Friday, February 29, 2008

for those who need a second chance

If you are one of the millions of Americans who face the reality of Bad credit, it can be downright difficult for you to build the future you see for yourself and your family. There is help for as they say, "in American everyone gets a second act", and believe it or not, there are lenders who are willing to give those with bad credit a second chance and a fresh start.

Check out BadCreditOffers.com and look for their "bad credit cards" section and compare 10 of the nation's top credit cards currently on the market for those with bad or no credit. There are even links to online applications. Apply for the offer that's right for you, and when you show you can start making payments on time you can start down the road toward rebuilding your good credit.

This has been a sponsored post.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

InfoPr0n: the 80's edition

[]



Have seen enough of these 'round the net that I was inspired to make one of my own. Enjoy!

Too young, too obscure?

Pixar, titles and type with SUSAN BRADLEY

Manager of Walt Disney Studios' Title Graphics Department for six years before moving on to design titles for a number of live action films, Susan Bradley teamed up with the Pixar gang again in 2006 and was involved in their recent animated success, Ratatouille.

Read about her and (a little) future Pixar project gossip.

[Thanks, waxy!]


honesty is best the policy

Have you or someone you know been injured while at work? What about being injured as a result of someone else's action (or inaction)? If that injury caused you to spend your own money, don't you think that it is only right that they pay for it?

Remember Colin Powell's oft quoted 'Pottery Barn analogy? "If You Break It You Bought It." Well Pottery Barn does not actually have such a policy (in fact they were fairly cross that the war in Iraq was being tied to their corporate name, but that is a story for another day.) but I think you get the idea behind the lesson. Most people learn this in kindergarten but in the realm of Big Business, sometimes the lesson learned seemes to have been, 'get away with as much as you can.'

Fortunately, this is where the law can be your friend and a good lawyer an even better friend. When you need help with Accident Compensation, there is no better person to help you than a lawyer, preferably one skilled in fighting big companies to get what is rightly yours. They certainly have lawyers on their side, so why shouldn't you? If they will not hand over that which is due o you there is no shame in forcing their feet to the fire until they do so.

[obscure spam]: acquaintances.

WTF?

also want to learn

Hello. How are you? Email me at
Katarina@☲ ☲ ☲ ☲.info only. I am using my
friend's email to write this. I am girlie. Will send
some of my pictures
of Pediatrics, says  you feel that   classes in a
to other bodies.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

The World is My Oyster



Having vacationed twice now in New Orleans and I can put on my official tourist hat and tell you down there it is almost impossible to get a bad meal, regardless of how much or how little you spend. Just be sure your order contains some Gulf oysters. Oysters from the gulf can make a great appetizer. They can also make a great meal in and of themselves. They also are the home to that most mysterious item in your Mother's jewelery box, the pearl. When I was a lad their used to be a big fish tank or bucket full of oysters at our local Weinstocks where you could select your oyster have them open it for you and with a little luck show you just how big of a pearl had grown inside. Never did get to pick one for my Mom and I don't think they even do that sort of thing any more, not that I am sure she would have wanted one then or now.

Ever wonder why oysters grow pearls and not charcoal or diamonds? Well, if you read the Be Oyster Aware website, you'll see there is something else that may be inside your oyster: Vibrio vulnificus bacteria. Sounds scary but relax, once you become Oyster Aware you'll be snacking on them again before you know it. After all, they are an excellent source of zinc, vitamin B-12, and omega-3 fatty acids.

2 Miles, To Short

[]

Transfered 15,000 miles from mine to hers and can you believe we are 2 (two!) miles short of that trip to Ireland?! Hope the miles for that pizza kick in before all the seats disappear!

Spay Day Spay Day!

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In 2007, The Humane Society of the United States spayed or neutered more than 3,200 pets through their innovative program that provides free or subsidized services to pets of families living in poverty-stricken or geographically isolated areas. This year, they hope to reach even more animals in need through Spay Day USA, a national event that seeks to end the tragedy of too many pets and not enough homes

Run by their newly formed Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA), donations are fully tax-deductible.

