Life is a Sinecure

Spooooooky TV

2010-10-21T07:00:00.000-06:00

It's that time of year again, time for Halloween/spooky, ghosty, wonder if it's real television!

Fortunately, with the Internet and television pretty much on demand you can watch what you want when you want. Here are a few links to get you in the mood for October 31st.

Destination Truth

Ghost Hunters

Ghost Hunters International

Paranormal State

A sad day...

2010-10-20T07:00:00.003-06:00

I am always very, very, very sad to hear of a death, especially someone famous. Even though we don't know them personally, we feel like we do. I was pretty devastated to hear that Tom Bosley passed away recently. I never knew the man, but he looked like the type of person who would make a wonderful friend, father, and mentor.

The LA Times' Robert Lloyd has posted a wonderful blog post about Tom Bosley, known mostly as Mr. C, but also Father Dowling, the dad in Wait Til Your Father Gets Home, and David the Gnome.

We even named our cat TomBosley, after the actor. Rest well, Mr. Bosley, you will be missed.

A phone that can do what?! Am I the only one?

2010-10-14T07:00:00.001-06:00

After three years with my good ol' Razr I finally decided it was time to upgrade to something a little bit better. I stopped by my local AT&T store to see what they had to offer. Of course I was bombarded with smartphones and things with QWERTY keyboard and MP3 players and I'm pretty sure a few that could make the user invisible.

Well, okay, maybe not invisible, but it seemed like that.

When we were finally helped by a sales rep I think I made him a little depressed when I said I wanted a phone that did one really cool thing: make a phone call. I didn't want to check my e-mail or listen to music or video chat or send unlimited texts. Maybe make myself invisible, but that's it. I also said the words every sales rep dreads. I wanted a free upgrade to my phone. We finally ended up with phones we'd had our eyes on last year, Samsung's A777. Mine is blue and it's the cutest little slider phone ever. The one upgrade that I love is that it has a memory stick and I can make and upload my own ringtones with Phone Zoo.

But here's the thing. Am I the only person in the world who wants a phone that makes phone calls? I'm not that old, but I don't need some super-sophisticated piece of technology clunking around in my purse. I'm also not so young that I need to IM or chat and I really have no patience to read the Internet on a 2.5"x1" screen.

Now, I blog and Facebook and Myspace and Twitter, but I have zero desire to do that from my phone. Perhaps we're just a little too plugged in, eh? For example, when Facebook went down people blew up Twitter instead. Mayhaps the next time that happens we should all just take our cell phones outside, get some sunshine and maybe make an old-fashioned phone call.

Sorry, kids....

2010-10-12T07:00:00.000-06:00

I am such a bad, bad blogger!

Please accept my apologies, I have been busy in work and in life and have not had any ideas on any good blog posts. I have a few recipes to post and maybe a Halloween post since I finally had a chance to decorate for my favorite holiday! Check out these two gems I picked up (along with a ton of stuff) at....of all places the Dollar Store (dun, dun, dun!). It's a great place for some things and not such a great place for others. I decorated my whole house for less than $15 (Yes, that black cat is indeed covered in glitter).

Happy Punctuation Day!

2010-09-24T07:00:00.001-06:00

It's no secret that I am a word nerd. I think that the proper use of grammar is so important in a society of spell check and chat/text speak.

Today is National Punctuation Day. Yes, those little marks do indeed get their own day of celebration.

And they deserve it, too! What else can change a sentence from being cannibalistic to loving? The mere addition of a comma changes the meaning of a sentence like you wouldn't believe. Observe:

Let's eat grandma!
Let's eat, grandma!

See? One tiny little mark can define whether you want to eat your own grandmother or invite her over for dinner. Kind of seems important, now doesn't it?

If you'd like to learn more about this quirky little holiday, check out the official website.
Check out some of Grammar Girl's quick and dirty tips.
Also take a look at the Purdue OWL's tips.

How about one more little fun thing? Bob the Angry Flower has a few things to say about the apostrophe:

Image Source

Happy Punctuating!

Tomatoes + Honey + Chicken

2010-09-14T07:00:00.006-06:00

I've had some time lately to try out some new recipes. Sadly, two of them just did not work out the way I would have liked. However, on the third day: Success!

I just uncovered this recipe among some my grandmother came up with. It's got a unique texture and flavor that is borderline exotic. I was so pleasantly surprised with not only the aroma but the taste of this dish. Enjoy!

Chicken with Tomatoes and Honey

4c tomatoes, cut into large chunks
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1t ginger, grated
2t ground cinnamon
1/2t pepper
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2T honey

1c chicken stock
1/3c golden raisins
1/2c cous cous

In a 5-quart non-stick pot over medium-high heat, combine the tomatoes, onion, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, and pepper.
Once everything is heated through, add in chicken and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 40 minutes or until the chicken is cooked.
Remove chicken and keep it warm.
Increase the heat under the sauce to high. Boil and stir often until the sauce is thick and the tomatoes begin to caramelize.
Stir in the honey and chicken. Reduce the heat to low while you make the cous cous.
Bring the chicken stock and raisins to a boil. Stir in the cous cous, cover, and remove from heat. Let sit according to directions (usually about 5 minutes). Fluff with a fork before serving.

I cut my chicken into bite-sized pieces, but I think it would work better with larger pieces that are easier to get out.

What's happening here?

2010-09-07T07:00:00.000-06:00

Technology is one of those things that is inevitable in a society. People surf the Internet on cell phones and make phone calls with the Internet. Chatting, instant messaging, and texting are three ways that adolescents and kids communicate the most with their peers (and even family members). However, I can't help but think that this influx of communication through technology is hampering the English language and perhaps degrading it into something that may be permanent. Most languages are fluid and constantly changing. For example, the OED adding words like "cyberslacking," "screenager," and "grrrl" and if a language doesn't evolve then it may very well die, but where is the line between growing to benefit society and growing to encourage an uneducated society?

Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter status updates are full of typos: "your" instead of "you're," "then" instead of "than," "2" instead of "to," "c" instead of "see," and "u" instead of "you." The problem is that these aren't once in a while mistakes, I've seen these as constant mistakes and it appears that those who create the mistakes don't really care. I think the ease of spellcheck and the fact that no one corrects these mistakes really is hampering the younger generation. I don't mean to take on a slippery slope, but what happens eventually when these kids (and even adults) submit homework or reports to bosses and it's riddled with grammatical problems? Will someone correct them or will someone just figure it's easier to let it go? What will happen to the way we write and speak if people continue to disregard the correct usage of our language that have, thus far, evolved into something great? What would classic writers like Poe, Twain, or the Brownings say about what is happening?

My point is that perhaps we need to be mindful of what is happening when it comes to communication and what the potential outcome might be. Perhaps if people stand up and point out what's happening, a degradation of our precious language might be staved off for at least another generation.

Frog Eye Salad

2010-08-31T07:00:00.002-06:00

Frog eye salad. Sounds kind of gross, right? That's why I never made it until recently. I was headed to a family potluck and I like to try new things to make up for the possibility of the overabundance of chips and potato salad. And thus, I finally pulled out my frog eye recipe and got to work. It's really very simple. The only problem I had is that this recipe makes a huge amount and it was tough to handle it all. So, if you have a small group half the recipe, large group leave it as it stands. Once you get the hang of the concept, it seems like an easy recipe to swap different ingredients in and out.

Enjoy!

Frog Eye Salad

1lb uncooked acini de pepe
1 20oz can pineapple chunks, drained (reserve 1/4c juice)
1 3.4oz package of instant vanilla pudding
1 3/4c milk
1/4c sugar
1 8oz can of crushed pineapple, drained
2 11oz cans of mandarin oranges, drained
2/3 of a 12oz container of whipped topping
2/3 of a small package of miniature mashmallows
3/4c shredded coconut (optional)
1 jar maraschino cherries, halved (optional)

Cook the acini de pepe according to the box's directions for medium-doneness. Drain and rinse with cold water several times, drain again.
In a large bowl, whisk together milk, pineapple juice, sugar, and pudding mix.
Add pasta, mix well.
Add in the rest of the ingredients.
Chill for at least 5 hours so that the flavors can soak in and the pudding mixture can set.

In Search Of...

2010-08-26T07:00:00.003-06:00

Okay, normally I post recipes, but this time I'm looking for a recipe. I have been baking since I was fairly little. Some people say it's a science, but I was never very good at chemistry. I could, however, add pretty much anything to a cookie and it turned out great.

But, and I am so ashamed to admit this, I have one huge fault. I have never, ever been able to make a great chocolate chip cookie. Just a plain ol' chocolate chip cookie! What's up with that? I've come close, but usually they turn out burned or flat or looking like this:

Which is exactly what I don't want. I want a fluffy, soft, chewy cookie that holds its shape and stays soft long after it has cooled. Why can't I find the perfect chocolate chip cookie? The picture above is the third round of the Original Tollhouse cookie (made with mint chips). I've tried different amounts of flour, different cooking times, different cooking temperatures, different ingredients....but alas!

I really don't have the time, patience, or money to try out every different variation of cookie recipe floating around the Internet, so I am hoping that someone out there reading this has the perfect recipe or the perfect ingredient to make my chocolate cookies the way I want.

For some reason I am over-complicating things like I have a tendency to do (which is why I'm not good at math).

Help?

Sports Buzz: Are you ready?

2010-08-24T07:00:00.001-06:00

I've always considered myself a tomboy. When I was little I would dig up worms with the boys and I very seldom enjoyed playing with dolls. So it comes as no surprise that I like watching sports. I used to be into NCAA basketball, which I still enjoy, but the sport I love watching the most is football. The action, the crushing of helmets, the great catches, the spectacular plays, the tight pants....

Can you feel it in the air? It's football season once again and I am stoked. Sure, it's difficult when my favorite pro team hasn't been great lately. The Seahawks had won their division for several seasons, but after that "loss" in Super Bowl XL things haven't been going so well. But, they have a new coach, former USC coach Pete Carroll, so we can always hope that this is the start of something great.

Well, I can at least hope that the Seahawks do well enough that our local Fox affiliate won't just stop airing their games partway through the season.

Go Seahawks!

Happy football season, folks!

TV Time

2010-08-19T07:00:00.003-06:00

Now, like most television watching couch potatoes out there, I find myself completely lost when the shows I watch go on hiatus (or *gasp* get cancelled). Fortunately, some brilliantly brilliant person came up with some new shows airing over the summer. That has been enough to satisfy me, but what I really wanted to see was another season of Pitchmen. I know it will never, ever be the same since the loss of the wonderful booming voice, smiling bearded face, and blue shirt of the late, great Billy Mays, but I have been anxious to see what his son Little Billy and Anthony Sullivan could do for the direct response industry.

Fortunately my wait is over! It's been over a year since the season one finale and I am certain I am not the only one who is excited to see this show returning! So, the point of today's post is to remind everyone that Pitchmen season two premieres TONIGHT on Discovery. Check your local listings, but for those of us in the Mountain time zone the show starts at 7pm.

Need to catch up? Pick up season one on DVD.

Note: I am not a natural pitchperson and I am not being compensated in any way to endorse this show, but really check it out, it's so interesting.

How I Really Learned So Much...

2010-08-17T07:00:00.001-06:00

I loved school. Granted, I still have nightmares that although I'm a college graduate with a full time job I have to go back to high school. Actually, I've been told that sometimes those nightmares never go away, which I am not looking forward to. But I digress. As much as I loved school and learning there's really one place where I, and I think others of my generation, learned the most: television, especially cartoons.

I remember playing Scrabble with my older cousins and I used the word "kin" which I had learned from an episode of Garfield and my cousin actually told me it wasn't a word, would not get out the dictionary, and made me take my points back. Seriously! That's burdened me ever since I was 8 years old. I feel a little better getting that off my chest.

Anyway, cartoons seem to parody a lot of other shows, movies, and books so they are actually great learning tools. Where did I first learn Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven?

How did I remember the states and capitals? Animaniacs:

Even in college I used Animaniacs to help me study. I would sing the presidents song when I was trying to remember something in history class (I still sing it when I'm watching Jeopardy! although it is a little bit outdated since it sends with President Clinton) and I used the parts of the brain song to, well, help me remember the parts of the brain!

Of course some cartoons were meant to make us learn like School House Rock! Those cartoons are still great, too. I love the song about Congress and about conjunctions, but I think it's fascinating how much children (and adults) can learn from programs made for sheer entertainment. I do wonder, what are the creators thinking? Are they thinking maybe their audience will take a little piece of knowledge with them after watching and episode or are they merely concerned with whether or not the audience will be entertained?

I have always said that English majors probably know the most useless junk and would excel on Jeopardy! but now I am starting to think that some of the useless knowledge in my noggin is actually up there because of my wonderful friend, television. Thanks, cartoons!

Tabbouleh

2010-08-12T07:00:00.003-06:00

Sometimes I watch cooking shows and it's just as good as eating. For a long time I've seen television chefs whipping up some sort of couscous with mint and tomatoes, so I did some digging. It turns out the idea I had in my head was a Middle Eastern salad called tabbouleh. Traditionally it is made with bulgur, a type of wheat. But after a little bit of research I found that couscous can be substituted for bulgur. So, for my treat week at the office I whipped up a huge double batch. I have to say it was a definite hit!

Tabbouleh

1 cup couscous, cooked according to package directions
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 cup chopped green onions
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
3 tomatoes, chopped
1 cucumber - peeled, seeded and chopped
1 teaspoon salt
ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Cook couscous according to package directions.
Finely chop onion, parsley, and mint.
Chop tomatoes and cucumbers into somewhat uniform cubes. Add to the items chopped in #2.
Add oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to make a dressing. Toss with the veggies and couscous.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. The longer it sits, the better the flavor.

College 101: Getting into the Groove

2010-08-10T07:00:00.007-06:00

A new city, new school, new bed, new people, new experiences. How completely terrifying! Only the craziest of thrillseekers would think that all of that at once is fun.

However, I have a few tips for surviving those first scary weeks of college:

If you live on campus (which you should your first year) eat in your dorm's dining hall.
Participate in hall activities - this is such a great way to meet people who live near you who will be feeling the exact same homesickness as you.
Familiarize yourself with campus before classes start. Grab a map and find all of the buildings where you have classes. Grab a buddy and walk out your routes.
Find at least one "safety" person. It might be a roommate, teammate, or friend from high school. Having a safety person will allow you to have at least one person to hang out with, then as the two of you make friends you'll each make twice as many.
Get to know the building where your adviser will be.
Join up in a game of frisbee or hackey sack or just hang out on the lawn where other people seem to be congregating. Even if you're sitting alone with a book or homework, you'll probably look approachable.
Find a group or social club to join and participate in different campus activities.
Find a "buddy" in each of your classes. The first week of classes you'll notice the same people in some of your classes. Learn their names and that way you'll always have someone to sit next to or form a group.
Have fun and do not hole up in your room. You may have the instinct to hide, but if you hide out the first few weeks of school you'll earn the label of unfriendly or hermit.

College is such an amazing experience, you shouldn't have to stress out about all of the little intricacies. Also remember to have fun, it gets easier each day!

College 101 - Roommates

2010-08-05T07:00:00.003-06:00

A lot of college freshmen trounce off to college used to their own rooms and tons of space. Unfortunately at college that just isn’t the case and it takes a little bit of getting used to.

Often, dorms are small and will force students to be social either through small spaces, common rooms, borrowing items, communal bathrooms, or meetings and social events.

