This channel contains dangerously funny videos created and produced by Remi GAILLARD.
A french hidden camera show which differs from most other in the aspect that gags are surreal and very visual.
You don't need to learn french to understand, so get ready to laugh hard !

"C'est en faisant n'importe quoi qu'on devient n'importe qui"
It's by doing whatever that one becomes whoever...