Lend Me Your Ears

When I read over at MagicLoans that of the survey drivers in the UK 50 per cent of motorists put fuel in their vehicle at least once a week and they spend on average at least £30 a week on fuel (for US readers, at today's exchange rate that would be just shy of $60) I was not too shocked as I remember how much it cost to fill the tank of the tiny little Ford Focus we 'hired' to drive up to the Isle of Skye when we visited Scotland a few years ago.

I am curious with the looming credit crisis in England and across most of the United States how many people are going to have to get Secured Loans just in order to pay to fuel up their cars to get to work? US Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has hinted that in the US more rate cuts are on the horizon. There has already been a noticeable increase in the ridership of the commuter train I take to work each morning, can only imagine what will happen when we get to $4 or $5 dollar gas.

We all better start hoping the engineers at Tesla or Toyota get the bugs worked out of that electric car sooner rather than later other wise Edward G. Robinson's character had the right idea in 'Soylent Green'.

One Semester Spanish Lovesong

[]


I understood a fair amount of this despite having 3 quarters of Italian. Perhaps living in California helps?

Stagflation?

[, ]

Not sure if this is a positive sign of a slowing economy. Perhaps the reality of $3/ gallon gas and the small parking spaces at Valley Fair Mall?

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

88 Lines

Finally looked up the lyrics to the Nails song I have heard twice this week....

Deborah was a Catholic girl,
she held out to the bitter end.
Carla was a different type,
she's the one who put it in.
Mary was a black girl,
and I was afraid of a girl like that.
Susan painted pictures sitting down
like the Buddha sat.

Reno was a nameless girl
a geographic memory.
Cathy was a Jesus-freak,
she liked that kind of misery.
Vicky had this special way
of turning sex into a song.
Kamala who couldn't sing,
kept the beat and kept it strong.

Xylla was an archetype,
the voodoo queen the queen of rath.
Joan thought men were second best
to masturbating in the bath.
Sherri was a feminist,
she really had that gift of gab.
Kathleen's point of view was this:
take whatever you can grab.

Seattle was another girl
who left her mark upon the map.
Karen liked to tie me up,
and left me hanging by a strap.
Jeannie had this nightclub walk
that made grown men feel underage.
Mary Ellen who had a son
said "I must go," but finally stayed.

Gloria the last taboo
was shattered by her tongue one night.
Mimi brought the taboo back
and held it up before the light.
Marilyn who knew no shame,
was never ever satisfied.
Julie came and went so fast,
she didn't even say good-bye.

Well Rhonda had a house in Venice,
lived on brown rice and cocaine.
Patty had a house in Houston,
shot cough syrup in her veins.
Linda thought her life was empty,
filled it up with alcohol.
Katherine was much too pretty,
she didn't do that shit at all.

Uh-uh. Not Katherine.

Pauline thought that love was simple,
turn it on and turn it off.
Jean-Marie was complicated,
like some French film-maker's plot.
Gina was the perfect lady,
always kept her stockings straight.
Jackie was a rich punk-rocker,
silver spoon and a paper plate.

Sarah was a modern dancer,
lean pristine transparency.
Janet wrote bad poetry
in a crazy kind of urgency.
Tanya Turkish liked to fuck
while wearing leather biker boots.
Brenda's strange obsession
was for certain vegetables and fruit.

Roweena was an artist's daughter,
the deeper image shook her up.
Dee-dee's mother left her father,
took his money and his truck.
Debbie-Rae had no such problems,
perfect Norman Rockwell home.
Nina sixteen had a baby,
left her parents lived alone.
Bobbie joined a new-wave band,
and changed her name to Bobbie-sox.
Eloise who played guitar,
sang songs about boyles and cocks.
Terri didn't give a shit,
was just a nihilist.
Ronnie was much more my style,
she wrote songs just like this.
Jezebel went forty days
drinking nothing but Perrier.
Dinah drove her Chevrolet
into the San Francisco bay.
Judy came from Ohio,
she's a Scientologist.
Amiranta here's a kiss,
I chose you to end this list.

Eighty-eight lines about forty-four women.