While social interaction can be avoided somewhat, you’re going to have to converse with your roommate every now and then, it’s unavoidable. While some schools try to match students up with someone who may be compatible on paper, it just doesn’t always work.

My freshman year my roommate was a nice girl, but we had opposite habits. For example, I was neat and took out the trash, she was a bit messy and didn’t understand where the dumpster was. I liked to go to bed early, she stayed up until the wee hours to finish her homework. By Thanksgiving I actually volunteered to help her move her stuff to her new dorm.

If you love your roommate, great! But, if you don’t quite see eye-to-eye it’s important to not let hostile feelings fester. Keep an open dialogue with your roommate and your year will go by much smoother.

Here are a few tips to make roommate interaction a little easier:

Have a conversation the first week designating rules about guests, chores, and shopping
Keep a whiteboard to list things you might be running low on
If you’re uncomfortable, let your roomie know so she can adjust and remember to approach her like you would want to be approached
Try to become friends and attend an activity together outside of your dorm
Have a place where you can escape: the library, the lounge, a friend’s room, etc.
Remember that you will have to compromise now and then

Sports Buzz: Rivalries

2010-08-03T07:00:00.005-06:00

Recently in the state of Idaho college sports rivalries have been in the news. My former school, the University of Idaho and the local school Boise State have had a rivalry for years and it's pretty intense. It's no North Carolina-Duke or Florida State-Miami, it's more like Oregon-Oregon State or Washington-Washington State. It's the biggest interstate rivalry in college sports.

But, Boise State has gotten a little bit overzealous with a couple of Fiesta Bowl wins and pouting about not being included in a BCS championship game. They just announced this year will be their last in the Western Athletic Conference and that in 2011 Boise State will be a part of the Mountain West Conference. With Boise State wanting to play bigger non-conference teams, this pretty much leaves the Governor's Cup game in the dust. Well, then Boise State changed it's mind and said maybe it'd be okay but there was no way they would play the game as the away team. It seems to me that perhaps Boise State is a little bit scared that if they lose to Idaho at Idaho larger school might think them weak.

Although Boise State essentially wants to end the rivalry series (admittedly they've won the last 10 years in a row, but there was a time when Idaho won 12 in a row. Idaho has had their best season in more than ten years last year, so it could be possible for Idaho to make a comeback), it was only fueled by some comments the president of the university made. Bob Kustra basically said there was no point in playing the game because the Idaho fans were not respectful (when is anyone respectful in a rivalry?). Kustra also indicated that if Idaho did win, what was the advantage for Boise, which would indeed indicate some fear that Idaho may be a worthy opponent.

Sports Illustrated's Andy Staples makes the best point I've read so far: Boise State is essentially shunning their past as "underdogs" and "the little guy" to become a big powerhouse team (which they aren't). By shunning this past, Staples says that Boise State loses the right to ever complain about not being included in something big, say a BSC championship game, ever again.

Certainly I have my opinions and I'm sure they've come out in this post, but it does kind of seem like a case of a famous sibling being too good to visit his roots. It doesn't matter, though, I'm still proud to be a Vandal, even if I live in the middle of orange and blue it won't stop my from bleeding black and gold.

Related Links:
Andy Staples' Commentary on the Rivalry
Boise State-Idaho Wiki
More on Bob Kustra and Duane Nellis on the Rivalry
Editorial About the Rivalry

Another Maintainer's Post

2010-07-29T07:00:00.000-06:00

Hi!!!!!

I just wanted to stop by to say that although posts in this blog have been pretty consistent, I am having a difficult time coming up with ideas and having time to write out posts. So, I am going to try to keep up with posts, but if they don't show up, don't worry! It just means that I don't have a lot to say.

In the mean time, check out FreeKibble and FreeKibbleKat.

Cheers!

The Console Wars

2010-07-27T07:00:00.007-06:00

Just after Atari and right before the Xbox was a glorious time in video game history. In fact, some refer tot hem as the glory days and longingly refer to "back in the day" when they reminisce about 8- and 16-bit gaming.

Nintendo seemed to have a firm grasp on the video game market, but it did face some stiff competition. Nothing portrays this better than the console wars of the early 1990s. The Sega Corporation released its Sega Genesis system in 1989 to compete with the NES, and later against the SNES. Its superior graphics eventually caught on in 1991 with games such as Sonic the Hedgehog. A back and forth battle between Sega and Nintendo ensued that involved stiff advertising against each other with slogans such as “Genesis does what Nintendon’t” (note that now that Sega no longer makes its own console, Mario and Sonic have appeared in games side by side). Sega had a hold on the console wars, but due to mismanagement, Nintendo ultimately won out in 1995. Sega had minor success with its Saturn and DreamCast systems, but subsequently left the video game market.

What gave both Nintendo and Sega such dominance was the way the two companies tapped into popular culture. They took main characters Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog, respectively, and marketed them as toys, stickers, clothes, and comics. The characters were so popular, they even had television shows, and Mario and his brother Luigi even had a live action movie. Pokemon was so popular that Nintendo made it into a movie and then a television series. Video games are so mainstream that there are game reviews in major newspapers, games in major retail stores, and entire websites and magazines devoted to them. Nintendo created its own magazine full of tips, tricks, and game related information called Nintendo Power, which was the top selling kids magazine in 1990, and is still published today.

Towards the end of the console wars between Sega and Nintendo, a familiar company decided to get its share in the video game market. Sony, a household name for many years, released its PlayStation in 1995 and Final Fantasy IV. The PlayStation was the first highly successful video game system to use CDs rather than cartridges, which made the manufacture of games much cheaper. To follow up initial success in 2000, Sony introduced its PlayStation2 (PS2) . Sony boasted that gamers could play CDs, DVDs, and games on their system and that they would soon rival computers. 2004’s PlayStation Portable (PSP) plays specially designed games and even movies. The success and backwards compatibility of the PS2 planted Sony firmly in the video game industry and in 2006, just two days before Nintendo released the Wii, Sony released the PS3, which has been extremely successful so far.

With the release of the PS2 and Sony’s claims that it would soon dominate over the PC, computer giant Microsoft decided to throw its hat into the video game market in 2002 with the Xbox. This system could also play CDs, games, and DVDs and featured an interactive online option called Xbox Live. Successful marketing and the Microsoft name helped launch the Xbox and in 2005, the Xbox 360 was unveiled and sold either as a core system or as the more expensive premium system. The appeal of the Xbox comes from titles with realistic 3-D graphics such as Halo and Call of Duty.

The progression of video games in the past 30 years has helped the genre grow and become part of popular culture. The novelty of new technology and exciting adventures draws people of all ages and has become a booming industry. According to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), in 2006 $7.4 billion dollars were spent on video games, consoles, and accessories. The staying power of video games and loyalty of gamers is also shown on the ESA website, which reports that one-quarter of Americans over 50 play video games, and the average age of a video gamer is 33 – meaning that they’ve probably been playing video games for at least 12 years.

In our game room, we don't discriminate (okay, well the Wii was banished to the living room, but that's another issue in itself).

And that is a brief look at the console wars. But of course, don't take my word for it, take the word of the Angry Video Game Nerd (note there's some bad language):

Linktacular: Virtual Vacations

2010-07-22T07:00:00.002-06:00

It's summer and it seems like everyone is hitting the road on some exciting adventure. Everyone but you. Whether it's because you don't have the funds or are just a homebody, you can still have a great vacation from the comfort of your computer. Pants not required. (Okay, please put on some pants until you finish reading this...)

So, turn off your phone, pull out a beach chair, sunscreen up, and pour yourself a fruity drink with an umbrella.

Thanks to EarthCam you can check out webcams from pretty much anywhere!
Times Square cam
Boston cam
Tokyo cam

Wind surfing in Maui
Check our chapels in Las Vegas
Take a peek at Sugar Mountain in North Carolina

Does It Work: Domino's New Pizza

2010-07-20T07:00:00.003-06:00

So, a while back Domino's pizza had had enough with people trash talking their pizza and decided to overhaul everything from the cheese to the crust. They've had a huge advertising campaign about the new design and trying to convince people that they don't want to "purdy up" their food for advertising, they want real shots of real pizzas. So let's check and see if that works or not.

Now, I never had a problem with Domino's, especially compared to a few other pizza joints. Like any college student, I was well-versed in local pizza fare. Where to go for taste, where to go for price, and where to go to compromise the two.

We decided it was time to stop holding out and try out the new pizza. I have to say, it's pretty good, but a few things just still don't work. The crust is great but it seems a bit salty (but still delicious). Also, there's just something about the overall composition of the pizza that doesn't mesh, but I cannot put my finger on it. Overall the taste is definitely better than it used to be, but could still use a little work. Like perhaps cooking it for a minute less. I have to admit, though, I love their online ordering that actually let's you watch the progress of your pizza and tells you who's making it and who will be delivering it.

So for the final part of the promotion, we snapped a picture of the pizza and besides the fact that it looks slightly overcooked, it looks pretty good if you ignore the grease stains on the box.

So, does it work? Here are the overall grades:

Effort: A
Taste/Look: B-
Total Grade: B

Back in the Day - 1997

2010-07-15T07:00:00.009-06:00

Major News/Sporting Events

Hong Kong returns to Chinese rule
Heaven's Gate cult commits mass suicide
Ellen DeGeneres comes out
Princess Diana is killed in a car crash in France
Super Bowl XXXI: Packers def. Patriots 35-21
World Series: Marlins def. Indians 4-3
Silver Charm wins the Kentucky Derby

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Prices

First Class stamp: $0.32
Gallon of gas: $1.22
Movie ticket: $4.59

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Top Movies

Titanic
Men in Black
Air Force One
As Good As it Gets
The Lost World: Jurassic Park

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Top Books

Cat & Mouse by James Patterson (F)
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks (F)
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (F)
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt (NF)
Into Thin Air by John Krakauer (NF)

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Top Songs

Candle in the Wind by Elton John
You Were Meant For Me/Foolish Games by Jewel
Wannabe by The Spice Girls
How Do I Live by LeAnn Rimes
Quit Playin' Games (With My Heart) by The Backstreet Boys

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Top Television Shows

Seinfeld
ER
Home Improvement
60 Minutes
NYPD Blue

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Awards

Grammy Record of the Year: My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion
Academy Award, Picture of the Year: Titanic
Nobel Prize for Literature: Daroi Fo

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Grammar 101 - Serial Comma

2010-07-13T07:00:00.000-06:00

Some people see grammar as a trifle, but I consider it important and the grammarian community would agree. However, would you believe there is dissension going on amongst grammarians about something very serious….a comma!

To be more precise, what has been dubbed the serial comma. There are those who think it is necessary, those who do not, and those who really don’t care.

A serial comma is the comma that comes in the last part of a list. A serial comma appears in the following example:

I need to buy milk, cheese, and potatoes at the grocery store.

A serial comma does not appear in this example:

I need to buy milk, cheese and potatoes.

AP style (the style most newspapers and magazines use) says that a serial comma is not necessary. Those who use other styles like MLA think that the comma needs to be there.

Personally I am a believer in the serial comma because it brings a sense of consistency to your list, your sentence, and your overall writing.

The decision is yours.

IMO: Expiration Dates

2010-07-08T07:00:00.002-06:00

Sales are a great way to stock up on extra items from toilet paper to ketchup. However, there's really one down side that I think a lot of people overlook when it comes to keeping products around and that's the expiration date. Some consider it a hard and fast rule, others refer to it as a guideline (these are also usually the drivers who consider posted speed limits a suggestion). I used to be one of those in between folks who would keep an eye on the dates on dairy and meat, but that's about it. In fact, I actually silently (okay, maybe not so silently) made fun of the people who were downright religious about checking dates. Granted, I still do that with people who refuse to eat something because the sell-by date was three days ago or the use by date was yesterday. After all, most food banks take day-old or nearly expired products and you can buy day-old bread discounted at the grocery store.

The truth is, being mindful of the dates on our food will prevent us from getting sick and make us enjoy the flavors of the food products less. With a tight economy, everyone is buying bigger and using products longer than is healthy in some cases.

I used to assume that the grocery store would keep an eye on these dates and act accordingly, however I have since learned that it is up to each of us to make sure we don't buy out-of-date products that could make us sick and why pay full price for something that may not taste as fresh?

The thing is, humans are the ones in charge of checking for and pulling bad dates on products (whether it be at a grocery store or a restaurant). And, of course, humans are inherently flawed be it a simple oversight, not enough employees to cover everything, or sheer laziness and a lack of enforcement on management's part.

My other half diligently checks over expiration dates each time we buy groceries. This is a habit he's developed not just because he has worked in the grocery industry, but because he's had more than one unpleasant experience with expired food. The awful taste and feeling cruddy because you've had to throw out food that was (at one point) perfectly fine and now it's been completely wasted.

The point of my rambling, I think, is to take responsibility for your food! Check those dates when you pick the food off the shelf before it goes into your cart. We, as individuals, must be responsible and we can't just assume that someone else has already done it for us. If we do then we'll be the ones wasting both food and money.

Literature Corner - Epic Novels

2010-07-06T07:00:00.000-06:00

I love fiction, but some novels are so epic that they seem daunting to even an advanced reader However, to make these novels seem a bit more manageable keep in mind that their epic size merely means there’s probably an epic story with great characters that will stay with you a lifetime (okay, and they’ve probably been made into movies).

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

This is a truly epic story that has produced a movie, sequels, prequels, a Pulitzer, and a mini-series about life, love, and travel across the wild frontier. The story focuses on a rogue group of characters including old army rangers, drinkers, an orphan, and even a prostitute traveling from the small town of Lonesome Dove, Texas all the way to Montana to start a cattle ranch and all the adventures that happen along the way.

I have read this book twice and I still love all 900 pages and all of the characters. After you’ve read the book, definitely check out the movie starring Tommy Lee Jones, Robert Duvall, and Rick Shcroder. Even if you’re not a fan of Western novels or Terms of Endearment, Lonesome Dove is worth checking out.

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig

Margaret Mitchell’s book has always been a classic and so is the Academy Award winning movie. I often joke that everything I know about the Civil War came from reading Gone With the Wind, which is true. There’s no better way to understand the people and society of Civil War times than to read this book about pride, diligence, love, and society.

There have been a few prequels/sequels/companion books to this novel, but the newest is Donald McCaig’s Rhett Butler’s People, which is a companion novel that allows readers to understand more about Rhett than any other book. We get to see a different side to the happenings of the original (but there’s absolutely no substituting the original!)

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

While not nearly as epic as the other novels, The Historian is a great, deep story rich in history, fiction, and great characters including Dracula. This isn’t Bram Stoker’s Dracula, this is the story of a young woman looking into her past that includes Vlad the Impaler. This book mixes history, romance, and suspense into a great novel that you won’t soon forget.

Maintainer's Post: Happy 4th!

2010-07-04T14:17:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to swing by and say hello! I hope everyone out there has a happy, fun, and safe 4th of July. I am currently watching the end of 1776 and am about to have some watermelon on this beautiful day.

On a personal note, I wanted to mention a couple things:

A few months ago I made a post about being laid off. I am happy to report I have just completed my 4th week of being employed! I now work for a wonderful, reputable company with great people and it's literally 10 minutes from my house. I am truly lucky!
As a little gift to myself for finding work and surviving the "lean" time (really, when isn't it a lean time, though?) I picked up a new digital camera. It is not state of the art, it was on sale and super cheap ($50!). But hopefully this means more pictures in the blog and a bit better quality.

