Full Blue Moon & Lunar Eclipse Photography - New Years Eve 2009

If you live in Americas, Europe and Africa the full moon falls on December 31, 2009, and is called Blue Moon. Blue Moon because it is a second full moon in December; thus the definition of the blue moon being two full moons in one month. The name has nothing to do with the color of the moon. This also will be a 13th full moon in 2009. The next full Blue Moon can be expected on December 31, 2028, 19 years from now. In other parts of the world like New Zealand, Australia and most of the Asia, this full moon falls on January 1st, 2010. In this case, those parts of the world will have two full moons in January 2010.


The lunar eclipse will be visible primarily from the Eastern Hemisphere.

Why not get your camera ready and get some nice pictures if the weather permits, otherwise, you will have to wait another 19 years.

Here are few of my posts on moon photography.

How to Take Photos of the Moon? – Part 1: Moon Calendar & Weather Conditions
Tips and guides on lunar cycle and checking weather conditions.

How to Take Photos of the Moon? – Part 2: Digital Equipment Required
Suggestions on what equipment you may need.

How to Take Photos of the Moon? – Part 3: Digital Camera Settings
General settings to help you get nice close up pictures of the moon.

Edit Posts Error bX-mcgjci in Blogger

Its been days now and I cannot still get into my Edit Posts on one of my blogs. bX-mcgjci error keep flashing front of my face every time I click on Edit Posts. Theories are that this error is google account related. However, I am not sure if it is account related, since all my other blogs are working perfectly fine. Blogger issue- definitely, but why they are not looking into this problem, no body knows. This is what you get when using free services, and after all there must be more serious issues they are working on.

There is one workaround suggested I tried. Create a new gmail account, and then a new blogger account. In your blog, the one not working, assign admin privileges to the new account. Confirm by accessing a new account. To access Edit Posts you need to be logged in the new account. If you want to still be recognized among your blogger friends, ensure to create very similar id, because the new account id will be displaying for commenting.

However, if you need to just post your post, and you don't access the old posts, then you can do this. Create your post that is 100% proof, go to Create New and post. If you screw up, to edit you can still access the post from your blog, pending you have the little pencil image under the post. Remember, you always need to be logged into your account to access it. Same with commenting.

This is another workaround this issue.

Go to Layout > click on Blog Posts > Click on Edit > In the Configure Blog Posts ensure that the 'Show Quick Editing' is checked [a pencil].

To display Archives on your Blog go to Layout > Add Gadget > Click on Blog Archives to activate.

Now you are all set to access your posts from your blog [not edit mode]. On the Archives click on the post you want to edit, then on the bottom of the post you should have a pencil to edit your post.

Lastly ensure to back up your posts. Go to Settings > Basic tab > Export Blog. The backup posts can be imported back to other blogs.

Lastly, let's hope google blogger team will look into this issue as soon as possible.

Start Toilet Training Early - Less Diapers

I have been reading a lot lately about toilet training, and I just couldn't believe that some of the diaper companies like Pampers is recommending to start toilet training when your child is about 2 years up to 4 years old - obviously more business for them. In my own opinion, this is a bit too late. I started to toilet train my son when he was just little under one. As a matter of fact, I got him a putty when he was six months old and for the most of the time at the beginning he played with it as a toy. So what is the rush on my part. No rush at all, I think one year old child age group is about the right age to introduce children to the toilet training.

Here are some of the things about toilet training I learned:

[1] Toilet training can be very slow process for some children even when they start early toilet training. Holding may be an issue and as well as limited communication.

[2] Patience, consistency and discipline are the three key words. Children are in the process of learning, so give them some time. Toilet training is not the only thing they are learning in their lives. Children learn from repetition, therefore asking and bringing them to the toilet even when they don't want is the key. At that age children already know how to say - yes or no, so they will tell you. In addition, when toilet training is priority, you probably will have to give up some of your other chores.

[3] Children like to imitate, therefore sometimes bringing them when you are in the washroom may be not a bad idea after all. Be a model.

[4] Children that have dry diaper through the night are ready for toilet training.

[5] Children must be comfortable sitting upward in order to go on their toilet. In addition, it may be more comfortable for them when their feet are flat on the ground. More support and more balance.

[6] Sitting on the toilet and waiting may be sometimes a long process, therefore, bring some toys for them to play. Remember, children have short attention span.

[7] Children like to say good bye to their stool - then let them. However, ensure that they don't have any toys in their hands when you are flashing the toilet, because it may end up being flashed too. In my case, my son used ot get very excited and throw toys around - for fun of course.

[8] Do not wait when your child is 2 years or older. At that age children are more vocal, and know what they want. It may be harder to sit them down on the toilet.

[9] At the age of two most of the children already walk, and when they are going to washroom, mostly it may be in standing up position, therefore, it may be harder for them to go in the sitting down position.

[10] In the worst case scenario, don't get stressed out too much - it cannot be good for you or your child. Eventually all children will go to washroom on their own. Some take longer and some take faster. But still don't wait, start early, plus you will definitely save on diapers.

BOOKS TO READ:

Read More ... in Blogger Blogspot is Now Available

Finally the 'Read More...' or called by blogspot 'After the Jump' feature is now available. I have not tried it yet but I will. Here is excellent guide by Google for you to read how to do this modification. Yes it requires little modification to the template. Ensure to back it up, and do yourself a favor, just create a test blog to install and test drive this feature. Never know, you may like or not. Before I conclude this post, you have to run new post editor. This can be changed in Settings > Basic, and scroll down to see the options.

News: Scientists Discovered A Rare New Bird Species

I thought this may be an interesting read. We don't realize, but scientists continue to discover new things on this planet Earth, just like this new bird species, a rare bald bird. Here you can read more about it: Animals, Newfound Bird Is Bald; By Clara Moskowitz, LiveScience Staff Writer; posted: 29 July 2009 09:00 pm ET.

Best Treatment for the Cradle Cap - All Natural

I have done some research on the cradle cap when I found some on my baby's head. I didn't actually find it visually - I actually experienced funny odor. This is when I noticed yellow residues attached to my baby's scalp. Since I have been very cautious using excessive soaps and creams on my baby, I was looking for natural way to cure it. I wasn't able to cure the cradle cap immediately, but it did work on the end. I used the virgin olive oil. After every water bath, I would smear my baby's head with the virgin olive oil. In the morning I would gently brush off from the head. I would repeat this for three days in the row. What olive oil does, it loosens the yellowish residue so it can be brushed off. However, I noticed that would go away for a week or two; therefore I would repeat the treatment. I read it somewhere that all it is a baby dandruff, and it will come back, and it can go on until child is a five years old. The nice thing about the olive oil is that it is harmless to your child, and you can use it all the time. Unfortunately, you need to time treatments in the way that your baby or child is home for few days, otherwise, hair may be a bit oily. Since my baby's hair is very fine, it was hardly noticeable. Next day after last day of treatment, I would wash my baby's hair with a gentle shampoo. Just so you know results may vary, and you can come up with your own application of virgin olive oil, some may need more days, and some less.