Accident Waiting to Happen

Accident Claims are a fact of life these days and while many people will make charges like 'ambulance chaser' the fact remains that when a company or an employer causes a real injury to a person then that corporation has a legal, moral and ethical duty to make payment as a form or restitution.

This has been abused in the past - everyone has heard of the woman who sued McDonald's for the overly hot coffee that she spilled on herself in her car. I don't recall reading all the details of the case and how the jury came to the amount of the settlement she earned but take a look at every cup that may or may not contain hot beverages - they all have a warning now. Her case is now part of the world wide legal system and I say this is a case where despite the jokes for the most part we are better for it.

In a recent NPR report on Chinese cola mining by Ted Koppel noted, "Last year, approximately 3,800 miners were killed in accidents. This despite China's claim that it has closed more than 10,000 of the country's most dangerous mines." Is this the kind of a work place you would want to show up to every day? Be thankful there are laws here in the west to prevent and punish this type of lax behaviour.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Disclosure Policy

[]

This policy is valid from 26 February 2008


This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.


To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

Oscar Statue-esque

Well the Academy Awards are over for another year - and once again I think the excitement that I used to feel has disappeared for watching the yearly telecast, not helped by the writer's strike and the fact that of the majour nominees I think I saw two (Enchanted and Ratatouille), and these were nominated in musical categories for the most part. Best Animated has always gone to a Pixar film whenever they were nominated if I am not mistaken, so not too much drama there either. What does manage to be of interest is the best and worst dressed and even that can now be better watched on the internet the next day.

What a star is wearing of course can only look as good as what they have underneath, and on that note, 'a US cosmetic surgeon has described some of the ways the nominees could improve their appearance with surgery:'

...a nose job for Daniel Day-Lewis, a browlift for Johnny Depp and Tommy Lee Jones, and Botox for Viggo Mortensen.


Not so sure about his thoughts on Cate Blanchett, however. While he doesn't go as far as suggesting Breast Enlargement, somethings are best left alone.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Yellowstone's Woves Need Help

Take action for wolves here!

NRDC Action Fund

A project of the Natural Resources Defense Council
http://www.nrdcactionfund.org

If True: This is Scary

From United Press International:

DALLAS, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- The Secret Service told Dallas police to stop
screening for weapons while people were still arriving at a campaign
rally for Barack Obama, a report said.

Police stopped checking people for weapons at the front gates of
Reunion Arena more than an hour before the Democratic presidential
hopeful appeared on stage Wednesday, the Fort Worth (Texas)
Star-Telegram reported.

Police said the order to stop using metal detectors and checking
purses and laptop bags constituted a security lapse, the newspaper
reported.

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/02/21/report_security_relaxed_at_obama_speech/8649/

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Space, the Final Frontier

Garages are wonderful (ask our neighbor who does not have one) but who has enough space and time to keep them in the manner in which you would like? Seems like no matter how much garage space you have, even if you have a newer house with a three (or maybe even a four?) car garage you always seem to run out of space. For you Doctor Who fans think of this as the opposite of the TARDIS.

Right now I am trying to figure out how to make more space for our garden tools and one idea that I am happy to say came to me today is from Lidget. Much more attractive than anything that I could build, or at least that I could build in my own lifetime (and after several courses of study). We have just the spot for it in our garden - next to the gate where we keep the rotary mower and our meager collection of shovels and rakes. With one of these buildings I can't tell you how happy I would be to keep the tools out all this rain we keep getting. The Mrs would also be happy that at least one corner of the property looked in top shape.

Workshops, sheds and garages - something for everyone, no matter the size of style of yard!

Evolution of the Auto Logo

"Ever wondered why the Audi in front of you has a logo of four interlocked rings? Did you know that the Cadillac emblem was inspired by a family crest of a nobleman who later turned out to be a fraud?"  Neatorama  takes a look at the fascinating stories behind the logos of some of the most popular cars in the world.

Go Forward Move Ahead



When you work in a university laboratory and hospital setting you have quite a few people coming into your workspace and wanting to talk about the relative merits of their product or service, sometimes so frequently that you can almost form a personal relationship with that sales person, relationships that can actually span from one employer to to the next. This can be quite a benefit if that person is a good sales representative, it can also be quite a negative experience if that person has not done their job.