So, enjoy the holiday, regular posts will resume Tuesday. In the meantime, check out this great video:

BBQ Recipes, Part II

2010-07-01T07:00:00.003-06:00

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

1c mayo

2T red wine vinegar

1 clove garlic, minced

1t dried basil

1t salt

¼ t pepper

1 ½ c twist macaroni, cooked. Drained

1c quartered cherry tomatoes

½ c chopped green pepper

½ c sliced ripe olives

Combine first 6 ingredients, stir in remaining. Cover, chill – makes 3 cups.

Carrot Raisin Salad

4c shredded carrots

¾ to 1 ½ c raisins

¼ c salad dressing/Mayo

2T sugar

2-3T milk

Place carrots & raisins in bowl – mix other ingredients and pour over, cover and toss to coat carrots and raisins well.

Apple Crunch Salad

6oz Strawberry Jell-o mix

2c boiling water

1 ½ c cold water or apple juice

¼ t cinnamon (opt)

1c diced, peeled apple

½ c diced celery

¼ c chopped nuts

Dissolve Jell-o in boiling water. Add cold water and cinnamon. Chill until thickened. Fold in apple, celery, and nuts. Spoon into a 6-cup mold or bowl. Chill until firm (4 hours)

Back in the Day - 1972

2010-06-29T07:00:00.011-06:00

Major News/Sporting Events

Richard Nixon (R) def. George McGovern (D) in the Presidential Election
The Watergate scandal begins when five men are arrested for trying to bug the Democratic HQ
The arcade version of Pong is released
Dallas def. Miami 24-3 in the Super Bowl
Oakland def. Cincinnati 4-3 in the World Series
Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan - Soviet Union 8 gold, US 3 gold
Summer Olympics in Munich, W. Germany - Soviet Union 50 gold, US 33 gold, West Germany 13 gold

Source

Prices

Gas: $0.55
Rent: $165
Average Annual Income: $11,800
Wrangler Jeans: $12

Source

Top Movies

The Godfather
Deliverance
Fiddler on the Roof
Dirty Harry
A Clockwork Orange

Source

Top Books

Johnathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach (F)
The Word by Irving Wallace (F)
The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth (F)
I'm OK, You're OK by Thomas Harris (NF)
Harry S. Truman by Margaret Truman (NF)

Source

Top Songs

American Pie by Don McLean
A Horse With No Name by America
Without You by Nilsson
Heart of Gold by Neil Young
Let's Stay Together by Al Green

Top Television Shows

The Brady Bunch
Hawaii Five-0
All in the Family
Maude
Sanford and Son

Awards

Nobel Prize for Literature: Heinrich Böll
Grammy for Record of the Year: Carole King's It's Too Late
Grammy for Best New Artist: Carly Simon
Oscar for Best Picture: The French Connection
Pulitzer Prize for Fiction: Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner

Source

Lists - Best Card Games

2010-06-24T07:00:00.000-06:00

We've talked about the best board games, but you didn't think I forgot about card games, did you? Of course not!

Phase 10 – Time consuming, but so much fun trying to meet the phases and trying to beat your opponents to the end of the list

Uno – A fun go ‘round game where a hand can last anywhere from two minutes to fifteen minutes

Mille Bornes – A French card game about cars and driving. Trust me, it’s much more fun than it seems once you give it a try

Cribbage – While the scorekeeping does in fact use a board, this is technically a card game. While there is a lot of counting involved, the mathematically disinclined will do well at this game, too. Highly addictive

Back in the Day - 1964

2010-06-22T07:00:00.011-06:00

Major News/Sporting Events

Warren Report issued stating Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the assassination of JFK
China detonates its first atomic bomb
Nelson Mandela sentenced to life in prison
The Vietnam conflict
Bubble wrap is invented
St. Louis Cardinals def. NY Yankees 4-3
Winter Olympics held in Innsbruck, Austria- Soviet Union11 gold, Austria 4 gold, US 1 gold
Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan - US 36 gold, Soviet Union 30 gold, Japan 16 gold

Source

Prices

Loaf of bread: $0.21
Gallon of gas: $0.30
Movie ticket: $1.25
Postage stamp: $0.05
Average annual income: $6,000

Source

Top Movies

Dr. Strangelove
Mary Poppins
Goldfinger
Becket
A Fistful of Dollars

Source

Top Songs

I Want To Hold Your Hand by The Beatles
Last Kiss by J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers
She Loves You by The Beatles
Where Did Our Love Go by The Supremes
I Get Around by The Beach Boys

Top Television Shows

Bewitched
Gilligan's Island
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theater
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea

Source

Top Books

The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by John Le Carre (F)
You Only Live Twice by Ian Fleming (F)
I Need All the Friends I Can Get by Charles M. Schultz (NF)
A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway (NF)
In His Own Write by John Lennon (NF)

Source

Awards

Tony for Best Musical: Hello, Dolly!
Pulitzer for Photography: Robert H. Jackson, Dallas Times-Herald
Grammy for Best New Artist: The Beatles
Oscar for Best Picture: My Fair Lady
Nobel Peace Price: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Source

BBQ Recipes, Part I

2010-06-17T07:00:00.002-06:00

BBQ season is officially here. While there are tons of things to cool on the ‘Q, what you serve on the side is also important. Don’t forget to keep your mayonnaise or cream-based salads chilled to prevent them from spoiling.

Four Bean Salad

1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

1 can green beans, drained

1 can wax beans, drained

1/4c slivered green pepper

8 green onions, sliced

3/4c sugar

1/2c apple cider vinegar

1/2T salt

Combine all beans, peppers, and onions in a small bowl. In another bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients until the sugar is dissolved. Pour over the bean mixture. Cover and chill overnight, stirring often.

Vegetable Rice Salad

1c Mayo
1T vinegar
1 small clove garlic, chopped
1/2t pepper
1t salt
2c cooked rice, cooled
1/2c shredded carrot
1 pkg frozen peas, thawed
1/4c chopped green onion

Combine Mayo, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and chill.

Dijon Potato Salad

1c mayo

2T mustard (Dijon or plain)

2T fresh chopped dill

1t salt

¼ t pepper

1 ½ lb small red potatoes, cooked and quartered

1 c sliced radishes

½ c chopped green onions

Combine first 5 ingredients, stir in remaining. Cover, chill – makes 4 ½ cups.

Classic Macaroni Salad

1 c mayo

2T vinegar

1T prepared mustard

1t sugar

1t salt

½ t pepper

8 oz elbow macaroni, cooked, drained

1c sliced celery

1c chopped green/red pepper

¼ c chopped onion

Combine first 6 ingredients, stir in remaining. Cover, chill – makes 5 cups.

Lists - Best Board Games

2010-06-15T07:00:00.005-06:00

I love board games and game nights. You might call it nerdy, but instead of going out on a Saturday night, I would much rather gather ‘round the table with good friends, bad for us snacks, and a few good games.

Scrabble – The classic game of creating words from a bunch of random tiles is…well…classic

Trivial Pursuit – A great game for those who have a mind for general trivia. The best thing is that there are so many genres including Genus, ‘80s, and ‘90s

Monopoly – This is another classic that has competitors relying strategy and shrewdness. Like Trivial Pursuit, Monopoly comes in many forms, Star Trek, The Simpsons, Here and Now, and Anti-Monopoly

Scattergories – The great thing about this game is that it forces people to be creative and no matter how many times you play, the combinations seem to be endless

Apples to Apples – This is a great game of comparisons that is made even better if you’re playing with friends who have a lot of inside jokes

Taboo – Just like charades but without the movement, also great if you’ve got inside jokes with your teammates

Aggravation – Like Sorry meets Marbles

Back in the Day - 1984

2010-06-10T07:00:00.013-06:00

I love all things retro, so I've decided to add a new feature called Back in the Day which will feature all kinds of "retro" goodness.

Today is going to focus on a great year, 1984. It may sound arbitrary, but I happen to like it since it was the year I was born and all that.

Major News/Sports Events

Indira Gandhi Murdered
The AIDS Virus Breaks Out
Los Angeles Summer Olympics - US 174 medals, W. Germany 59 medals
Super Bowl XVIII - LA Raiders def. Washington Redskins 38-9
World Series - Detroit Tigers def. San Diego Padres 4-1

Image Source

Top Movies

Footloose
Beverly Hills Cop
Ghostbusters
Gremlins
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Image Source

Top Songs

Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
Hello by Lionel Ritchie
Jump by Van Halen
When Doves Cry by Prince
Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper

Image Source

Top Television Shows

Dynasty
60 Minutes
Murder, She Wrote
Knots Landing
The A-Team

Image Source

Top Books

The Talisman by Stephen King (F)
The Sicilian by Mario Puzo (F)
The Aquitaine Progression by Robert Ludlum (F)
Iaccoca: An Autobiography by Lee Iaccoca (NF)
Pieces of My Mind by Andrew Rooney (NF)

Image Source

Awards

Grammy Award Record of the Year: What's Love Got to do With It by Tina Turner
Academy Award Picture of the Year: Amadeus
Tony Award Best Play: The Real Thing
Pulitzer for Fiction: William Kennedy
Nobel Peace Prize: Desmond Tutu

Image Source

Father's Day Gifts

2010-06-08T07:00:00.006-06:00

Father's Day is Sunday, June 20th! For those of lucky enough to have a father (or father figure) in our lives, it is the day to celebrate. Throw out those conventional, stereotypical gifts like shirts and ties and coffee mugs, here is a list of a different sort. Did I mention it's also easy on the budget, but still neat?

Family Tree Maker - Amazon.com $29.99

Great software to preserve your family tree. Maybe dad will find out he's related to George Washington or Edgar Allan Poe.

Tool Band-It - Amazon.com $12.48 (available at any local store that sells "As Seen on TV")

How many times have you heard dad swear because he needs a phillips screwdriver, but it's not in his toolbox? With the Tool Band-It, dad will have any tool he needs attached to his arm.

LED Water Bottle Light - LL Bean $24.99

This little gadget will turn dad's Nalgene water bottle into a solar powered lantern!

Geek Dad - Amazon.com $8.82

A great book full of geeky projects and DIY activities geek dads can share with their mini-geeks.

Sports Team Grill/Tank Covers - Walmart.com $17.99-$29.00+

Dad takes pride in grilling, so let him take pride in his favorite teams even when the grill is off! These grill and tank covers are available in dad's favorite MLB, NFL, or NCAA team.

Turkey Chili and Cornbread

2010-06-03T07:00:00.003-06:00

The weather has been unseasonably cool lately (as in, it actually snowed the other day), so I decided it was a good time to pull out the crock pot and make up some chili. Chili is one of those things that is so versatile, you pick a meat (or vegetarian) and some beans, tomatoes, and hot stuff and you're good to go.

Turkey Chili
1 15oz can black beans, drained/rinsed
1 15oz can kidney beans, drained/rinsed
1 14oz can diced tomatoes and chili peppers (can use any type/size of tomatoes)
1 4ozcan diced chiles
1 lb browned ground turkey
1t garlic powder
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, diced

Mix together in a crock pot and cook on high for 3-4 hours, longer if you cook it on low. If you use a tomato sauce, it creates a different texture, I did not use it because I have an eater who is not totally fond of tomato flavor.

Cornbread (from the good folks at Quaker)
1 1/4c flour
3/4c cornmeal
1/4c sugar
2t baking powder
1/2t salt (optional)
1c milk (recommend skim)
1/4c oil
1 egg (or 2 egg whiles)

Mix together dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients to the dry. Mix just until dry ingredients are wet. Pour batter into a greased 8- or 9-inch pan. Bake 20-25 minutes in a preheated 400F oven.

See? Totally easy and totally painless!

Sugar Cookies!

2010-06-01T07:00:00.002-06:00

Some have a tendency to avoid sugar cookies because they might seem complicated or because of the rolling and cutting. Well, today's blog has is a recipe for a very tasty, soft sugar cookie that requires no rolling and you probably already have all of the ingredients in your kitchen! I made these as a surprise for Mother's Day because my mom loves sugar cookies. She couldn't stop raving about them, so I think we're on the right track!

Super Easy Sugar Cookies

2 3/4c flour
1t baking soda
1/2t baking powder
1c softened butter (2 sticks) - it MUST be soft, otherwise the cookies won't turn out as well
1 1/2c sugar
1 egg
1 1/2t vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Stir together flour, soda, and powder in a small bowl.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Once it's smooth add in the egg and vanilla.
Slowly beat flour mixture into sugar mixture until it is all combined.
Use a teaspoon (or your hands) to form 1-inch balls. If the dough is a little crumbly, push together harder.
Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8 minutes. Let them sit for 2 minutes before moving to a cooling rack. Even if the cookies are not golden brown, if you cook them too long they will get hard.

In My Opinion: Social Networking

2010-05-27T07:00:00.000-06:00

Alright, let's have a nice discussion here about social networking. Roughly, the Internet first had e-mail and a few chat programs like AIM and ICQ. Then came sites like Friendster, LiveJournal, and Facebook. I will admit that I was one of the first people on Facebook, way back when it was open to university students only. Now, there's Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, and a myriad of other sites.

Now everyone and their pets (literally) has at least one page on at least one site. Some people have the applications on their phones, some people never leave their computers. Some people deleted their profiles but couldn't stand being away, so they created new profiles.

The point is, everyone is using these networking sites. It seems as though employers keep track of their employees this way, people are fired over blog posts and tweets, and people are being stalked.

Perhaps a little melodramatic, but sometimes it feels like stalking. My point is that family members are finding each other on these sites and former classmates and coworkers. So, my question is:
Have social networking sites nullified the need for in-person reunions and certain family functions?

Why get in a car and drive three hours to a class reunion when you have been following your former classmates on Facebook since graduation? Why fly to a family reunion when grandma posts updates every day?

I feel like I have two lives - an online life and an offline life. Some people fall into both categories, but most fall into one. I don't need most of my online friends involved in my offline life and I don't need my offline friends and family involved in my online life. Maybe it's just me or maybe I have some sort of Internet-induced DID.

I have a simple rule that I follow since I have the inability to say no to most people who send me a friend request. I will add them, but if they are coworkers, bosses, or family members they will have restricted access to any posts I feel necessary.

At least some social networking sites give us that control. It might seem mean, but sometimes having a little bit of control in one's life is nice.

Maintainer's Post

2010-05-25T07:00:00.005-06:00

Hi! *Waves*

As you can tell, I have a lot of interests and I have thought that by rotating the contents of the blog it would not get stale and would be sort of new each week. I still believe that and I at least enjoy the randomness as that is kind of my personality.

So I really wanted to check in and see how that format's working.

I have been having a difficult time coming up with posts sometimes, so sorry for that. I am thinking that if that's the case, then maybe I should cut back to one post a week. I haven't really decided, though.

Also, I had originally decided not to personalize the blog very much, but sometimes that's unavoidable. I find it happening more and more, so if may be something that becomes somewhat permanent (actually, you'll see that in Thursday's blog, heh heh).

Summer is coming soon, so there may be some new, exciting posts. I'll see what I comes to mind. My sporadic ideas of inspiration are one reason why I'm not a professional writer - I would probably starve to death.

So, I just wanted to say, "Hey there" and make a post about what's been going on. But, this post seems kind of boring, so...let's jazz it up a bit. Here are a couple shots of the beautiful city of trees:

Image Source

Linktacular: More Greate Websites

2010-05-20T07:00:00.000-06:00

Yes, it's back! Another list, this time of six websites that will make your life better. That's right, better. Will it give you riches? No... Power? Not exactly... Fame? ...Probably not. But they will expand your mind just a tad and really, that's all you need, right?