Fortunately, like many skills, the right training can enhance and amplify one's own natural instincts and salesmanship can be improved with the right Sales Training. For many companies, particular smaller or start-up companies, your on site sales representative IS the only contact a customer has with a company. Think of your workplace and let's say you want to send a package – chances are for the most part you won't have any interaction with the pilots, long-haul truck drivers or crews that load and unload the bulk of the packages. You are interacting with a web site and the man or woman in the brown shirt and shorts who shows up at your desk. So if that person is for the most part the sole basis for your opinion of a vendor, don't you want them to be the best trained and skilled individual they can be?

If this sounds like a skill set you'd like to have or would like your employees to have, check out the new website and the courses Advance offers. Advance is one of the UK's most respected sales training companies.This has been a sponsored post.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Lovin' From the Oven

News of a downtown San Jose Beard Papa to opening soon (116 Paseo de San Antonio) leads me to to speculate on their long-term sustainability. Last week-end saw many a closed and boarded up Krispy Kreme donut shops and wondered how long 'teh people' will stay fascinated with another limited selection bakeshop.

Pants Press EGM Nerd-fest

[]

My eyes hurt from looking and my sides hurt from laughing. Pants Press Sketchbook has a a great posting 'today.' This is only a small sample....

Rain Rain

Monday was a holiday so I worked the garden - time to divide/remove the iris-like things and put in the 2 new India Hawthorn (Rhaphiolepsis indica "Ballerina") I got at Home Depot ($5 and complete with one year warranty!). For the life of me I can never remember our Sunset Western Garden Book Zone number. Perhaps if I ever got a tattoo, that is what I would get - right on the back of my hand.

My drought-resistant shrubs are getting quite the watering today, however!

Get in the Clear

Housing slump got you down? Living paycheck to paycheck? Having to cut back your expenses but you have already cut all the fat out of your budget? Or maybe you are counting the days until that 'economic stimulus check' from Washington is coming so you don't have to worry every time the phone rings?

Getting into debt is all to easy these days what with all the fancy new toys and gadgets that get released every day. I have caught myself more than once thinking my mobile phone is too old in the age of iPhones and Blackberry's; or my 3 mega pixel camera is too wimpy when you can now get a twelve mega pixel camera in a compact point and shoot format.

But before you shop, ask yourself 'why do I need this?' If the answer is 'I don't' or 'everyone else has one,' then put down the charge card and save your money. Even if it is only for one extra day, at least you didn't shop today. Then make a list of the things you DO spend money on and calculate it for the year, in effect you'll be drawing up some “ Debt Management Plans”. A dollar cup of coffee each day before work ends up being hundreds, that five dollar pack of cigarettes is costing you hundreds or maybe thousands (and that's just in direct costs! You don't even want to know how much you'll pay for health care.) Same with driving – can you combine trips or shop with a friend? Every gallon of gas saved is 2-3 dollars back in your pocket.


We want to stop people going bankrupt, we want people to know that there is another way.

[Sierra Club] How Green Is Your Laundry?

February 19, 2008:

How Green Is Your Laundry?
Your mother probably warned you not to leave the house without clean underwear, but are your whites green enough to pass muster with Mother Nature?

These days "clean and green" applies to more than solar power plants -- it's also how we all should do our laundry.

Take our simple quiz and we'll sort you into the right pile.





Tuesday, February 19, 2008

One Year Left to Live

[, , ]

My beloved FD-555 with 5" Black & White TV with VHF and UHF, AM/FM Radio and Cassette Tape Player, oh how I will miss you when the power goes out.

In just 364 days the era of analog broadcast television in the United States will end as the nation's full power television stations complete their transition to an all-digital system.

And just for fun: a link to PWEI's Def Con One lyrics.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Are You Guests of This Hotel?

Nothing is more important than a good night's sleep and good sleep is hard to get with two people and a possessive cat in a small bed. Which is why every time the two of us go stay in hotels we always try to get King Beds or Queen Beds and have such a hard time adapting when we get back home to our Sleigh Bed. Case in point last week-end's jaunt to the Double Tree Hotel in Sacramento – nice big beds and (for me) an awesome view of the Hostess Bakery across I-80 (you couldn't hear any freeway noise, BTW).

Driving home involved the usual discussion of the costs of upgrading our queen-size bed (and the additional costs replacing all our sheets) which is usually where the conversation stops. This time after looking at the selection and prices at the coaster furniture company we may have to rethink out blanket (ha ha ha) decision as 'too expensive.'

Friday, February 15, 2008

The "New Mary Blair"

[]


"Saturday, February 23, 2008 we celebrate the 55th Anniversary of Walt Disney's beloved classic Peter Pan. As part of this special celebration an array of talented artists will be on hand for the debut and signing of their Peter Pan inspired merchandise. Artists will include Dave Avanzino, Maggie Parr, Walt Disney Imagineer, Larry Nikolai, Michelle Valigura and Amanda Visell, whose whimsical artistic style can be seen in the event's signature piece, titled Straight On Til Morning."

Deluxe Print
Retail: $35
Dimensions: 14" x 18"
(original, gulp, $1500)

Onion AV Club Fuels Hope for Arrested Development Film

[...]

please take the following news from The New York Post's Page 6 with a grain of salt: There's totally going to be an Arrested Development movie!

The report is based on some non-committal comments made by Jeffrey Tambor, who essentially said he thinks there's a push to get a movie made. Not exactly a "whoo-boy, we start shooting next week!" but enough reason for long-suffering AD fans to hope. (Jason Bateman has also confirmed AD movie talks, so there's a one more reason to believe that posting this wasn't a very big mistake.)

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Shoot that Poison Arrow

Do you have issues with that little guy with the bow who comes 'round on or about the 14th of February every year? Well, here's your suggestion for a chance to shoot back and maybe get your frustrations out: paintball!

Let discount paintball be your antidote to all of this Valentine's day sweetness, and Ultimate Paintball wants to help you with the best prices and free shipping. They have an incredible selection of paintball goodies, selling Tippmann, Spyder, Smart Parts, Dye, Empire, Draxxus paintball gear plus many more brands which you can find on their website, http://www.pntball.com .

Team play, capture the flag or solo, if paintball is your sport you need to check out the frag gear at Ultimate Paintball. This has been a sponsored post and you have been warned!

Back to My Roots

[]

For Valentines Day, some artwork from when the internet was young (or before it existed?):

_
|
]
.-|=====-.
| |14FEB |
___|________|
||
||
|| www
,;, || )_(,;;;,
<_> \ || \|/ \_/
\|/ \\|| \\| |//
_***_\|//_\\|///_\V/_\|//__
We used to do this on a typewriter when we were kids, if we were lucky we even got to use the fancy black and red ribbon

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Top of the World!

Whether you are in Chicago on Valentine's Day or really any other day, one thing I would have to say you must do is visit the Windy City's highest open-air skywalk atop the Hancock building. Best not to be afraid of heights as the Observatory is on the 94th floor, 1,000 feet above The Magnificent Mile. Take in the sights, I would recommend the view at sunset (tell her you promised her the stars) and it will seem like you are the only two people in the world. To really cap off the romance, plan for dinner or at least a cocktail at "The Signature Room on the 95th Floor." before heading back downstairs and to your hotel, before the mood wears off.

We spent an entire day in the area – shopping at Marshal Fields (it is now a Macy's) with a Frango snack and a quick bite in the historical Oak Room. Be sure to admire the Tiffany ceiling when you are there as well! Walking the Miracle Mile and soaking in all the history and architecture (if you have time take the Architectural Society's boat ride).

Chicago gets attention of the weather and the sports but the romance factor should not be discounted.

To learn more about romantic (and other) things to do in Chicago stop by Trusted Tours & Attractions and while you are there go to their sign-up page and find how to win a free digital camera! Just the thing to document your family vacation ideas.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Paris Hilton's (not so) Big Week-end = Hope for Civilization Yet

Paris Hilton's (second?) movie came out last weekend? Don't care? Neither did many other people. The Hottie & the Nottie opened this weekend and took in only $230 per screen.