Mentalfloss - A great collective of some of the strangest facts. You will amaze your friends, boss, coworkers, and family members.

Easter Egg Archive - Ever wonder if those nerds who create movies, DVDs, and software get bored and add a little something extra in their work? Well, they do and Eegg has a comprehensive archive.

Crackle - Did you miss your favorite show because the power went out or maybe you had something better to do? Couldn't find it on Hulu or the station's website? Have no fear, Crackle is coming to the rescue!

PDFgeni - If you're like me, you might buy things second hand or on clearance because it was a model piece. One of the problems of saving a bit of cash is that you might not get all the pieces, including the manual. Check out PDFgeni and you might figure out which button is power and which button is self-destruct.

Good-Tutorials - Want to enhance your skill set by learning HTML or how to edit a photo? Short on cash and want to go at your own pace? Excellent! Click on over to Good-Tutorials and make your brain bigger.

My Outer Space - Sci-Fi, horror, and fantasy fans rejoice! My Outer Space is a social networking haven and, get this, William Shatner helped create the site. Yes, Captain Kirk himself.

Movie Review: The Losers

2010-05-18T07:00:00.002-06:00

With the rising cost of movie tickets, I don't get out to the theater much (I prefer Redbox or a rental store). But the other night was an exception. Instead of going to an expensive theater, we decided to check out one of our local discount theaters (the greatest invention ever) that usually plays movies that have been out for months. To our surprise, The Losers, which came out near the end of April, was already at the discount theater.

We were apprehensive at first, but decided to take a chance. It was only $4 a ticket (that included popcorn and a drink, mind you) and besides, sometimes these "campy" movies are actually quite good.

Fortunately, our apprehension was completely unwarranted. I really didn't know anything about this movie or most of the actors. All I knew was that it was an action flick based on a comic book series, so I had very few preconceived notions.

The story is kind of your typical action movie fare: a group of good guys are tricked and have to clear their names by chasing down the bad guy and saving the world from destruction.

To be more specific, a group of CIA black ops team is tricked into blowing up what they thought was a terrorist camp and thwarting their attempted assassinations, the group (led by Jeffrey Dean Morgan) must find the terrorist, Max (Jason Patric) and stop him from detonating a "green" bomb. Oh, and they'd also like to let the world know what happened and be un-declared deceased.

Overall, a good story with great cinematography. While the market seems to be saturated with comic book movies, this one feels different. Sure some of the graphics remind the viewer that the story is from a comic book, but a person doesn't have to be a fan of the series to appreciate a good hour and a half of action. While some movies in the genre have insane, over-the-top action that doesn't seem plausible, most of the action sequences and situations in The Losers does not seem completely implausible.

So, in summation, if you're a fan of the comics or just need to see an action story played out on screen, this would be a great movie for you.

My rating: 7/10
It would have been higher, but I left the theater with a few unanswered questions.

Click the movie poster to check out the official site

Image source: Google Image Search

Linktacular: Great Websites

2010-05-13T07:00:00.000-06:00

Today's blog features five great websites of which you might not be aware. These sites are informative, fun, or just plain weird. Which is a good thing because, really, with the infinite space on the World Wide Web, why not get a little interesting.

Citrify - A great online photo editing site. It's free and doesn't take up space on your hard drive. Sure, it isn't as comprehensive as other programs, but for what's provided, it's a great site.

Slightly Warped's Curiosities - I told you this list might get a little weird. Slightly Warped is unique site, but my favorite part is their Curiosities section. This section features a lot of bizarre and funny images pulled from all over.

World-Mysteries - Ever wonder about the Moai of Easter Island? Or maybe you're curious about the Baghdad Battery? World-Mysteries compiles articles on all things strange.

So You Wanna - Pretty much everyone learned how to read, but did you learn how to read tea leaves to predict the future? I thought not. So You Wanna takes over where public education leaves off.

InterfaceLIFT - For any computer user, desktop wallpaper defines who you are or what your interests might be. But the search for the perfect backdrop leaves you sorting through pages and pages of weird and lame images that aren't exactly what you're looking for. InterfaceLIFT has a the most organized search function to minimize the time spent finding the perfect wallpaper so you can get back to what's important, FaceBook....erm....I mean that big report that is due tomorrow.

More Random Facts!

2010-05-11T07:00:00.006-06:00

I've been digging, compiling, and keeping an eye out for some neat-o random facts. I've been trying to avoid the typical lists that end up in your inbox and have been trying to verify every fact (who wants to recite and unverified fact and then feel like a dope in front of friends?). And away we go!

The Atlantic Ocean is saltier than the Pacific Ocean.

A group of ferrets is called a business.

Coffee represents 75% of caffeine consumption in the United States.

A baby oyster is called a spat.

NABISCO stands for National Biscuit Company.

A group of unicorns is called a blessing.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard's pet lion fish was named Livingston.

Gorillas, Cats, and elephants all purr while they eat.

A group of owls is called a parliament.

The size, not color, determine how hot a pepper is. The smaller the pepper, the hotter. When it comes to color, green indicates an unripe, although edible, pepper.

Wet or damp hay can mold after it has been baled, thus causing the bales to spontaneously combust. This is why hay is usually baled at 20% or less humidity.

A group of kittens is called a kindle. A group of cats is known as a clowder.

Non-dairy creamer is highly combustible.

Newsbits: Cat mauls woman

2010-05-06T07:00:00.002-06:00

Last week this news story came across my desk. I don't really know what to think, but I have a feeling that my take on the whole situation is probably the converse of what most people are thinking.

Woman after house cat attack: 'I was mauled for the kill'

REXBURG - A Rexburg, Idaho woman says one of her cats recently attacked her and tried to kill her sending herself and her husband to the hospital.

The Ostermiller family says their cat was completely normal until three days after it gave birth to kittens. But it soon became defensive, and the family says it tried to kill them.

It began last week on Tuesday at about 5:30 a.m. The Ostermiller's were sleeping when they heard a sound.

"All I heard was rrwwwrrrr hisss," Jackie Ostermiller said.

Jackie woke up and saw her cat, Renesmee, (named after the Twilight character) panicking. Jackie thinks a male cat had wandered by outside the home and Renesmee was protecting her kittens.

Jackie went to grab her cat to stop her from bolting out a hole in the screen door. That's when the kitty made its move.

"I was being mauled literally for the kill. She had got a hold of my nose first, my face first, my arms - I was literally screaming," she said.

Jackie's husband, Blaine, was able to pry the attacking feline off.

"I woke up hearing my wife scream, I didn't know what was going on until I looked over there, until I looked over there seeing (the cat) viciously attacking her," Blaine said.

But the cat had already made its mark. Jackie was left with 35 bite marks and 15 bruises.

The cat wasn't through. When Jackie was washing blood off her face, it came back and started attacking her leg a second time.

"She came at me with the deadliest eyes," Jackie said.

"I noticed she was looking at my wife with a weird look," Blaine said.

But even after this whole ordeal, the Ostermiller family hasn't turned their back on cats. They even plan on getting a new kitten soon. But they do have a word of caution.

"I want people to know how dangerous cats can be, they can turn on you in a dime. Believe it or not - cats!" she said.

Jackie feels that none of this would have happened either, if they had just spayed their cat. The family ended up giving up Renesmee to the Rexburg Shelter.

It's likely that it will be put down.

Okay, I am an animal lover (actually, it's probably obvious that I prefer animals to most humans), so my opinion and reaction to this bit of news shouldn't come as a total shock.

That woman should have NEVER gone near that cat. If a person spends enough time with a pet, that person will start to understand the animal's behavior and personality. It should have been obvious that this cat was not acting normally. If your pet is acting irregular, just like any other animal, give it space. After all, cats are animals and they have animal instincts.

This cat saw an outside threat to her kittens and was in protector mode. When the natural protection instincts kick in, the cat will act completely out of character and if you look in its eyes, it probably will look like a totally different creature. It will not respond to your voice or commands. The best thing to do it stay away until the threat has passed. After the threat is gone, the cat should be back to normal, but maybe a bit on edge. That's the time to put the cat away in a safe room or crate. You could probably take the cat to the vet, but there's not a lot he can do besides tell you how to calm a cat down with products such as Feliway.

My dear, sweet little cat has had these little episodes a few times. Usually it's when another dominant cat has come up and "marked" on the front step. Out cat will growl and hiss and he has attacked. It is painful, but it's important to understand what happens. I'm not an animal psychologist, but I am smart enough to know that when my pet is not acting himself, that I need to leave him alone and give him space until the whole thing blows over and he's regained his senses.

What really galls me is the last line of the story: It's likely that it will be put down.

This poor cat is going to be destroyed because it acted on its natural instincts as an ANIMAL. What would happen if a human mother was protecting her child and she lashed out? Self defense? This poor cat cannot defend herself and it drives me insane that her family is just giving her up to be killed.

But that's just my rant. What do you think about this situation? All opinions are welcome.

Does it work: Polenta

2010-05-04T07:00:00.003-06:00

I have been experimenting a lot lately with different foods. I've been trying to implement different flavors and textures into dinner. It had been going pretty well, but there were a few bumps as well. One thing that I see everywhere on every cooking show is polenta.

Now, you can buy boxes of polenta mix or even pre-made polenta, but I couldn't seem to find these ingredients anywhere in my city (okay, I couldn't find them at either grocery store I frequent). So, like any other technologically savvy person, I hit up the Internet and did a little research. Come to find out, all polenta really is is cooked cornmeal. It can be eaten warm and creamy or cooled and hardened. I choose the second option as I wanted to try out three methods: plain, baked, and fried.

Image Source

The Procedure:

Basic Cheesy Polenta
1c cornmeal (degerminated is easiest to find and has a smoother texture)
1c milk
1/3c Parmesan cheese
1/3c shredded cheese (I used Monterrey jack, but anything that melts well will do)
1t salt (more or less depending on the saltiness of your cheese)
3c boiling water

Mix the first five ingredients together while the water boils. Add the mixture to the water. Let it start to boil and turn it down to a simmer. Stir constantly for about 20 minutes. The mixture gets pretty thick, so think of it as an arm workout. Pour out into a greased pan (whatever size/thickness you'd like). Cover and let sit in the fridge for at least two hours. Remove from pan and cut into desired shapes.

The Variations

Plain
This served as a benchmark test. Taste the polenta while it's warm and creamy and then taste it again after it has set. That way you'll understand the difference once you cook it.

Fried
I took half the polenta, cut it into strips, the size of French fries, and fried them in olive oil for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they're crispy.

Baked
I baked the same size strips on a greased cookie sheet for about 15-20 minutes on 375 degrees and turned them halfway. Basically until they're crispy, the same concept as the fried.

The Results:

Overall, the baked and fried tasted pretty much the same. The only difference was that the fried seemed to absorb more of the oil in the fried batch. After they cooled they tasted exactly the same. I think I prefer baking them. Seems healthier and less messy. I also plan on putting more cheese on the top before they go in the oven.

The Grade:

A-
Overall, the polenta tasted great in every form. To me it almost tastes like potatoes/fries. Yum!

Potential problems:

I found a recipe for microwave polenta and tried that first. The polenta sat overnight and did no tset up at all. I just don't think the correct factors are there. I ended up taking that failed batch and cooking it on the stove until it got thicker. The second time around I made it on the stove from the start and it worked much better.

Another issue is that once the polenta is cooked, it cools really quickly and can be difficult to smooth over once it has gone into the cooling pan. It also helps to grease a piece of foil and put that down in the pan, that way nothing sticks.

College 101: The Essentials

2010-04-29T07:00:00.003-06:00

Spring is in the air and it's the time for...GRADUATION! A lot of students are getting ready to finish up their academic careers and start off on different adventures. So, I can imagine why in the world today's blog is about school?! Well, with graduation comes graduation gifts and it's a good idea to know what you're going to need so that people can cover those needs. Also, it's a good idea to take all summer and hit up a few sales here and there. See, there's a method to the madness here. It's important to note that if you're going off many miles from home on an academic adventure that you want to plan ahead, because any of the stores like Target and WalMart that are near the University are going to be packed and out of the things you need.

I speak from experience. The dorm and apartment that I lived in did not have air conditioning and when you start school at the end of August it is HOT. The WalMart ran out of fans and told me they would not be ordering more. I had to travel to another state to get a couple fans and I was desperate I paid almost $40 for a fan because it was the only one they had left.

But I digress. This is the first in a series of helpful hints for the college newbie. Today's list is the absolute essential items students need at college that they may be too excited to pack.

Campus Map - You can download one off of the University's website, ask the registrar to send you one, or make sure you pick one up your first day on campus to find out where the library is and where your classes will be.

Plates, cups, flatware - The best is to pick up cheap-o plastic sets on sale during the summer - durable, but it's okay if you lose them or throw them away like these

Pillows - A comfortable place to put your head will be nice after a long day of learning

Sheets - Find out from the school what size the beds are, but it's usually twin or long twin. Grab a couple cheap sets, especially since you won't want to do laundry all the time.

Blankets - Pack an extra, sometimes the heat doesn't work or your roommate will like to sleep with the window open, even in the dead of winter

Parking permit - Check with your school, but if you're taking your car, odds are you'll need a place to park

Towels - A bathroom set and a kitchen set are important. You may want multiple sets because of the laundry issue.

A few pots/pans or plastic containers - To cook in, of course

Mini fridge - A nice place to store drinks or snacks

Microwave - Because you won't always want to eat in the dining hall

Coffee Pot - A nice pick-you-up and a cheaper alternative to buying fancy coffee on campus Like the Brew n' Go by Black and Decker

Fan - It will be hot

Computer - For computing. Since space may be an issue, think about a laptop, netbook (may need to buy attachable optical drives), or mini desktop

Printer - No excuse for not having assignments printed

USB drive - For the times when your printer doesn't work

Office supplies/school supplies - You'd be surprised how many people forget these

TV/DVD player - For entertainment during study breaks

Shower supplies/toiletries - Always be prepared, don't forget Neosporin, asprin, and bandaids

Small sewing kit - Saves your clothes and saves you money

Phone - Some schools require each dorm room have a phone. If getting a cordless, keep it under 5.8 ghz so that it doesn't interfere with your neighbors' phones

Garbage bags (small) - Most dorms have garbage cans, but not liners. They even make scented ones, which are nice in small quarters

Hangers - Some dorms have more vertical space and it's important to utilize it

Cleaning supplies - Small spaces get dirty fast, but the good news is that they get clean fast, too

Laundry soap - Essential in the cleaning of clothes

Laundry bag - The best way to get your dirty clothes clean. Bags are easier to haul up and down stairs

Food - It's important to have a tiny stock of food that's easy to cook because the kitchen may not be open or you may not feel like going down. Especially suggested? Boxed stuff like Ramen, Cup o Noodle, Easy Mac, soup, flavored rice

Fast, easy, and sweet

2010-04-27T07:00:00.001-06:00

This quick and easy candied parfait makes a great breakfast, snack, or dessert. The best part, is that all of the components can be substituted for other ingredients to suit your likes or to just add a different variety.

Candied Parfait

1 small-medium apple of your choice, chopped into bite-sized pieces
6oz yogurt (your choice, I used Yoplait vanilla thick and creamy)
candied walnuts (or plain)
cinnamon for garnish

Layer apples, half the yogurt, and nuts, then repeat. Sprinkle on a little cinnamon for garnish.