Jason Kottke does the math and discovers that "based on an $8 average ticket price, 29 paying customers showed up at each location over the 3-day [weekend]."

One hopes that even if more people did see this, they took the advice of Kevin Murphy and paid for a good movie and then sneaked into THatN.

Ol' Yellow Eyes is Back (Again)

[Brent Spiner]

Brent Spiner (Star Trek: TNG, "Independence Day", "I Am Sam") is (back) on the internet as "The Real Brent Spiner". Check out the video and listen to and pre-order his new CD: "Dreamland".

His first CD (Ol' Yellow Eyes Is Back, 1991) featured LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes and Patrick Stewart as backup singers on one track, word is Mark Hamill will guest on the new one.

J.A.F.Obit.

[]

Roy Scheider, the actor best known for his role as a police chief in the blockbuster movie “Jaws,” has died. He was 75.

Scheider died Sunday at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences hospital in Little Rock, hospital spokesman David Robinson said.
Funny, I would have thought of SeaQuest:DSV or “Blue Thunder” before “Jaws”, but OK. (Probably because of the nude yoga scene - making that awkward first date all the more so.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

The Gracious Host

At this point almost everyone has a web page, blog, or some internet
presence – but if you are trying to make money from your internet
efforts (and why aren't you?) you are more than likely going to have
to make the leap from a page on a social networking site to a fully
hosted site.

A hosted site will let you decide how you want your page to look,
where and what kind of ads to run and over all, give you the freedom
to put forth the most professional version of you to be seen by the
masses. (And even just considering the 'One Laptop Per Child'
initiative in motion, that audience is just going to get bigger and
more diverse each day!)

So, let's assume you are now making money from your internet endeavor
(let's say: selling mugs or shirts), you are making money from display
ads or sponsorships (sound familiar?), but the real question now is:
how about you start making money from you web host?

If this sounds like something you might be interested in you you start
by checking out voucherhost.com - an affiliate site for HostGator.
They currently are offering a $25 mail-in rebate just for trying out
HostGator for 2 months, at the low price of only $10 per month, and if
you act quickly, the first month is free. So, do the math, you
actually earn $15 after the second month!

That Stimulus Check from the fine group in Washington DC is only going
to last for so long. So why not turn that web hobby into a paying
site? You may not be able to quit your job but at least you can get
paid for what you are doing already. Voucher Host for HostGator, the
host that pays you back.

Fly United, Or Not

[travel, United Airlines]

So here is my latest frustration – trying to fly to UK this summer and
use Frequent Flyer miles to upgrade from Coach to Business. Sounds
simple, no?

No. It isn't. First of all, only some fares are eligible to upgrade.
Second, you may be willing to pay the (2x higher) fee but UAL is
holding out for people paying the full Business class price and
doesn't want my money. Well, to be fair, they want the money, they
just won't promise me an upgrade NOR pay me back the difference if I
don't get said upgrade.

So, we sit and wait and wonder why I have 100,000 miles in an account
that are looking more useless everyday.

Exactly how is this making them any money and encouraging my loyalty to them?

Saturday, February 09, 2008

Romance in the Desert



When you are looking for travel for two or family vacation ideas for this summer. permit me to tell you a tale of the time M & I went to Las Vegas, Nevada. We had always joked about going there, especially when we were at the height of our Frank Sinatra and martini days. On a whim, when asked what we were going to do for New Year's Eve, I replied, "Going to Vegas." This was before our wedding so you can imagine the speculation that caused at my job!

We found some cheap airline tickets and booked a room at the Hard Rock Hotel, which was still new enough and just far enough off 'The Strip' that it wasn't yet full of rowdy guests. Some great food options in the lobby area, some cool looking gaming tokens (I call them 'Poker Chips' but I guess the proper term is a check or cheque) and an amazing, free-form outdoor pool that is wired for sound.

On the evening of the 31st we got dressed to the nines (I wore a white tuxedo jacket with black shirt and tie), hopped into a very high-tech cab and over to the (now closed) Sands Hotel for a very swinging time with The Rotyal Crown Review in quite a small theater which only added to the exclusive feel. After the new year had began, it was back to the hotel, out of our formal wear and skipping the PG-13 stuff, room service waffles and the annual Rose Parade on the television, a tradition in our household.

So if you are looking for
things to do in Las Vegas
, check out Trusted Tours & Attractions. Act quickly because right now, as a special promotion, you can win a digital camera just by signing up for their newsletter.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Knee Deep in ReFi?

Looking at interest rates and wondering if it is time to refinance? Our good friends at Dollar Boulevard want to help. Act now and you can get 5 free quotes on your refinance. They even have special deals for California residents. Act now while rates are low. Dollarblvd.com can help.

If you are looking for a California Refinance situation due to upcoming rate changes this may just be your ticket to saving money, and who does not like the idea of that? This has been a sponsored posting and hopfully of use to all you California homeowners.

Candidate Calling

We had two calls in the last 2 days from a certain Democratic candidate, probably the lowest number of calls in a recent election since campaigns started doing these robo-calls. A friend had something like 5 calls from Republicans - particularly amusing because they are about the most liberal person I can think of.

Who decides who to call, who does the 'call,' and do ANY of these work? I am inclined to believe they work AGAINST the person named in the call.

[review] One Stop Political Shop

[]

We have been voting 'Permanant Absentee' for so long now that some times it is hard to remember when the actual day of voting really is, but not this year! As I write this, last night was Super Tuesday, or Super Dooper Tuesday if you will. I think there are still some votes yet to be tallied, especially here in California but I think it is safe to say that things aren't over yet, not by a mile, on either side of the political aisle.

So what's a self described political junkie to do? You could do what many people do and go to one of the big three (big four?) networks or you can surf over to Promote Your Vote where they focus on the latest news on the candidates in the 2008 Presidential primaries and upcoming election as well as provide a wide asortment of custom products for both Democrats and Republicans to promote their candidates. With custom t-shirts, pens, vote cards, address labels, and sticky notes there will be nobody in your circle of friends and co-workers who wonders which way you are leaning this election!

Give http://www.promoteyourvote.com a look and see what you can find. With all the news and products you can be sure to find something to inform and entertain and promote the candidate of your choice. I already see lots of things that would make a great gift!

Sad and Glad News at Tiki Talk

I have been rather remiss in reading Tiki Talk but today I went and found some news to be sad about but then some good news as well:

[This is Bad]: The San Francisco Trader Vic's location has closed permanently. The story has been confirmed by the San Francisco Chronicle/ SFGate.com.

[This is Good]:A wedding!

I now return you to your regular Wednesday.

Bare With Me

With Mardi Gras 2008 now a memory and Valentine's Day only eight days away - the first season of dressing up in sexy costumes is well upon us. Here in Northern California I dare say it's a bit too cold to go outside in skimpy clothing, let's leave that to the good folk in Brazil. However, there is nothing stopping you from dressing up and staying inside for some fun and games, and if that's your plan for Saint Valentine's day then perhaps you should swing on by to www.Justbare.com your internet home for lingerie, sexy lingerie, Plus size lingerie. Check out their many collections for the playful adult , Honeymoon, Erotic Dance, Bridal Lingerie, Bikini, Dress, Party wear, all in different styles and color and guaranteed to please you and your partner.

Reasonable prices for both their products and their shipping and as always all purchase are mailed discretely to protect you, the customer's privacy. With the money you save here you can afford a nice dinner out or better yet, order something delivered and stay in. Go ahead, have a look, find something for yourself or as a gift and have the best Valentine's Day you can imagine. Feel free to thank me on on the fifteenth and thanks to www.Justbare.com for sponsoring this post.

Monday, February 04, 2008

Fine Line Between Homage and Theft

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Compare, contrast, tune-out.


Oh, wait. E*trade has the kid barfing, that's comedy GOLD, baby.

Brought to You in Living Color

From a friend, his first Django app. I don't even know what a Django is but I still had fun with the random color generator.