Voila! I've never been a huge fan of parfaits, but this was absolutely simple and delicious. I have thought about some substitutions and I think the standby granola or broken up vanilla wafer cookies would make a nice substitution for the nuts or even a different kind of nut, candied or not. The fruit could be a combination of something such as bananas, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, mango....the list is virtually endless. I think that you could substitute any flavor of yogurt that meets your fancy. If you wanted to make this a true dessert, I'd suggest topping the final layer with whipped cream and then cinnamon or changing out the yogurt for chocolate or vanilla pudding.

With all of these different combination, it's no wonder why parfaits have been so popular for so many years.

Star Trek Technology

2010-04-22T07:00:00.000-06:00

Lately I have become more transfixed by the whole Star Trek universe. I am quire slow to get on the bandwagon, but hey, I got here. I cannot say how many times I've sat at my desk and thought, "Man, if only I could transport myself to the grocery store, they I wouldn't have to go outside." When I realize I really cannot transport myself to the grocery store without getting in my car, I open the fridge and sadly gaze into its emptiness and think, "Wow, if I had a replicator I wouldn't have to leave the house!"

Now, I'm a newbie to the Star Trek genre, but I've seen some of the original series, some of The Next Generation, and am currently working my way through Voyager (and I'd like to have a Tom Paris/Harry Kim/Chakotay sandwich).

So here are five pieces of Star Trek technology that everyone needs to have (and don't worry, everyone is safe here, even those of you wearing red shirts).

Universal Translator/Combadge

Wouldn't it be nice if you could walk the stores or downtown and know if someone was talking about you in another language? It would also be nice to be able to travel and not feel inferior by not knowing the native language.

Well, that's where the Universal Translator (that was later built into the Combadge) would come in.

So, how likely is it that this technology will exist in our lifetime? Well, with the rapid advancements in computers and technology, perhaps this piece of technology is closer than we think. While not yet small enough to fit on a Combadge and considered "one way," the Voxtec Phraselator is a hand-held device used mostly by the military to translate phrases in several language.

Holodeck

Computers and the Internet have opened up the entire world to anyone with a phone line/cable and a computer in a virtual manner of speaking. However, the images are not completely interactive or tangible. Although 3D television is on the horizon, it has not become a true reality.

The Holodeck allows for interaction within Holonovels (because the Starfleet crews are much too busy to actually read a book). They also allow the crew to visit other places and to work out simulations without being in harm's way.

It is possible that this technology is coming sometime in the future, but it may play out differently than depicted, though, since the Star Trek Holodeck doesn't seem to rely on anything to measure a person's movements, but I can imagine that would be required to simulate movement.

TriCorder

Seriously, what can't a TriCorder do? It can detect life, elements, chemicals, medical conditions, and so much more. While it seems like some medical procedures have not changed in the last few decades, some have changed dramatically. Some procedures are less invasive and require less healing time. And currently it takes larger computers and several pieces of equipment to detect life forms or elements.

Technology has not progressed enough for the technology to become hand-held or widely distributed and cost effective, but it seems as though technology and science are headed in that direction. This advancement would certainly help with everything from diagnosing medical conditions, to helping find mineral deposits for mining, to locating some missing people.

Repilcator

Ran out of pickles before a big BBQ and don't have time to run to the store? Out of toilet paper at a rather inconvenient time? This is when a replicator would come in quite handy.

This bad boy can take any type of molecules and recycle them into anything else. It is the ultimate form of recycling!

Unfortunately, we'll have to stick with plan ol' recycling and sending out cousin Frank to pick up the pickles. Until scientists have learned how to turn matter into energy and back into matter (a very long way off), we'll have to keep dreaming.

Transporter

Ah, with the rising oil and gas prices getting in the car for work every day or driving to visit family not only takes forever, but it's also expensive. If all I had to do was step on a transporter (or initiate a site-to-site transport) and say "energize" to get somewhere, you can bet I would be visiting every person I know! This technology would completely revolutionize every day life and probably put transportation companies out of business.

This technology doesn't look like it'll be coming around any time soon. Although some scientists have experimented with moving light and small matter a few inches, moving a person over a long distance is definitely out of the question for now. Besides, who would want to be a guinea pig to test out having themselves broken down to the molecule?

In other words, we'll probably have to keep dreaming. Besides, Star Trek was set in the future. Although people of the past imagined we would have hover cars and food in pill form by now, we still have a little bit more time to develop Star Trek-like technology.

Clicking to Help

2010-04-20T07:00:00.000-06:00

With so many bad things happening in the world - natural disasters, hunger, epidemics, homelessness, and unemployment to name a few - the average person can click off the news or throw down a paper and feel horrible. I often do this, shake my head, and say, "How can I help?"

Thanks to the Internet, it is now possible for anyone to visit a number of sites and with a mere mouse click actually help out. I suggest you make a folder in your bookmarks devoted to these sites, that way you can find them and click on them every day. Or, if you use FireFox, you can always add them to your bookmarks bar, that way it's right in front!

How do these websites work? Well, usually it has to do with advertisers. While just a small portion is donated for each person who visits/clicks/plays each day, with the millions of people who use the Internet every day it could make a significant impact. And really, what's the harm? You are not transmitting any personal data as these sites are all safe and if there's a chance to help, why not?

Here are just a few sites where it's possible to click and donate, please feel free to comment with others. Note that some sites may contain duplicate causes and in that case you will only be able to click once per day:

Free Rice - Play trivia games and each correct answer donates 10 grains of rice to the World Food Programme
Bhookh - One click helps fight hunger in India
Free Kibble - Answer a trivia question (right or wrong) to donate dog kibble to animal shelters
Free Kibble Cat - Answer a trivia question (right or wrong) to donate cat kibble to animal shelters
The Hunger Site - Click to donate food, this site also connects to five other sites for breast cancer, children's health, literacy, the rain forest, and animal rescue.
Care2 - A catch-all site that has a bar on the left side of the page with a list of charities from cancer to hunger to saving animals. The site will check off each one that you have clicked
One Click At A Time - Another catch-all site with so many different causes to click for
The NonProfits - A third catch-all with a lot of clickable causes

"You must be the change you want to see in the world." ~Mahatma Gandhi

April (Part Two)

2010-04-15T07:00:00.009-06:00

Tuesday's blog talked about April being Child Abuse Awareness Month. Today's blog is about April also being Animal Abuse Prevention Month.

Animal cruelty is everywhere. Factory farms, puppy mills, hoarders, and animal testing are only a few. However, there is one area of animal cruelty that can be spotted and prevented by anyone. The easiest type of animal cruelty to detect and report is neglect and abuse. There are usually three groups of people who are guilty of animal abuse: people who don't understand they're hurting an animal by providing inadequate shelter, food, or water; young people who don't understand the consequences of their actions such as rough petting or kicking an animal; and then there are people who harm animals intentionally by making them fight, beatings, or merely harming an animal to gain power.

Fortunately, the third group is rather rare. But it is important that animal abuse become a felony everywhere to show people that it is not okay to hurt an animal, just like it is not okay to harm a person. Please write your local congresspeople if your state is not one of the ones that makes animal cruelty a felony.

The other two groups are much more common. Fortunately, these people usually do not understand what they are doing or why it is wrong. The most important tools for preventing animal abuse and cruelty are standing up and education. If you see animal abuse (or suspect it because of these signs) either call the person out (if it is safe to do so) and explain to them that they are hurting their animal or call in the authorities. Usually the local police can either send someone out or can contact a local humane society or the proper authorities. Please use the following resources to help educate yourself and others.

The ASPCA has a Go Orange campaign to create awareness about animal abuse and has some tips on how an individual can Go Orange or check out the Go Orange events or host one yourself.

ASPCA
PeTA
Pet-Abuse

Remember, if we don't speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, who will?

April (Part One)

2010-04-13T07:00:00.002-06:00

It seems as though different causes adopt different months, weeks, and days dedicated to causes and it can be difficult to remember which is which. April is both Animal Abuse Prevention Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month. That is why this week's blogs will be in two parts dedicated to each cause.

Child Abuse Prevention Month was created to raise awareness across the country and in communities about child abuse and neglect and to create an open dialogue to help stop the silence. A lot of people sell blue ribbons, bracelets, and car magnets with all proceeds going to child abuse prevention. You can also donate your money or time to local resources that work to prevent this year round.

Please visit ChildWelfare.gov for more information and to see how you can help.

Let me tell you a little bit about what happens in my community. Three years ago a local radio DJ named Keke Luv decided that it shouldn't hurt to be a child and wanted to raise awareness about child abuse prevention. To do this, he stayed up for 175 hours (seven whole days) on-air. The community response was amazing. People were calling in with their stories and support and it created a sense of catharsis for everyone involved.

Last year, Keke Luv ran seven marathons in seven days all around the community live broadcast online. He almost didn't make it, but when he finished the seventh marathon, everyone cheered either silently or very loudly.

This year, Keke Luv is going back to staying awake, this time for EIGHT days (192 hours!), live on the radio (where you can also check out the pages from the last two years). The video will be streamed online and he will be keeping a blog. The DJ is also dedicating the eighth day to the memory of Robert Manwill and other children like him.

A historic mystery: Kennewick Man

2010-04-08T07:00:00.005-06:00

In 1996 the multi-thousand year slumber of the Kennewick Man was disturbed. Found near the shore of the Columbia River in Southern Washington, Kennewick Man, although dead for years, has brought with him quite a controversy.

Apparently, no one is entirely sure what race this man was. Because of this, local Native Americans claim that he was, in fact, a Native American; some archeologists believe he is of the Caucasian type. Naturally, this leads to the debate on whether the Native Americans have any say about the excavation of the remains and what will happen to Kennewick Man or if he is the property of the state. Native Americans would like Kennewick Man to rest in peace while scientists would like to study him to finally discover his identity.

Still more, though, is if Kennewick Man isn’t a Native American what is he? At an approximate age of 9,300 years, Kennewick Man predates the original estimated age by several thousand years. This pile of bones has led many to question when exactly did early Europeans trek to America and the Northwest in particular. How and where did Kennewick Man come from? The discovery of a non-Native American found for this period in time could be a historic discovery – possibly changing historians’ views on when this land was settled. But, be that as it may, the world may never know what the Kennewick Man’s situation really was, because he’s certainly not willing to give up his secrets.

To read more about the fascinating Kennewick Man, check out the Tri-City Herald's website.

Image Source

Gardening the lazy way

2010-04-06T07:00:00.001-06:00

Gardening can be relaxing - communing with nature, fingers melding with earth, the beauty that results. But, in reality that is only part of gardening. The other half - the bugs, the sore back and knees, the heat, not being able to tell what is plant and what is weed - have a tendency to turn people off gardening. I would love to spend more time tending the flower beds that my landlord plotted out. But, per our lease agreement, all I have to do is keep the leaves out and keep the flowers alive. I wanted to do more - weeding, planting more, enjoying the results of some labor. That's when I discovered there are a few things that we can do to lessen the ickies of gardening.

Grow plants in a window box or planter. Usually these are further off the ground allowing you to stand or sit to tend to your green lovelies.
Do the planting yourself and create a diagram. Also, only plant plants that you know you can recognize. If you do the planting, you'll know where exactly each plant and bulb are. If you make a diagram and store it with your important paperwork (or even with your gardening tools) you'll always know which plants are wanted and which are weeds. Plant flowers that have distinguishing leaves or branches such as irises, raspberries, yuccas, or roses.
Try to avoid weeds altogether. Lay a weed barrier down when you're preparing your soil and cut holes to plant your flowers.
Plant perennials, that way you won't have to buy and replant each year. Yucca, roses, raspberries, strawberries, irises, grape hyacinth, and crocuses.
Don't forget about prepping your plants for winter. You'll want to dead head roses, trim irises and raspberries, clear out your flower beds, and fertilize your plants to ensure that they survive a winter hibernation and will come back fully restored and ready to bloom and produce the next spring.
Think sustainability. Plant something that you and your family can benefit from. This can include a whole garden or perhaps a tomato plant on your back patio. Don't forget about the long term commitment of apple, peach, cherry, apricot, plum, and pear trees. While it may take a few years for these trees to grow, you can look forward to fresh fruit that comes from your own backyard. Not only will it save you money, but if you have surplus you can actually make money by selling it yourself or selling it to local supermarkets or fruit stands.

These steps will help ensure that your gardening continues to be a fun, fulfilling activity more so than just being a chore. Unfortunately, there isn't much that we can do about bugs, slugs, and other creepy crawlies. Most insects are beneficial for plants and the soil. If you find that they are harming your plants try planting garlic, onion, or mint alongside your other plants. Or you may have to try chemicals, but remember if you do: make sure to keep children and pets away from the area and wash your produce thoroughly. Remember, gardening is a leisure activity, so enjoy the quiet and get in touch with nature.

An April fool as it were

2010-04-01T07:00:00.001-06:00

April Fools' Day is not a holiday celebrated by the government or schools or places of business, but it has become a staple in the lives of the individual. Each April 1st, thousands, possibly millions of pranksters are pulling jokes on unsuspecting victims. Some people prepare themselves, some people are taken off guard, some people enjoy the day, others hide out and wait for April 2nd. No matter how you respond to this day, the origins of what has become known as April Fool's Day (or All Fools' Day) are murky at best.

One of the most common suggestions has to do with the Julian-Gregorian calendar shift of the Western world. The Julian calendar year started on March 25th, which falls during holy week, so often the new year was celebrated on April 1st. However, with the switch to the Gregorian calendar in the 1500s, the beginning of the year was celebrated on January 1st.

According to Snopes, the most common theory about the April Fool moniker comes from this time. It is said that people who could still be tricked into believing that the beginning of the year was on April 1st were called April Fools.

You can check out Snopes for a few other ideas about the origins of April Fools' Day.

While this isn't a national or worldwide holiday, some companies do take advantage of the gullibility of others. Radio stations, newspapers (such as a British grocery store placing ads for a "pinana," a cross between a banana and a pineapple), television (BBC's hoax story about the Swiss spaghetti crops) and even Google seem to do a yearly prank.

Last year Expedia.com was booking trips to Mars and Google unveiled the autopilot feature that would automatically read and respond to emails in your Gmail box. With the popularity of the Internet, it has put a whole new spin on the April prank. Last year also showed YouTube's pages being upside down, and the expected emergence of the Conficker worm (a much more malicious "prank" than any of the others).

Here is a site where you can see memorable pranks by year.
Here is a list of classic April Fools' Day pranks anyone can do.
Here is a list of the top 100 famous (or possibly infamous) pranks throughout history.
Or you can check out this clip from an April Fools' Day episode of The Simpsons:

Pizza Lasagna

2010-03-30T07:00:00.002-06:00

Two of the best, homey dishes are pizza and lasagna. Sure pizza can be quick take out, but it can also be homemade and fun for everyone in the family to make. Today's recipe is a combination of two greats: Pizza Lasagna. I'm always skeptical about mixing two foods together (I still don't care for taco spaghetti), but I was asked to come up with my version of Pizza Lasagna, so here we go:

Pizza Lasagna
1/2 package sliced pepperoni
1lb ground sausage, cooked and drained
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
32oz ricotta cheese
1egg
3c mozzarella cheese
2t garlic powder, divided
1/2t oregano
1/4t red pepper flakes
1pkg. lasagna noodles, cooked, drained, and cooled
1 can olives, chopped
1/2c chopped onion

Mix the ricotta, egg, garlic powder, oregano, and onion together. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, mix sauce, red pepper flakes, and half the garlic powder. Set aside.
Begin layering the lasagna in a 9x13 (or larger) baking dish:

Layer 1: Sauce
Layer 2: Noodles, ricotta, olives, sausage, cheese, sauce
Layer 3: Noodles, ricotta, pepperoni, cheese, sauce
Layer 4: Noodles, ricotta, pepperoni, sausage, olives, cheese, sauce
Layer 5: Noodles, sauce, cheese

Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees F for at least an hour, or until the lasagna is cooked and hot all the way through.

This is a huge recipe and with the traditional bread and salad sides, could feed a very hungry family of 4-8, or it makes great leftovers.

Literature Corner: Spoon River Anthology

2010-03-25T07:00:00.001-06:00

Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters

This book is truly unique. Essentially, Masters takes the reader on a literary tour of the graveyard on the hill overlooking the mythical Midwestern town of Spoon River. The poetry is interwoven from gravestone to gravestone, telling the stories of less than perfect people - mothers, sisters, brothers, fathers, lovers, murderers, etc.

I definitely recommend this classic, especially for anyone interested in human nature or is a natural "people watcher." It's definitely fascinating the way Masters incorporates human foibles into a town that was considered a perfect place to live. I find it especially interesting that Masters highlighted less than perfect people in 1915, when society was different and more proper than it is now. Overall a great read. Here is an exerpt:

Ollie McGee

HAVE you seen walking through the village
A man with downcast eyes and haggard face?
That is my husband who, by secret cruelty
Never to be told, robbed me of my youth and my beauty;
Till at last, wrinkled and with yellow teeth,	5
And with broken pride and shameful humility,
I sank into the grave.
But what think you gnaws at my husband’s heart?
The face of what I was, the face of what he made me!
These are driving him to the place where I lie.	10
In death, therefore, I am avenged.

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Does it Work: Orange Glo

2010-03-23T07:00:00.000-06:00

The Product

Orange Glo, an "As Seen on TV" product pitched by the late, great Billy Mays. The product's claim is that if you use this on your floors it will eliminate scratches and leave your hardwood floors looking like new.

Photo Source

The Process

I bought this product (and the special mop) because when I moved into my house, my landlord was very adamant that I keep the original wood floors in pristine condition. The result of that was me being totally paranoid about any tiny scratch. So, when I saw a few big scratches on the floor, I decided to pick up this product.

I used it as the directions suggested, squirting and mopping and scrubbing. The floor looked great and just like the commercial...

...until the product dried. Then I could see the scratches in all their scratchy glory, staring at me and mocking my attempts to eradicate them.

The Result

This product did clean my floors. It did not smell like oranges, it actually smelled kind of gross. I did not see any changes in the scratches on the wood floor after the product dried. The results were the exact same I have when I mop with water and vinegar.

The Grade

D, it did a good job of cleaning the floors, but not for the scratches.

Newsbits - an update on Pete

2010-03-18T07:00:00.002-06:00

A while back, I posted a blog about Pete the Dachshund being auctioned off because his owners refused to pay his vet bills or even pick him up. I wanted to provide a quick update that is very exciting! Not only did Pete get adopted, but one of the alleged owners cleared her name and tried to explain the situation. I'm very excited that Pete has a great home with other pet friends and 15 grandchildren to frolic with.

Auctioned dachshund gets happy ending

The dog is a debtor no more.

Pete the dachshund was auctioned off Tuesday after being abandoned at the Rupert Animal Clinic. Winning bidder Lamar Marty Gillette of Burley took the dog home for $325. (Read More)

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

2010-03-16T07:00:00.006-06:00

Today's recipe is what's for dinner tonight. The thing I love the most about this recipe is that you can make it the morning or night before and pop it into a 350 degree oven for a few minutes. Or, you can mix the sauce and the meatballs together and serve with rice (I've been using brown jasmine). Yum!

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

The Meatballs
1 lb. ground beef (or turkey)
1 egg
1T cornstarch
1t salt
dash of pepper
1/4c bread crumbs

Mix all of the ingredients together with your hands and form into 1-inch balls. Cook in a little bit of oil on medium heat until cooked through (about 3 minutes on each side).

The Sauce
1 can pineapple chunks, reserve juice
1c pineapple juice (just use the reserved juice)
3T cornstarch
3T vinegar (I used rice vinegar)
1T soy sauce
1T oil (I used EVOO)
1T ketchup
1/2c sugar

Mix all ingredients together in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking often. Cook until the sauce bubbles, thickens, and turns a light brown.

Add meatballs to the sauce and serve!

Like I said, I made this dish ahead of time and it's actually one of my aunt's recipes that she would freeze pre-made for my grandparents. Of course, if you freeze it, you'll want to thaw it out or take longer to cook in the oven.

Link-tacular - Job Hunting

2010-03-11T07:00:00.003-07:00

Today's Link-tacular is less fun and more practical. I've made it no secret that I'm currently looking for work. A daunting task no matter what the economy is like. Unfortunately, the economy is not good and unemployment rates are high. Job hunting has definitely gotten high tech in the last few years. It seems like every employer lists job openings online and prefer paperless applications and resumes. That's why today's Link-tacular is featuring some job hunting resources that might help someone out there get a job.

Before we continue, though, I want to issue a warning. There are so many people job hunting and so many people are being scammed into giving out personal information. These scammers are taking advantage of the precarious job market and posting fake job postings. All they want is your e-mail address or phone number to sell, some places just want to sell you something. If you feel you have been scammed, please contact your phone provider to block the number that may be harassing you, the FTC, or your local BBB. Remember to never, ever give out your Social Security Number, credit card number, or bank information to any one that you may feel uneasy about. Oftentimes your gut reaction is the correct one. Even if the job sounds perfect for you, if some sort of bell is going off in your head, run the other way! Also, educate yourself by reading this great MSNBC article.

Myself and two other people nearly fell victim to a website called CareerNetwork. They claim to be legitimate, but you can search CareerNetwork Scam in Google and see for yourself.

Here is a list of websites that I trust enough to perform my own job search:

CareerBuilder A comprehensive website with a great search. However, you may have to sift through some spam/work from home jobs. They may try to charge you to get your resume seen more often. I've never done this, so I don't know how effective it may be.
Indeed Another comprehensive site that pulls job listing from all over the web.
SimplyHired Very similar to Indeed.
RegionalHelpWanted Use this page to search for a local job board. I have actually gotten a job from this site before.
Monster A site similar to CareerBuilder. I did have a bad experience about three years ago, they said some of my information had been compromised, so I deleted my account. I think their security has gotten better and I have started using the site once again.
HotJobs Hosted by Yahoo, there is a lot of spam, but a some good jobs as well.
USA Jobs A job board for government jobs.
HireSpin Another option, I haven't had a lot of luck, but someone in a bigger market may.
College-Site Another option. I have not had a lot of luck, but again someone in a bigger market may have more luck.
Any Local Businesses That May Have a Website Most businesses prefer online resumes and applications, so this is a good place to start to see if they're hiring.
Local Universities They are often looking for administrative or janitorial workers.
Your University May Offer a Job Board for Former Students This may give a job seeker an advantage, since these employers are looking for college students or grads and may not have posted their job listing anywhere else.
City/County Websites Often list city or county jobs, which can be lucrative.
Your Local Department of Labor Most departments of labor offer online job searches. These offer no spam and a lot of job openings.

Good luck and happy job hunting!

The Non-Birthday Birthday?

2010-03-09T07:00:00.005-07:00

Birthdays. Some people love them, some people hate them, some people are ambivalent towards them.

Personally, I don't normally like to be the center of attention, so I don't go around telling people when my birthday is, but I somehow expect them to just know and treat me accordingly. I do think that birthdays are fun and a nice way to celebrate someone as a person.

Last fall I took a different approach to my birthday, I took a vacation day! I spent the day at the DMV and then just hanging out by myself at home. It sounds like a lame day, but it was the best birthday I think I ever had because it was me doing what I wanted to do.

But I digress. My mom's birthday is coming up and she has made it abundantly clear that she doesn't want her birthday acknowledged at all. No cards, cakes, or presents. Her theory is that if she doesn't celebrate then she won't get older (although she loves calling me on my day and rubbing in that I'm getting older).

Since she is my mom, I do plan on sending her a non-occasion specific card that will show up in her mailbox conveniently around her birthday. Just a little reminder that she's my mom and I love her. Sneaky, no?

But this brings up an interesting question: what does one do when a close friend of family member protests and says he/she doesn't want a birthday? Does it actually mean to celebrate anyway, do something subtle, or do nothing at all?

Perhaps I'm over thinking the birthday issue, but it begs an interesting debate, so please use the comments section and share some opinions.

National Grammar Day!

2010-03-04T07:00:00.002-07:00

First, I want to wish everyone a happy National Grammar Day!

Since 2004 every March 4th has been celebrated by grammarphiles and grammar police everywhere. As a holder of an English degree and a former proofreader, I have been waiting for this day for months. Seriously. March 4th should be celebrated nationally as a reminder to English speakers and writers that grammar is indeed important. Not only does proper grammar make one sound smarter, it also reinforces the integrity of the complex English language.

That being said, I don't expect the post offices to close or even a parade. I would just like people to spread the good grammar word around their households, classrooms, workplaces, and anywhere else.

To celebrate, check out these links:
The Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar (SPOGG) You can even print out your own membership card!
The SPOGG Blog
This Life is a Sinecure entry about simple grammar tips everyone should know
Grammar Girl
Top Ten Grammar Tips
A list of grammar blogs
Apostrophe Catastrophes
The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks
GrammarBlog

www.toothpastefordinner.com

Newsbits Pete the Dachund

2010-03-02T07:00:00.007-07:00

Today's Newsbit is somewhat of a local story. A friend of mine wrote the article, which has been picked up by the AP. It's definitely a very interesting story about a little dog who's owners abandoned him at the vet. They have not answered any phone calls and so the veterinary's office has to take action. I am posting the first part of the story, hopefully something will come out of the auction today. Please click the title to read the rest of the article, including why the vet chose auction.

Unpaid bill sends dachshund to auction

By Melissa Davlin - Times-News writer | Posted: Sunday, February 28, 2010 1:45 am

On March 2, Pete the dachshund is heading for the auction block.

The petite pup is being sold to satisfy unpaid charges for his medical treatment at RupertAnimal Clinic after his owners didn’t pick him up and didn’t return calls from the clinic. Although selling dogs at auction isn’t common, it’s not the first time the veterinary office has resorted to legal measures to take care of abandoned animals.

Pete’s reputed owners, Lynne and Lloyd Gale, dropped off the dog after he was hit by a car in January. Employees at the animal clinic fixed him up, then repeatedly tried to contact the Gales to retrieve him.

But no one ever returned their multiple calls, they said. So the vet clinic contacted its lawyer and set up the doggy auction.

Does it Work: Mighty Putty

2010-02-25T07:00:00.002-07:00

Today's Does it Work is about infomercial products. Well, one product in particular. I love infomercials and I loved Billy Mays (and Anthony Sullivan on "Pitchmen"). I also enjoy perusing the "As Seen on TV" aisles at my local stores.

The Product

Mighty Putty has been advertised on TV as a miracle product that can patch or fix any product from tiles, to leaky faucets, to hanging shelves.

Photo Source

The Trial

The curtain rods in our house are screwed into the wall, but they have a tendency to slip out. I don't know if it's because the curtains get pulled on a lot, or because of the plaster on the walls. At any rate, it's a pain in the backside, so I decided to get some Mighty Putty to reattach the bracket to the wall since the screw had been stripped.

The Result

Mighty Putty is an epoxy, so it smells...really bad. This is made worse by the fact that you have to mix the putty in your hand to activate it. The box does include rubber gloves, though. After attaching the putty and letting it set for 30 minutes (as per instructions) I tugged a little bit and the whole thing fell down.

However, that was my fault for not reading the instructions. They clearly state that the bond created is only as strong as the bond the paint has to the wall. Once that section of paint came off, I did the process again and...VOILA! The bracket has been securely in place for several months.

The Grade

A

Household Tips

2010-02-23T07:00:00.003-07:00

I love multipurpose items, especially when they help out with weird situations around the house because sometimes the strangest tips are the most fun. Here is a list of some helpful and some weird hints.

Take bananas apart to keep them from ripening so quickly.

Use a wet paper towel to pick up small bits of broken glass - this works especially well with broken light bulbs.

Use a clean chalkboard eraser to de-fog the inside of your car windows.

To keep away ants put out piles of corn meal. The ants will take it home, but they cannot digest it. Plus, it's completely safe to have around food since it's non-toxic.

Rinse out and scrub the lint screen on your dryer with a nylon brush. The gunk from dryer sheets can build up and cause fires or wear out your dryer faster.

To unseal an envelope, throw it in the freezer for a few hours.

If your sink drain smells, pour in some baking soda followed by some vinegar.

If your kitchen smells (maybe from a dinner disaster) put half a lemon on a pie plate in a 200 degree oven for 20 minutes.

WD-40 will remove pine sap from your hands.

If you drop a cell phone, MP3 player, or other electronic in water towel dry it, remove the battery if you can, and drop it in a container of rice for a week. The rice should draw out any moisture.

Does it Work: Chili Potatoes

2010-02-18T07:00:00.005-07:00

Earlier I was thinking that I wanted to add a new feature to the blog. Sort of a consumer awareness type of thing. I wanted something useful where I try out something and we can see whether it worked or not. I will try a few experiments with cooking or products or activities and we'll see how well they work.

The other day we had a thought. We like potatoes and chili, so why couldn't we put these two items together? There was no logical reason, so I came up with a game plan: twice baked potatoes baked a third time with chili.

The Process:

I started by baking 4 large Idaho potatoes and then hollowed out the centers, saving all of the insides in a separate bowl.

I mixed sour cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder, a little bit of milk, and shredded cheddar cheese in with the potato innards and refilled the empty shells. I then baked them for another 20 minutes.

I opened two cans of chili and poured it over the top of the potatoes. I replaced the potatoes in the oven for another 15-20 minutes until the chili was bubbling. This is the end result.

The Results

Okay, I have to say that the end result looked much better than the picture. Overall it tasted okay, but once we got down a little bit it was just potato. We decided that maybe we could add one can of chili to the potato innards and then one can of chili on the top to ensure that the flavor is throughout the potato.

I'd rate this experiment at a 4, maybe trying it a different way would up that a little bit. My mom said it sounded gross, I guess that means she won't be coming for dinner.

Little, Unknown Facts

2010-02-16T07:00:00.016-07:00

Honey Never Spoils
Honey is really the only natural food product that never spoils, even without preservatives. Honey is very PH stable, which allows it to last for centuries. However, honey can ferment into mead or develop a bad taste, but it is indeed still edible. In fact, some archeologists found honey in Egyptian tombs and found it edible.

Photo Source

Egyptian Mummification Did Not Remove the Heart
When a body was mummified, the brain was removed through one of its nostrils and its intestines were also removed and placed in jars called canopic jars. Each organ was placed in its own jar. The only organ that was not removed was the heart, because Egyptians considered it to be the seat of the soul.

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Rhode Island - Small State, Big Name
While Rhode Island is the smallest state by area (1545 sq mi), it has the longest official name of any of the 50 states in the Union. The official name, used on all state documents, is “Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.”