Why Am I Hearing of This on Wikipedia?

Funplex is an album containing 11 songs recorded by The B-52's in 2006 and 2007. The band took a long time to shop the album around to different labels in order to secure favorable intellectual property rights to the music, something previous record contracts did not afford them.

It is the first album of new material that the group has released since Good Stuff in 1992 and is scheduled to be released in the United States on March 25, 2008.

The album came as a result of the band's renewed touring, and a feeling that they needed something new to perform. Guitarist Keith Strickland was inspired to create an updated sound for the band when listening to the New Order album Get Ready and hired producer Steve Osborne as a result. A more modern use of electronica production is the most distinct mark of the band's new sound.

Catch The Happiness Wave


You have all heard of the 'Monkey Mind', right? The chattering inside your head as you jump in your mind from thought to thought while you daydream, analyze your relationships, or worry over the future?

On that note then, I have a story for you:

"In Borneo, the natives have an ingenious technique for capturing the wild monkeys that raid their crops and stores of food. They take an empty coconut shell and make a small hole in it, just large enough for a monkey’s hand. They put some rice into the coconut for bait and tie the coconut down to the ground. The thieving monkey, smelling the food, comes to investigate. He sticks his hand inside the coconut to grab the rice, but when he tries to pull his hand out, because it’s clasped in a fist around the rice, it won’t fit through the hole anymore. To escape, all the monkey must let go of the rice. But because they won’t let go, they are trapped. Trapped just like we can be if we fall victim to focusing on negative thoughts and making ourselves unhappy.

Are you happy? Curious to know how Mariel Hemingway and Marci Shimoff raised their happiness set point with The Sedona Method? Then check out "'Happy For No Reason' 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out" by Marci Shimoff and while you are there be sure to ask for your Free DVD and CD.

Friday, February 01, 2008

Shop Smart Look Smart

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Not sure what catalog this came out of but it does have a Sears 1970s vibe to it, no? (Another clue: the prices!)

Alternately: they are waiting for makeup at the Star Trek convention.

Apple //c Unboxing


Apple //c Unboxing
Originally uploaded by dansays
Best unboxing photoset ever. The only thing that could have made it funnier is if were all shot on Polaroid SX-70 film, you know to add that veneer of history.

(BTW: Is anyone else worried about the fate of Flickr if Yahoo! become Microsoft?)

Call Off the Guns

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Thanks to donations from 8,830 supporters, our new wolf-saving ad will appear in today's New York Times (Friday the 1st), where it will be read by more than one million Americans and all over Capitol Hill.

We're in the Times at a critical moment. The Open Fire order could come any day now. Hundreds of wolves in the Northern Rockies could be exterminated while they are still on the Endangered Species List.

Who's Got the Buzz?

Do you have an original picture, song or essay that you want the world to know about? Sure you do - after all, this is the era of the blog! Problem is, you have a blog (or two) and so does everyone else! So how to make your creation stand out amongst all the others? Simple: Buzzfuse.

What or who is Buzzfuse? Simply put they are a marketing system for content. You have something you want the world to see and they will help you get it out there and in front of the eyeballs of world. A simple registration step and you are on your way. Where you go with it is up to you: a better paying job as a full-time content creator, more ad revenue from increased page views or even something as simple as more friends and comments on your work. In full disclosure, this has been a sponsored review, but who wouldn't want more internet traffic?

Let it snow!

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Looks like it snowed again in my old home town which is not all that unusual but it is rare enough to write (from) home about. What really caught my eye this week, re: Snow was this item:

Snow blankets Israel


A strong winter storm blanketed much of northern Israel and towns at higher elevation in central and southern Israel - such as Jerusalem - with a moderate layer of wet snow early Wednesday morning.

The snow and slush brought public transportation in Jerusalem and northern communities to a standstill, and resulted in a day off school for local youth.


I know this is but a single data point but doesn't it seem a bit odd to have snow in the Middle East? Makes me glad I don't drive too often - got to start watching that carbon output, people!
idogcow. Get yours at bighugelabs.com/flickr

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