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Clean Toilets
The first toilet cubicle in a row is the least used (and consequently cleanest). Although now that the information has been out for awhile, the cleanest stall is anyone's guess.

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Classical Greek and Roman Statues Were Not Always White
There is a theory that the Ancient Greek and Roman sculptures that are so recognizable to pretty much everyone don't look at they did when they were first created. Some scholars have been recreating these sculptures with blues, reds, greens, and golds that they believe originally adorned these ancient works of art.

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Abraham Lincoln Had a High-Pitched Voice
Most people have watched at least one video or television program portraying President Lincoln. Lincoln was known for his great speeches, espcially the Gettysburg Address. However, most portrayals of Lincoln's voice is wrong. Usually Lincoln is portrayed with a deep, booming bass voice that people assume is accurate. In actuality, Lincoln had more of a high-pitched tenor voice that was slightly shrill but could be heard through great distances, which actually helped people hear and appreciate his speeches.

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The First Product Nintendo Produced was a Card Game
In 1889 (yes, 100 years before the Nintendo GameBoy) the small Japanese company called Nintendo started hand making Hanafuda cards (the cards are also used to play Koi Koi).

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Months That Start on a Sunday Will Always Have a Friday the 13th
Go ahead and do the math, it always comes out the same.

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Ben Franklin "Tricked" the French into Helping America Gain its Freedom
Technically, Benjamin Franklin charmed the French into helping America gain its freedom from England. Franklin was an educated, well dressed man. However, when he spent time in France he wore the infamous beaver skin hat and did not speak French well. This endeared him and his "Americanness" to the French and perpetuated the myth that Americans were simpletons that needed help.

Photo Source

Love is Evol

2010-02-11T07:00:00.009-07:00

...okay, not really. The title of today's blog is the title of the hilarious Christopher Titus' latest comedy act. Check out his website for video clips or to order the DVD. He is hilarious.

But I digress. The point of today's blog. I am really not a fan of Valentine's Day. Not because I'm depressed or single or anything like that, but because I think love should be celebrated every day whenever and however people want to celebrate. I don't think that a man or woman should feel bad because he/she doesn't buy his/her partner candy or jewelry or flowers. I think that's kind of silly.

Anyway, in today's blog I wanted to share some history of Valentine's Day and offer two alternatives that can be done with friends, family, a significant other, or by yourself.

History of Valentine's Day
According to the History Channel, there are multiple theories on the origin of Valentine's Day and what exactly St. Valentine did.

One story suggests that emporor Claudius II thought that single men made better soldiers, so he outlawed young men from getting married. St. Valentine was then put to death for illegally marrying young lovers

Some say that St. Valentine was killed because he helped the Christians escape Roman prisons.

There is also a story that he sent the first valentine while he was in jail. He fell in love with a woman who would visit him and he signed the note "from your Valentine."

But, besides St. Valentine, a few other notable things happened on Valentine's day.In fact, a few things happened in history on February 14th.

In 1929 the St. Valentine's Day Massacre happened in Chicago when seven of Al Capone's rivals were gunned down.

Oregon was admitted to the Union in 1859 (and Arizona in 1912)

Dolly the sheep was put down due to complications from being the first cloned mammal.

Of course, even if you're not into Valentine's Day, you have to eat, right? Good.
Here are two links to a couple great entrees and a couple great desserts.

Rachael Ray's Lemon Basil Pasta (great if you cook up some shrimp or chicken)

Emeril Lagasse's 4-cheese Macaroni and Cheese

Strawberry shortcake (Angel food cake + thawed frozen strawberries + whipped cream)

Devil's food cake (from a box and frosting from a can!)

Here are some nice, romantic movies to snuggle up and watch on Valentine's Day:

Casablanca

The Proposal

Ghost

Much Ado About Nothing

Princess Bride

Images courtesy of IMDb

And, of course, here are some not so nice Anti-Valentine's Day movies:

War of the Roses

Closer

Fight Club

Vertigo

The Break-Up

Images courtesy of IMDb

Simple Grammar Everyone Should Know

2010-02-09T07:00:00.003-07:00

I love the English language. I love that it's difficult, I love all of the words, I love that there are so many forms of the language. All around, I think it's a great thing. However, having an English degree and working as a proofreader, I can't help but notice the language is being absolutely slaughtered. I don't know if it's because of technology, because kids/people just don't think it's important, because teachers are so horribly underpaid and schools are understaffed, or a combination of all of that. I am just so amazed that people make these simple grammar mistakes over and over and over.

I used to joke that I wanted to become a grammar super hero of sorts. While that isn't really a possibility (or is it?!) I wanted to put together a very quick and concise list of a few common grammatical errors and explain why they are errors and simple tips to remember the correct usage. I beg of the readers to check it out and maybe share with a grammatically challenged friend.

(I'd like to point out that no one is immune from grammatical errors. Even those of us who enjoy the subject make a mistake now and then. I'm really talking about the repeat offenders who don't realize or care about their mistakes.)

Use the proper form of homonyms (words that sound the same but are spelled differently). This is a very common mistake. I think this is because a lot of people remember learning the difference and know there are special rules. But since they can't remember completely, they try to do what they think is correct. This mistake will not only misconstrue the meaning of a sentence, but it also makes the user look uneducated.

To - A preposition, usually used to express motion I am going to the store.
Too - Another word for "also" I would like an ice cream cone, too.
Two - The number 2 spelled out I need to buy two ice cream cones.

Your - Possessive version of "you" Your dog ran away
You're - Contraction of the words "you" and "are" You're going to work all weekend

Their - Possessive version of "they" Their car has two doors
There - A state, condition, or placement There were seven balloons over there yesterday
They're - A contraction of the words "they" and "are" They're buying balloons and candy

Then - Usually used to indicate time or a consequence If you eat worms then you are going to be sick
Than - Used in comparison I can run faster than Jimmy

Lose - To not win I won't place cards because I will lose
Loose - The opposite of tight My shoes are loose (Think of it this way: If you add an extra
"o" to something it will get bigger and more loose.)

It's - A contraction of the words "it" and "is" (does not indicate possession) It's going to snow today
Its - Possessive form of "it" The cat hid to care for its injured paw

Use apostrophes correctly. One thing that I see everywhere: signs on the street, on menus, and even on television is the constant misuse of the apostrophe. I don't know who is out there telling people to overuse apostrophes, but they are not for plurals! Dogs, cats, eyes, chickens - all plurals and no apostrophes!

Apostrophes have two main uses:

To indicate possession Allison's dog ran away
To indicate a letter (or letters) have been removed, as in a contraction I can't help you (Can't is a contraction, it combines the words "can" and "not." The apostrophe is put between the "n" and "t" to show that the letters "no" have been omitted.)

Get your sayings right. For some reason, phrases that are common in the English language have been muddled over the years. Misusing common sayings and idioms might make a person look a little less than bright. Here are a few examples:

Could care less - the correct phrase is "Couldn't care less." Think about it, if you could care less then you must actually care a little bit.
All intensive purposes - The correct phrase is "All intents and purposes." I really can't explain it, just that when you break it down and think about it, the correct phrase just makes sense.
Low and behold - The correct phrase is "lo and behold." While the word "lo" is archaic and not really used, that is the correct spelling of the saying.

In summary, it is important to preserve and respect the English language. I know it is a difficult one, but it is our language and we should use it correctly. I promise that if you use my tips and correct the grammatical errors in your life people will respect you more and think of you as educated instead of a gelatinous blob taking up oxygen.

Picture Post: Fractals

2010-02-04T07:00:00.014-07:00

I discovered fractals randomly about eight years ago while surfing the web looking for a new wallpaper for my computer. I am not mathematically inclined at all, so I found it fascinating that these insane pieces of art are created from mathematical equations!

Very simplistically, fractals are repeated patterns of geometric shapes that are replicated on a smaller and smaller scale, so no matter how much magnification occurs, the shape is always the same. We all know the dangers of using Wikipedia as a source, but for this purpose, it works well to explain fractals better than I ever could.

So instead of the English major trying to explain a mathematical concept, how about I get back to the original topic of this post: pictures. Below are some of my favorite fractal designs. You can click the image for a larger version.

Photo Source Photo Source

Things I love

2010-02-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

I love gadgets that make life just a little bit easier. That's why I wanted to share them with the whole world. While I'm not Oprah and cannot offer free goodies, I'll let you know where you can pick these things up for yourself. And, don't worry, they're all good for people on a budget, which who isn't?

Black & Decker Brew 'N' Go - $24.00 Amazon.com
I got my Brew 'N' Go from my aunt before I went to college. It was the best thing I'd ever gotten and I still use it almost every day. The cup is a travel mug with a lid and it makes the best hot drinks. It heats the water super fast for tea or cocoa or any hot drink, or you can use the filter-less basket for a quick cup of coffee. I'm the only coffee drinker in my house and I could never drink a whole pot, so an individual cup is perfect.

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Rotary Slicer - $19.99 Amazon.com
Unfortunately, my rotary grater is no longer being made. However, I have found some great substitutes that seem to work just as well. These graters allow you to grate more in less time, but without all of the space of a box grater or food processor. I use mine for nuts, cabbage, zucchini, cheese, ect. The graters come with both coarse and fine drums depending on what you want to shred.

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

The Tingler - $18.99 Amazon.com
The best product ever! While it may look like a large metal spider and sound like something dirty, it is none of the above. Have you ever wondered why dogs and cats love their heads scratched? Because it feels great and is so relaxing. The Tingler is a head massager that will give you....tingles down your spine. No lie. While it works the best when you've got a buddy administering the tingles (I think it's the fact that you'll never know when the tingles will happen), it's easy to administer yourself and you may just become addicted.
Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Heated Massage Mat $29.99 Amazon.com
This little creation is fantastic. After a day of working out or just working, your back can get a little tight. This mat not only offers massage therapy, it is also heated, which helps relax those tight muscles. You can set it up on any chair or couch, or you can even use it lying down. It's remote-controlled so you can have a heated massage, heat with no massage, or a massage with no heat. It's small and easy to store as well.

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Blogs I'm loving

2010-01-28T07:00:00.001-07:00

In today's blog, I am featuring three excellent blogs/websites that I regularly keep up with. Now, I keep up with tons of blogs thanks to Google Reader, but these three are great and the authors are pretty awesome, too! You can also follow these links and others by checking out the "Links I'm Loving" section on the sidebar.

Photo courtesy of Morning Gorgeou s

Morning Gorgeous is a great catch-all blog. The maintainer, Katy, is such a sweet person with an eclectic taste, which is definitely reflected in her blogs. Morning Gorgeous features video clips, quotes, links, pop culture, how-tos, and advice about whatever catches Katy's fancy. It's completely fascinating to see things the way she does and somehow she creates entertaining blogs that are a mix of prose, photos, and old school charm.

Photo courtesy of Fat Anchor

Fat Anchor is a new website created by news anchor Nate Kuester to document his weight loss journey. Since I've started on a similar (although not as intense) journey as Nate, I've found his words and videos inspiring and cannot wait for more content. Fat Anchor (hopefully soon to be Fit Anchor) is an interesting journey of not only weight loss, but also feeling good about the way you look. So many people lose weight to look like people on TV or in magazines, but Fat Anchor really hits it home when he says that the "site is dedicated to empowering anyone to action who wants to live and feel better." (Click here to follow Fat Anchor on Twitter)

Photo courtesy of Hello Ross

If you haven't heard of Ross Mathews, you probably live under a rock. Ross is hilarious and inspiring. You may recognize him as Ross "The Intern" from The Tonight Show. He is the biggest blogger I know, and he has a huge following of blog buddies. Hello Ross is so funny, real, and endearing that features little snippets, photos, and talky blogs from Ross's surreal life in LA. He is a real person living in LA and so some of his experiences seem a bit surreal, but it's so exciting to see the fancy Hollywood lifestyle by someone as real as Ross; Hello Ross is positively addictive! (Click here to follow Ross on Twitter).

Photo courtesy of Geek Girl

Geek Girl Knows is a great blog run by Daria, former coworker of above-mentioned Ross. She is super smart and super awesome. I love reading her posts because not only does she know way more than me in the tech department, but she's proof that girls can be smart and good looking. Geek Girl also does live blogcasts on Ustream which are so great to watch and participate in the chats. Geek Girl Knows is definitely a great resource to keep up to date on new gadgets and how-to. (Click here to follow GeekGirl on Twitter.)

Two new takes on a boring word: salad

2010-01-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's the new year and a lot of people have made the decision to eat healthier or work out more. But, for some people the idea of eating better means plain ol' salad. That can be really boring. I've got a couple salads that can be a whole meal and they don't taste like rabbit food.

The first is a Waldorf salad, but with a healthier twist. We're adding more flavor and taking away the mayonnaise. Then, we'll make a great pasta salad that can be a whole meal or a great side dish any time of the year. These two salads are really fast and really easy for a quick dinner or pack it up in your lunch for school or work.

Waldorf Salad (makes 2 servings)
1 chicken breast (baked, broiled, braised, etc.)
1 medium to large apple - any kind, but red delicious works really well
1/4 cup chopped mushrooms
1/4 cup chopped cucumber
1/4 cup halved seedless grapes
1/8 cup chopped green onion
1 to 2 cups lettuce
1/8 to 1/4 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts work the best)
6 oz yogurt (plain or for more flavor use strawberry or raspberry)
1T ranch dressing
Salt to taste
pepper to taste
1T vinegar

Mix together cooked chicken, apple, mushrooms, cucumber, onion, lettuce, grapes, and nuts in a salad bowl.
In a separate bowl mix yogurt, salt, pepper, ranch dressing, and vinegar.
Pour dressing over salad and combine. Add more lettuce if you prefer a less dressed salad.

Italian Pasta Salad
2 cups cooked spiral pasta
1 cooked chicken breast (can be omitted)
1 cup cubed cucumber
1 cup chopped tomato
1/8 cup chopped green onion
Italian dressing

Mix all ingredients together, coating the mixture with as much Italian dressing as you'd like.
Can be eaten immediately, but it's best if chilled for at least an hour.

A few other ideas to spice up a regular salad:

Add diced chicken, ham, or turkey
Add a hard boiled egg
Change up the dressing and make a vinaigrette by adding fruit/berries or fruit preserves (strawberry, raspberry, marmalade, etc) with olive oil, salt and pepper, and a little bit of vinegar (balsamic or red wine)
Add nuts
Add fresh fruit (apples, strawberries, raspberries, grapes, etc.) or dried fruit (cranberries, strawberries, raisins, etc.)

Newsbits: Haitian Earthquake

2010-01-21T07:00:00.004-07:00

Okay, I was kind of avoiding the whole Haitian earthquake news story. Everyone knows that a devastating 7.0 earthquake hit near the Haitian capital of Port-Au-Prince on January 12th. The local, national, and international news is full of the devastation, death, and horror stories. Fortunately, there are a few stories that are really heartwarming, including CNN helping people locate missing family through their website and a Haitian family in Boise helping raise money and teaching their kids to help by running a lemonade stand.

The reason I haven't mentioned much is because, honestly, when something bad happens lately I have tended to take an ostrich approach. I have not been able to watch television news or really read the papers because it makes me so incredibly sad. However, I am feeling much better about humanity and have a little bit more hope for those in need. The main reason is because of what's been circulating the past couple of days regarding CNN host Anderson Cooper.

Anderson's blog on CNN shows many stills and even a video of Anderson putting down his camera and helping a young boy who had just been hit in the head with a piece of concrete brick. Anderson pulled the boy out of the way and helped get him to a group of people who could help.

Photo courtesy of CNN

A lot of people might say, oh, it's a publicity thing, but it isn't. The world witnessed the same behavior during Hurricane Katrina when Anderson lashed out at Senator Mary Landrieu for patting congress on the back and not showing concern at all for the victims by saying, "No, Senator I haven't heard that, for the last four days I've been seeing dead bodies."

A lot of news reporters are in it for the stories, the ratings, and the notoriety and will stand back to "let news happen."However, this is something that Anderson just doesn't do. He is a wonderful example of bringing important information for those who can't associate and he says what some of us are thinking and doing what some of us wish we could do. For that, I thank Anderson for being such an example.

Of course, I don't want to distract from the devastation and turmoil that's happening now. It's a horrible tragedy and I wish that I could do more, or anything. However, the only thing I can do is to tell everyone to donate what you can and to never forget, because once the news crews leave for the next big story, these people in Haiti will still be rebuilding and reeling from tragedy.

To donate to the Red Cross visit: RedCross.org or text 'HAITI' to 90999 to donate $10
To donate to Doctors without Borders visit: DoctorsWithoutBorders.org
To donate to UNICEF to help the children affected visit: UNICEFUSA.org
To donate to the Salvation Army to provide food visit: SalvationArmy.org
To donate to AmeriCares visit: AmeriCares.org or text 'LIVE' to 25383
To donate to AmericanHumane to help the animals affected visit: AmericanHumane.org

Tips: Groceries on a Budget

2010-01-19T08:00:00.004-07:00

Let's face it, times are tough, bank accounts are smaller, jobs are scarce, and people have cut back. However, there's one thing that people can't cut back on, and that's food. Or can they? I have always had budgetary constraints, so I've never not shopped on a budget. In my years of experience, I've learned a few tips that may help those who are just beginning life on their own, those who have never been on a budget before, or those who just want a few extra tips.

A side note is that these tips work the best when you have a large pantry and ample freezer space. Now, those are two things I don't have, so it's possible to make it work (although some day I dream of having a large freezer and pantry).

Shop multiple stores - By shopping at more than one local store you can compare prices. Most cities or towns have at least two stores, which helps. For example, I used to buy lettuce at Store A because it's grown locally in the Northwest, the quality is good, and the price was the lowest. You may think that you'll spend more on gas, but that's something you'll need to decide, especially if you shop ads you may save more than you think.
Sign up for bonus programs - Most grocery stores offer rewards systems, points, or cards. Some stores let you redeem so many points for so much off advertised products, some stores give you rewards coupons, and some offer gas rewards. This way, the money that you're spending on food is actually helping you save money later on.
Buy local - Buying from local farmers' markets or fruit stands does several things. Not only are you stimulating the local economy, but the fruits and veggies you're buying are fresher, which means that you're getting more nutrients and there's little to no preservatives. Also, since the food doesn't have to be shipped or stored, you'll probably pay less or at most, as much as at the grocery store.
Buy canned and frozen veggies - Vegetable seem to cost more when they're out of season. Chances are they've probably also been sitting in storage for awhile and a lot of the nutrients are lost in that process. Canned and frozen vegetables are normally canned or frozen at the peak of freshness and full of nutrients. Also, they usually go on sale around large holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
Shop the ads and buy what's on sale - It really helps to plan a weekly grocery list and a list of weekly meals. You can set up and plan some meals based on what is on sale in the ads. Fortunately, you don't even need a newspaper, your local grocery store probably has a website with weekly ads where you can also print out coupons. You can also get manufacturer coupons from places like CouponBug.
Buy a lot - This may seem counter-intuitive, but you'll actually save money if you spend a little bit more here and there. For example, say that Tuna Helper is on sale 10 for $10 when it's usually $1.75. If you stock up at the lower price when you don't need the items, you won't be paying more when you need it.This is a great thing to do with items you use a lot, especially ketchup, salad dressing, soups, sugar, etc.
Buy larger packages - It helps when you're stocking up to buy large packages, since you're usually paying more for individual packages. For example, large family packages of steaks are cheaper than two packs. All you need to do is break down the larger quantities into smaller ones once you get home. Be sure to label everything and that way you've got individual sizes at a lesser cost. This is also a good idea if you want to shop at a large membership store such as Costco or Sam's Club.
Buy Generic - Some people may turn up their noses to things that are not a well-known national brand, but they're missing out. A lot of store brand items are actually brand names in different packaging with a different name. Some stores actually commission companies to make their products, but put a generic label on the package. This way, consumers are getting the same product without paying for a fancy name. It's definitely something that everyone should at least try. Sure, some generic products are not the same as fancy brands (like Cola vs. Coke or Pepsi), but it's something to definitely try.
Keep a list - It's important to keep a list on your fridge (or somewhere everyone in the household can see) to keep track of the items you are almost out of. That way you can be organized and ready to stock up when that item goes on sale.
Keep inventory - This helps especially if you have a large pantry or freezer, it is also a trick I learned from my super organized aunt. Keep a notepad or notebook in the pantry or near the freezer listing all of the contents and their expiration dates and cross off the items as you use them. This way you'll always know what you've got on hand and what you need to use up before it expires.

Once you implement these tips, I guarantee you'll see smaller grocery bills over time. For example, we recently spent $56 at a grocery store, but after coupons and using a rewards card, the cost was cut to $36. That's a $20 savings! Good luck and happy savings!

Offbeat Gadgetry

2010-01-14T08:00:00.013-07:00

Technology has created some of the coolest, most useful, most useless, fun, and important gadgets of all time. Here is a list of just a few that are slightly out of the ordinary.

Finger Drums - ThinkGeek.com $24.99
A lot of people strum their fingers on their desk, but why not make it more exciting and more musical? Finger drums have five different touch-sensitive sites to make sounds from snare drum to crash symbol. The best part? Record your riff and play it back later!

E-Plate Scrolling LED License Plate Frame HSN and stores nationwide $39.99
Who hasn't driven in traffic and wished to tell the guy behind you to stop tailgating or to try your products? Now it's totally possible. The E-Plate is extra cool because it comes with a remote control!

Multi-Color LED Bulb w/ Remote ThinkGeek.com $34.99
LED bulbs have become more popular because of their extended life. This bulb fits into a regular light bulb socket, but it does so much more. Cycle through 16 colors and 4 transitional effects. All with the touch of the remote. A nice novelty, holidays, or everyday use.

LED Faucet Lights ThinkGeek.com $19.99
This gadget makes the water coming out of your faucet look super futuristic. The LEDs change color with the water temperature - red for hot and blue for cold. The best thing about this product is that it can be really useful as a night light. Now you can get up and go to the bathroom or get a glass of water without having to turn on the harsh overhead lights.

Washable Mouse Amazon.com $8.75 (on sale)
It's flu season, and people who work in offices are quite susceptible to germs and colds because of the shared work spaces. Once I needed a coworker's help even though she was sick. She sat down at my computer, coughed into her hand and then used my mouse. I wish I would have had this product - a washable mouse! This optical mouse is soap and water safe and also features a touch button scroll feature.
(They also now make washable keyboards)

Wi-Fi Detector Shirt Amazon.com $19.99
A lot of places now offer free wi-fi, but instead of pulling out your laptop to check for a connection, wouldn't it just be easier to look down? ThinkGeek has created this working wi-fi detector shirt that shows the connection strength and features a removable decal and battery pack.

DX1 Input System Customizable Keyboard ThinkGeek.com $139.99
This is the ultimate keyboard for the ultimate gamer. This keyboard features blank keys and labels so that you get to customize your keyboard the way you want it. This comes in especially handy for computer gamers who want the edge over their online opponents.

Links: So Much Cute!

2010-01-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

Most people I know have a serious soft spot for animals. And who could resist? They're cute, they're (mostly) cuddly, and totally lovable. Nothing makes me happier on a cranky day than to take a peek at some seriously cute animal pictures.

Today's Link-tacular features a few of the links that I visit regularly to get my cute animal fix. Feel free to add your own, there's never too much cute!

The Daily Kitten features one (or two) kittens each day. It's like a virtual cat-a-day calendar!

The Daily Bunny is just like The Daily Kitten, but with adorably fluffy bunnies.

CuteOverload is a fantastic site and probably one of the most famous. The stories and community feel of this site are just fabulous. The brightness of the site will also snap anyone out of the worst funk. You can also pick up the CuteOverload page-a-day 2010 calendar at your local calendar retailer or from Amazon.

Stuff on My Cat is another great community for cat lovers. Oh and with fantastic pictures as well.

Daily Puppy is for all you puppy fans out there that cannot get enough wet noses, tails, and playing fetch.

The Daily Cute offers a variety of interspecies cute!

TV you may not be watching

2010-01-07T08:00:00.002-07:00

Most television shows are on a hiatus at the moment, which can be frustrating. However, I think of it as a time to find other shows to watch or to even catch up on episodes I've missed thanks to Hulu and TV.com. Here are a few shows that you may not even know you're missing.

FlashForward - I already made a post about the book the series is based upon, but this show is pretty awesome. Something caused the entire human race to black out for less than 2 minutes. During this time people saw glimpses of their "futures" 6 months in advance. Some were disturbed, some gained hope, some had no visions at all. How would you react to knowing where you'd be six months from now? You can catch FlashForward Thursdays on ABC when it returns March 4th. You can also catch up on what you've missed at ABC.com.
V - This is actually a remake of a series from the early '80s. Aliens have come to Earth under the pretense of wanting minerals. They have advanced technology and have offered to help make Earthlings' life better. Everyone seems to trust them, except a small group of humans and Vs called The Resistance. What are the Visitors' plans and can they be stopped? V returns to ABC Tuesday nights starting on March 30th. To catch up on the first four episodes, head over to ABC.com.
Fringe - Hopefully everyone is watching Fringe. It's one of those shows that cannot be described without the words "you have to see it to believe it" and a mention of JJ Abrams. Homeland Security has come upon some very strange cases that can only be solved with the help of Walter Bishop a famous scientist who was just let out of an insane asylum. There's a war coming between to universes and if Agent Olivian Dunham, Walter, and others can't stop it, their universe may be destroyed. It's just an all around mindfreak of a show. Fringe airs Thursdays on FOX (the hour after FlashForward!) You can see the episodes from this season and from the first season here, you really must see it from the beginning!
Destination Truth - A great show hosted by and starring Josh Gates. He and his team are on the search for the truth about things like Yeti, a haunted doll island, the skunk ape, and King Tut's Tomb. The show is fun to watch as the crew tries to gather evidence to prove or disprove claims about certain unexplained phenomena/things. Like any reality type show, the authenticity has been questioned, but regardless, this show is full of interesting things, places, and people. The crew always takes the time to get to know the local culture and check out the local modes of transportation, and Josh Gates' silly sense of humor. Destination Truth returns with new episodes on SyFy in March, so keep an eye out. Older episodes can be seen at SyFy.com.
Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura - A new series hosted by the Governor (and former wrestler) Jesse Ventura. He is seeking the truth to several conspiracy theories including Big Brother, global warming, and 9/11. Very interesting stuff and although I don't agree with everything he investigates, it gives the viewer another point of view to consider and people cannot have too much information. The show airs Wednesday nights on TruTV. A quick Google or YouTube search can provide you with the episodes that have already aired. TruTV also airs reruns late Sunday afternoons.

Pick it up and read

2010-01-05T08:00:00.003-07:00

I love, love, love reading. That's probably why I majored in English in college. I have tons of books on my shelves, some that I've never even read. I also have a collection of my favorite author, Sidney Sheldon. Anyway, I've picked out three fiction books that I've recently read that are interesting reads. Enjoy!

FlashForward by Robert J. Sutton
I'm currently in the process of reading this book and so far I'm very impressed. I've been following the series on ABC, but it's always interesting to compare the TV/Movie to the book. Surprisingly, this has definitely stood up to the challenge, as it's just different enough from the series to be engaging.

The book, unlike the series, focuses on a freak event that occurs one day where the entire human population blacks out for under 2 minutes and sees a glimpse of their "future" in 20 years (the series does a FlashForward of 6 months).

The book makes the reader think. What would the reader do if this situation occurred? What kind of ramifications would it have for different people? Some may be comforted, some disturbed, some might not have a FlashForward at all.

I recommend this book because it's an easy and fast read, but it'll definitely get you thinking.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman
Most people have seen this movie (which is actually my favorite). It's another case of the book and the movie both being good because the movie is just different enough from the book.

For those not familiar with the story, "Let me 'splain. No, no, there is to much, let me sum up."

Buttercup thinks that her true love, Westley has died at the hands of a pirate. So she agrees to marry a Prince (who is marrying her to start a war). She is kidnapped and, surprise!, her beloved rescues her only for them to be torn apart again. Westley dies (again), but comes back to life just in time to storm the castle with a Spaniard and a giant from Greenland to be reunited with his love.

The thing that I love about this book is that it's written as a book within a book, which is a real treat and something you have to read to truly understand and appreciate.

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
Okay, so Dan Brown has been hyped up a lot with the success of The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons (and I'm sorry to say, the movies didn't live up to my expectations). Working at a bookstore, the two most common questions I got were, "When is Da Vinci Code coming out in paperback?" and "When is Dan Brown putting out a new book?" Finally, Robert Langdon's third adventure is here.

I'll be the first to admit that Brown's style is written for the everyday person, but he tells a great story.

Langdon is tricked into coming to Washington D.C. to help find a hidden key to infinite wisdom that's been guarded by the Free Masons for hundreds of years.

Touching on history, science, and art, Brown has created a page turner and wraps things up with a nice ending. If you're looking for a nice thriller and don't mind a little blood, and a little Googling to look up the art and locations he describes, then this is a great book for you.

A resolution alternative: Mission 101/Day Zero

2009-12-31T08:00:00.002-07:00

Ah, the start of a fresh, new year is nearly upon us. This is the time of year when people decide to make resolutions to try to better themselves. Whether or not those resolutions stick is a whole other story.

Instead of making one or two resolutions, sometimes it's easier to make smaller goals and set a time table. Another thing that I have participated in is Mission 101, a wonderful concept where participants make a list of 101 things they would like to accomplish from one-time things like cooking a fancy meal to consistent goals of taking daily vitamins. The best part is that participants are given 1001 days to accomplish such goals. That's 2.75 (almost 3) years. Mission 101 gets its motivation from the Day Zero Project.

I participated in this program from November 2007 to August 2009. It was an incredible journey and I updated and changed the list a lot. I figured it was one of those things I would work on for a month or so and then cast off and forget about it. But it was so much fun crossing things off of my list and adding new things and seeing how my life had progressed. All I did was create a master list and posted it in my blog. It was nice to have support from my friends and the sense of accomplishment I got from crossing off little things like taking a load of items to Goodwill was about the same as bigger items like graduating college.

It also helps to add in some sort of "repercussion" if you don't accomplish your goals on time. For example, I decided to put one dollar into a savings account for every item I didn't accomplish. It ended up being less than $15. I have never kept a New Year's resolution, so this list was a fantastic way to accomplish some goals.

Take a look at the LiveJournal Mission 101 profile page. You can even sift through other people's list. If you're a member of the LJ community, join up and post your own list. Or, you can join the Day Zero Project. If not, read the concept of Mission 101 and start your list in your own blog of even write out a list and post it on your refrigerator. Enjoy!